Photo by Tom Walker
Hans Buchler
Hans Buchler (left) and John Bayley at the ceremony for the BCGGA 2021 Viticulturist of the Year
Hans Buchler of Oliver, who grows grapes for Summerhill Pyramid Winery, has been named the BC Grapegrowers Association’s 2021 Viticulturist of the Year.
Buchler and Stephen Cipes, proprietor of Summerhill Pyramid Winery, marked the occasion with fellow grapegrowers and scientists with AAFC Summerland Research and Development Center (SURDC).
Buchler is a legend in the industry, having spent four decades in the grape growing industry, and Cipes was pouring wine and telling stories of Buchler’s uncanny ability with his grapes.
“The wine we are drinking today, Cipes Brut, is the single most awarded wine in Canada,” Cipes told the crowd. “It has never not won a gold medal since it was introduced in 1991. Hans is the man who grows the grapes and 80 per cent of the credit for the wine goes to him.”
Buchler has farmed his 30-acre Parkhill Vineyard tucked amongst the rocky knolls of McIntyre Bluffs, northwest of Oliver, since 1982. His pioneering organic practices led him to a long-term contract with the organic vintners at Summerhill.
That award-winning quality is what the BCGA is looking for when they consider nominations for the award, explains John Bayley, president of the BCGA.
“This award was developed to celebrate the growers in our industry who are pushing forward the quality of fruit while also being a present and positive member of the grape growing industry,” said Bayley, who is also the vineyard manager at Blasted Church.
“It was designed to highlight those growers that produce the top-quality grapes that go into making BC’s best wines.”
A pioneer in organic practices in the valley, Buchler says his vineyard has been a work in progress over the past 40 years, “This was raw land that had never been irrigated before,” he explained. “The organic matter in the soil was one per cent and not really much nutrition available, so the establishment of the vineyard was a long haul.”
But he is happy with the results. “I have brought the vineyard to the point where it is self-sustaining in terms of inputs,” Buchler said. “Over the last several years I have not had to add any additional nutrients to the soil.”
Cover crops are a key, he says. “The cover crop of mostly vetch is established to the point where it provides the nutrients that the vines need,” Buchler says. It’s a system that he would like to see practiced at other sites across the valley. “We have really no other input in terms of nutrition.” he explains. “I would love to see this system tried in different areas in BC. I am curious to see how it works at other sites and also the impact on fruit quality at the end of the year.”
Buchler’s work outside the vineyard was another important part of his award, Bayler added. Buchler was a founding member and chair of the BC Winegrape Council, an organization that coordinates and funds research and education on viticulture and enology. He is currently the BCWGC research chair.
Buchler’s quest for industry research in the valley goes back 25 years, says Tom Lowery, viticulture entomologist at SURDC. “I met Hans in 1996 when we got the first grape project through the R&D committee,” says Lowery. “He really pushed for research and that subsequently led to getting more positions at the research center. He continues to support us, often previewing literature reviews and newsletters and adding his comments.”
Viticulture plant physiologist at SURDC Pat Bowen adds that Buchler has an ability to plow through regulations. “That is an amazing skill and it’s backed by a deep knowledge, a sense of fairness and an ability to be diplomatic,” Bowen says.
In addition to his work with the BCWGC, Buchler is president of the Canadian Grapevine Certification Network, an organization that works to ensure a supply of clean, quality, grapevine material for growers and supports research on all aspects of grape vine health. Buchler also represents the BC Agriculture Council on the Okanagan Basin Water Board.
Karnail Sidhu owner of Kalala wines and the recipient of the 2020 viticulturist of the year award, recalled advice he got from Hans when he was vineyard manager at Summerhill and later with his own vineyard.
“Hans has always been my go-to person for questions about organic viticulture. He has told me all his grape growing secrets,” says Sidhu. “But the one secret he has not told me is how he finds time to do all the work that he does.”
Buchler accepted the award with his usual quiet grace, sipping on a glass of Summerhill Brut. “I am always happy to hear that you like the fruit,” he chuckled.