Fort Berens Estate Winery is owned and operated by Rolf de Bruin and Heleen Pannekoek. We embarked on this venture in 2005, when we foresaw personal issues raising a family while both working 80 hours a week at an office in The Netherlands. We wanted to rid ourselves of the stress of the congestion in all aspects of our lives. We investigated a life-long dream to live and work on a farm. Our affinity with wine brought us to the idea of a vineyard and winery.
After three holidays in Canada, we spent three weeks in 2005 in the Okanagan wine region of British Columbia, exploring the wine country and building our business plan.
We applied for a Permanent Resident Visa in early 2006 and received the visa in June, 2008. We landed in Canada in July, 2008. At that time, real estate prices in the Okanagan were unfortunately prohibitive to realise an economic return on our investment. Two experienced viticulturists, Dick Cleave and John Vielvoye, pointed us in the direction of Lillooet.
In September 2008, we spent time in Lillooet at the Roshard vineyard speaking to Christ’l Roshard and her husband Douglas Robson about the experimental vineyards in the Fraser Canyon. During the following months we performed a feasibility study on the climatic conditions and soil characteristics, the commercial viability and the financial feasibility of a Lillooet vineyard and winery. During this time, an opportunity came along to lease probably the best property for our venture in Lillooet.
While impressed by the spectacular scenery and rich history of the area, we also considered the impact of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver and Whistler, and the exposure the Highway 99 corridor will receive during the games and in the 10 years after the games. The post-games decade, in previous host regions, has proven to be attractive to tourists from around the globe.
After careful consideration of the conclusions of the feasibility study, we decided to proceed with our plans to plant our vineyard and open our winery.
We are very fortunate to have a large team of people that have supported, helped and worked with us on this venture. We owe many thanks to Christ’l Roshard, Kathy Grossler, Doug Robson, Karnail Singh Sidhu, Dick Cleave, John Vielvoye, Eckhard and Deanne Zeidler, Brad Kasselman, German Barahona, the Munckhofs in Oliver, and many others.
About Rolf
Rolf has 12 years experience as a management consultant in the field of management accounting and control, specializing in helping companies improve their decision making. He has more than five years of management experience, leading teams and selling professional services. Currently, Rolf works as Financial Controller for the Mt. Currie Indian Band (Southern St’at’imc) to supplement income from the winery. He is enjoying the experience of working with the progressive band and their economic development team.
About Heleen
Heleen has 13 years experience in commercial banking and credit risk management and two years of management experience. She ultimately managed a credit portfolio of over € 1 billion. Heleen completed the highest attainable wine knowledge and appreciation course (one year) in The Netherlands (“Vinoloog van de Wijnacademie”) and completed the Viticulture Certificate Program from Okanagan College in the spring of 2009. 
She drives a mean tractor and enjoys her
days in the vineyard and the winery, in sharp contrast to her previous urban existence.
About the rest of our family
We have two beautiful children, Josine (2006) and Thomas (2008). Our dog, Lori, and our cat Mouse, complement the family.
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