Julia
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Many of you have likely visited with her in the Tasting Room … she is Miranda’s Mom and the Winery’s proverbial ‘Mother Earth’. She is one of the strongest, most energetic, and hardest working of our Troupe (and she’s the oldest). She is thoughtful, kind and has a thumb greener than Mr. McGregor, keeping the winery picnic fridge stocked (pre-covid) with the freshest veggies in Naramata. In her previous life she was a primary school teacher.
If Julia won the lottery tomorrow, she’d “swoosh down silently and make a generous deposit into the accounts of single moms, who work so hard being Mom, Dad and provider”. And if she could invent a holiday, it would definitely involve big family dinners – everybody contributing – with lots of great food, wine and laughter.
Her perfect day with wine: spring or summer after a good day gardening (surprise, surprise), on the deck (semi-shade), feet up with a chilled glass of “The Other Way” or Pear wine.
And in the short term … her perfect day involves welcoming back guests (and many friends she’s made over the years) to the Tasting Room and Courtyard.
Bea
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Originally from Basel, Switzerland our Super Bea is like the most organized, detailed and productive of honeybees, the right brain of Elephant Island. She has been a key part of our Circus for almost as long as we have been the Circus … 18 years. 😳
In another life, Bea is 100% confident she was a jockey … and if you have had the pleasure of meeting her over the years you will likely have learned her love of horses. Bea has ridden in some of the most diverse places on the planet, from Iceland to Mongolia to the Grand Canyon. When not keeping Elephant Island ticking, she is an active and disturbingly fast barrel racer. Not surprisingly, if she won the lottery Bea would start a horse rescue.
A perfect day in the world of Bea: camping with the horses, hubby and friends, ‘Think Again’, Merlot with bbq steak followed by sips of Crab Apple wine around the campfire.
We are so glad to have her!
HAZEL
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A child of Lake Country orchards, a lover of music, of cooking and of Okanagan Wine.
If the 6/49 comes through, Hazel is committed to opening a record store and music venue with room for small concerts (with Elephant Island on tap).
Convinced at 5 that she would be a ballerina, her career adventure has taken many twists and turns from hospitality, to nursing and retail merchandising. In her new role at Elephant Island she has fallen in love with being part of a farm community that cares about the environment and the community as a whole.
Perhaps, just perhaps, Hazel’s debut rendition of Swan Lake will be in the courtyard on your next visit.
She’s looking forward to welcoming you.
LAUREN
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Tightrope Walker Extraordinaire … Assistant Winemaker and Wine Club Ringmaster at Elephant Island.
A mom of 4, a hunter and classic car restorer in her spare time (we are pretty sure she doesn’t sleep much). Lauren has been an instrumental part of the Circus for the better part of 9 years. Her meticulous attention to detail is the perfect complement to Del’s “Mr. Huge-Picture” style. Her tenacious observation and work ethic in the vineyards and cellar has been key in the development of our Magic/Reserve Series and her passion for the wine she produces has made her a one-of-a-kind leader of our Club Program.
Not to mention her super smeller … Lauren’s palate and olfactory prowess is a huge asset for barrel/blending and tasting days, but not so great for her when the team indulges in Greek food the night before.
Alex
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Affectionately known as “Alex Scissorhands” around this Circus, he wields the hedge trimmer with acrobatic precision and strongman strength. In his 7 years with Elephant Island, Alex’s role has expanded in elephant-like proportions. Beginning exclusively with farm labour, Alex’s warm personality and eagerness to contribute have meant that his role has grown into crusher/press whisper, wine delivery dude, and social media/graphics producer. He indulges our endless revisions to his graphics and life advice (he is the youngest of the team) with good humor and just the occasional gluten free treat!
In another life, he is fairly sure he was a mountain goat. He and his wife Jolene can be found scrambling around the Rockies on their days off … and if he wasn’t so darn good at being “Alex Scissorhands” of Elephant Island, he would definitely be a LEGO designer. In fact, a glacially chilled glass of “I Told You So”, allows him to stay up late and moonlight in his other business of Brick building/LEGO construction.
Still on his list of Circus tasks to conquer at Elephant Island … learning to drive the Beast (our 2003 Dodge Ram) and getting some video of Del rocking in the Cellar to Britney Spears.
