The People Behind the Passion

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars has always been a family operation, started by Jane and Ian Mavety in 1971.

For 21 years the Mavetys supplied premium grapes to commercial wineries when finally the allure of producing quality wines inspired them to craft their own label in 1991.

In that time, they had championed new grape varieties in the region, honed their viticulture skills and developed their wine making techniques. Today, on their 31-hectare estate, they make limited quantities of complex wines from noble varietals including Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay -- the same varietals found in the Champagne, Burgundy and Alsace regions of France. In the vineyard, methods favor low crop yields to concentrate and intensify flavours. While using modern equipment in the winery, wine making is respectful of traditional methods.

Today the passion for their métier is shared by two generations of Mavetys, an assurance that a key principle of the family’s viticulture and wine-making practices is carried on - that of consistency. Everyone participates in both vineyard and winery work, sharing talent and knowledge with each other. Here we offer a peek into the lives, philosophies and motivations of the people behind the passion.

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Matt Mavety

Matt’s first serious work in the vineyard started at age 14 as a part-time job while in high school.
Hooked by the field, so to speak, Matt followed his father’s course, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at the University of British Columbia. He majored in Agricultural Economics. Matt had the good fortune to study viticulture and oenology on a student exchange at Lincoln University in Christchurch, New Zealand. Upon graduation from university in 1997, he started working full-time with Blue Mountain.

A favored aspect of Matt’s work is the time spent in the vineyards, but he says it wouldn’t have as much meaning if it wasn’t part of "the complete package" - the full process of turning fruit to wine and capturing the season in its qualities. When he tastes a vintage, the memory of the particular season is recalled.

 

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Christie Mavety

Growing up on the estate, it was natural for Christie to work in the vineyard, in the plant nursery, and in the winery cellar during her high school years as a summer job.  During those years she became familiar with the operation of the vineyards and as well as the processing of the grapes from harvest to bottling.

Christie’s formal education started in the Okanagan and then transferred to the University of Victoria where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art History. Her interest in the wine industry continued as she took Professional Wine Education Courses and then successfully completed the International Sommelier Guild Diploma Program. Throughout these years wines and foods continued to be very important to her as she continued to complete further education and work experience.

We are fortunate to have Christie join us at the management level in Sales and Marketing. Responsibilities include personal contact with our customers in the management and operation of the tasting room as well as through phone calls and email. 

Christie is the new marketing face of Blue Mountain.  She ensures the image and reputation of the Blue Mountain winery will continue to be promoted through Mavety family presence at winery events, through the media and trade shows as well as coordinating refreshed and new designs in the labels, boxes and packaging of Blue Mountain products.

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