Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards has announced the opening of its new winery at Greata Ranch just south of Peachland, specializing in sparkling wines and still wines specific to the area.

Gordon Fitzpatrick, president of Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards, said after 18 months of construction, the lakeside winery and bistro is ready to welcome the public.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a little more peaceful here than other places鈥攁n oasis,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e created a well鈥憄olished and refined environment, but it鈥檚 also welcoming and inviting 鈥� you will be among friends here.鈥�

He said the goal is to define the culture of sparkling wine in the Okanagan Valley and described the winery as a 鈥済ravity-flow鈥� facility.

Fitzpatrick is no stranger to the local wine industry.

His father, former Canadian senator Ross Fitzpatrick, started CedarCreek Estate Winery in 琉璃神社 in 1984 and he and his son developed it into one of the country鈥檚 leading wineries. It was twice named Canadian winery of the year.

CedarCreek was sold to von Mandl Family Estates, owner of West 琉璃神社鈥檚 Mission Hill Winery in 2014.

The family then turned their attention to developing the boutique winery at Greata Ranch, where the focus will be on traditional method sparkling wine. A selection of estate-produced and bottled table wines will also be made there.

In addition the winery, a bistro has also opened featuring creations by Chef Tony de Luca and students from the Canadian Food and Wine Institute at Niagara College.

鈥淲e鈥檙e just as passionate about the lifestyle around wine as we are about the details that go into making it., said Jeff Hanson, director of sales and hospitality.

The bistro will be open seven days a week for lunch, specialize in brunches on weekends, and include dinner service on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays during the summer. De Luca is well-known for his wood fire pizzas and Mediterranean-influenced cuisine.

The sparking wine bar on site will feature not only wines produced at the Greata Ranch, it will also have sparkling wines from around the world.