As head of a winery, Ian MacDonald is frequently asked to partner with charities. As this usually involves supplying cases of Chardonnay Estate and Merlot and other award-winning product, the manager of Okanagan Falls' Liquidity Wines, has to be selective.
He can be a little freer with the winery/bistro’s VIP suite. Liquidity regularly offers the suite, located in the winery/bistro itself, as part of a package to silent auctions throughout B.C. and Alberta. (MacDonald, born and raised in Montreal, also has Alberta roots.) “It’s never rented, which gives it its cache,” MacDonald said.
Liquidity also supports initiatives closer to home. The winery takes part in the annual fundraiser held by The Nature Trust of B.C., a non-profit land conservation organization.
Through MacDonald, Liquidity has also become known as a supporter of the arts. Over the last 30 years, he figures he has collected about 80 “significant” pieces. His collection has become too much for his gorgeous, glossy magazine cover-ready Naramata Bench home.
“Liquidity has become a canvas on which to display the work,” he said. “And I’ve realized the public really really enjoys it.”
Besides a sculpture garden, the winery regularly hosts exhibits. In the fall of last year, Liquidity featured innovative portraits by Brooklyn-based painter Tim Okamura. Beginning in June, it will exhibit images from The Photo Ark. Photographer Joel Sartore is behind the National Geographic project. Sartore is attempting to document every species in human care. So far, he is up to over 6000 of a projected 12000. The exhibit will open in June, MacDonald says. It will be the show’s only Canadian appearance this year.
“What’s going to be a little bit different is that half of the exhibit will be indoors,” MacDonald said. “The other half on a walking trail in the vineyard.”
In addition, MacDonald also has plans to bring Sotheby’s International to Vancouver. The occasion will mark the famed London institution’s first auction in Canada.
“I may have a little winery I’m involved with,” MacDonald says with a laugh. “But I’m always doing these crazy big projects.”
For more, visit liquiditywines.com
