It takes great people

Chris Holler, Vice President and General Manager

Meet Chris Holler, our General Manager and Vice President at Poplar Grove. Growing up in Vancouver, Chris enjoyed spending his summers in the Okanagan with his family. He attended Langara College and UBC. He achieved a BBA with a focus on Business Management and Accounting. During summers off in university, he began working part time in the vineyards where he developed a love for the lifestyle of agriculture – working outside, learning about farming, and working closely with his family. Although he began learning about wine from his dad, his true love for wine came while living in Europe. Him and his wife Mei-Lan, spent 3 years living in Amsterdam and visited southeastern France in Saint-May, Remuzat, and Nyon. It was here that Chris’s love for wine flourished as he got to learn different farming techniques, spend time with winery owners who were often humble and proud of their farming history, and enjoy the food and wine culture. Being immersed in the culture of the region, Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Rhone Valley, became one of his favourite wine regions and sparked his love for Syrah.

Chris joined Poplar Grove fulltime in 2015 and although you will often see Chris running the show at the winery or entertaining guests in the Tasting Room, his true passion lies in the vineyards – working outside with his 3 brothers and parents doing something they all love to do. When asked what his true inspiration is in life, it’s family. He is motivated by the opportunity to build something for his children and ensures that the future is the focus when making decisions for the next generation to build upon. When not working at the winery, Chris enjoys spending time with his wife, 3 kids and 2 Great Danes indulging in the true Okanagan lifestyle of skiing, camping, and swimming in Okanagan Lake.

Andrew Holler, Penticton Vineyard Manager

Meet Andrew Holler, our Penticton Vineyard Manager. Throughout his time attending the University of Prince George studying soil science, Andrew worked in the vineyards during his school breaks and helped his family establish our original Merlot vineyard on Davenport Road. This hands-on experience ignited Andrew’s passion for working outdoors and fostered his love for working in the vineyards. He enjoys working most on the original Chapman Davenport vineyard, growing Merlot specifically and after years of hard work has it down to a well-practiced science. His love for the wine industry was furthered when he visited his brother, Eric, in New Zealand. He spent 5 weeks exploring the central Otago region, visiting the smaller wineries who all farm by hand and have a true focus on quality over quantity. This experience added layers to his appreciation for his craft and his commitment to elevating the standards in our vineyards.

Beyond the rows of vines, Andrew is a true Farmer and when not immersed in vineyard work, he enjoys adventuring out into the valley with his kids in tow to forage for mushrooms and wild berries. He also enjoys skiing, downhill mountain biking, tending to his garden and spending time with his family.

Matthew Holler, Osoyoos Vineyard Manager

Meet Matthew Holler, our Osoyoos Vineyard Manager. Following in the footsteps of his older brothers, he began his vineyard journey during school breaks from SFU. Initially, farming wasn’t on his radar. A passionate skier, he travelled North America and Europe competitively racing. It wasn’t until he spent a year fully immersed in farming that he decided he wanted to join the family business and discovered an unyielding love no matter the weather. Driven and self-motivated, Matt learned the nuances of farming from his older brother, Andrew, and his younger brother, Eric. He often attributes his success in farming to the unwavering support of his family. For Matt, his favourite time to be in the vineyard is with the sun rising when the vineyard is quiet, and the air is crisp. One of his career highlights involves the inception of our Pinot Noir vineyard. From extensive planning, researching blends, selecting clones to seeing the fruition of this labour in the first bottled vintage. As Vineyard Manager of our Osoyoos vineyard and personally tending to the Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard, witnessing its development makes this particular wine his favourite.

When he is not working in the vineyards, Matt enjoys guiding in the mountains, skiing, and spending time with his wife, Christine, and their two boys.

Eric Holler, Viticulturist and Packaging Manager

Meet Eric Holler, our Viticulturist and Packaging Manager. After spending many summers in the Okanagan, Eric knew he wanted to be a part of the wine industry early on and attended the University of Christchurch in New Zealand where he achieved his bachelor’s degree in viticulture and Oenology. Upon completion of his program, Eric started fulltime at Poplar Grove in 2017. He was first tasked with the challenging setting up the bottling line in our production facility, a feat he continues to find satisfaction in when it operates seamlessly. Always a keen learner, Eric can run every piece of equipment in the winery and has even been known to charm guests in the tasting room. In 2020, Eric played a pivotal role in the construction of our new warehouse and Pinot Noir winemaking facility which became fully operational in 2021.

When he is not at the winery, Eric enjoys skiing, hiking with his dog Brew, cooking, and spending time with family. He is also an avid beekeeper and provides honey to our restaurant for our famous ‘Holler Honey Buns.’

