Farming Karma Fruit Co.

Author: Crew Marketing

Farming Karma Fruit Co.

Written by Crew Marketing
As successful tree-fruit farmers, Karma and Kuku Gill worked and raised their kids on their Okanagan apple orchard—30 years later, the kids are all grown up and working alongside their parents to operate Farming Karma Fruit Co., the agritourism business the Gills launched in 2019. The transition from well-respected orchardists to successful producers of value-added fruit products and tourism experiences was supported by the community.

“Whether it was learning about manufacturing practices and equipment or retail sales and distribution, our community was able to assist us in different ways,” says Karma and Kuku’s son, Avi Gill, who is also the company’s president. It was a desire “to give back to the community,” he adds, as well as “the hope of sparking the interest of the next generation of agricultural pioneers,” that inspired Karma and Kuku to launch their family-owned and operated business.

Avi’s wife, Binny, and younger brother, Sumeet, are also involved in the business, using their unique combination of skills to make the company a success.

At the Gills’ Kelowna property, you’ll find Farming Karma’s production facility, where their line of fruit sodas, which are free of added concentrates, preservatives, and sugars, are made. 

Reflecting back on community partnerships, it was Peter Boyd of Independent Grocer who gave the Gills their first retail opportunity. After just three years in business, and thanks to some initial guidance from Boyd, Farming Karma Sodas can now be found in more than 3,000 stores across BC and Ontario, as well as select stores in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon.

Avi says being situated in the Okanagan and having the ability to build off the consumer desire for the region’s fruit has helped Farming Karma establish a solid reputation. The local community is also to thank.

“When you’re looking to collaborate [in the Okanagan], there is always someone who is willing to help make a positive impact on your business.” That’s good karma, indeed.

“The support from the community is immense and there is no other place you would want to start. It’s accessible and easy to create a buzz in this community—consumers here are progressive and always looking to support local businesses.”

Paynter’s Fruit Market

Written by Crew Marketing

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For more than 70 years, Paynter has been a name synonymous throughout West Kelowna with freshly grown fruits and vegetables, tight-knit community, and a lot of fun. One stroll through Paynter’s Farmers Market with owner and operator Jennay Oliver will show you why.

On the far end of West Kelowna sits Paynter’s Fruit Market, a 40-acre fruit and vegetable farm owned and operated by Jennay Oliver, who is the fourth generation of the Paynter family to work this piece of land. More than 100 years ago, Jennay’s great grandfather, Edwin Paynter, first farmed here. In 1951, her grandfather, Harry Paynter Sr., sold the first pieces of fruit from a roadside stand. Her aunts and uncles took the helm in the ‘80s and then handed the reins to Jennay, who took over the operation in 2007 at the age of 23.

“Farming is a way of life, and it offers this perfectly balanced lifestyle,” says Jennay. “What keeps me passionate is seeing people come in and they’re so excited about when things are ready. They’re so excited that our fruit stand is located right on the orchard, they can walk out and see the fruit growing on the trees.”

Taking over the farm at such a young age, Jennay had to learn on the job; she says she is still constantly learning, as agriculture practices continue to shift and evolve. She credits the support of the farming community for helping her solve problems as they come up. Local organizations like the Regional District of the Central Okanagan and Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission also keep her informed about programs and funding that can support her small business.

“Over the last 10 years, we’ve doubled the production of our farm, and now we’re trying to consolidate, improve, and continue to build the sustainability of the farm and trying to be even more efficient with the fruit stand,” says Jennay. She notes that consumer preferences have also shifted to a more sustainable mindset during this time, with people caring more about food quality and having a connection with where their food comes from.

Farming sustainably means the Paynter’s team is constantly thinking about how to minimize inputs to keep the soil as healthy as possible. They use an array of farming techniques, like rotating fields, planting cover crops, not tilling, and using compost as fertilizer, to support the land. This all leads to fresh, locally grown produce that people buy up with enthusiasm, including chefs at local restaurants like Old Vines at Quails’ Gate Estate Winery and The Landing Kitchen + Bar at the Cove Lakeside Resort, both of which are also venues for business meetings and events. 

