Jim Wyse, Founder & Proprietor

James (Jim) Wyse was born in 1938 in Toronto, where he grew up. He studied Structural Engineering at U of T. After 4 years of bridge building with Ontario Highways, he studied business at the University of Western Ontario’s Ivey Business School in London, earning an MBA. After 2 years in Ottawa selling nuclear products internationally with Atomic Energy Canada Ltd, Jim and his family moved to Vancouver in 1968, where Jim worked as a business management consultant for 4 years. After a brief 18-month hiatus in Ottawa managing a local ski area through a temporary crisis, Jim returned to Vancouver to start his own development company in 1973. Over the next 25 years, Jim’s primary business was to re-develop inner city properties into condominiums throughout the lower mainland, Oklahoma City, Denver and Whistler.

While cleaning up one such development project in Vernon in 1993, Jim was introduced to some relatively inexpensive and abandoned vineyard land south of Oliver that was then being sold. This property became the first 100 acres for Burrowing Owl Vineyards. Knowing little about the grape and wine industry, Jim found good, experienced people to run the vineyard and eventually make and market the wine. In his own words, his job was to monitor the costs, arrange the financing, write the cheques and make sure that all of this activity made sense from a business point of view.

On a personal note, Jim enjoys old-timers hockey and jazz piano, which he still enthusiastically plays. Midge and Jim are still involved at the winery; surprisingly, their three children have also been drawn into the wine industry. All four of their grandchildren also have summer jobs at the winery in hospitality roles, and you will find them in the Wine Shop and Sonora Room Restaurant.

Chris Wyse, President / CEO

Chris joined the family business in 2006 and assumed the President’s role in 2007. As the oldest son of founders Jim and Midge Wyse, Chris came to the business with an informed understanding of the family’s vision for premium quality and excellence, which he has blended into his guidance for the company’s brand’s opportunities and potential.  He shares the family’s passion for excellence and environmentally sensitive land stewardship with a proficiency for generating it in others.  Chris brings astute business skills to the company, which he has applied in his focus on continuous measured growth. Chris embraces a traditional approach to winemaking but with a constant focus on technical innovations. Chris’s approach to leadership prioritizes healthy living, family values and a supportive team environment that encourages continuous professional development.

Kerri Wyse-McNolty, MBA, FEA, Vice President

Kerri Wyse-McNolty is Vice President at Burrowing Owl Vineyards, where she oversees marketing, hospitality, customer experience, HR and philanthropy. She is passionate about carrying forward her parents’ commitment to charitable giving and sustainability for the next generation.

Since joining the family business 20 years ago, Kerri has worked to share the wines and stories of Burrowing Owl and Wild Goose Winery across Canada, while creating welcoming experiences that introduce guests from around the world to her family’s wines, hospitality and conservation efforts.

Kerri serves on the boards of the regional Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Association, supporting the South Okanagan’s wine and tourism communities. Before joining the family business, she built a corporate career in strategic partnerships and marketing with Intrawest/Whistler Blackcomb and Paramount Pictures.

Kerri holds an MBA and the Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA) designation, with a particular interest in helping families navigate the unique opportunities and complexities of family business.