Stefan Arnason, Executive Winemaker

Meet Stefan Arnason, our Executive Winemaker. Hailing from Port Moody, B.C. Stefan’s journey into winemaking began making homemade wine with his father, then took the step to professional fermentation while studying at the BCIT Food Technology program in Burnaby. Fueled by a passion for wine, geography, and history, Stefan started as a craft brewer before moving over to the wine industry working the 2003 harvest in the Okanagan Valley, eventually making the bold move to relocate his family (wife Julie, daughter Coryn and son Simon) to Summerland in 2007. Joining Poplar Grove in 2008, Stefan is gearing up for his 17th vintage as Poplar Grove’s Winemaker this year. A standout moment for him was the move to the new production building on Tupper Avenue in 2012. Since then, Stefan and his team have worked hard to create a safe and efficient winemaking facility while seamlessly increasing the production of Poplar Grove from 10,000 to 55,000 cases.

Stefan’s favourite wine to make and enjoy is the Poplar Grove Pinot Gris. Beyond BC, the Northern Rhone holds a special place in his heart, fostering a true appreciation for Syrah. Stefan can often be found in production dreaming up his big plan for next year’s harvest, sharing Rosé wine with the office team, or finding the best way to turn any information into a pivot table on Excel. When not immersed in the winemaking world, Stefan enjoys spending time with his family, cycling, and walking in the Summerland hills with his dog, Finley.

Laurie Barnes, Sales & Marketing Director

Meet Laurie Barnes, our Sales & Marketing Director.  Growing up in Victoria BC, Laurie moved to Vancouver to train in the culinary industry, achieving her Red Seal Chef certification from the B.C. Industry Training and Apprenticeship Commission and her Canadian Sommelier Certification from the Canadian Sommelier Guild. With this appreciation for food and wine, she discovered a whole new perspective in the art of the perfect pairing.  Laurie then went on to complete her MBA from Simon Fraser University in efforts to connect her love of flavour with the business side of the wine industry.

Paige Hegadoren, Controller

Meet Paige Hegadoren, our Finance Controller at Poplar Grove. Growing up not too far away in Kamloops, Paige attended TRU and achieved a Bachelor of Science in Physics and a Bachelor of Education. In 2013, She made the move to the Southern Okanagan to work as a teacher. After a few years immersed in the Okanagan lifestyle, Paige grew a passion for wine and traded classrooms for wineries by joining the Poplar Grove Tasting Room team in 2015. She became an integral part the of team before making the move to the Finance team in 2017. Paige now oversees our finance and HR department and is definitely the go-to problem solver and unofficial poster maker in the Poplar Grove office.

Beyond the vineyards and balance sheets, Paige enjoys cooking, cycling, and hiking with her two Golden Retrievers, Peanut and Hugo. When not sipping on Okanagan wine, Paige enjoys drinking red wines from Italy, particularly from Northern Italy.

Dan Marshall, Assistant Winemaker

Meet Dan Marshall, our Assistant Winemaker. Dan’s journey into the wine industry began unexpectedly, as wine wasn’t a staple on his family’s dinner table while he was growing up. In fact, he didn’t even taste wine until after he finished his Bachelor of Arts degree at Thompson Rivers University. This all changed in the summer of 2013 when his brother-in-law persuaded him and his wife to join them on a wine tour in the Okanagan. Little did he know, it would become an annual tradition that eventually led him, his wife, Mandy and their son Toby to settle in the heart of wine country for the past eight years. Motivated by his family to pursue his passion for wine, Dan began as a cellar hand at Poplar Grove in 2017. Surrounded by a team of mentors, Dan worked hard and soaked up the knowledge from his peers through a busy harvest. The blend of collaborative creativity and science that goes into winemaking reinforced his love and decision to pursue a career in the wine industry. After completing his Winemaking Certification from Okanagan College, Dan worked his way up and became our Assistant Winemaker in 2019. After a few vintages under his belt, he took the lead on the Poplar Grove Pinot Noir winemaking program which has resulted in the win of two gold medals on the international stage.

 When Dan isn’t busy filling barrels or elbow-deep in grapes, you’ll find him hitting the slopes for some skiing, diving into a good book, listening to music, or relaxing on the couch with his family and a cold glass of Chablis.

