Bill Lui.

After conducting hundreds of interviews with winemakers over the past decade, we remain endlessly fascinated by the diverse paths that individuals take to enter the world of winemaking. Bill Lui, proprietor of One Faith Vineyards proves that it’s never too late to follow your dreams, you just need to have courage and…faith.

Bill’s journey into the world of wine began with a deep curiosity and a thirst for knowledge. He emigrated from Hong Kong in 1965 and attended Magee High School in Vancouver before pursuing his education at Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario. Despite his travels and experiences, he always harbored a desire to return to his birthplace.

Bill & his wife.

In Taipei, Taiwan, Bill secured a position as a sales engineer, where he met his Taiwanese wife. He dedicated approximately 10-12 years to the electronics industry in Taiwan, gaining invaluable experience and traversing the globe to sell electronic components. Eventually, he seized an opportunity to return to Hong Kong, where he ventured into the healthcare sector, establishing connections and immersing himself in the industry.

For the next two decades, Bill worked as a merchandiser for pharmaceutical companies, contributing his expertise to the field until his retirement.

Excellent examples of BC wine.

Upon returning to Canada to care for his father until his passing from cancer, Bill embarked on a journey into the world of wine. Starting with online wine courses during his caregiving responsibilities, he later delved into tasting courses under the guidance of James Cluer, whom he regards as his mentor in wine tasting, and Pascal Madevon, the winemaker at Osoyoos Larose, who became his mentor in winemaking.

Driven by his passion, he ventured to Napa Valley, where he enrolled in courses at UC Davis, focusing on tasting room management, wine fermentation, and winemaking, further enriching his knowledge and skills in the realm of wine.

One of the most beautiful regions in the wine world.

Growing up in British Columbia, he was surrounded by the beauty of the Okanagan Valley, which had sparked his interest in the region’s burgeoning wine industry. While in Asia, he noted that Pinot was not yet a prevalent choice in the region, where bold Cabernets, reminiscent of Bordeaux, dominated the scene.

Inspired by Bordeaux reds, he embarked on wine tours, exploring the renowned chateaux of the region, which eventually evolved into guiding others on similar journeys. Through these tours, he encountered a number of individuals within the wine industry and enthusiasts alike, many of whom later became valued customers.

Not long after his time at UC Davis Bill was hired as the CEO at Phantom Creek Estates for a year and, following that, established One Faith Vineyards. Located in the District Wine Village, Bill produces 2000 cases per year.

The grapes are sourced from some of the region’s best vineyards including Becker Vineyard at Phantom Creek and Terra Linda Vineyard on Black Sage Road.

The District Wine Village in Oliver, BC.

He acquired a 10-acre property, which became the estate vineyard. However, he made the decision to sell the vineyard last year to Upper Bench.

From the vineyard to the cellar, every step of the winemaking process is carefully managed to ensure that each wine reflects the unique terroir of the Okanagan Valley.

With its first vintage in 2012, One Faith Winery has quickly garnered a reputation for producing some of the finest wines in British Columbia. Bill’s wines have received numerous accolades and awards, cementing One Faith’s reputation as a top-tier winery in the Okanagan Valley. But perhaps the greatest testament to the winery’s success is the loyal following it has built over the years.

The Girls rose (100% proceeds go to breast cancer research).

His wines across the board are excellent but one that stood out for a more profound reason is his rosé he named “The Girls”. The first vintage was made for one of his sisters-in-law who survived breast cancer. More recently his niece passed away from the same disease in her 50s and the current vintage is in her honour. 100% of the proceeds go to breast cancer research and is a reflection of the fact that for Bill, making wine is more than just a business, it’s a personal pursuit.

“For a young guy like me going back to Asia, growing up here…it was a challenge to start my own business. You need a lot of faith and courage. And that’s the same in the wine industry. It’s the hardest business in the world, but especially in BC right now with all of the challenges the industry has faced over the past few years.”

We have faith that his wines will continue to land at the top of critics lists as long as he’s able to have the courage to continue.

A great place to enjoy a glass of excellent BC wine.

One Faith Vineyards

116 – 100 Enterprise Way,

Oliver, BC, V0H 1T0

T: 1-877-543-6010

E: Reservations (onefaithvineyards.com)