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A world of wine experience
One of the Okanagan’s most notable vineyards, Phantom Creek, is now inspiring two highly regarded global winemakers. Lionel Trudel photo
MARK BERINGER AND OLIVIER HUMBRECHT: T W O I N T E R N AT I O N A L I C O N S O F W I N E M A K I N G S AV O U R T H E P O T E N T I A L O F P H A N T O M C R E E K ’ S S T O R I E D V I N E YA R D S Daenna Van Mulligen
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ver the past six years, Phantom Creek Estates’ chairman, businessman Richter Bai, has assembled some of the most storied vineyards in the South Okanagan Valley. He has also built a grand 45,000-square-foot facility that houses an impressive collection of art, an ambitious restaurant and a barrel cellar dominated by a golden Dale Chihuly chandelier. But even more impressive is his dream team of iconic winemakers who are continuing family traditions first
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planted centuries ago in the soil of France, Germany and California. The most recent to join the team is senior winemaker Mark Beringer—yes, that Beringer—who has relocated to the Okanagan from the Napa Valley, where his family established the famed Beringer Vineyards. He is working closely with another global superstar, Alsace’s Olivier Humbrecht MW, who has been a consulting winemaker with Phantom Creek since 2018.
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