Michael Ziff, Food & Beverage Manager

Meet Michael Ziff, our Food and Beverage Manager. Born in Montreal and raised in Quebec City, Michael is fluent in both French and English and believes food and language are the foundations of culture. His love for the hospitality industry developed during his first job in a Relais et Chateaux in Toronto. He was trained and mentored by a team of European professionals and his style is still informed by those early years. He then completed the wine studies program at Humber College and went on to manage restaurants in Toronto and New York City, and eventually arrived in Vancouver where he opened Chambar Restaurant. Michael left the industry and co-founded a clothing and retail business, after a six-year hiatus from hospitality, he returned to reopen Chambar’s newly expanded location and also managed Hawksworth Restaurant. A project that remains dear to his heart was the opening and establishment of St. Lawrence Restaurant in Vancouver, which immediately landed on the best restaurant lists in Canada and beyond. Michael and his family moved to the Okanagan in 2018 where he opened Home Block at Cedar Creek winery. In late 2019, Michael grew to appreciate the South Okanagan and moved to Penticton to open The Restaurant at Poplar Grove. His greatest joy working with the Poplar Grove team has been witnessing the evolution of the culinary and hospitality programs over the course of five years.

When Michael isn’t busy working on the floor, you can catch him in the mountains skiing, hiking, hanging out with his family, or writing short fiction with a glass of Mezcal.

Stacy Johnston, Executive Chef

Meet Stacy Johnston, our Executive Chef. Growing up on her grandparents’ Saskatchewan homestead ingrained in Stacy a deep appreciation for excellent farming practices. Focusing on her food system ‘from the ground up’, Stacy strives to create food that tells the story of the ingredients, their farmers, and the season. After training to be a Red Seal Chef and working at farm-to-table restaurants, Stacy moved to Vancouver BC to work as a Sous Chef with Ocean Wise.

In 2020, Stacy helped open the Naramata Inn, a terroir-driven dining experience in the heart of Naramata, where she rose to the position of Chef de Cuisine, a title she held for two years. In 2022 Stacy was a Resident Chef at the National Art Center in Ottawa and was named one of ‘Canada’s next star chef’s’ by the Globe and Mail. In the Spring of 2023, Stacy joined the team at Poplar Grove as Executive Chef. One of her most memorable moments since joining the Poplar Grove team was the inaugural Cellar Dinner held last summer. The experience was nothing short of enchanting, with the ambiance of wine barrels, glimmering lights, and delighted guests reveling in the moment. Despite the unique challenge of orchestrating a four-course dinner outside the confines of our kitchen, Stacy and her team rose to the occasion with remarkable resilience and creativity, thriving amidst the excitement and camaraderie.

When confronted with the age-old inquiry often posed to chefs—”what is your favorite ingredient?”—Stacy’s heartfelt response is, “Honestly, my favorite thing is the first of anything coming through the kitchen door.  Radishes, rhubarb, morels, lettuce.  Working within the season’s means being aware of what’s growing and when we get our first taste of the season, we always get a thrill of inspiration that can’t be beat!”

When not behind the line, Stacy can often be found spending time with her adorable Shorkie Olive, going for walks and discovering our beautiful valley, sipping Poplar Grove Chardonnay, or spending time with her wife, Minette, dining at restaurants, visiting friends or foraging in the woods.

Laura Walkinshaw, Tasting Room Manager

Meet Laura Walkinshaw, our Tasting Room Manager. Laura was raised in a family of bon vivants who loved cooking delicious meals with a good bottle of wine on the table.   The family travelled throughout Europe where Laura developed an understanding for diverse terroirs, the wide variety of growing regions, and the passion of the people behind the bottle.   Laura’s desire to delve deeper into the world of wine led her to explore wine regions across New Zealand & North and South America, where she continued to learn more about the concept of terroir and the uniqueness of each wine region. With her profound love for wine, a Business Administration Degree from Capilano University and her WSET level 3 certification, Laura began her career in the Tasting Room at the original Poplar Grove location in 2003. Her invaluable contributions led her to the position of Tasting Room Manager when the current winery was built on Munson Mountain in 2011. Her fondest memories include orchestrating Wine Club parties, working closely with the Holler family, and sharing the delights of Poplar Grove wines with guests.

When Laura is not helping our guests in the Tasting Room, she enjoys morning dog walks with friends, long, lazy Naramata summer days with refreshing swims in the lake, catching a ballet when she can, and enjoying the delicious food and wine that the Okanagan has to offer.

Minette Lotz, Chef de Cuisine

Meet Minette Lotz, our Chef de Cuisine. Minette was born in South Africa and was raised in Saskatchewan. She made the move to BC in 2012 to train at the Art Institute, achieving her diploma in baking and pastry arts. She has the unique talent of being able to work with both salty and sweet (she makes a mean donut). After her schooling, she moved back to Regina to work her way up in the culinary world with the opportunity to stage in different kitchens with a few exceptional chefs. Most notably were Canadian Chefs, Jeremy Charles, and Ross Larkin. This was instrumental in her love of foraging and understanding more about terroir. Although she spent most of this stage picking through moss and sharpening labrador tea leaf stems, it showed her the side of cooking and ingredients she hadn’t ever been exposed to before. This experience shaped her food philosophy and how important it is to base your cuisine in the area you are living in.