Making connections in the community extends to Jennay’s relationships with fellow farmers, who she regularly collaborates with. Since they don’t grow every type of fruit and vegetable on the farm, Jennay seeks out local and regional farmers who are growing quality products that can then be sold at Paynter’s Fruit Market, which only carries made in BC products. 

To Jennay, who is raising two young daughters on the farm, the future success of Paynter’s Fruit Market and farming in general extends well beyond her lifetime.

“In 100 years, I would like to see the same amount of land being farmed in the Okanagan that there is right now…it makes our land beautiful and it’s a huge part of our economy.”

Off The Grid Organic Winery

Written by Crew Marketing
For more than 100 years, farmers in the Paynter family have worked the same plot of land in West Kelowna. Today, brothers Nigel and Travis Paynter, along with their wives, Sheri—one of a growing group of female winemakers in the region—and Hayley (plus numerous family members who are employed full time) practice sustainable farming on the land to grow grapes that are made into premium, organic wine.

The Paynter’s founded Off the Grid Organic Winery, which is certified through the Pacific Agricultural Certification Society, in 2015. Now producing about 2,500 cases of wine per year, Off the Grid was the sixth winery in BC to have both its grapes and wines certified as organic. But producing amazing organic wine is just one facet of Off the Grid’s existence.

True to its name, Off the Grid is committed to its sustainability efforts in all aspects of its operation. The wineshop was built out of straw bales, which offer double the insulation value compared to a standard build, and has solar panels on the roof to power the wineshop. Its unobstructed views of Okanagan Lake and permaculture-in-action operation make it a must-stop destination for tourists and wine enthusiasts.

In addition to wine tastings, locals and visitors alike are also welcomed for yoga classes, live music, and fundraising events for the BC SPCA. A visit with the winery’s flock of rescue animals, including goats, who can explore and play up on the wineshop roof, sheep, and chickens, round out the guest experience and their grazing also helps eliminate weeds.

When asked about the future of the business, Nigel says his goal is to keep the winery and vineyard going for another 100 years.

“Success for us is being able to educate people on sustainable farming practices, and of course, selling out of wine.”

“The wine industry in the entire Okanagan has been so welcoming. Every winemaker looks to help one another, not just in starting [a winery] but constantly with ideas and tips should any problems arise.”

CedarCreek Estate Winery

Written by Crew Marketing
As one of the original eight wineries in the Okanagan Valley, CedarCreek Estate Winery is a seasoned veteran who happily works with the other wineries in the region’s developed viticulture sector. But CedarCreek isn’t one to rest on its laurels. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

The Central Okanagan winery, which has been named Canadian Winery of the Year at the InterVin International Wine Awards three times (most recently in 2019), is undertaking a significant transformation to be a fully organic vineyard.

According to Winemaker, Taylor Whelan, it’s a fundamental shift in how they’re thinking about their wines and their connection to the land they’ve farmed for more than 40 years.

“Everything you spray on the vineyard goes back into Okanagan Lake,” Whelan says. “The lake is our drinking water. As we conceptualize the closed loop, we want to make an effort to leave this place a little bit better than how we found it.”

The closed loop Whelan speaks about is the holistic philosophy of cultivating the natural ecosystem of the 50-plus acres on which CedarCreek resides. The winery doesn’t use anything that wouldn’t be found outside the natural area and relies on animals and plants to naturally combat disease and pests. In addition, CedarCreek employs an extensive composting program, leaving nothing to waste.

The shift in thinking can be summarized this way: in order to go forward, CedarCreek is going back. “Conventional agriculture is something that started in the last century, and it changed the way people farmed. A similar thing happened with vineyards. We’re on the journey back to what we were doing 100-150 years ago,” Whelan says.

“People can say viticulture is pretty natural but once you look under the hood, often it’s not,” he adds. “So, we’re making the commitment to say we’re going back and trying to be as natural as we can.”

And what about the quality of the wine? Did the move to organic maintain CedarCreek’s strong reputation?

In 2019, CedarCreek became certified organic in its farming and winemaking, part of a growing movement. In fact, when CedarCreek started the organic process, 4% of the Okanagan’s wineries were organic. Now, it’s close to 18%.

