In honour of National Women in Wine Day, we are celebrating more of the passionate, talented and industrious women at Quails’ Gate who are truly dedicated to their craft.
Three generations have helped to build Quails’ Gate into the award-winning winery that exists today. The pursuit of viticultural and winemaking excellence has remained the driving force behind everything we do. As one of Canada’s foremost family-owned estate wineries, we have shaped the development of the wine industry for more than six decades, focusing on making the Okanagan Valley a premium wine and culinary destination.
Our success is a result of the dedication and passion of our people. On International Women’s Day we introduced you to some of the women from our Wine Shop and Old Vines Restaurant and now we’re pleased to showcase a few women from our Winemaking and Viticulture teams, who are experts in their field.
Kailee Frasch
Associate Winemaker
I was born and raised in the Okanagan, so I grew up surrounded by beautiful vineyards and wineries, and it was impossible not to develop an interest in wine. I was studying Microbiology at UBCO when a Winemaker came in to do a presentation on the role of yeast in winemaking. This was the first time I had thought about Winemaking as a career and realized just how much science was involved. Shortly after I enrolled in an Oenology and Viticulture program at Brock University.
I love getting to see all the intricacies of each vintage coming together to form the finished wines.
I was lucky to have an incredibly talented Winemaker as my first boss in the wine industry. It was invaluable to be able to learn from someone who was not only great at making wine, but was an inclusive and open leader, and really cared about developing her team.
Favourite Quails’ Gate Wine: I love our Rosemary’s Block Chardonnay. It is such a complex and beautiful wine and such an interesting style of Chardonnay. It always excites me to be able to share it with people in hopes that they will love it as much as I do.
Judy Wanbon
Vineyard Manager
I love being out in the vines and being a part of the growing season to produce amazing grapes for our winery team. I love working with the Quails’ Gate team. Their enthusiasm to be a part of the Quails’ Gate family and the pride we all take in producing such amazing wines is inspirational.
Favourite Quails’ Gate wine: Chenin Blanc is my favourite wine for a couple of reasons. It was one of the first wines that I tasted when I first started working at Quails’ Gate 16 years ago. It made a huge impression then and still does to this day when I open a bottle to share with friends. I love the dry body with hints of tropical fruits and that it is so easy to pair with foods. Makes entertaining friends easy.
Mackenzie Shaw
Vineyard Supervisor
I love working with my hands and learning something new every day. When I joined Quails’ Gate the wine industry was a complete mystery to me so I have loved getting to learn the ins and outs of what goes into every bottle. Judy Wanbon has been a huge mentor for me. She has completely taken me under her wing and has shown me what being a woman in the wine industry really means, and the hard work that it takes.
Favourite Quails’ Gate wine: I love the Quails’ Gate Three Wolves Vineyard Pinot Gris. Not only for the taste but because the field it comes from is my favourite block that we work in. I love knowing exactly what grapes are in that wine and everything that has gone into growing them.
This Women in Wine Day celebrate the women in your life with a bottle of Quails’ Gate Wine. Visit us at the Wine Shop or online at quailsgate.com. Wine Club members enjoy 15% off all our wines, along with exclusive benefits and access to events and promotions. Not a club member? Sign up today.
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