About

Fournier Group

Lavender Ridge Vineyard & Estate Winery

Ron Fournier, President: Prior to co-founding Lavender Ridge Vineyard & Estate Winery, Ron moved to the Oliver area after a short 10 year career in the insurance industry in the lower mainland. Ron purchased a mixed orchard in 1974 and after learning the business side of how returns were paid to growers by the co-operatives, along with a partner in 1976, started the first independent packing house that sold packed and graded fruit direct to major wholesalers. In 1998 he sold the business and directed his energies into the up and coming grape growing industry. Ron then started to convert his 15-acre orchard over to grapes and at that time became connected with the largest Canadian Nursery in Ontario supplying grafted grape vines. Since that time he has been their BC & Washington State representative and has supplied grape plants in the Okanagan, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island as well as other Islands and growing areas in BC. Part of Ron’s business is to consult with potential growers as to varieties, rootstocks and clones that would perform well in their areas. The 11 acres of vineyard owned by Lavender Ridge Winery will produce 2,400 cases.

Ron will be bringing with him a team of skilled individuals with years of vineyard experience, as winemakers agree a good wine starts in the vineyard. A decision will be forthcoming regarding a wine maker, this individual will be someone that has worked with Bordeaux and Rhone style wines. This individual will also be involved with marketing, attending the many tasting and wine shows promoting our wines, and someone with experience with all aspects of winery operations.