Founded in 2010 by the Etsell family, Singletree Winery is a small, family-operated winery located in Mt. Lehman, Abbotsford, British Columbia (BC). In 2018, a second winery was purchased and opened in Naramata, BC.
The Etsell family has deep roots in the farmlands of Fraser Valley; husband and wife team Garnet and Debbie have always kept farm life an important part of their family values. While the family diverged in their career and education paths, they eventually reunited with a shared passion to grow their own vineyard and winery.
Singletree aims to produce more than 3000 cases of quality wines each year and recently captured the Business Excellence Award for Best Tourism Experience, presented by the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce.
The Singletree Logo
In the late 1800s, the Singletree, the single harness yoke, was an essential tool for pioneering farmers. It allowed those who saw the potential of the Mt. Lehman area to use horses to clear the land and make way for farming; no easy feat.
The Vineyards
We have multiple vineyards . Our 15-acre Mt.Lehman property has Siegerrebe, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir.
At our Naramata vineyards, we have Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Verdot, Pinot Gris, Viognier and Cabernet Franc. Totalling 13 acres. We have purchased grapes in the past but in 2019 we will be completely estate.
Andrew Etsell
The Winemaker
Andrew Etsell is the General Manager, Viticulturist, and Winemaker for Singletree. He spent most of his childhood in Chilliwack where his family ran a sheep farm. Andrew’s first work experience outside of the family was not until he moved to Mt. Lehman at the age of thirteen, where he worked at a chicken hatchery after school. Farmlands and agriculture were always a part of Andrew’s life. However, it wasn’t until his summer job as a vineyard technician at the Mission Hill Family Estate Winery that he realized he wanted to start his own vineyard back in the Fraser Valley.
After completing a diploma in horticulture from the University of the Fraser Valley, Andrew returned to his family farmland in Mt. Lehman where he and the rest of the Etsell family realized their dream in planting a vineyard and creating Singletree. Since completing the certified winemaking program from UC Davis in 2013, Andrew continues to add drops of honesty, integrity, and loyalty to every bottle of Singletree wine.
“Agriculture has been a part of my life since I was five. After working at Mission Hill I had a passion to open my own winery and grow my own grapes. In 2010 we planted the first two-acre block of grapes and since then it has grown to almost 30 acres in two different growing regions. I have two sons Cooper (7) and Noah (11) with whom I like to dirt bike and have their help around the cellar and vineyards, along with my wife Laura, who runs our events and social media.”
Andrew Etsell
2018 Vintage
2018 was the first crush at the new Singletree Winery facility on the Naramata Bench. We have added new varietals and new wines: some will be released this year and others will be released later. The 2018 vintage had its challenges with wildfires and weather, but the wine are coming along nicely. The wine we are producing from this vintage has exceeded my expectations and I am optimistic
The Singletree Wines
Singletree Grüner Veltliner 2017
11.0% alcohol | 3.19 pH | 7.2 TA | 11 RS
The estate Grüner Veltliner was cool fermented in stainless steel to retain fresh aromatics and lively acidity. A refreshing white wine with aromas of citrus, peach and honey. The wine is amazingly smooth and well rounded. The Singletree Grüner Veltliner 2017 won a Double Gold medal at the 2018 National Wine Awards of Canada.
Singletree Pinot Noir 2015
14% alcohol | 3.72 pH | 5.6 TA | 1.6 RS
The wine is fermented in stainless steel with punch downs twice daily. The wine experience extended skin maceration followed by 11 months ageing in oak. Dark brooding berry fruit intermingles with toasty, spicy French oak. The palate has rich fruit sweetness and displays classic characters of red fruits, forest floor with a delicious herbal note. Silky tannins frame this Pinot Noir that will reward cellaring for 5-10 years. The wine won a Gold medal at the 2018 National Wine Awards of Canada.
Singletree Harness 2015
14.5% alcohol | 4.1 pH | 5.5 TA | 0 RS
52% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Sauvignon. Harnessing bold Okanagan flavours Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon were punched down by hand and barrel-aged for 18 months before blending and bottling. Aromas of cassis, leather, dark brooding black fruits, spice and tobacco. A rich enveloping mouthfeel with dark fruits, a solid backbone of toasty oak and firm yet supple tannins. The wine won a Silver medal at the 2018 National Wine Awards of Canada.
For the complete portfolio of Singletree wines please visit the winery website.
Future Plans
Future plans are to continue to grow both winery locations on all fronts. We strive to have as little impact on the environment as possible, while still producing quality wines. We will have a traditional method sparkling being released in 2019. I am also working on different blends that could result in some reserve wines, but I will see how that goes during blending trials. A new rosé may be in the works as well.
As Singletree continues to grow we remain committed to producing quality wines. We are a family-run operation that now has locations in both the Fraser Valley and the Okanagan. I am always striving to produce new and exciting wines that our followers will enjoy.
Source: Singletree Winery provided the Vineyard information, photos and BC wine tasting notes.