Be sure to read this great profile of Joie Wines by wine writer Tony Gismondi.
I've known Michael Dinn since we played golf together (he's a pro, I'm awful) back in the early 90s. Michael radiates a warmth like few people that I've met. I met the lovely Heidi Noble (can you think of a better surname for a winemaker?) just as they were laying plans for a move from their rented suite in Kits to an old orchard in Naramata, BC.
It's been a joy(!) for us to follow the success of Joie. This is a very exciting year for them, as they're planting a new vineyard, and building a custom winemaking facility.
Best of luck, Heidi & Michael!
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Mike Klassen is a Vancouver city councillor, communications professional, and long-time advocate for British Columbia’s wine industry. He co‑founded BC Wine Lover in 2007 with his wife Stacey, sharing stories from their travels through the province’s wine regions and spotlighting the people and places that make B.C. wine distinctive.
In 2015, Mike led the BC Wine Appellation Task Group, guiding a province‑wide consultation that produced recommendations—later endorsed by industry plebiscite—that strengthened B.C.’s appellation standards and helped establish today’s sub‑GIs.
His writing has appeared in the Vancouver Sun, Huffington Post, and Daily Hive, blending history, policy insight, and personal experience. Alongside his work on Vancouver City Council, Mike continues to explore vineyards across the province, champion local producers, and celebrate the evolving culture of B.C. wine.
