Having previously held winemaking positions at Andrew Peller wineries, Karen Gillis is now Vineyard Operations Manager BC for Andrew Peller Limited. Born and raised in Vancouver by parents who had immigrated from Hong Kong, Karen was encouraged to think about culinary school, but instead completed a Diploma in Food Technology from the BC Institute of Technology in 1996. “I have a passion for sensory science, and embrace the opportunity to travel the world through my taste buds and the lens of wine.”

After working for several years in the food and beverage industry, Karen accepted a position with Andrés Wines in Port Moody, becoming its assistant winemaker. She then continued her career with Andrew Peller in the Okanagan after Peller purchased wineries there. First transferring to Kelowna, where she was responsible for Calona Vineyards, she then moved to Red Rooster in Penticton as head winemaker in 2006. The senior male winemaker at Red Rooster was an important mentor during her years there. In 2019, Karen accepted her current position with Peller, working with growers and becoming more directly involved in grape growing and managing vineyards.

At Red Rooster, she produced excellent wines including earning a double gold at the 2012 All Canadian Wine Championship for her Pinot Gris. Karen is very positive about Andrew Peller as an employer, the opportunities it provides to learn and develop as a wine professional, and the quality and diversity of people it attracts as employees.

Updated 06/23