The Story Behind Summerhill Pyramid Winery
Summerhill Pyramid Winery began with one bold vision: to create the finest sparkling wine in the world, right in the heart of British Columbia's Okanagan Valley. Founded in the late 1980s by Stephen Cipes, a New York real estate developer turned vineyard dreamer, Summerhill is rooted in a deep respect for the land, organic farming, and the mysteries of nature.
Inspired by ancient European cellars and sacred geometry, Cipes built a precision-aligned pyramid on the estate, where every bottle is aged. The result? Wines with extraordinary energy, complexity, and soul. Summerhill's commitment to certified organic practices, paired with its spiritual approach to winemaking, has made it one of Canada's most visited and internationally awarded wineries.
At Summerhill, wine is more than a drink. It's a connection to the earth, to each other, and to something greater.
Winemaking at Summerhill Pyramid
Organic and Biodynamic Certification
Everything here is organic, in the vineyard and in the cellar.
- Demeter Biodynamic Certification: awarded in 2012 for the Kelowna vineyard.
- Certified Organic Cellar: in place since 2007, covering every step after the fruit comes in.
Between them that covers the growing and everything that happens afterward, with no synthetic chemicals and no additives.
What the Okanagan Puts in the Glass
Organic farming does not add flavour. It gets out of the way, which is why these wines read as Okanagan first and technique second. The sparkling is what Summerhill is best known for. The reds and whites come off the same fruit and the same thinking.
Frequently asked questions
What makes Summerhill Pyramid Winery wines different from other organic wines?
Summerhill is certified organic and Demeter Biodynamic, which is a stricter standard than organic on its own. The fruit is Okanagan Valley grown and farmed without synthetic chemicals, and the winery has worked this way since long before it was fashionable.
Why are Summerhill's wines aged in a pyramid?
The winery ages and stores its wine in a four-storey replica of the Great Pyramid, aligned to true north. Summerhill credits the chamber with improving clarity and aroma. You can walk through it on a visit and judge for yourself.
Can I order single bottles of Summerhill Pyramid Winery through My Wine Canada?
Yes. Single bottles are fine and there's no case minimum. Shipping availability depends on your province, which the checkout confirms once you enter your address.
Does Summerhill Pyramid Winery produce sparkling wines?
Yes, and it's what they're best known for. They've made traditional-method bubbles since the late 1980s, with the second fermentation happening in the bottle the same way it does in Champagne. Look for the Cipes name on the label.
Are Summerhill Pyramid Winery wines suitable for vegans?
Yes, all of them. No animal products go into fining here. Whites are fined with bentonite clay and the reds are left unfined, and the vegan certification is stated on the bottle.
How long does delivery take when ordering Summerhill wines from My Wine Canada?
It depends where you are, since the parcel leaves the winery in Kelowna rather than a central warehouse. You get tracking either way. Order from more than one winery and the parcels arrive separately.
