The roots of Gray Monk Estate Winery began in the family. For generations, the Heiss family worked together to make their dreams of owning a vineyard into reality. Today, their slogan is “Generations of Commitment”, recognizing the years of working together as a family to see their dreams come true.
Little did the drivers and thousands of spectators of the early 1960's Okanagan Sports Car Hillclimbs know when they raced or gambolled through the orchards of Camp Road, Okanagan Centre – that it would later become the site of one of B.C.'s most successful and earliest family estate wineries.
Then along came the Heiss family, new to farming, but with a dream to grow grapes that made wine the equal of their European heritage. First, they had to grub out the old orchard trees, and then plant “Government Approved” Hybrid varietals - which never did achieve the objective. In frustration, they later re-grafted to European vinifera “noble” varietals, which few, at the time, believed would survive that far north - the 50th Parallel.
With the 1990 vintage, Gray Monk upgraded their label and eventually bottle package to a fresh, clean, international style, and at the same time introduced a premium proprietor's cuvee, appropriately named “Latitude Fifty” - all of which led to their becoming the best selling B.C. VQA winery - a title they held until recently.
2007 was a year of celebration at Gray Monk Estate; it marked the 35th Anniversary of their vineyard and 25th Anniversary of the Winery (...plus another unpublished celebration was that it was also the 45th year of George & Trudy's wedding). In the ensuing years, son George went off to winery school in Germany, while younger son, Steven, joined administration, and the winery was expanded three times. Eldest brother, Robert, returned to the family business in September 2004
George and Trudy Heiss’ dedication to the art of winemaking has continued to the next generation. Son Steven oversees the warehouse, inventory and logistics; Winemaker George Jr. has his own vineyard house, adjacent to the winery, where he is prepared to do small lot experimentation. Robert has stepped into a management role and oversees the daily operation of the winery.
25, 35 and 45 years! This is a family dynasty now into the 4th generation on the land (Trudy's late father, Hugo Peter, preceded them from Edmonton - to “grow some grapes” and then retire, just a stones throw away), and the great grandchildren are soon ready to drive the tractor!
From racing cars to now racy wines, Camp Road has carved its mark. Most would say the climb was a lot easier for the driver - less than a 4 minute run. For the family Heiss, every milestone of the B.C. wine industry has been a series of emotional battles etched into their family tree. This has been their life. They are very proud of the quality of their wines and their customers’ appreciation of these wines. They hope you will take the opportunity to share a glass of wine and a toast with them sometime this year.
