Unprecedented Demand in Season One of The Rise

Opening Date Set for Fred Couples Signature Course; Winery Milestone Achieved

December 22, 2005, Vernon –The Rise (www.TheRise.ca ), a master planned resort community, announced today that it has concluded Season One of its real estate offering. Unprecedented demand for The Rise resulted in bidding wars between prospective purchasers from across Canada and the U.S. The high level of interest is indicative of the quality and calibre of the home sites perched along The Rise’s southwest facing slopes.

The Rise, a premier resort located in British Columbia, includes a lakeside beach club, a destination vineyard and winery and features the only Fred Couples Signature course in Western Canada. The golf course in 2005 currently has about 80% of the rough grading and shaping completed on what will be the Okanagan’s most breathtaking golf course.

Perched on a scenic ridge, 1,300 feet above the north and south arms of Okanagan Lake, the Par 72, 7,150-yard championship course will be the highest golf course overlooking Okanagan Lake.  12 of the 18 holes feature dramatic lake views with the rest being integrated into the rugged natural topography of the Vernon highlands.

Crowd favourite and 1992 Masters Champion, Fred Couples is collaborating with the award-winning golf course architect Gene Bates and BMR Golf on the design and construction of the elite course.  The Fred Couples Signature course will have its opening in spring of 2007. 

Leona Snider, President and CEO of The Rise said, “Season One at The Rise was a year of milestones.  Our objective is to create a world-class, premier, resort development that brings together the best of what the Okanagan has to offer.  PGA Tour quality golf, a state-of-the-art winery complex, breathtaking views of Okanagan Lake and a private beach club located minutes from the resort on Okanagan Lake. The Rise is the only place in the Okanagan that offers it all.  The early sales success of The Rise in Season One indicates the public agrees.”

The first six acres of Riesling and Pinot Noir, were planted this year.  34 acres will follow in the next two to three years, and will include other varieties of grapes, such as Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris. All grapes will be grown chemical-free.

Winemaker for The Rise, the renowned Tilman Hainle, recently announced plans for the most ambitious and elaborate winery project in Canada.  Slated to be a 35,000 case, state-of-the-art gravity-fed facility, the winery will have a significant underground component with a winery visitor facility, barrel caves, VIP tasting room, wine and cooking seminar facility, and private wine storage. Construction of the winery will begin in early 2006, with completion of the first phase planned in time for the 2007 harvest.