- Story by Darcy Nybo Photography by Darren Hull

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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Back in the 1980s, current winemaker Marina Zarrillo came to visit her grandparents, who had recently moved to the Okanagan. At the time, she and her family were living in Calgary, but the more they visited, the more they liked it here. And like many before them, her family bought property in the Okanagan and decided to move as well.

B次元官网网址淚 was an IT professional until 2012,B次元官网网址� says Marina. B次元官网网址淚 signed up for the viticulture program at Okanagan College in 2013. My granddad made wine almost every year until he passed away. I think every Italian makes wine. ItB次元官网网址檚 what we grew up with. He made wine for friends and family and I got to help him. I remember always holding something or pouring something for him.B次元官网网址�

Marina started her journey to winemaker by working in friendsB次元官网网址� vineyards and at the tasting bar at . She quickly realized she wanted to be the person that was involved from the vine to the glass. However, going from the logical world of IT to winemaker was quite a leap.

B次元官网网址淚 thought initially I would just grow grapes and that would be fine. Then the more I got into it and the more I saw how the grapes transform and change into something that people like B次元官网网址� well, itB次元官网网址檚 a pretty amazing process. I really wanted to know how that worked. The technical part of my brain found that very appealing; thereB次元官网网址檚 a lot to know. My original degree was in business, so I had to go back and take chemistry to get into the winemaking certificate program at the . Once I got a handle on the chemistry, I really started to understand how wine is made.B次元官网网址�

From there it was an easy choice to start growing her own grapes. The more she learned about the wine, the deeper her attachment to the Okanagan grew. By this time, MarinaB次元官网网址檚 parents and brother had moved to the Okanagan. When a nice, three-acre parcel of land became available, they bought it.

B次元官网网址淚n 2015, we found a property that suited us and gave us some growing space,B次元官网网址� says Marina. B次元官网网址淲e have one acre planted now and could grow another acre in the near future.B次元官网网址�

The grapes and the wines Marina creates from them are strictly for her family, friends and a neighbour.

B次元官网网址淲e make a barrel of red and a tank of white every year, just because we need a house wine. We had to buy grapes before, but in 2016 we planted our own grapes, so we are making wines from grapes we grew this year. It is an exciting time as we get to see what our grapes can do.B次元官网网址�

When Marina isnB次元官网网址檛 in her own vineyards and making her own wine, she is the winemaker at Play Estate Winery and Bistro in Penticton.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 my first commercial winemaking opportunity. I started in 2015 as a cellar hand at the beginning of harvest. I had practically no experience working in a commercial winery.B次元官网网址�

She pauses as if remembering the fall of 2015. B次元官网网址淥ne of the first things we did was crush Pinot Gris. It was fast that year, we were so busy. It was a steep learning curve in a short amount of time. Our building wasnB次元官网网址檛 complete yet so we made our wine out at Volcanic Hills in West Kelowna. I am so grateful to their winemaking team for showing me the ropes.B次元官网网址�

Marina survived her learning curve and was there for the opening of the Play Estate Winery and Bistro in May of 2016. B次元官网网址淭here was a lot of work getting the cellar ready for bottling and the 2016 harvest. My previous career as an IT professional and project manager gave me an advantage in planning and logistics. My role as the cellar hand changed as I took on more responsibilities. At my request, Christine Leroux, a winemaking consultant, joined the Play winemaking team in 2017. She brings such a wealth of experience and expertise. SheB次元官网网址檚 been a good mentor and friend.B次元官网网址�

Today, Marina is right at home as PlayB次元官网网址檚 winemaker. B次元官网网址淭here are two series of wines at Play: the Dramatic series and the Spotlight series. The Dramatic wines are everyday wines, red and white blends. The red is usually Merlot based. In 2017, it was Zweigelt and Merlot. The white has been changing every year, but in 2017 we took it into a more distinct wine B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 more of a Germanic style of white. ThereB次元官网网址檚 Gew眉rztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris and a little bit of everything,B次元官网网址� she explains.

Should you get the chance to talk to Marina about her passion, youB次元官网网址檒l hear the commitment and pride in her voice.

B次元官网网址淵ou know, people think winemaking is glamorous. ItB次元官网网址檚 not. It is a very physical job. ThereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of long hours. Grapes donB次元官网网址檛 wait. It can also get pretty messy at times and thereB次元官网网址檚 lots of cleaning, too. If I was talking to someone who wanted to be a winemaker, IB次元官网网址檇 have them come to work with me. IB次元官网网址檓 so glad I started in the vineyards and worked as a cellar hand. You have to know a little bit about everything to be a winemaker, and that includes how to maintain the equipment. You also have to check the wines constantly. Wines are like kids B次元官网网址� they need attention at certain times.B次元官网网址�

The busyness leaves her voice as she talks about the winemaking process. You can tell she has respect for it.

B次元官网网址淢y favourite part about being a winemaker is seeing how the wines change and transform. You see the grapes in the field and you sample them. In your mind, you have an idea of where they will go. Then you process them and see what they become, and when it becomes what you wanted it to beB次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 amazing.B次元官网网址�

Asked about a favourite winemaking memory, she recalls the harvest of 2017.

B次元官网网址淪ometimes you get your grapes in and they just look so beautiful. Last year the Gew眉rztraminer grapes had a copper-like hue to them. They looked so amazing and the colour was so intense. The entire team was standing there, just staring at them and taking photos. We all have the same passion and enthusiasm for what we do. ItB次元官网网址檚 just great!B次元官网网址�

When asked what she does with her downtime, Marina laughs.

B次元官网网址淥h, downtime would be a dream come true right now! Between working for the winery, planting my own grapes and making my own wine, I donB次元官网网址檛 have a lot of downtime. When I do take time for myself I just step out into the beautiful Okanagan with my dog and go for a hike. Sometimes I even get to go kayaking, but not often, because the vineyards need me in the mornings. Mostly, I enjoy friends, and family and a nice glass of wine.B次元官网网址�

For more of Darren HullB次元官网网址檚 photography visit .