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.
Early buyers can lock in prices for Central Green parkside lofts
Less than a year after the green light came from City Council to begin development of Kelowna’s most sustainable community, Mission Group Homes is now fast-forwarding its plans for Central Green. The award-winning Okanagan builder announced today plans for CG Two, a...
Built Green Canada supports Ft. McMurray rebuild
In light of the unimaginable destruction of the Ft. McMurray wildfires and subsequent flooding that has left thousands of Albertans displaced, Built Green Canada is working to support the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo’s rebuilding efforts. “Alberta’s...
Moonlight Movie Family Night in Kelowna’s City Park
Interior Savings and Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs invite you to grab a picnic blanket and head down to Webber Rd community Centre on August 17 to watch the moonlight movie Inside Out and or Kelowna’s City Park to watch a screening of Zootopia on August 18. The movies...
Name game
Nicknames: I’m guessing we all have at least one and that it tends to be a term of endearment. If we don’t, I bet we can recall one or two from childhood that may have been anything but endearing! But nicknames needn’t apply only to people. From my early days I...
Fall events: What’s on in the Okanagan
Deborah Koenker: Grapes and Tortillas Kelowna: to October 30 This solo exhibition at the Kelowna Art Gallery focuses on temporary agricultural workers from Mexico hired to work in the Valley’s orchards and vineyards. It is a tribute to their hard work and personal...
Education uncorks wine industry opportunities
Ryan Fipke is a confirmed believer in the future of the Okanagan’s wine industry, and a staunch advocate of educating yourself to take advantage of the growing opportunities. As tasting room supervisor and sales co-ordinator for Tantalus Vineyards and a long-time...
0 Comments