Identity area
Type of entity
Corporate body
Authorized form of name
Quails' Gate Vineyards Estate Winery
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
1989-
History
Known for its pinot noirs, chardonnays, and ice wines, Quails’ Gate Vineyards Estate Winery is located in West Kelowna, British Columbia. The land on which the winery stands today, was first owned by the Allison family, one of the Okanagan’s first European settler families. In 1956, the property was purchased by Richard “Dick” Stewart Jr. and his wife Rosemary, along with three other business partners. While the farm originally grew table grapes, in 1961, wine grapes were first introduced. In 1970, Dick Stewart bought his partners’ shares of the farm and expanded the property by purchasing neighbouring lands. In 1978, Dick’s son, Ben, and his wife Ruth, created plans to turn the vineyards into a winery, which led to the official founding of Quails’ Gate Vineyards in 1989.
In 1993, BACAS Holdings Ltd. acquired a portion of Quails’ Gate Vineyards, and later, in 2001, acquired the remaining shares, making BACAS the sole parent company of Quails’ Gate. However, although Quails’ Gate Vineyards Estate Winery is owned by BACAS, Ben Stewart remains the owner of Quails’ Gate Vineyards which is a separate entity. In 2004, Ben Stewart, who had been CEO and proprietor of Quails’ Gate from its founding, stepped down from the role, and was succeeded by his brother Tony Stewart.
Over the years, Quails’ Gate has expanded its vineyards by acquiring more lands. Having had planted various imported vines, the winery produces several award-winning wines. Today, Quails’ Gate farms over 425 acres of land, while the property and business has expanded to include a storefront, restaurants, rental accommodations, and three member-exclusive wine clubs.