Conversations In Wine – Kerri Wyse-McNolty from Burrowing Owl Estate Winery
The Vancouver International Wine Festival is underway, and we’ve been speaking with some of the women shaping the wine industry who you may encounter at the 2026 festival.
In this edition of Conversations in Wine, we chat with Kerri Wyse-McNolty of Burrowing Owl Estate Winery in Oliver, BC, about her journey into wine, family legacy, sustainability, and what she loves most about the industry.
You can find more of my musings on wine festival on Vita Magazine, and read my guide on how to survive the VIWF tasting room on Vancouver Is Awesome.
Kerri Wyse-McNolty on Family Legacy, Sustainability, and the Future of BC Wine
When and how did you know the wine industry was where you belonged?
Unbeknownst to us at the time, my brothers and I entered the wine industry in 1993 when our parents bought their first 100 acres of vineyard land (that would become Burrowing Owl Vineyards) on the Black Sage Bench. Back then, I was about to graduate from UBC and was focused on a career in sport marketing, driven by my passion for the ski industry.
It wasn’t until 2003, when my husband and I moved our young family to the Okanagan, that I knew I wanted to work with my parents. It was the pull of working alongside them, more than wine itself, that initially drew me into the business.
Who or what inspired you to be in wine? Do you have a mentor?
Without question, my parents. I have always been incredibly proud of their determination to build the business from the ground up.
I admired my dad’s confidence, hard work, business acumen, and unwavering commitment to quality, and my mom’s tireless commitment to hospitality and people. Watching them create something meaningful together was deeply inspiring.
Where did you study or learn about wine?
Since my background and expertise were in sports, entertainment and consumer goods, I did not know much about wine when I joined the company in the mid-2000’s.
However, I learned to enjoy and appreciate wine through my parents and colleagues, took WSET courses, attended industry events and conferences, traveled to wine regions, and asked many, many, questions of the exceptional winemakers and viticulturalists we have worked with over the years!
Do you have a favourite style of wine?
Hmmmm…tough question, as I truly enjoy them all and love trying new things! That said, I’m especially partial to Wild Goose Pinot Gris. Our family purchased Wild Goose Winery from the Kruger family in 2021, and the wine is a lovely, ripe expression of BC Pinot Gris. My husband and I own and farm a five-acre vineyard in Kaleden, and the grapes we grow are used in that wine, which makes it especially personal for me.
What is your favourite food and wine pairing?
Food and wine pairing has been a meaningful part of my journey. I had the privilege of working with my good friend and author, Jennifer Schell Lirag, and self-published The Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Cookbook, the first winery cookbook of its kind in Canada. The project was about 5 years in the making, and it took us over a year to complete once we got going. The book features three-course menus designed to pair with each of the varietals we produce. Most recently, I cooked the venison bourguignon from the Cookbook and paired it with our Cabernet Franc, and it was absolutely delicious: rich, and decadent – the perfect meal for a winter gathering with friends.
Do you have a favourite wine region aside from where you live and work?
Not in particular. One of the most fun aspects of travel is experiencing the regional expression of wines where they’re grown. I loved the Vinho Verde I discovered in the Duoro Valley, Portugal, and recently tried wines from Parras, Coahuila, when we were in Mexico (it was fabulous!). That said, I’m continually reminded how special BC wines are, and I have a deep sense of pride in the wines we are all producing here.
When you’re not in the vineyard or winery, what are you doing?
I enjoy skiing, golfing, reading, cooking, and spending time with my husband and Golden Retriever, Benny. I also spend time missing my two adult kids who live in Toronto!
How are you responding to climate change in your region?
Climate change is front of mind for us, both in the vineyard and beyond. We’re continually adapting vineyard practices with a focus on sustainability, conservation, and long-term resilience to protect both the land and the future of our business. Burrowing Owl is deeply committed to environmental stewardship, including significant investments in on-site solar power. Today, our solar production generates enough energy to power approximately 25 average BC homes annually, and our carbon offset is equivalent to planting roughly 6,000 trees each year.
Beyond our own operations, conservation has always been central to our family values. To date, we have helped raise more than $2 million in support of the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society, The Nature Trust of BC, and other Canadian environmental organizations. In planning for the future, I’m studying family foundations and endowment models as a way for our family to support long-term innovation and lasting impact in environmental conservation.
What do you love most about your current role?
The combination of business strategy, leading front-line teams, and storytelling. I love celebrating what my parents built and sharing the joy, connection, and sense of belonging that wine brings to friends, family, and food.
If wine wasn’t your career, what would you be doing?
After more than 20 years working alongside my family, and over 30 years of business experience, I’ve developed a strong passion for family-enterprise continuity and supporting other family businesses through generational transition. I’m currently completing my Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA) designation and plan to work in this field in the future. Helping families navigate governance, succession, and the emotional complexities of shared ownership feels like a natural extension of my own experience.
Are you part of an organization for women in wine?
No; however, I’m passionate about supporting women through mentorship, leadership, and visibility, both formally and informally, within the wine, tourism, and family-business communities.
Any advice for women hoping to follow in your footsteps?
Follow your heart! Trust that your skills are transferable, lead with confidence, and don’t underestimate the value of experience gained outside the wine industry. There is no single path into wine, and every perspective adds value.
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery is located on the Black Sage Bench in Oliver, BC, and is one of the Okanagan Valley’s most celebrated wineries.
