LEVEL U P CENTRAL OKANAGAN BUSINESS REPORT Nov 2020 pandemic recovery Keep dollars Upper Bench Will coronavirus flowing in the Riesling is best kill Kelowna’s live Okanagan. of the best. music scene? Happy? The Happiness Index is being introduced in the Thompson Okanagan. LEVEL U P 12 CENTRAL OKANAGAN BUSINESS REPORT Finalists Articles 20 Who will win Kelowna Business Now a monthly magazine Excellence Awards? Lightning fast Also on KelownaNow.com 02 Kelowna is home to five of the fastest growing Women of the year companies in the country. 22 They’re savvy, adaptable and ethical. 04 Wine of the year Cseking In Upper Bench Riesling is best of the best. 23 Who’s leading the charge for affordable housing? 06 Eating out Restaurants need a vaccine to go back to 24 Okanagan Falls 20) and entrepreneurs saw fit to And finally, we wouldn’t be in the normal. It’s comeback time! Welcome open new businesses (page 36). Okanagan if we weren’t sipping some exceptional vintage. Right 08 Shop local Drink up Letter Hard times also bring us together now that’s the 2019 Riesling from Keep the dollars flowing in the Okanagan. 26 Naramata Bench wineries have solid 2020. to move forward. Read about Upper Bench Winery & Creamery 10 Up in smoke Canadian Market Watch It’s only natural this issue of Level how DunnEnzies Pizza is offering on the Naramata Bench, which was Orcharding family gets into cannabis in a 28 Eric Fier talks silver. Up will be known as the ‘recovery’ jobs to all employees of Olympia crowned wine of the year at the big way. edition. After all, last month was Greek Taverna, who saw their jobs recent BC Lieutenant Governor’s 11 Helping out the pandemic issue. As with any go up in smoke in a fire at the Wine Awards. Clipped wings 31 DunnEnzies hiring workers impacted by COVID-related layoffs at KF Aerospace. Olympia Greek Taverna fire. crisis, fear, reaction, reflection and taverna in October (page 30), and 14 rebuilding follows. The Okanagan how the Shop Local movement Cheers. Rising Noted is well into its recovery thanks to Massive concrete pour for the Landmark 7 32 has renewed traction (page 8). Will coronavirus kill Kelowna’s live a Valley full of resilient, innovative Our South Okanagan-based Lastly, as you read this magazine, office tower. music scene? 16 and resourceful people, businesses contributor, Gord Goble, chronicles planning and writing is well Grounded 34 Drink up some more and leaders. But recovery can be how the small town of Okanagan underway for the December issue Slow recovery for Kelowna International Rebel Vodka headed to China Airport. slow and full of sputtering stops Falls is trying to revitalize from of Level Up. The cover story will and Romania. and starts. The articles in this tough times that pre-date COVID spotlight Kelowna Santas, the 18 magazine illustrate that. (page 24). NowMedia Group and Kelowna Room at the inn Opening Doors Hotels facing up to a decade of recovery. 36 Hello new businesses. Toyota initiative that makes sure For instance, three of the hardest Despite all the upheaval and every child in need has a present hit sectors, hotels (page 19), uncertainty, we in the Okanagan under the tree on Christmas restaurants (page 6) and aviation tend to be happy people with a morning. (page 16), are in the midst of high standard of living and sense Cover photo sales and advertising painfully sluggish recuperations. of community. That’s expected LEVEL UP Ingrid jarrett [email protected] Conversely, there are reasons to to be reflected in the survey the - BC Hotel Association (250) 862 8010 celebrate that, despite COVID, five Thompson Okanagan Tourism ISSUE NO. 4 managing editor Contributors Rob Cupello Kelowna companies made the list Association and Thompson Rivers Steve MacNaull Steve MacNaull Laina Burton of fastest-growing companies in University are jointly partner is Parker Sheil John-Luke Kieper Canada (page 2), the finalists for conducting to determine the Steve MacNaull PUBLISHER Taylor siemens Dylan McCullough the Kelowna Business Excellence region’s first Happiness Index Editor and journalist with 16 flights publishing house Jorden puzzella Gord Goble - a division of NowMedia Group Jim Csek Iain Burns Awards are turning a profit (page (page 12). NowMedia Group Nikki Csek Kent Molgat LEVEL UP // 1 Kelowna home to five of Canada’s fastest growing companies THE TOP GROWING LIST INCLUDES VITALIS EXTRACTION TECHNOLOGY, HIGHSTREET VENTURES, BANANATAG, JUPITER AVIONICS AND CORE HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES. Written by: Steve MacNaull However, it has achieved most of its They make cannabis extraction attention and revenue for supplying James Seabrook, left, Joel Sherlock and Pete Patterson co-founded Vitalis Extraction Technology, the Kelowna-based manufacturer equipment, build rental apartments, of extraction equipment for the cannabis, pharmaceutical, food and beverage and essential