I was born and raised in the Okanagan. I am a proud 4th generation of a fruit farming family – we farmed apples, peaches, plums, and cherries. My "career" started at age 5 as an apple picker and wildlife spotter on my family's fruit orchards. I learned quickly I wasn't a good apple picker!
My love of wine started at my summer job in high school, when I worked in the cellar at CedarCreek Estate Winery under the apprenticeship of Winemaker Ann Sperling.
I didn't think I'd become a winemaker at first though. I studied at UBC, where I started in medicine, but changed to follow my passion of agriculture and food science.
After I graduated, I went abroad for a year in New Zealand to start a diploma in Viticulture and Enology, and had the amazing opportunity to apprentice at Helena Winery near Christchurch.
I always knew I'd come back home to the Okanagan, and I realized the vast potential of the Okanagan to grow great wine. I've had Assistant and Associate Winemaker jobs all over the Okanagan. I settled as Winemaker at Mission Hill Family Estate, where I really got to see the potential of winemaking in the Okanagan!
My passion is to put the Okanagan on the map as one of the best wine regions, and I created The Prospect Winery to celebrate the prospect of the Okanagan, and all the aspects that make it so unique for winemaking.
Corrie Krehbiel, Winemaker
My Winemaking Journey