A site with a fair bit of history,
And some still to be made
George Greata takes out pre-emption on what will become Greata Ranch.
Greata builds a five mile wooden flume to irrigate his land.
The first orchard of approximately 50 acres is planted. Apples.
Greata sells his orchard to Westminster Trust Co. of Vancouver, BC. John Long is hired as manager.
Westminster Trust Co. sells the property to John Long who registers the land as “The Greata Ranch Ltd.”
Ross Fitzpatrick born.
The orchard was expanded to 130 acres to include peaches, pears and cherries.
A modern packing house and cold storage was built next to the CPR dock by the lake.
Gordon Fitzpatrick born.
The Long family sells the orchard to Elwyn Cross of Rutland, BC.
In 1966, the orchard suffers severe damage due to a particularly cold Okanagan winter. The orchard changes hands several times throughout the years, but becomes dormant.
Ross Fitzpatrick purchases a winery east of Kelowna, BC, and renames it CedarCreek Estate Winery.
The Fitzpatrick family purchases Greata Ranch and rehabilitates the land, removing truckloads of garbage dumped at the site.
The first vines are planted, including Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Most of the premium vinifera grapes will go on to be used under the CedarCreek label.
Gordon Fitzpatrick joins CedarCreek as President.
CedarCreek is named Canadian Winery of the Year.
The Fitzpatrick Family sell CedarCreek Estate Winery, but exclude Greata Ranch from the sale.
Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards opens at the historic Greata Ranch site with a focus on traditional method sparkling wine.