Skimmerhorn Winery & Vineyard

Skimmerhorn Estate Winery was established in the early 2000’s, in Creston, British Columbia. Grape vines were planted in 2003, over 17 acres of the total 20 acre property. The vines were grape producing in 2006. Skimmerhorn utilizes all of our own grapes for cultivating Skimmerhorn wines, without importing any grapes from any other vineyard/region. This is why we are known as an Estate Winery. Skimmerhorn Estate Winery is considered a small batch winery, producing 4500 cases per year.

Skimmerhorn Winery came under new ownership in 2017. Our proprietors are Janek Guminski and Ryan Burgis, from Calgary.

Our Winemaker

James Cambridge completed his wine studies at Niagara College, located between Niagara Falls and Niagara on the Lake. This is a 3-5 year program where James graduated at the top of his class in 2003. James received his first head-winemaker position at Summerhill, in the Okanagan. At Summerhill they pressed 700 tons of table wine and 200 tons of ice wine. It was here, that James won his first Lieutenant Governors award for the 2004 Ehrenfelser. James then travelled South to Oliver to be head-winemaker at Le Vieux Pin. After three years he moved within the company to La Stella, in Osoyoos. In 2012 James was at Fort Berens, where he earned his second Lieutenant Governor’s award for the 2012 Riesling. James went on to Langley, where he was the lead winemaker for Backyard Vineyards . He was with this company for 7 years and grew their reputation greatly. Finally, the opportunity at Skimmerhorn Winery came to fruition. The Kootenay’s is where he and his family wanted to be. Skimmerhorn Wnery is where he plans to finish out his very distinguished career, where he is able to work with estate grown fruit in Creston.