Retirement is not an option for Donald Triggs, a key player in the blossoming of Canada’s modern wine industry and co-owner of soon-to-be launched Culmina Family Estate Winery.
A native of rural Manitoba, representing the sixth generation on the family farm, Don left the nest to complete a degree in agriculture from the University of Manitoba and an MBA at Western. He started his career in Ontario doing sales and marketing with Colgate Palmolive. In 1972 he moved to John Labatt’s wine division where his experience ranged from fixing troubled sectors of winery operations to running large wine producers in Canada and abroad.
In the hope of staying in Canada with his family, Don joined Fisions PLC based in Vancouver, taking their troubled North American horticultural division from money loser to industry leader. With the 1989 North American Free Trade Agreement around the corner, Don risked everything. He joined forces with Alan Jackson and former Labatt colleagues who pooled their life savings to buy the brewer’s wine division.
Renamed Vincor International with Don as CEO, it grew to become the biggest wine enterprise in Canada and seventh largest in the world. When Constellation Brands US acquired Vincor in 2006, Don resigned and set out to build Culmina with wife Elaine as partner and daughter Sara as sales and marketing manager.
Don has lured Bordeaux-trained Pascal Madevon (formerly winemaker at Osoyoos Larose) to the promising scenario at Culmina.
Read more of the original stories celebrated in our 30th-anniversary issue.
Wine reviews: Valley expressions of bold red wines
As seen in [downloads ids="156027" columns="1"] Summerland Pyramid Winery 2014 OM Organic MeritageKelowna, Okanagan Valley1/2 $65 This Bordeaux blend is very new-world in style. Full-bodied and robust, it is a wonderful presentation of ripe dark fruits...
Beautiful blends
Even a blend of one or two percent can make a significant difference in wine, says sommelier Mike Lee.
Kitchen Confidential with Todd Laidlaw of True Grain Bakery
Baking up a storm with heritage wheat
Retail Real Estate Revolution
Okanagan developers are reviving urban centres with a mix of workplaces, greenspaces and lofty living.
Whites: Best of BC Wine Awards 2018
Let’s celebrate the wines from our fourth annual Okanagan Life Best of BC Wine Awards, this year held at the Delta Hotels Grand Okanagan. Our judging panel was a select group of independent, experienced wine judges from the trade, restaurant and education...
In the kitchen with Kristina Klein at EATology
At the bus stop Young Vernon chef serves up the science of eating fresh food It started out as a side thing, but then it just took off, says Kristina Klein, founder of EATology, an unusual bus depot diner in Vernon. It’s modern, but funky, with wooden floors instead...
Wine reviews: Sperling Sparkling Brut
Sperling Vineyards 2011 Sparkling Brut Kelowna, Okanagan Valley 1/2 $40.00 Reminiscent of a fine quality Champagne, this single vineyard Pinot Blanc sparkling wine is grown organically and biodynamically, allowing it to truly represent its own unique...
Garagiste winemakers
A garage can make for a passionate first crush At 650 metres above sea level, Forgotten Hill Wine Co. is the highest-elevation vineyard in the South Okanagan — a nod to a tract of land way up the hill on a forested, gravel road past...
Penny wise: Confessions of a thrift store shopper
Back in the swinging sixties, I was six and still enjoying playground swings. It was not until I was out of my brown school uniform and had started working that I realized what I’d been missing out on, fashion-wise. My hard-earned money...
Alpine skiing opens at SilverStar Mountain
On Thursday, Nov. 28, the alpine ski season officially kicks off at SilverStar, with some of the best early-season conditions in BC. "We couldn't be more thrilled to kick-off another amazing season on the slopes at SilverStar," said Chantelle Deacon, media relations...
Quintland: Five strong story sells
Shelley Wood's debut historical novel tops best-seller list In the 1930s, public appetite was insatiable for news and images of the Dionne quintuplets. Before reality TV shows and viral videos, the unlikely survival of five identical babies in a small town in Northern...
Stuart Park: Outdoor skating in downtown Kelowna
Get ready to lace up your skates and take to the ice at Stuart Park outdoor ice rink. The outdoor rink will be open starting Dec. 1 from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily through to late February, weather permitting. Skaters at Stuart Park will have the chance to warm...
Public gathers to grand opening light-up celebration to mark construction completion of JoeAnna’s House
After two years of fundraising and an ambitious construction schedule, JoeAnna’s House in Kelowna is set to open its doors to Okanagan families in need. But first… we must turn the lights on! The public is invited to gather in celebration at nightfall and count down...
Tuition credits for story writers
Could you write a short story in only three hours? What if you had to include a random phrase such as, “frozen fish sticks,” “dead hamster,” or “jumper cables?” That’s what students in Grade 11 and 12, and those attending Okanagan College can expect when competing in...
Spot hiring for Y lifeguards
The YMCA of Okanagan will host an Aquatics Day of Hiring on October 3 at the WorkBC, Capri Centre offices to recruit lifeguards and swim instructors - and offer spot hiring. For or those who are interested in becoming a lifeguard or swim instructor please attend the...