oils sectors. the burgeoning legal cannabis sector. develop employee-communication software, manufacture aviation audio “We’re proud to reach this milestone equipment and operate a corporate as we approach our 5th birthday,” Carrington View and Carrington with 76% growth in the $2 million to wellness platform. says Vitalis co-founder and chairman Place in West Kelowna, Skaha Shore $5 million annual revenue range. Joel Sherlock. in Penticton and Creekview Heights They are the five Kelowna businesses in Vernon. By the way, ranked No. 1 is Toronto- on the 2020 Canada’s Top Growing “We’re excited to maintain this based Rx Drug Mart, which acquires, Companies list. The Globe and Mail momentum of growth moving Bananatag, which has annual opens and operates independent newspaper’s Report on Business Scott Butler is president of Highstreet forward with our sights set on new revenue between $5 million and $10 pharmacies, for its 13,940% growth section has the list of 400 compiled Ventures, the developer, builder and products and new markets.” million, was No. 132 with three-year over three years in the $100 million to operator of several rental apartment every year to identify the fastest- revenue growth of 350%. Bananatag $250 million annual revenue range. complexes in the Okanagan. growing companies in the nation Vitalis had 2019 revenue between $25 develops employee-communications based on three-year revenue growth. million and $50 million (the list gives software. “The stories of Canada’s Top Growing a range, not an exact number) and Companies are worth telling at any Vitalis Extraction Technology was the has 97 employees. Jupiter Avionics ranked No. 212 with time, but are especially relevant in top-ranked Kelowna company taking 190% growth and has annual revenue the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” No. 3 on the list with an astounding Highstreet Ventures took No. 34 on between $2 million and $5 million says Globe and Mail publisher Phillip 8,090% revenue growth over the last the list with a 1,543% growth in the It’s 23 employees design and make Crawley. three years. $25 million to $50 million annual airborne audio communications revenue range. equipment. “Their growth helps to make Canada Vitalis makes carbon dioxide a better place.” extraction systems for the cannabis, Highstreet develops, builds and Core Health Technologies, which pharmaceuticals, food and beverage operates rental apartment complexes operates a platform for corporate and essential oils industries. such as Mission Flats in Kelowna, wellness programs, ranked No. 371 LEVEL UP // 3 Upper Bench Riesling THE WINES AWARDED is wine of the year PLATINUM MEDALS ARE: BC LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR’S WINE AWARDS - Lake Breeze Vineyards Riesling 2017 RECOGNIZES ONE WINE EVERY YEAR AS THE BEST. - Tantalus Vineyards Old Vines Riesling 2017 - O’Rourke’s Peak Cellars Riesling 2019 Written by: Steve MacNaull - Arrowleaf Cellars Pinot Noir 2018 - SpearHead Winery Pinot Noir Saddle Block 2018 With a chuckle, Gavin Miller reveals he You can tell Miller is in love with the wine - SpearHead Winery Pinot Noir Cuvée 2018 considers every wine he makes worthy of a of the year as he describes it as beautifully - Mission Hill Family Estate Perpetua 2018 wine-of-the-year award. clean, crisp and off-dry with bright acidity - Therapy Vineyards Chardonnay 2018 and aromas and flavours of lemon tart, lime, “Of course, I think all my wines are special,” gooseberry and guava. - Terravista Vineyards Albariño 2019 says the co-owner and winemaker at Upper - Deep Roots Winery Parentage Red 2018 Bench Winery & Creamery on the Naramata “It’s also a versatile wine that you can sip on - Nk’Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Syrah 2017 Bench. its own or enjoy with seafood, chicken or - Laughing Stock Vineyards Syrah 2017 charcuterie,” he says. “But there can only be one winner, so I’m - Moraine Estate Winery Syrah 2018 happy it’s our 2019 Riesling ($22).” As its name suggests, Upper Bench Winery - Three Sisters Winery Syrah 2018 & Creamery is where Gavin makes the - Deep Roots Winery Syrah 2018 Miller is referring to Upper Bench’s 2019 wine and his wife, Shana, makes artisan Riesling being crowned wine of the cheeses. year at the recent 2020 BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards. The 2019 Riesling is the recommended pairing with Upper Bench’s double- It’s quite a feat, considering more than cream brie and Grey Baby and King Cole 700 wines from over 100 wineries were soft and semi-soft blue cheeses. tasted by an esteemed panel of 14 judges from across the country. The Lieutenant Governor’s awards also saw 15 platinum medals awarded and There are a lot of wine contests out numerous gold, silver and bronze medals. there, but the BC Lieutenant Governor’s You can see the full list at Wine Awards is considered the most TheWineFestivals.com.