Deep Roots Winery Winemaker Will Hardman
Being fourth generation on the family property and the oldest Naramata family running a winery on the bench, gives me a great sense of pride and responsibility. I came home from attending college in Edmonton in 2005 and started working in the farm full time not knowing it would become my career.Working alongside my Dad taught me the appreciation for quality-grown fruit and more importantly, how to produce that quality. We often say in our family, “you can’t make great wine without great fruit”.
O&V: How did you get started in the wine industry?
WH: My Dad first planted grapes in 1998 so I’ve been working in vineyards since I was 15 years old. After college I found myself back in the vineyard at 22, which inspired a passion for the growing wine industry. A few years later we found ourselves planning a potential winery. Coming from a growing background I knew early on that quality wine is made in the vineyard.
O&V: Where did you go to school or apprentice?
WH: I took the Winery Assistant program at Okanagan College in 2006 but it was the vintages I spent overseas that helped shape my winemaking philosophy. The hands-on style of learning really suited me and I was lucky to learn from some very experienced and talented winemakers.
O&V: Have you worked in any other countries?
WH: I spent the 2011 vintage in the Marlborough region of New Zealand working at Mud House wines. While NZ was a great experience, it was my 2012 vintage in Stellenbosch, South Africa at Edgebaston Wines that really inspired me professionally. The quality of fruit we were growing and the wine we made that year were exceptional. The small farm/winery way of doing things at Edgebaston inspired me to come home and start planning what Deep Roots would become.
O&V: What is your favourite varietal to work with?
WH: I love the versatility of Chardonnay but I don’t think there’s a better smell than a Muscat ferment, or a better tasting grape off the vine for that matter. With reds, I really enjoy working with Malbec and the growing challenges that come with it.
O&V: What is the best thing about your job?
WH: I love the many hats you wear as a small winery owner/winemaker; everyday is different. Getting the chance to meet new people in the tasting room and then seeing returning customers is pretty special. Is there a better office in the world than vineyards and a winery overlooking Okanagan Lake on the Naramata Bench? It’s a good gig.
O&V: Is there a particular wine or vintage that you have made that you are most proud of?
WH: Every vintage brings different challenges but 2015 stands out to me. It was such a hot year that every varietal seemed to ripen at the same time that made it very challenging managing harvest times and tank space. For a not-so-ideal vintage weather wise I’m excited for people to taste through our 2019 wines, I’m very proud of the wine we made last year.
O&V: The 2019 British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine of the Year went to Deep Roots Winery’s 2017 Syrah, what do you feel sets your wines apart from the competition?
WH: We were thrilled with the exposure the Lieutenant Governor’s win brought to our winery last Fall; a small winery winning such a prestigious award was huge. Our unique hands-on, small team approach to growing and then making the wine is what keeps our quality up year after year. We’re also fortunate enough to have some of the best sites on the bench that really add complexity while ripening the bigger reds.