Jim and Leslie first met while attending Queens University in Kingston, Ontario. In the early 1980′s they moved to Calgary, Alberta where they made a home and raised their 3 children. Jim was a litigation partner with Bennett Jones LLP specializing in employment law and has authored 2 books on the subject. Leslie worked in hospital administration with a focus in health promotion and gerontology. Leslie’s focus is now solely on Noble Ridge and Jim is now officially retired to life on the vineyard! 

In 1998 Jim and Leslie set off across Europe with their 3 children and plans for adventure. When they returned home 3 months later they brought back a full family album and a realization about what they wanted to do with their lives.

The Noble Ridge story starts with true passion and abundant optimism. How else can one look at a stretch of dirt and see the makings of your life’s dream? 

And this passion that created a need and this optimism that created a hope is how Noble Ridge came to be. It’s what stirred Jim and Leslie to put all their faith in soil and sunshine. To put in the type of work that requires not just eager hands but committed hearts. To strive to be the best they can be; to strive to be Noble.

In 2001 the D’Andreas bought themselves a stretch of land in the Okanagan Valley. Their original plot came with only 3.5 acres of vines that were planted in 1986. So they started planting. In 2003 their years of labour gave them their first vintage; 40 cases of Pinot Noir and 500 cases of Meritage. Today Noble Ridge has 24-acres of planted vines. Now the vineyard repays the hard work of those who’ve tilled it’s rocky soil with award winning wine.