• christa-lee

Winemaker at 9… Restaurateur at 39
Born & Raised in local BC hospitality

Black Sage Vineyard

Christa-Lee McWatters

christa-lee-180.jpgAfter a commendable position as Marketing Manager with Vincor International Inc. for many years, Christa-Lee McWatters Bond joined her father at Vintage Consulting Group on January 1, 2010. Christa-Lee recently managed the Inniskillin Wines ICE GATE tasting bar in the Richmond O Zone during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Christa-Lee has been a part of the British Columbia wine industry since birth. Being born the daughter of British Columbia wine ambassador Harry McWatters included an upbringing that instilled in her a true appreciation and love of wine. Christa-Lee, who made her first vintage when she was just 9 years old, embraced life in the Okanagan Valley and has played an integral role in the growth of British Columbia wine country.

Her father Harry founded Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, British Columbia’s first “estate winery” in Summerland in 1980. Christa-Lee worked in the family business throughout her school years and after graduation moved to Vancouver to further her education. In 1995, after a brief time in the big city, she returned to her roots in Summerland and became a Sales Representative for Sumac Ridge Estate Winery. Once again she was back in the family business.

In 2000, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, along with sister winery Hawthorne Mountain Vineyards, now called See Ya Later Ranch, were acquired by Vincor International Inc. Christa-Lee was named British Columbia Sales Manager of the newly formed Sumac Ridge Estate Wine Group.
Christa-Lee is a big supporter of the growing British Columbia wine industry. She was elected the President of the Okanagan Wine Festival Society in 2002 and 2003. The wine festival society is the organizing and marketing arm behind the four major British Columbia wine festivals held each year.
In addition to her work on behalf of the wine industry, Christa-Lee has continued to assist in the development of the “wine group’s” portfolio to keep in step with consumer demand. In addition, she was responsible for the operation of the winery’s on-premise dining room, the Cellar Door Bistro. The Cellar Door emphasizes the perfect marriage of food and wine pairing for which Sumac Ridge and See Ya Later Ranch wines are known.
Christa-Lee was responsible for all of the marketing initiatives and on site winery hospitality programs for Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, Hawthorne Mountain Vineyards, Nk’Mip Cellars, See Ya Later Ranch, Osoyoos Larose, and Okanagan Vineyards.

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Most recently she and her husband Cam Bond have opened a new lakeside restaurant, Local Lounge • Grille in Summerland, BC.

Wine Industry involvements:

  • Vincor Canada - Marketing Manager (Western VQA Estates)
  • Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust - Director - 3 years
  • Thompson Okanagan Tourist Association - Director - 2005 - 2009
  • Okanagan Wine Festivals Society - – Past President 2007
  • British Columbia Wine Institute Marketing Committee - Member - 2006 – 2010
  • Sumac Ridge Estate Winery - Manager of Hospitality Relations - 2004 -2006
  • See Ya Later Ranch - Manager of Hospitality Relations - 2004 -2006
  • Society of Wine Educators – Member
  • Okanagan University College – Instructor of Wine Appreciation Courses
  • Summerland Tourism Committee – Member – 2004-2005
  • Okanagan Wine Festival Society - Chair of Marketing 2004 & 2005
  • Okanagan Wine Festivals Society – President – 2002 & 2003
  • Vincor International - British Columbia Interior Sales Manager – 2002-2004
  • Premier’s Small Business Roundtable Council – Member – 2002
  • Okanagan Wine Festivals Society – Director - 2001
  • Tour deVine - Founding Chairperson – 2000
  • Penticton Tourism Development - Advisory Board Member – 1999
  • Vin Expo in Bordeaux, France (world’s largest wine exhibition) – Representative of British Columbia Wine Institute – 1997 & 1999
  • Tourism Penticton – Director – 1997 & 1998
  • “McWatters Wine Enterprises” (personal wine agency) Founder – 1994
  • Andres Wines in Vancouver, B.C. - Tour Coordinator – 1992

Personal Achievements

2010 – co-owner Local Lounge • Grille
1996 to 1999 - Member of Big Sisters Organization
1993 - Diplomas in Business Administration & Computer Applications
1984 - Youngest person to complete British Columbia Super Host Program (age 12)