The Okanagan’s Original Icons: Decanting
Memories Available Now
The true story of pioneers Trudy and George Heiss will make you
laugh, cry, and – most importantly – sip out loud.
Long before the Okanagan Valley became a global wine destination, it was a blank canvas for those with enough grit to believe in it. Today, a limited run of Decanting Memories is released, revealing the unvarnished, true story of Trudy and George Heiss—the pioneers who built the BC wine industry from the ground up.
George, a World Champion hairdresser from Vienna, arrived in Edmonton in 1960 with a pair of wooden skis, a suitcase of smuggled salami, and no winter coat. Trudy, who escaped across the German/Austrian border as a child, met George in Edmonton. Together, they eventually found their way to a plot of land in Lake Country that promised nothing but “vineyard potential.”
Decanting Memories is a gritty, poignant, and often hilarious firsthand account of what it actually took to build the iconic Gray Monk Estate Winery. From turning the first stones to navigating the wild early days of the industry, this story captures the ingenuity, stamina, and humor that defined a legacy and changed BC wine forever.
“This book is a testament to the days of tractor-welding and long, uncertain winters,” says Barb Wild, the media strategist championing this project. “It’s a story about the true cost of the bottle in your hand, and the pioneers who refused to take ‘no’ for an answer.”
- BC Wine Information Centre – 553 Vees Drive, Penticton, BC. Available online, in-person or by phone (250-490-2006). Line Link
- Intrigue Wines – 2291 Goldie Road, Lake Country, BC. Available in-person or by phone (250-980-3233). Please call ahead or stop by.
A Legacy of Giving In the spirit of the hospitality industry they helped build, proceeds from the sale of Decanting Memories will be donated to the BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF), supporting those who keep our industry thriving.
Where to Purchase With only a limited number of copies available, this is an opportunity to own a foundational piece of BC history.
Hardcover copies are available for $32.95 while supplies last, through: