Kenton Gilchrist (right) works with his crew on a shoot in wine country. The pilot episode of Ventures in Wine Country has been completed and has already been shown to subscribers across the South Okanagan who subscribe to the Telus Optik cable package. Gilchrist is hoping the show will reach a larger audience. (Photo supplied)
The television series that showcases the Okanagan Valley’s wine industry – and the magnificent scenery and people who live in the valley – continues to make giant strides and is moving closer to getting a distribution deal that would attract millions of viewers in the near future.
Kenton Gilchrist, the producers of Ventures in Wine Country, said the second episode of the television show is almost ready to go to air and Telus will be providing funding to produce at least two more episodes.
Two television distribution companies have also shown keen interest and have made tentative offers to pitch the show to major American channels such as The Food Network and Outdoor Life Network, said Gilchrist.
One of the distribution companies have contacts in such major markets as Korea and India, he said.
“We’ve been offered separate deals by two distribution companies and we’re still weighing all of our options,” said Gilchrist. “The main goal is to finish our first season and get eight to 10 episodes completed and show everyone what we’re capable of producing with this show.”
Telus was so impressed with the pilot episode, that they have committed funding for at least two more episodes and they deserve a great deal of credit for coming through with financial and moral support, said Gilchrist.
Gilchrist’s company Asymetriq will be rolling out the red carpet on Wednesday, Nov. 26 at the Oliver Theatre as it will be broadcasting the pilot episode to hopefully a full house, said Gilchrist.
Ventures in Wine Country follows three local wineries to tell a “vine to glass account of a season of winemaking in the South Okanagan” and features Covert Farms Family Estate Winery in Oliver, Painted Rock Estate in Penticton, and Terra Bella Group’s new Black Swift in West Kelowna.
“We’re very excited to share our work with local audiences,” said Gilchrist, the series’ creator and producer.
“It’s an incredible opportunity for the wine industry in the valley and we hope everyone will want to be a part of it,” he said.
Gilchrist secured funding from Telus community programming to produce three more episodes in the series – work he says will take the new production company well into 2014.
If everything goes as planned, Gilchrist said he and his small crew will finish eight to 10 episodes by the end of 2014.
With a fully completed season, he has little doubt the distribution companies will be able to sell the series to cable networks in Canada, the United States and various Asian and European markets.
The potential international exposure and economic spin-offs for B.C.’s wine industry is very real and exciting, Gilchrist says.
At the premiere, Gilchrist and business partner Jon Hunwick will host a meet and greet prior to the screening and afterward will be on hand to answer questions from viewers.
Before the feature, they will also play a special screening of “Anxious Oswald Greene,” a short film that Gilchrist and Hunwick did an award-winning musical score and post-production for. The film also won a record 13 Leo Awards in May, and has been the official selection at two dozen film festivals globally. It won Best Short Award at Whistler International Film Festival and at the L.A. Comedy Festival.
His life has been hectic and crazy since Telus provided funding to shoot the pilot episode this past spring, but it has been exceptionally rewarding, said Gilchrist.
“It has been a crazy year for sure,” he said. “But I’m very proud of the show and I think it’s only going to get better and better as we keep making more episodes and learning more along the way,” he said. “Anyone who has seen the show has commented on how professional it looks and I’m just thrilled with the response.”
The double feature next Wednesday evening begins at 7 p.m. at the Oliver Theatre. Tickets are $5 in advance and are available by calling 250-498-2277 or 778-928-7848, or are $8 at the door.
For those who can’t make the special screening, the pilot episode is currently available on-demand through Telus Optik TV.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
