HESTER CREEK - Key Persons
From a household of entertainers, the hospitality industry was a natural for Bruce. After attending college in Vancouver, he was drawn to the food and beverage industry south of the border working at golf resorts throughout the west coast, including the historic Tacoma Golf & Country Club. A move to the Okanagan as Food and Beverage Manager for Fairview Mountain Golf Club established an abiding passion for BC wine. Joining Hester Creek in sales in 2008, Bruce has deep roots at the company and in the community. For many years, he has volunteered his time with the BC Hospitality Foundation, Junior Chamber of Commerce, and as board member and chair of the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society. An outdoor enthusiast, in his spare time Bruce can be found golfing with friends or camping with his family and chocolate Labrador throughout the beautiful Okanagan Valley.
Born and raised in Prince George, BC, Curt Garland had a connection with British Columbia's beauty from the start, but he also wanted to experience the world and has travelled to many countries. When Curt saw Hester Creek in 2004, the similarities between the Mediterranean and Oliver seemed immediate and he couldn't help but involve himself in the wine industry. Curt purchased Hester Creek just a few months later in May 2004. In his limited spare time, Curt enjoys flying, hiking, fishing, and camping.
Grace started crunching numbers at Hester Creek in 2005. Coming from the accounting firm of White Kennedy in Penticton she was well versed in accounting procedures, but was thrilled to make the jump into the wine industry when the position at Hester Creek opened up. Before she found accounting, Grace spent 13 plus years living in Mexico as an administrator for a condominium development and teaching aerobics. She was born and raised in Vancouver and married Brian in the summer of 2010. After experimenting with life as far north as Haida Gwaii and as far south as Zihuatanejo, Mexico, Grace has finally - and happily - settled in the Okanagan. However, in a perfect world Grace would be in the sun on Troncones Beach, near Zihuatanejo in Mexico, enjoying serenity and peace with no cell service.
Iqbal is Hester Creek's longest standing employee, starting here in 1995. He has seen tremendous change and growth at the winery. Iqbal grew up in India and immigrated here with his parents and brother in 1993. Coming from an agricultural background, his family purchased land and now have a 15 acre orchard of apples, cherries, and grapes. Iqbal was married in 1995 and has 2 children, born in 97 and 2000.
Job Titles:
- Wine Shop & Brand Manager
- Wine Shop Manager
After a long and successful career in the advertising and marketing industry throughout BC and Alberta, Jacqueline finally came to her senses, to fulfil her life-long dream of working in the wine industry and living in the beautiful Okanagan Valley. Her interest in wine started at a very young age, "My father and I spent many hours making our own wines, starting with fruit wines, then grape varieties. I carried on the tradition until only a few years ago." Her dedication to customer service and passion for wine became a natural fit at Hester Creek. You will find her serving at the tasting bar, on the patio pouring a glass for a guest, or helping out at special events. "I love the versatility and responsibility of being the Wine Shop Manager. It's all about providing a true wine experience to each and every one of our guests". Jacqueline and her husband, Ken enjoy time together on their property at Twin Lakes, with their border collie, Rye. As well as, travelling round BC, camping, kayaking and golfing.
Born and raised in the Côtes du Tarn wine region of southwestern France, Marie was inspired growing up by the historic vineyards and noble wines of the nearby Gaillec AOC. After attending Lycee Ozene for a tri-lingual diploma in Toulouse, she moved to Canada obtaining a Winery Assistant and Wine Sales Certificate from Okanagan College. Following graduation, she assisted with viticulture at Seven Stones and Road 13 for a couple years, prior to joining Hester Creek. Marie has held a number of roles since she started with Hester Creek in 2006 including working in the wine shop, as Cellar Master, and assisting with winemaking. In 2013, she was promoted to Lab Manager overseeing wine monitoring and analysis amongst many other responsibilities. When not in the laboratory, Marie can be found outdoors enjoying our region's fantastic cycling and paddle boarding, as well as exploring the rest of beautiful British Columbia. An animal and bird lover, she currently does not have a pet, although fondly remembers her family's pet rooster following her everywhere as a child in Albi, France.
Born and raised in the Barossa Valley in Australia, and after earning a Bachelor of Agriculture Science at Adelaide University, Mark went on to work for some of Australia's largest wine producers. Mark was attracted to BC, as he saw the Okanagan as the world's next wine frontier, so in 1999, he moved to Canada to be director of vineyard operations for Vincor Canada. He was recognized for his talents and called "a rising star in a young industry". Now, as Hester Creek's President, Mark oversees all aspects of the winery's business, from viticulture through to the finished wines and then into the marketplace.
Job Titles:
- Communications and Bench Club Manager
Sarah Lefebvre has always been in the wine industry. In fact, she attended her first crush at three weeks old! While she worked for years in optometry, Sarah has also had wine on her mind through her parents' wine jelly business. Beyond family association, she has also taken a distance education course in wine and winemaking from UC Davis and has dabbled in amateur winemaking. Her communications background also comes through her family's business, where she worked with marketing and social media communications. Sarah is an adult competitve figure skater and a SkateCanada figure skating judge. When Sarah is not enjoying wine, you can find her at a local arena.
Born in Japan, with an upbringing in Texas and Louisiana, Tom has followed his twin passions for travel and hospitality around the globe from a young age. His hospitality career began in his early 20s in Bermuda, USA, Maui and Europe, taking him to premier wine regions in Burgundy, Alsace and Mosel, as well as working at historic establishments including The Drake Hotel in Chicago and the Relais & Chateau Waterloo House in Bermuda. A move to the West Coast in the 1990s eventually led him to be the Wine Director & General Manager for Lift Bar & Grill in Coal Harbour followed by Restaurants and Bar Director at one of Vancouver's premier hotels, the Westin Bayshore, on Vancouver's waterfront. In the spring of 2021 Thomas joined Hester Creek's historic estate, saying it was a natural fit, "Looking after folks has been in my nature since childhood and being from the South, gracious hospitality comes to me naturally. It has also driven my choices regarding workplace. I am always up for cooking and enjoying wine with friends and family." When not at Terrafina, Thomas can be found exploring the beautiful south Okanagan with his partner & rescue dog Teddy, restoring mid-century teak furniture, and gardening.