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They 'Retired' to Their Vineyard |
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Retired physicist turned farmer Manfred Freese is the new president of the BC Grape growers' Association. The Association is the principle voice of grape growers in BC with the wine industry and government partners. It also sponsors workshops to help growers keep current on agricultural issues.
A board member since 2003 and former vice-president, Freese was elected to his new position in April. Freese and his wife, Barbara, own and operate Sun Ridge Vineyard at 5012 33rd Street in Osoyoos.
They are particularly interested in improving communications with members on such topics as contracts, insurance, and pesticide regulations. As well, Manfred also wants to expand membership that is approaching 150, an increase of almost 300 percent in the past six years.
The Freeses purchased their 2.6 hectare parcel on the east bench in 2000. They removed the prune orchard on the top portion of the land and re-profiled the lower steeply sloped part before planting grafted grape vines. The slope, tractor treads and an increase in the number and severity of storms has combined to make erosion control the Freeses' main challenge. It is only four-wheel drive tractors that have made farming the lower portion possible. "We were warned there'd be a catastrophic downpour every five or ten years. There were two last year," he said.
The couple raise Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes which they sell to Church & State Wines on Vancouver Island. "Church & State provides high-quality wine at a decent price to the consumer while paying a fair price to the grower," said Freese, who also appreciates the winery's custom of naming individual vineyards on the label.
Both he and Barbara work in the vineyard that produces up to 25 tons of grapes. Their tasks include pruning, thinning, lifting support wires as the vines grow, and tucking in straggling shoots. Leaves are also selectively removed to facilitate airflow and decrease the risk of disease.
"It's important to never get behind. There are small windows of time for each task," Freese said. The couple hire two to three people to help as needed until harvest when up to eight pickers are required.
Looking to the future, Freese is concerned about the possibility of the local wine industry pricing itself out of the market. He also considers the escalating cost of land a problem because it is leading to the disappearance of grape growing as a viable family business. In time Freese sees the high land costs resulting in grapes being grown mainly by large agribusinesses or older people attracted by the lifestyle, such as Barbara and himself.
"We got bored after four years of retirement and looked for something we'd both enjoy doing," he said. Born in Germany, Freese came to Canada with his family in 1952. He earned an undergraduate degree in physics from McGill University and a PhD in electrical engineering from the University of Manitoba. As a research scientist, Freese played a key role in the development of the ultrasonic microscope that is used primarily for diagnosing glaucoma but also for detecting tumors.
A native of Saskatchewan, Barbara was an adult education teacher specializing in business-related subjects. The couple met while on a trans-Canada train trip in 1965, were married two years later and lived in several areas of the country before settling in the Okanagan.
Susan McIver
Quick Facts
Distribution by percent of the 464 vineyards totaling 2,653 hectares in BC:
Oliver, 40
Osoyoos, 15
Penticton-Naramata, 8
Okanagan Falls, 6
Peachland-Summerland, 3
Rest of Okanagan Valley, 14
Similkameen Valley, 5.1 |