CedarCreek’s Organic Viticulturist, Kurt Simcic, says it’s even better. In his mind, going organic “led to a new range of wines, a tier above platinum. It’s been a natural evolution—the grapes grow differently, the flavour profile is changing, Taylor is producing more unique and more valuable wines.”

Whelan and Simcic point to organics as the first major achievement in a journey. CedarCreek is also partnering with Regeneration Canada, a national movement with a focus on regenerative land management, to see how they can further care for the ecosystem in which they farm.

“We’re not going to sit back and say, “We’re organic.” We can always do more and do it better,” Simcic states. “That’s an important piece to how we’re carrying on. It’s a super fun and exciting project to be a part of.”

If the winery’s track record over its 35-year history is any indication, there is sure to be more excitement, innovation, and award-winning wine in CedarCreek’s future.

“Many tourists who come to the region are surprised at what we can produce here. I love to see more international recognition for the Okanagan happening because there are amazing wines here.”

Niche Wine Co.

Written by Crew Marketing
Niche Wine Co. founders James and Joanna Schlosser operate with the ethos that wine is grown, not made. The couple’s approach to winemaking is rooted in a deep connection with the land, thanks to the Schlosser family’s multi-generation farming background and Joanna’s Indigenous ancestry.

“In a world of quick flips, our way of thinking is much different,” says Joanna, who is a member of the Squamish Nation. “Indigenous culture—and seventh generation thinking specifically—has impacted how we run our business and live on the farm; it makes us better farmers and community members.”

The winery is nestled high in the scenic hills of West Kelowna, just a short drive from downtown Kelowna. James’ parents purchased the property, where James grew up, in 1980 and started planting grapes in the mid ‘90s. Around the same time, James was figuring out his career path, which ultimately led him to Brock University, where Canada’s first Oenology and Viticulture program had been launched. James completed an undergraduate and master’s degree at Brock, and met Joanna while living in Ontario.

“I was working as a flight attendant based out of Toronto, living a very urban lifestyle,” says Joanna. “I had grown up in North Vancouver, so I was not connected to agriculture or seasonality—I feel like wine saved me in a way, because it brought me back to that.”

It was in 2009 that the couple decided to start the winery. Initially, it was a small, grass-roots operation, producing around 50-75 cases of rosé. Living in Vancouver at the time, the pair commuted back and forth frequently, and started selling their wine to small shops in the Lower Mainland. Over time, production grew to 800-900 cases, prompting the need for a larger facility where they could host visitors and enhance their operations.

In the first decade, Joanna says the couple was focused on “growing the best grapes and making the best wines,” while navigating the complexities of farming, grape management, and the highly regulated wine industry. By the fifth year, the pair started applying for wine competitions and connecting with wine writers.

The subsequent award wins and recognition validated their efforts, fueled their passion, and inspired further growth. Their success was made possible thanks in part to the Central Okanagan’s supportive entrepreneurial environment.

Over the years, resources from organizations like Accelerate Okanagan, Prospera Credit Union, and InnovateBC provided valuable support to the winery, helping James and Joanna implement innovative farming practices and grow their business.

“From year nine to fifteen, we had a pretty aggressive growth strategy and used many of Accelerate Okanagan’s programs,” she adds. “Having access to resources like that, and those available through organizations like InnovateBC, changed the trajectory of our business.”

During his time in the grape growing and wine industry, James has also worked with UBC Okanagan and at the Summerland research centres. The advances happening at Okanagan College (OC) are exciting, too, says Joanna.

The winery’s tasting room is one of its distinctive features, as it is integrated with the production area, offering visitors an authentic, behind-the-scenes experience. This approach creates a much more genuine connection to the wine-making process for their guests.

“We want wine to be fun, as it tends to have this mystique that it’s so serious,” notes Joanna. “We try to make the farm feel warm and welcoming for families, fostering a connection to agriculture, even for those people who aren’t wine lovers.”

Regardless of its growth, community has always been at the heart of the winery, particularly through the pandemic and during the devastating wildfires in 2023, which damaged part of the farm and vineyard.