In 2018, Minette moved back to Vancouver and held the position of Head Chef at The Garden – Strathcona before moving to the Okanagan in 2020. Minette joined the pre-opening team at Naramata Inn as Chef de Cuisine. With a love of foraging, she played a pivotal role in their foraging program furthering her love for wild foods like mushrooms of all kinds, spruce tips that add citrus and brightness to dishes and elderflowers, all of which define the Naramata Bench terroir.

Minette joined the The Restaurant at Poplar Grove in the Spring of 2023 and quickly fit in among the Holler family and staff for her love of being outdoors, wild food, campfires, and dogs. Her favourite Poplar Grove moment was their first staff menu tasting where they had such a great turn out, incredible feedback, and got to meet the entire winery team.

When Minette is not behind the prep counter or the line, she can be found playing rec hockey, restoring axes and spending time with her wife and their dog, Olive.

Richard Ora, Warehouse Manager

Meet Richard Ora, our Warehouse Manager. A quintessential local, Richard grew up just down the way in the town of Okanagan Falls. While his journey didn’t initially lead him to the world of wine, his diverse background in lean manufacturing, upstream oil and gas, and forestry laid a sturdy foundation for his career.

 In 2020, Richard made a pivotal decision to fully immerse himself in the vibrant Okanagan lifestyle by transitioning into the wine industry, finding his home within the Poplar Grove team. His timing couldn’t have been more opportune as he played an instrumental role in the commissioning of Poplar Grove’s new Warehouse on Upper Bench Road—an experience he values as one of his fondest memories with the company. Since joining the Poplar Grove family, Richard’s role has ignited a newfound passion for wine, with a particular fondness for the Poplar Grove Pinot Gris during the summer months and the Cabernet Franc in the winter. Beyond his duties as Warehouse Manager, Richard has seamlessly earned the title of the “Let’s Do It Guy” for his unwavering can-do attitude. Whether it’s diving headfirst into the crazy antics of Marketing and Wine Club promotions or a new project for the winemaking team, Richard embraces every day at work with enthusiasm and dedication.

When not surrounded by pallets of wine, Richard enjoys spending time with friends and family, tending to his garden outdoors, or delving into research on local history.

Kelsey Sheppard, Wine Club Manager

Luca Schotte, Cellar Master

Meet Luca Schotte, our Cellar Master. Luca grew up in Soden, Bavaria, Germany. His path in the wine industry began with a two-year apprenticeship in vine and winemaking, followed by studies in viticulture and oenology at Geisenheim University. Drawn to the wine industry by the allure of farming and the opportunity to work outdoors, Luca finds joy in the entire winemaking process, from nurturing vines to bottling the finished product. His journey with Poplar Grove began as an intern during the 2019 vintage, and his dedication and enthusiasm led to a full-time position in 2021. With a background immersed in white wine in Germany, Luca’s fondness for young, fresh whites comes as no surprise. A defining moment in his Poplar Grove tenure was the creation of the Poplar Grove Riesling 2022, coincidentally bottled on his 27th birthday—an exciting milestone. While Luca appreciates a good Okanagan Syrah, his heart lies in Frankonia, Germany, where he was born and raised and spent eight years honing his craft and love for winemaking.

When he’s not busy filling barrels, Luca enjoys fixing his beloved truck (affectionately named Molly), camping adventures, and soaking up the beauty of the outdoors.

Kara Der, Cellar Assistant

Meet Kara Der, our Cellar Assistant. Kara grew up in central Alberta and has a background in horticulture and landscape design. Her fascination with wine was sparked during her travels in France, where she had the opportunity to stay on an incredible property surrounded by vineyards.Exploring the world of winemaking further, Kara ventured to Australia, where she worked in the scenic King Valley Wine Region, deepening her appreciation for the industry.

Settling in the Okanagan, surrounded by picturesque vineyards, Kara decided to dive headfirst into wine industry, joining the Poplar Grove family in 2018.Since then, Kara has become an integral part of our winemaking team, relishing tasks like filling red barrels (mainly because they smell so good) and sampling fruit in the vineyards before harvest. Her favourite wine? The Poplar Grove Pinot Gris, a go-to for the summer months.Outside of work, Kara enjoys spending time with her 9-year old daughter, paddle boarding, and embracing the natural beauty of the Okanagan waters.  She also brings her creative touch to baking, having spent years as a high-end cake decorator in Edmonton.