What brings you joy?
Friendly faces, perhaps? How about a sense of community? Or maybe events? Landscapes? Ease of getting around? Delicious food? I know... a mouthful of approachable wine in the sun with your favourite furry friend, taking in stunning views while being tempted by the aromas of mouthwatering food being cooked not far from where you parked your bike. Sound too good to be true? Well, you're in luck because it is true, and it's oh-so-good!
JoieFarm Winery
Located here in Naramata, this is where joy is more than a name; it's an ethos. BJ Tumanut, who has been with Joie for seven years, is the definition of joy in human form.
"Okay, this might sound cheesy. It's true, though, so I don't mind. Our goal here at Joie is to bring joy to every moment and everything we do. Whether winemaking or interacting with the public, we constantly strive to connect with our community. Of course, we're proud of the quality of our wine, but it's really the quality of every interaction we have with people that best represents our culture. To me, joy is more than positivity. It's a key ingredient in who we are and has been part of our vision from the beginning."
From wine to chocolate, then back to wine.
Born in Kansas City, BJ started out in the wine industry before opening her own luxury chocolate shop in Red Deer, Alberta. She knew Heidi and began helping in the tasting room at Joie while her capable staff ran the show at her chocolate shop in Red Deer. Eventually, a full-time position opened at Joie and BJ couldn't turn it down.
"I was offered a permanent, full-time position and asked if I would stay. Initially, I said I couldn't possibly as my life was in Alberta. But we talked for five more minutes and I said yes."
Now, as Joie's general manager, BJ has settled into the job and the community, and hasn't looked back.
"I've been here for seven years, and it still blows me away. Driving through this gorgeous landscape to a place with stunning views, working with an incredible team and interacting with visitors who constantly compliment where we live and what we do. What more can you ask for? And the people in this area are some of the most hardworking and creative I've ever met. It's such a lovely community where we all look out for the greater good, which is important because if our neighbours aren't doing well, we aren't. That's the mentality of our community here. We have this 1950s style of borrowing butter from your neighbour. So, being joyful in a lovely community surrounded by all this beauty is easy. I still shake my head, wondering how I landed somewhere like this. I must have done something right in a past life to have found myself here because it really is a little piece of paradise."
Laid-back West Coast living and classy European joie de vivre!
Founded by French-trained Chef Heidi Noble in 2002, JoieFarm Winery perfectly balances the old world with the new. Celebrating its 20ᵗʰ anniversary, JoieFarm has evolved quite a bit since its first vintage in 2003. Joie originally became known within the restaurant industry, before spreading to wine stores and eventually their own tasting room in 2015.
"2014 was the beginning of three really big vintages and so we finally had enough wine after selling to the restaurants and shops to sell to the public. A tasting room is where most wineries sell their wines. Having survived for so long without one, we were late to the game in that respect. But now, since adding this hospitality side to Joie, we've really created this full circle environment for people to enjoy our wine."
Staying in the Loop
JoieFarm is one of four wineries ready to welcome thirsty visitors along Aikins Loop. The Loop itself is only 700 metres long, but each winery offers something unique and different, making it the perfect place to spend an entire day. Visitors can pick up a pass that covers the tasting room fees for all four wineries and offers local discounts on e-bikes, scooters, lunch, and the trolley from Penticton to Naramata.
"We wanted to build a tour where people don't have to drive. If you're in Penticton or at the Naramata Inn, hop on the trolley, which drops you off right in front of Van Westen and Joie. Then, you can spend the entire day on Aikins Loop. Most people don't go to more than four wineries anyway. Wine tasting for the entire day takes a while, especially if you add lunch to the mix. So, whether you're here for the weekend or have other activities planned in the area but still want to experience a wide breadth of wine, Aikins Loop is the perfect day trip. The Loop is also a great place to take in the beauty and nature of this area. We're only two minutes from Manitou Beach, five minutes from the KVR, or Naramata Village is only two minutes away if you want more of a Cosmopolitan experience. It's conveniently located, and if you don't have or want to use a vehicle, you can ride your bike here and then take your bike or scooter between the wineries. We've also got you covered if you want to buy wine. We can ship it to you, or if you're nearby, we'll be happy to hold onto it, and you can pick it up later. We could even bring it to the hotel for you if we know in advance."
