Harry McWatters, Sumac Ridge Winery President

Harry McWatters is a leader in the thriving British Columbia wine industry where, in 2005, he celebrated his 37th vintage. He is founder and president of Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, president of Black Sage Vineyards, president of Hawthorne Mountain Vineyards Limited, president of Okanagan Valley Estate Wine Cellars Ltd., and vice president responsible for government and industry relations in western Canada for Vincor International.

McWatters has been a driving force in the development of British Columbia's wine industry. In 1980 he led a group of wineries and local businesses to establish the Okanagan Wine Festival Society and acted as founding president. The society completed its 23rd annual fall wine festival in 2003 and is listed as one of the "Top 100 Events in North America”.

McWatters is the founding chair of the British Columbia Wine Institute and currently acts as a director. In addition, he is the founding chair of the British Columbia Wine Information Centre and continues to be active in the organization as Secretary/Treasurer. He is also vice president of the Canadian Vintners Association.

Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, started by McWatters and a partner in 1979, was British Columbia's first estate winery. In 1990, he was appointed by the province of British Columbia to chair the newly formed British Columbia Wine Institute, a position which he held for five years. An industry association that represents winery operators and grape growers, the institute was formed to help guide industry through the trade challenges presented by the GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) and NAFTA (North America Free Trade Agreement).

McWatters was also instrumental in founding VQA Canada, a trade association that spearheaded the development of national wine standards for Canadian vintners.

In June 2001 McWatters was presented with an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degrees from the Okanagan University College in recognition for the pivotal role he played in the development of both British Columbia's and Canada's wine industry.

Born in Toronto, Harry moved with his family to Vancouver in 1955, where he grew up and completed his education in North Vancouver. Casabello Wines transferred Harry to the Okanagan in 1978, and he has lived there with his family since 1979 in the town of Summerland, British Columbia.

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