Our Winemaker
Get to know Winemaker Daniel Bontorin
For over 19 years, Daniel has been a winemaker and well-respected winemaking consultant in the Okanagan. Growing up in BC, Daniel’s Italian heritage fostered a natural understanding of wine, nurtured by helping his father make wine as a hobby in his early years. Daniel graduated in the top 5 of his class at Okanagan University College and immediately put his new-found knowledge into his passion for winemaking.
Daniel wears many hats helping new and established wineries implement the tools, guidance and expertise needed to reach their maximum potential from vineyard to bottle. Daniel’s winemaking methods are minimal and respectful to the terroir and fruit, which allows the true character of the wine to be showcased.
Bottega Wine Studio’s™ Winemaker, Daniel Bontorin
After completing the program at Okanagan University College in 2000, Daniel worked in the cellars at several valley wineries including Fairview Cellars, Hillside Winery and Hester Creek. Daniel also ventured back to Veneto in Northern Italy to further his studies at Cantina Montelliana in the town of Montebelluna where he learned the organic and Biodynamic process and its effects on wine production.
Daniel’s rosé-making pedigree goes back to the 2005 vintage with his first winemaking position when he made Vaïla, the outstanding Pinot Noir rosé at Le Vieux Pin, still selling out to this day. That wine, along with a few others started the renewed interest in a wine style made that is now embraced by the majority of BC wineries. Daniel also produced many award winning wines in his career for wineries such as La Stella and Le Vieux Pin and Volcanic Hills winery.
Daniel produces flavourful award-winning wines for his clients in the Okanagan including Bordertown Vineyards.Daniel made the first Gamay Noir rosé for Volcanic Hills in the 2010 vintage. This wine promptly won a BC Lieutenant Governor’s Award of Excellence and is still the only rosé to wine this award. A rising star with impeccable credentials and extensive expertise in premium wines, Daniel has earned numerous awards and accolades from national as well as international competitions.
Daniel also crafts his own brands under the Bottega Wine Studio portfolio of wines: Bottega Wines™, Seven Directions Wine, and K Little Vintners™. He specializes in rosé and crafting small lot wines from grapes from the Okanagan that he feels display the highest potential for producing great wines.
It’s easy to see Daniel’s love and his passion for his vineyard. When he started farming, Daniel’s goal was to grow the best quality wine grapes to supply their family-owned winery with healthy, sustainable grapes to make small batch of high-quality wines. Along with an eye for detail in the vineyards, Daniel is committed to sustainable farming practices. Attention to detail comes in the form of small lot fermentations, whole cluster pressing and oak aging – all designed to provide Daniel with the tools he needs to produce the finest wines possible.
In his spare time, Daniel parents his team of seven with Kristine, reads many wine books and enjoys spending time in the outdoors, making wine and farming the vineyard.
Get to Know Owner Kristine Witkowski
Kristine moved to the sunny Okanagan in July of 1991. She started a family in her early twenties and has 2 children from her first marriage. After many years as a stay-at-home mom, Kristine started in house daycare for a few of her friends and family members. When her children got older, she found her career as the only Event Manager at the largest trade show and convention facility outside of Vancouver, in Penticton. She is now in her 20th year!
Kristine found her passion for wine after meeting Daniel in 2009. His enthusiasm for winemaking was infectious. Daniel and Kristine’s hard work and determination are always at the core of everything in which they embark.
Now that their children are mostly adults, Kristine is delving more into the wine business, and is starting to work beside Daniel in the vineyard and winery.
Daniel & Kristine