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.
Rearview: Period promise
We can now call Aunt Flo by her real name: menstruation “Mom I NEED you!” I yelled loudly from the toilet so that I’d be heard through the bathroom door, across the hall, and into my parents’ bedroom. My mom was still sleeping. My dad, already up, responded, “Let your...
Kelowna performance group presents a night of choreography and costumes to classic songs
MASK (Musical Actors and Singers of Kelowna), invites you to I Got Rhythm—an evening of hot notes, cool tunes and favourite classics.
Kelowna Art Gallery hosts Appetite for Art Fundraiser with local bubbly and bites
“This year’s gala will sweep guests away for A Night in Casablanca,” said Joshua Desnoyers, Events Coordinator for the gallery.
Local family will match all KGH cardiac care donations after personal experience
It’s a cause all too familiar for Darrell and Margaret Porubanec, who witnessed their youngest son Trevor, just 22 years old at the time, fall to the floor unresponsive, later to be diagnosed with a life-threatening heart rhythm condition.
Progress 2019 Spotlight on Okanagan Business
Progress 2019 brings you the latest from the following Okanagan businesses. We encourage you to support your communities- shop local.Ace Plumbing & Heating Allegria Homes Banbury Lane Design Centre Bohemian Cafe & Catering Chef's Edge Crowe...
Paul’s Voice: Private musing of family fortunes
Today, we celebrate second, third and fourth generational family businesses that are exceptional in most every Okanagan way.
