LARGEST VINEYARD IN THE OKANAGAN VALLEY
TROPHY ASSET INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY
George Covert purchased the Property in 1959 and, along with his sons and eventually grandson, has grown Covert Farms into a cornerstone in regenerative organic farming. The family name is well known across Canada by restaurateurs and grocers.
1959
In 1959, George and Winnifred Covert, Gene’s grandparents, were tired of the pace in California so George decided to explore. He was intrigued by the climate of this area; he had heard it would be suitable to grow soft fruit and vegetables, and that’s what they wanted. When he came on a weekend trip to this valley, the decision was made, and, in the dead of winter, George purchased the undeveloped mesa north of Oliver and went home to tell Winnifred, “We’re moving to Canada.”
1964
George brought his wife Winnifred, and their 2 sons Calvin and Michael to Oliver to start their new Canadian life and Covert Farms. Calvin managed their cattle ranch on Richter Pass in Osoyoos (now owned by Ace Elkink), while Mike helped George in the vegetable business. Winnifred, kept the books and sold produce out of the window of the old office. A mixed farm from the start included tomatoes, onions, potatoes, corn, alfalfa, orchards and vineyards. Photo: Jimmy Fugeta
1983
From the 1960s until 1989, the year of the grape pull-out, Covert Farms was one of the larger vineyards in the Okanagan Valley (approximately 180 acres). The grapes were French Hybrids, Okanagan Riesling and Labruscas, such as “White Diamond”, which made consistently unremarkable “Chateau Okanagan River Channel” wines.
1985
With the imminent grape pull-out, Michael realized a need for change and planted their first high density block of Gala apples, the new sensation from New Zealand. The roaring apple business brought 80 acres of high-production blocks of Galas and Ambrosias, numbering 680 to 3,200 trees to the acre and made Covert Farms one of the leading apple growers in the Okanagan.
2005
After the passing of Michael Covert in 2004 and like the forward-thinking Coverts before them, Gene and Shelly moved ahead with 140 acres of organic production, started a winery and vineyard and leased out 300 acres to another local winery.
2018
After more than a decade of organic production, Gene and Shelly fully implemented regenerative farming practices of minimal soil disturbance, multi-species cover crops, diverse crop rotations and integrated livestock to ensure future generations have an ever-improving environment.