The story of Summerlands' Back Door Winery is one of highs and lows. Starting as a small apple orchard and unable to survive the great depression the property was left to the years, slowly the weight of abandonment took ahold. Fast forward to the new millennium and the orchards of the Okanagan valley began to thin and vineyards took place of orchards. Along came a new hope for the orchard to thrive as a winery! Thirteen acres in all were planted with seven distinct varietals rooted into the tough terroir. Alas, the Great Recession of 2008 took a hold and once again the land was laid bare for seven long years. All seemed lost until Pieter Smits made the journey from Edmonton, to visit his parents winery Sonoran. Pieter quickly fell in love with the property, a now thriving and integral piece of Summerlands winery route.