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.
Kelowna awards volunteers, artists, athletes and business leaders
The annual award ceremony recognizes volunteers, artists, athletes and business leaders that made significant contributions to the city in 2018.
Health Care Assistant program starts in Salmon Arm
An intake of Okanagan College’s Health Care Assistant program is scheduled for May at the Salmon Arm campus, giving students in the Shuswap direct access to training for one of the most in-demand positions in the province.
Blue Man Group comes to Penticton
The Blue Man Group stops by Penticton’s South Okanagan Event Centre on their World Tour on April 23 and 24. The award-winning stage show is known for its’ trio of bald and blue performers.
Short-term rental regulations moving forward
On Feb. 25, Council took another step toward approving regulations for short-term rentals in Kelowna, giving first reading to a Zoning Bylaw amendment for short-term rental accommodations.
UBCO students give back during reading week
UBC Okanagan students once again volunteered time during their reading week break to help local charities through the Pushor Mitchell United Way Day of Caring® Program.
Lake Country Children’s Festival features more activities this year
The Lake Country Indoor Children’s Festival (presented by TD Bank) event happens at the Lake Country Community Complex on March 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