What's cookin'?
Did you notice that BJ mentioned lunch? Delicious barbecue fills the fresh mountain air with a bouquet of taste bud-alluring scents. They even cater to gluten-free and vegetarian diets.
"We have a food truck here - Grapevine Barbecue. I have a soft spot in my heart for barbecue because I was raised in Kansas City, so it's in my blood. The food truck is set up in the parking lot from Thursday through Sunday, 11:00 to 5:30 until September 29th. We're all friends here on Aikin's Loop, so the food truck is located in a spot accessible to all visitors, regardless of which winery they're at."
Natural Thawts
Every season has its indicators, a yearly sign that change is in the air. In Naramata, it's the alliums that foretell the beginning of Summer. The Joie pollinator meadow fills with trumpeting blossoms of colour, announcing the start of peak season.
"Any iconic picture of Joie is always when the alliums are in bloom, usually during the third or fourth week of May. Whenever I see the alliums bloom, I know the people are coming. They bloom right when the tasting room really takes off, so it's more than just the beginning of the flowers; it's also the beginning of the busy season. It's exciting. It means the sunshine is coming, the beach is about to open, and the trails are ready. It's the unthawing of Naramata."
Taking care of our home.
There's an evident love for nature to be found, not only in Naramata but with Joie specifically. Looking after the land, air, water, and all living things is a high priority for BJ and the team.
"It's an ongoing conversation that we have regarding sustainability. On the growing side, we have our environmental farm plan and we're working towards earning our sustainable wine growing certificate. We'd also like to get a sustainable tourism certification. These are long-term goals. It's more than simply paying some money for these certifications. There needs to be accountability. Getting certified is a process and only the first step, not the end of the story. Things are constantly changing and evolving, so there needs to be a long-term commitment to change and evolve with them. We don't want to simply get certifications without doing anything more. We want to do things right and ensure longevity in our sustainability efforts far into the future."
Teaming with Talent
From grape growing and wine production to visitor interaction and community involvement, it takes a strong team to maintain the level of quality JoieFarm provides. With a core team of eight and a solid crew of vital temporary staff, Joie is well-equipped to get through the busy periods. And let's not forget the most important team members of all … The dogs!
"Barney's one of our winemaker's dogs and has been around since 2015. He's definitely part of the core team. His main duties are heading up the welcoming committee and ensuring no barbecue is left uneaten. My dog is the golden doodle. She's very photogenic, although I may be a little bit biased. She does a bit of modelling and helps with our message that our winery and the entire Aikins Loop are completely dog-friendly. We don't want to see people leaving their doggies in their cars. It gets hot in summer, so bring your dog in to say hello. We've got water and treats for them."
A Noble Achievement
Joie's flagship wine is Noble Blend, one of British Columbia's most iconic white wines. After being made by founder Heidi Noble for 17 years, Joie's Noble Blend recently won double gold at the Pacific Rim Wine Competition in the hands of their current winemaker, Richard Charnock.
"Rich has been with us since March of 2022, so this is our third vintage with him. He worked every harvest in the northern and southern hemispheres for seven years and was an assistant winemaker in Prince Edward County, Ontario, so he is very experienced. His preference and history have been working with aromatic whites and Burgundian varietals, which we specialize in and hang our hat on. Rich isn't only a perfect fit as a winemaker but also as a person. He's a joy to work with and has fantastic skills in the winery and dealing with people. He sometimes helps with sales, which people love because they hear about the wines straight from the winemaker. Rich is also running our viticulture program this year. Having taken home double gold recently with ninety-seven points for Noble Blend, he has reason to be proud. We've been making it since day one. If people don't know the name Joie, they know Noble Blend. They're almost synonymous. So, what Rich has achieved is no small task. He's doing a fantastic job."
Can't wait any longer?
One foot out the door already? We don't blame you. Pop in to see BJ, Barney and the JoieFarm Winery team at 2825 Naramata Rd, on Aikins Loop. You'll be glad you did.
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