The family of Harry McWatters, a legend in the B.C. wine industry and founder of multiple South Okanagan vineyards and wineries, announced his sudden death on July 23. He was 74 years old.
According to a , which was co-owned by McWatters, he passed away peacefully in his sleep in the comfort of his Summerland home. McWatters currently acted as president and chief executive officer of Encore Vineyards.
香蕉视频直播淗arry香蕉视频直播檚 sudden passing comes as a surprise to all as he was only last week celebrating the success and anniversary of our downtown Penticton winery, TIME Winery and Kitchen,香蕉视频直播� stated the post. 香蕉视频直播淐urrently, we ask that you please respect the privacy of Harry香蕉视频直播檚 family as they experience the shock and magnitude of this loss. Memorial details will be shared when they become available.香蕉视频直播�
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McWatters香蕉视频直播� involvement in the B.C. wine industry began decades ago, first as a salesman, then founding Sumac Ridge Estate Winery in 1980. Fifteen years later, he founded See Ya Later Ranch Estate Winery, and went on to sell both wineries in 2000 to Vincor Canada. At the time of the sales, he remained president of both wineries and vice president of Vincor Canada until he 香蕉视频直播渞etired香蕉视频直播� in 2008 to establish Vintage Consulting Group.
According to his profile with Encore Vineyards Ltd., a company for which he co-developed the business model, other accomplishments of McWatters include founding VQA Canada and serving as its first chairman, acting as the founding chair of the BC Wine Information Society and the BC Hospitality Foundation and recently launching TIME Estate Winery and the McWatters Collection.
香蕉视频直播淗arry received an honourary doctor of laws degree from Okanagan University College and, in 2003, received the prestigious Order of British Columbia for his service to the B.C. wine industry,香蕉视频直播� states the Encore Vineyards Ltd. website.
Leeann Froese, co-owner of Town Hall Brands: Vancouver Marketing & PR Agency, said she香蕉视频直播檚 known McWatters both personally and professionally for over 20 years. She said that he was passionate not only about his businesses and the wine industry but also about giving back to the greater community.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 been my honour to work with Harry for the past 20+ years. I香蕉视频直播檝e learned many things from him and he香蕉视频直播檚 inspired many people,香蕉视频直播� said Froese. 香蕉视频直播淢any of the people in the B.C. and Canadian wine industry owe him a debt of gratitude for the path that he香蕉视频直播檚 laid.香蕉视频直播�
In the hour since the announcement about McWatters香蕉视频直播� death was made on the TIME Winery Facebook page, hundreds of comments have flooded in, both expressing their utmost sympathies to the family and their many thanks to the legend himself.
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<>Jordyn Thomson | Reporter
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