Harper’s Trail

Harper’s Trail

Indian Reserve
Spirit Sales, Wineries

2720 Shuswap Rd, Pinantan Lake, BC V0E 3E0, Canada
View a Map


Well known and respected in the Kamloops business community, Ed and Vicki Collett are taking Kamloops one step further as they pioneer the next wine territory in British Columbia’s landscape.

Wine entered Ed and Vicki’s lives gradually. Throughout his career, Ed visited wine regions in other parts of the world, particularly Australia and Chile, and was struck by the similarity in climate to the Thompson River Valley. The possibility of starting a vineyard crept into the couples’ minds and a weekend getaway overlooking the vines in the Okanagan cemented the desire to create their own vineyard.

With firm hold on a dream, but no vineyard or winemaking experience, the couple sought consultation and advice from several industry veterans to help set them on the right path. Along the way, the Colletts came to recognize that the land they had chosen for their vineyard had so much more under the surface than just ideal limestone-veined grape-growing soil.

Thousands of years ago, when the South Thompson River ran a different course, the land that now holds the Thadd Springs Vineyard was the nomadic riverside home to 30 bands of Secwepemc (or Shuswap) whose people camped along the river. Fast forward to what, in contrast, are more recent times, and you can hear the echoing hoofs and lowing of cattle in the rolling hills that now proudly host vinifera vines. Renowned BC pioneer and rancher Thaddeus Harper used the grounds as a camp and
staging area, as cattle were driven from the U.S. to the Chilcotin to Harper’s Gang Ranch.

Today, the 24-acre vineyard shows the promise for wine growing in the Thompson Valley. With careful attention to the land, the Colletts are committed to presenting Kamloops to the world as a place in BC where one can craft fresh, fruit-driven, quality wines.

There is nowhere in British Columbia like the riverside of Harper’s Trail. With the convenience of the city of Kamloops mere minutes away, Harper’s Trail is tucked into the city outskirts.

The South Thompson River is on the vineyard’s doorstep, with myriad birds, majestic eagles, bulrushes and beautiful wintering swans.

Composing the backdrop to the vines are rolling hills of sage and antelope brush and majestic, mysterious hoodoos carved into clay banks. Bighorn sheep, mule deer, and bears graze and roam.

In the vineyard is a fully productive natural spring that offers further biodiversity to this special place. The Colletts are proud to be the pioneers who are forging this emerging wine region, and they are inspired to share the history, beauty, and flavours of their unique site.

Activity Stream

Thu, Jul 3, 2025 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: The burning issue of fossil-fuelled Scope 3 emissions
Thu, Jun 26, 2025 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: Like it or not, we can’t live without insects
Tue, Jun 24, 2025 at 3:11 pm - Darryl Schmidt posted a comment on Are Union Construction Sites Safer? Where’s the Proof?
Tue, Jun 24, 2025 at 3:08 pm - Darryl Schmidt posted on their blog: Are Union Construction Sites Safer? Where’s the Proof?
Thu, Jun 19, 2025 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: End times or turning point? It’s our choice
Thu, Jun 12, 2025 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: Economic denial slows crucial climate progress
Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: A climate-safe future demands the defeat of ignorance
Fri, May 30, 2025 at 8:03 pm - Kamloops Film Society posted on their blog: The Lord of the Rings – The Kamloops Film Society
Thu, May 29, 2025 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: Put away pipelines, go with grids!
Full Stream

 

Newest Members

July 2, 2025 9:51 pm - theaccountant27
April 15, 2025 12:57 pm - Woody
March 15, 2025 2:21 pm - resilientandconnected
March 5, 2025 12:53 pm - schaefer
January 4, 2025 10:52 am - trickta
November 18, 2024 1:36 pm - Kamloops Players Society
November 10, 2024 12:40 pm - [email protected]
September 20, 2024 7:28 pm - Riddler
August 18, 2024 10:36 pm - MurMan
May 15, 2024 11:31 am - TheKFS