Do you want to own a winery?
B.C. wine legend opens new Okanagan wine company to investors.
Throughout his 47-year career, winemaker Harry McWatters has demonstrated that he knows how to grow grapes, make wine and, just as importantly, grow a wine business.
"I’m a firm believer that everything is about time and place,” he says. The time is now and the place is the Okanagan, or more specifically, ENCORE’s 60-acre Sundial Vineyard on the Black Sage Bench. McWatters is the British Columbia wine legend behind TIME Estate Winery and British Columbia’s Vintners Quality Alliance program, Sumac Ridge and See Ya Later Ranch.
The Sundial Vineyard is where ENCORE Vineyards Ltd. is constructing a landmark new state-of-the-art wine production facility.
"From the vineyard to the table, we have all aspects of it covered,” says McWatters. "This is an opportunity to build a substantial medium-sized winery with the potential to grow. We also have efficiencies to allow us to assist other, smaller wineries.“
Become a winery owner
McWatters is offering ownership opportunities in the winery to interested people. It's a chance to share in the growth opportunity that ENCORE offers, without having to physically be out there growing the grapes, making the wine and marketing it.
ENCORE is committed to making the project accessible to as many people as possible, with a minimum investment. Investors may use RRSPs or tax-free savings accounts (TFSA) to purchase shares, making the opportunity palatable for wine lovers interested in becoming co-owners in one of the Okanagan’s most comprehensive wine operations.
He sees the ENCORE Vineyards project as a perfect opportunity for individual investors to take part in British Columbia’s wine industry.
Vineyards website at www.encorevineyards.ca.
Why investing in wine makes sense
The B.C. wine market is growing and McWatters thinks now is the time for the industry to look beyond its borders as markets like the U.S. and China develop a taste for British Columbia wines.
There are other reasons why wineries are a sound investment. Wine itself tends to go up in value. It is also a real estate investment, as the land where wine is produced has a good record of appreciation. That is particularly true of ENCORE’s 60-acre Sundial Vineyard, Canada's mostly awarded vineyard.
Incentives for B.C investors
The ENCORE Vineyard project is particularly appealing to British Columbia-based investors. As an Eligible Business Corporation registered under the Small Business Venture Business Capital Act of BC, ENCORE is able to issue 30 per cent tax credits to British Columbian residents. They also project an 8 per cent targeted annual distribution.
After nearly five decades in the wine business, McWatters certainly has nothing to prove. So why is he doing this? He has no plans on retiring, seeing the project as a way to build something for his children and his investors.
"I see this as building a legacy,” he says.
More info
Information seminars are being held throughout British Columbia over the coming weeks, including Vancouver on Nov. 20 and Dec. 10. Space is limited and the public may RSVP at the ENCORE Vineyards website.