“We have never felt a stronger connection to the community than in the last couple of years,” notes Joanna. “Fires make you pause. We felt the support deeply from the wine community, but also from West Kelowna and the Central Okanagan.”

In recent years, the Schlossers have diversified their offerings to further incorporate sustainable strategies and principles.

“We’ve been running a growler program for three years as a strategy to tackle sustainable living,” explains Joanna. “It’s a practice used in a lot of other wine regions like France, where you can bring wine bottles in and fill them. The program is a great example of looking globally at solutions and figuring out how to work with legislation and rules here to make it happen.”

This summer, Niche opened its Hilltop Patio & Bar, part of the winery’s plan to add depth and breadth for folks interested in more than just wine. Earlier this year, the winery became a member of Tourism Kelowna, providing additional exposure to leisure and business travellers seeking viticulture and agri-tourism experiences. As of the first week of November, travellers can stay onsite at Outside Inn Cabins, three sustainably-built accommodations surrounded by vineyard and valley views, creating a unique immersive experience.

Through Joanna and James’ vision, laser focus, and hard work, Niche Wine Co. is undoubtedly more than just a winery; it’s a testament to the Schlossers’ enduring values of family, community, and environmental stewardship.

“This place is special specifically because of the altitude,” explains Joanna. “It’s completely south-facing and has a breeze that comes up and down the valley, which helps with pest management. It’s perfectly located with easy access to town but still very much in the wilderness.”

“I can’t think of a better place to start and run a business,” says Joanna. “It feels like there is a perfect balance here to create an ecosystem for small businesses like ours to thrive.”

“OC is doing such a great job. The new Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism is going to be transformational, especially when they look to train and retain staff as the tourism and wine industries continue to grow.”

50th Parallel Estate

Written by Crew Marketing

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What started as a first conversation on a houseboat along the Shuswap became a fruitful marriage and business. The Krouzels founded 50th Parallel Estate Winery, one of the Okanagan’s largest wineries in one of the best viticultural regions in the world. They’re excited to connect people and place with each glass of Pinot.

After some lakeside contemplation, self-professed Glamour Farmers, Curtis Krouzel and Sheri-Lee Turner-Krouzel took the plunge to build their “slice of heaven,” 50th Parallel Estate Winery, on a 61-acre estate in Lake Country, north of Kelowna.

“The Central Okanagan provides one of the most diverse regions in the world in which to produce world-class wines and boasts uncompromised beauty and complementary tourism experiences that draw guests from around the world,” says Krouzel.

The couple hand planted the winery’s first 10 acres of vines in 2009. Krouzel used his engineering background to improve the process by designing a planting machine that was able to navigate difficult slopes on the property. From there, the team took on the challenge of growing notoriously difficult Pinot Noir grapes and went all-in with the varietal. In fact, it is the only red wine produced onsite, making up about 35% of the winery’s production.

In 2020, 50th Parallel launched its Glamour Farming canned wine, aligning with consumer trends and offering a more sustainable, fully recyclable option.

50th Parallel’s original winery was expanded by 15,000 square feet in 2018. The architecturally stunning space includes a tasting room, flexible indoor-outdoor space for banquets and events, and BLOCK ONE Restaurant, which made OpenTable’s list of Top 100 Restaurants in Canada for 2021.

“Let’s be honest, there is no lakefront city in the world like Kelowna. We are not an emerging international destination… we have arrived.”

In addition to helping source and secure meetings and conferences, Krouzel notes that Tourism Kelowna’s team “was very helpful in the early years, helping bring influencers and media to the winery to spread the word about our up-and-coming new business.”

“We have managed to achieve our goals of building a place where people want to come and visit and experience our wines, and most importantly we have built an incredible team that we are proud to
call our 50th family.”

Alpine Aerotech

Written by Crew Marketing
Starting with just four employees in 1990, Alpine Aerotech is a perfect example of the success that can be achieved in the Okanagan.

Today, the company is one of the largest helicopter customer support centres in the world, employing 150 people between their two BC facilities, including their main headquarters in West Kelowna.

“We chose the Central Okanagan because of the many established helicopter operators in the region; the Okanagan is also home to some of the longest-standing operators in Canada,” says President, Jeff Denomme. “The region has a variety of companies that work internationally but still call the Okanagan home, providing a significant contribution to our local economy.”

