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Story
Founded in 2013 by a seasoned winemaker from a family deeply-rooted in culture and history, City Side Winery is the culmination of years of global expertise in winemaking, viticulture and hospitality. We travelled and harvested many vintages in pursuit of excellence. Research and innovation, an uncompromising view to quality and offering best-in-category wines to our clients are at the forefront of our values. Every bottle at City Side tells a story, one of meticulous craftsmanship, passion and years of experience. City Side Winery aims to challenge conventions, reshape perceptions and redefine what you savour in wine in a manner that departs from its traditionally elite reputation.
Winemaking
Led by an internationally trained winemaker and viticulturist with a rich background as a sommelier, wine buyer, and business manager, we possess a deep understanding of the intricacies of vine varieties, grape attributes, terroirs and shifting consumer preferences globally. Our profound insight on how a vineyard’s location imprints upon its yield guides our pursuit of prime terrains in the Pacific Northwest.
We tailor our winemaking methods to accentuate the best of each region and its essence in every bottle of wine, and this approach is the hallmark of our winemaking expertise. Our winemaking processes are inextricably tied to the origins of each grape. Our cellar boasts a myriad of specialized equipment and custom techniques to embrace the unique expression of every varietal. This sets City Side Winery a class apart in the industry.
Winemaker
City Side Winery was founded in 2013 and is directed by its founder and winemaker. Coming from a family of winemakers with deep roots in history, Homan probably inherited winemaking genes in his DNA!
He began his career in Hamburg, Germany with a degree in “Hospitality and Hotel Management” and worked for Novotel, Relais & Chateaux, Seaside Hotels and Best Western Group before earning a WSET diploma from Deutsche Wein- und Sommelierschule. He trained in the spectacular valleys of Mosel and Baden-Baden and worked for wine merchants such as Jacques Wein Depot, Oddbins and Unwins.
His association with Master of Wine, Markus Del Monego, introduced him to new horizons in the art of wine-making. Driven by passion, he relocated to the UK – one of the world’s most competitive wine markets – to earn a degree in Oenology & Viticulture from the University of Brighton.
In 2007, Canada’s Okanagan Valley became Homan’s new home where he crafted multiple award-winning wines amongst which are winners of Canadian Wine Championship Awards and the prestigious Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in BC Wine.
Homan’s diverse global experiences, while managing opulent British lounges and luxury German hotels and doing vintage work in UK, Greece, Germany, Canada and USA, shaped his vision and meticulous style of winemaking. Yet, he views winemaking as an endless journey towards excellence.
In 2015, Homan founded City Side Winery in Vancouver, realizing his dream of providing exceptional hospitality and crafting exquisite wines. Today, City Side Winery stands committed exclusively to producing wines of unparalleled quality in Surrey, BC. With the motto of “YOUR TASTE IN EVERY BOTTLE” City Side Winery is dedicated to produce captivating wines truly enjoyed by all wine lovers.