A Private Piece of Heaven
A hidden gem nestled along the slopes of the North Thompson River, Privato is a family-owned boutique winery focusing on small-batch Burgundian style wines. John and Debbie Woodward have owned the 88-acre property since 1987, in this time, contributing in various ways to the Kamloops community. The exquisite property is inclusive of a quaint patio, Italian inspired barrel room and lush gardens that host numerous events and weddings in the summer months. As the Christmas season approaches, the property transforms into a winter wonderland where locals have been hunting down their very own Christmas trees for over 30 years.
Photo by Gemma Crouse 
Photo by Gemma Crouse 
Photo by Gemma Crouse
The Property
The Woodwards property has been a part of their family since 1987, initially purchased to plant a Christmas tree farm for the Kamloops community. In the months leading up to Christmas, the Woodwards open their doors for Kamloops families to come cut down a tree, enjoy a sleigh ride and visit with Santa. They have curated over the years a family tradition that many can’t imagine the Christmas season without. Over the years their property has been used for numerous other ventures.
History
The Privato vineyard story began when the Woodward family took a trip to France & Italy and were able to experience the grape harvest. They immediately became intrigued with the idea of growing grapes on their own property. The couple was between ventures which provided the ideal opportunity to pursue this life long dream. The first grapes were planted in 2010 and the tasting room doors opened two years later to welcome locals and tourists alike.
Kamloops Wine Trail
Privato opened shortly after Harper’s Trail, and a few years later was joined by Monte Creek. Together they make up the Kamloops Wine Trail which offers visitors the opportunity to visit multiple destinations within the Thompson Valley. Privato is located a fair distance from the other wineries giving visitors an opportunity to experience the diverse landscapes Kamloops has to offer.
The winery has countless provincial and countrywide recognition medals, especially for their Pinot Noir. This year they received double gold in all three Pinot categories in the All Canada Wine Championship.
Woodward Cider Co.
Adam, Ben & Tim (the couples three sons), have recently returned to the property and opened up Kamloop’s first craft cidery, Woodward Cider Co.. The tasting room is located on the same property as the winery in an adjacent building. This adds value to a visitor experience by providing a second option to try a local creation. The boys make their cider from fresh-pressed BC apples giving visitors a true taste of what the region has to offer. The cidery has a laid back vibe and their brand reflects the adventures and passions of the three brothers. Each cider is named after aspects of growing up on the farm and is explained further by Adam Woodward below.
Cider Flavours
The three flavours created by the boys are based on aspects of growing up on the farm in Kamloops. Through these stories, they help shape the vision of Kamloops for visitors. Watch the video below for insider access on where the names came from!