Recently, the Schales have acquired additional property in Summerland, where existing winery facilities will allow them to commence producing and bottling their wines this fall. Bernd and Stefanie are excited that the new location will also enable 8th Generation Vineyards to expand in the “red” direction, with Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Syrah and Dunkelfelder grapes already planted on site. The release date for 8th Generation’s 2007 vintages are set for early 2008.

At 8th Generation Vineyards every aspect of the winemaking process—from the grape to the bottle—is overseen by the Schales. For them, wine is not simply a delectable beverage, but it is an experience and a way of life. Having been raised in grape-growing and winemaking families, both Bernd and Stefanie learned at an early age, the dedication, labour and love that viticulture demands. While Stefanie pursued a career in architectural design, Bernd carried on with his family’s craft, and studied viticulture, oenology, and business management at the University of Weinsberg. Not only has Bernd worked as an apprentice within his family vineyard and other wineries in Germany, he has also obtained several new tecniques in wine creation with his time spent working in New Zealand and South Africa.

Bernd and Stefanie's entrepreneurial spirit created a desire to venture out on their own—and that is when someone told them about Canada’s growing wine industry. Needless to say, all of their skills, education, and work ethic learned on their families’ farms, have made 8th Generation Vineyards a reality. All of the vineyard maintenance, winemaking, bottling, marketing, and sales are performed by the Schales—it is their quality assurance that their wines are the best that they can be.