Summerland winery offering a unique crowd funded ownership opportunity

Photo: Okanagan Crush Pad

A Summerland-based winery has launched a new opportunity to give anyone the chance to “own a winery.”

A first for a winery in Canada, Okanagan Crush Pad is now working with FrontFundr, an online equity crowdfunding platform, to start the Owners Circle, a crowd-funded ownership opportunity.

"We are offering a higher level of engagement for Canadian wine lovers above the standard wine club model,” Okanagan Crush Pad founder Christine Coletta said in a press release.

“Wine attracts people who are very interested in how it is made, the land the wines come from, and the people who craft each vintage. We have been listening to what people really want, and at the heart of it, they want a deeper connection, and to share in the rewards,” she continued.

Until recent changes to Canada’s regulatory guidelines, shareholders had to be “Accredited Investors” with a high income or net worth. This shut out many people and most importantly, those who are pursuing wine education or those seeking micro-investments in companies that interest them.

Participants can use an exempt market dealer to access private markets, which the winery said they hope will add a new group of Canadian wine enthusiasts to the next phase of its journey.

Owners Circle shareholders will be treated to the same perks as existing wine club members with elevated opportunities and experiences on top of ownership, future earnings, and potential capital appreciation.

Okanagan Crush Pad said that the capital raised will be used to support several projects beginning with further vineyard plantings, and an exclusive wine tasting room.

The winery is currently expanding its onsite guest experience at Switchback Vineyard in Summerland to accommodate more visitors year-round.

“Using the FrontFundr online equity crowdfunding platform to create the Owners Circle is yet another innovation from OCP: to go beyond the traditional wine club offerings, and let people be truly invested in the future of the winery,” Okanagan Crush Pad said.

For more information, visit the FrontFundr website here.