Sandhill Wines announces appointment of new winemaker
Sydney Valentino takes over as winemaker at award-winning
Okanagan winery
Sandhill Wines announced today the appointment of Sydney Valentino as lead winemaker, effective April 2023. With a Bachelor of Science from the University of British Columbia Okanagan, her WSET level 3 and Winery Assistant Certificate from Okanagan College, Valentino brings over 10 years of experience to her new position. She worked closely with previous Sandhill winemakers Sandy Leier and Howard Soon. Both award-winning winemakers were mentors to Valentino, aiding in her career growth and instilling Sandhill’s winemaking philosophy of producing truly distinct, terroir-driven wines.
Over the past decade Valentino has held numerous roles on the winemaking team with Andrew Peller Ltd. She started in the tasting room of Calona Winery and later moved on to her role as the non-VQA winemaker, where she oversaw winemaking operations for brands such as Copper Moon and Peller Family Vineyards. From there Valentino led the winemaking team for Wayne Gretzky Okanagan before settling into her current position as head winemaker for Sandhill Wines in April 2023.
“Sandhill is this amazing bridge between history and modern winemaking,” says Valentino. “I look forward to continuing to embody Sandhill’s terroir-driven philosophy throughout my journey as winemaker.”
Originally hailing from Winnipeg, Valentino grew up in Kelowna where she currently resides with her family, making the most of the Okanagan lifestyle in her free time. She is a lover of cooking, reading and soaking up the Okanagan weather with her two kids. Valentino will play a pivotal role in the launch of upcoming new releases at Sandhill, including the 2022 Rosé and will continue to honour Sandhill’s terrior-driven legacy.
About Sandhill Wines: Since 1997, Sandhill has been a prominent player in the BC wine industry. Its wines are made from several BC vineyards, each with its own unique characteristics and grower techniques, contributing to a truly distinct taste and aroma. With over 20 varietals including Rosé and unique Italian varietals such as Barbera and Sangiovese, Sandhill offers wine drinkers a full experience with a range of options to choose from. Sandhill’s rich history, experienced winemaking and award-winning wines can be enjoyed at its downtown Urban Winery in Kelowna. The Sandhill portfolio of wines is available at the Urban Winery, online, in select retail outlets, and at restaurants across Canada. For further information about Sandhill visit www.sandhillwines.ca.
Social Media: Follow @SandhillWines or #SandhillWines on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and updates.
Media release and image provided by Brandon Wirsz, kin. Sydney Valentino – Sandhill Wines Winemaker
