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Lunessence
Classical music in the vines.
All the stars are aligned for Lunessence, one of Summerland’s newest wineries. Launched in July, it occupies an 8 acre site – formerly Sonoran - on Gartrell Rd. between Happy Valley Rd. and Giant’s Head Rd.
The new owner is Zhizhong Si, a Canadian environmental scientist. Before purchasing the property, Si brought in an expert to ensure “the vineyard and structures are in harmony with the surrounding environment, according to the principles of feng shui. His ultimate goal is to create a biodynamic winery from the ground up.
Out of sight, above the vineyard, a winery facility in sync with the surroundings is nearing completion. Six acres of vines - including Riesling, Gewürtztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Oraniensteiner and Merlot - are grown on the sloping, undulating property. An underground stream runs through the property from top to bottom, producing a natural wetland and making dry farming viable on a large part of the vineyard. “It also creates a marshland environment, which attracts a variety of nesting birds,” says Lunessence’s winemaker Michal Mosny. “Plans are in the works to protect the area by volunteering as a Wildlife Habitat Steward under the auspices of the Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Society. A boardwalk and signage will be provided for public education.” At Lunessence, growing grapes and making wine is about providing the right energy – from the moon, the sun and constellations, the wind, the water and the music. “For the next growing season, we will play classical music and opera in the vineyards for two hours every day,” Mosny says. No doubt, this will result in stress free vines and happier grapes.