Photo: District Wine Village

Render of "District Wine Village" set to start construction in Oliver in spring 2020.

An ambitious new “village” is coming to the Oliver area.

Greyback Construction will break ground next spring on the "District Wine Village," to be situated on Osoyoos Indian Band land just south of Gallagher Lake.

The village will provide small, craft wine, beer, cider and spirit producers a chance to start their own business without having to invest in their own large-scale facility. 

The project will include 16 individual spaces that will give producers the chance to create their own brand with “a low capital investment and operational assistance along the way.”

Each space will provide a fully-equipped production facility, built-in tasting room and access to a shared crush pad and operational resources.

The project will also include a 600-person entertainment centre for concerts and events, as well as on-site “culinary offerings.”

“Ultimately, this project is all about community,” said Greyback Construction general manager Matt Kenyon. “Not only are we creating a diverse community for our resident wineries, cideries, breweries, distilleries and eateries, but we are really looking to be a significant economic driver for our local communities and support the future growth of wine and culinary tourism in the South Okanagan.”

The project, which will aim to be the "gateway to Canada's Wine capital," is being entirely funded and constructed by Greyback Construction, which has taken out a long-term lease with the Osoyoos Indian Band for the development.