It was these established helicopter operators that contributed, in part, to the company’s success, adds Denomme.

“There was a need to provide heavy maintenance and overhaul services to help support the local industry, providing innovative solutions through our manufacturing capabilities and fostering relationships with our customers has made [Alpine] Aerotech what it is today.”

Thanks to its best-in-class reputation, Alpine Aerotech now provides services to some of the most successful companies in the world from its almost 100,000 square feet of combined manufacturing and office space. The company has been a recognized service centre for Italy’s Leonardo Helicopters since 2017 and is one of the largest and most reputable support facilities for Texas-based Bell Helicopters.

“The Okanagan is full of opportunity and continues to grow,” adds Denomme. “All you have to do is take a drive through the Valley to see the diverse industries and companies that have succeeded here.” 

Of course, you can always see it by helicopter, too.

“The Okanagan offers a great work/life balance. You don’t have to travel far to take in all the amenities the region has to offer. The local community is also very personable and very willing to work together.”

Natures Formulae

Written by Crew Marketing
Many entrepreneurial journeys start out of a founder’s home, often the garage or basement. For Barbra Johnston, the journey started at her kitchen sink, where she launched Natures Formulae Health Products Ltd. more than 30 years ago.

As a pioneer in Western Canada’s health and wellness industry, it was Barbra’s vision and dedication to developing all-natural products that laid the foundation for the company’s success.

“We are one of a few Western-based manufacturers in the cosmeceutical and nutraceutical industry,” says President, Alison Yesilcimen.

Today, Natures Formulae has moved on from Barbra’s kitchen sink, now occupying a 30,000 square foot facility in Kelowna. More than 80 team
members work at the facility, developing and manufacturing the company’s own line of branded products, as well as private label and custom all-natural products for national and international brands.

“We are honoured to have developed thousands of products in our in-house research and development lab,” says Yesilcimen. “Our formulators seek out products and ingredients that can drive new innovation.”

The search for unique and innovative natural ingredients is a global endeavour but starts in the company’s backyard. In fact, Kelowna’s official flower, the Arrowleaf Balsamroot, or Okanagan Sunflower as it’s known to residents, is just one of the local ingredients making its way into Natures Formulae’s products.

“We are all about health and wellness, which is why living in nature’s playground has been instrumental in shaping our organization,” Yesilcimen says. “Natural is our niche. Full stop.”

“Many organizations have supported our business throughout the last thirty years. More recently, we have worked with UBC [Okanagan] and Okanagan College to find graduates looking to start their careers. Many of our employees have graduated from these incredible institutions.”

Jupiter Avionics

Written by Crew Marketing
Renowned worldwide for the aircraft audio communications equipment they design and manufacture, Jupiter Avionics has been recognized as one of Canada’s fastest-growing companies for each of the last three years.

Jupiter was founded in 2011 after Northern Airborne Technology (NAT) closed due to restructuring. Several senior executives from NAT saw a new door ready to be opened as one was closing and assembled the Jupiter team with well-respected avionics professionals who had previously contributed to NAT’s success.

The products Jupiter designs and manufactures, which are produced mainly for mission-oriented helicopters (think medical transport, firefighting, law enforcement, and emergency search and rescue), include audio controllers, wireless intercoms, and a multitude of accessories and interfaces.

“Virtually all our products are exported, and our customers hail from every corner of the globe,” says President, Mitch Stinson. “Although we do not have a high local profile, we are well-known worldwide
in our market.”

Stinson adds that the company’s strategy is to provide highly customizable products while maintaining short lead times. They have developed a “nimble and adaptive approach to meeting market needs,” he says, which combined with the longstanding expertise of its founders, is surely a contributor to the company’s reputation and success.

As Jupiter Avionics carries on its growth trajectory, there is no doubt that the impact of the company’s work will continue to be felt throughout the world.

“The core of our team has lived in the Kelowna area for more than 30 years. When we decided to form our own company, it was a no-brainer to base ourselves in Kelowna… we knew we’d be able to attract new employees to the area given its wide range of year-round activities.”