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Justin Hall grew up in Osoyoos, B.C. and his connection and respect for the land where he was born, is evidenced in the pride he takes in his day-to-day work and in every bottle of wine he produces. Justin first joined Nk’Mip Cellars after graduating from high school. He thought he wanted to be a mechanic, but after only a few days on the job as a cellar hand, working along side former Senior Winemaker, Randy Picton, he was hooked. He discovered a newfound passion for winemaking, and today is the Estate Winemaker at Nk’Mip Cellars.

Justin completed his certificate in the Winery Assistant and Viticulture program at Okanagan University College, and then went to Australia and New Zealand where he first worked the crush at Goundrey Winery and then completed a post-graduate diploma in Enology and Viticulture from New Zealand’s Lincoln University.

Justin returned to Nk’Mip Cellars in 2009 and has grown from Assistant Winemaker to leading the team as Estate Winemaker today. A member of the Osoyoos Indian Band, Justin is proud to be one of the very first Indigenous winemakers in the world and a protector of the land.  Justin’s commitment to people, his craft, and the land is evident in the award-winning, quality-driven, and expressive wines of Nk’Mip Cellars. 

Born and raised in Kelowna, Michael moved to Kamloops after high school to attend college. Originally pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree, his career path shifted toward business administration after receiving a promotion into management and relocating to the Kootenays. Balancing full-time work with his studies, Michael completed his business administration program at the College of the Rockies and soon became the General Manager of the Casino of the Rockies in Cranbrook, B.C.

In 2010, an opportunity brought Michael back to Kelowna, where he took on the management of Lake City Casino. Four years later, he accepted a transfer to the Penticton location and played a lead role in the relocation and opening of Cascades Casino on the South Okanagan Events Centre campus. With years of corporate management experience, he became the Executive Director of the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce in 2022.

At the Chamber, Michael and his team, along with a Board of Directors made up of local business leaders, focus on providing products, services, and advocacy to support the success and growth of Penticton businesses. Over the past two years, the Chamber became a vocal advocate for local wineries in response to consecutive years of unseasonable cold snaps that severely impacted vineyards across the Okanagan. After lobbying the Ministries of Agriculture and Public Safety and Solicitor General, the Chamber, along with other like-minded organizations, successfully secured increased funding for production insurance and AgriStability, the temporary waiving of minimum production requirements for land-based wineries, and a new avenue to utilize out-of-province grapes. Additionally, the reestablishment of trading relations with Alberta, allowing wineries to sell directly to consumers, will further support this vital industry that has already come to represent our region on a global level.

Kelsey Oudendag is a chef instructor based in Kelowna, where she teaches in the Culinary Arts Program at ������ϲʿ��������ѯ. Prior to her move to the Okanagan, she instructed in one of Canada’s best culinary schools at SAIT, in Calgary, Alberta. She has 20 years of experience working in the foodservice and hospitality industry. She holds a deep passion and commitment to education and is known for her ability to help all learners feel capable, confident, and empowered in the kitchen. Her approach to cooking is relaxed and joyful with a focus on utilizing the abundance of local product in the Okanagan. 

She loves to be active in her culinary community having sat on the board for the Okanagan Chefs Association and Chefs in the Classroom, an organization with a mission to educate children to grow, cook and eat local foods. Her community outreach also focuses on research around food security where she has run research projects partnered with the Okanagan Fruit Tree project, Food for Thought, Central Okanagan Food Bank and the BC Beverage Technology Access Centre. Kelsey’s dedication to her craft and commitment to teaching others makes her a highly respected figure in the culinary community