For over a decade, Galen Barnhardt, our Winemaker and keeper of the secret recipe book, has been instrumental in shaping Monte Creek’s distinctive flavours. Joining the team shortly after the winery’s inauguration, he has dedicated his expertise to moulding and refining the profile of Monte Creek wines. While there isn’t an actual “recipe book” that holds the winery’s secrets, you could say Galen himself embodies this role — a walking, living recipe book. The success of each wine relies not only on his scientific knowledge but also on his leadership in guiding the team in crafting every bottle with precision and passion.
Galen’s path to winemaking was shaped by his background in the restaurant industry, science, and a degree in winemaking. His approach is rooted in both science and creativity, focusing on creating a wine with balance while considering the land and the environment. Every vintage is a chance to experiment, refine, and improve — but it all starts with understanding the soil and climate that shape the grapes. Over the years, he’s carefully fine-tuned the winery’s approach to its vineyards, working closely with the team to ensure that Monte Creek wines stay true to the company’s values: quality, sustainability, and innovation.
His commitment to sustainability is also reflected in the winery’s practices. Galen strongly advocates for eco-friendly viticulture, continuously implementing sustainable winemaking and farming practices that reduce the winery’s environmental impact. These efforts are seen in the winery’s certified organic status, continued efforts to be water conscious, and working with our vineyard manager to improve vineyard biodiversity — all of which enhance the quality of the wines while preserving the land for future generations.
While Galen’s current office offers a stunning view of the spotless production facility below, his work is more about the rhythms of the seasons than the view. Each season brings its own pace and energy. Fall is his favourite, especially during harvest when there’s an exciting sense of anticipation for the new vintage. “Harvest has its own unique energy — there’s always hope and excitement about what’s to come,” Galen shares. Winter is about ensuring wines are ready for bottling, especially aromatic whites and rosés. Spring is a busy time, spent planning, and making sure the vines are ready for the new growing season ahead. Then, Summer brings travel, as Galen checks in with our Vineyard Manager, ensuring everything is on track for another successful harvest.
While he may not have a favourite wine, you can find him reaching for a bottle of 2022 Ancient Waters Cabernet Franc or something from Piedmont, but don’t be surprised when it’s a beer that he’s drinking instead of one of his own creations. “Pilsners specifically,” he says. Under Galen’s leadership, Monte Creek wines continue to grow, develop, and flourish. His dedication to crafting wines that he is passionate about is truly reflected in each bottle that passes through and each glass that is handed out.