Get to know us

The son of a Canadian Forces fighter pilot, John grew up in Comox, BC, before pursuing a 25-year career in Vancouver’s brokerage industry. Inspired by family visits to wineries in the South of France, John and his wife Trish realized their dream of founding a vineyard in 2004. After an extensive search, they discovered the 56-acre “BlackHawk” property on Skaha Lake, a former apricot orchard, and renamed it Painted Rock in homage to the ancient pictographs bordering the estate.

Since its first vintage in 2009, Painted Rock has become synonymous with world-class wines, including its flagship Red Icon, which was named Decanter’s Canadian Wine of the Year in 2020. Passionate about establishing the Okanagan as an internationally recognized wine region, John considers himself a steward of Painted Rock. He is committed to preserving the vineyard as a family legacy and realizing its full potential for future generations.

Trish supported John in his search for the perfect property to bring their shared dream to life, all while raising their two children. From the very beginning, she immersed herself in the business, managing everything from accounting and reporting to technology as the winery grew. In 2020, she happily stepped back to focus on family, friends, and the next chapter of their journey.

John and Trish Skinner’s vision of building a legacy family winery came full circle when their daughter Lauren joined Painted Rock.

With more than 15 years in the wine industry, Lauren brings together formal training and hands-on leadership. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Victoria, completed her WSET Level 3 with Honours, and earned an MBA in Luxury Brand Management, Food and Wine from INSEEC Bordeaux in France.

Since joining the estate, Lauren has played a central role in shaping Painted Rock’s growth and identity. As Managing Director, she oversees day-to-day operations while continuing to lead sales and hospitality and personally directing all marketing and brand strategy. Working closely with the leadership team and her family, she helps guide the long-term vision and evolution of the estate.

Lauren also serves on the Board of Directors for Wine Growers BC. Outside the winery, she can be found chasing her two daughters at the playground, reading, or cooking for family and friends.

Gabriel Reis began his journey at Painted Rock Winery as a cellarhand during the 2009 harvest. Over the years, his dedication, skill, and passion for winemaking have propelled him through the ranks, and he is now our Winemaker.

For Gabriel, winemaking is more than a profession—it’s a return to his roots. Raised in Cawston, BC, on a fruit orchard, he grew up immersed in the rhythms of the land, gaining an early appreciation for the region’s terroir. His passion for wine was sparked during a 2007 trip to Europe, inspiring him to pursue formal education in the field. He completed the Winery Assistant Certificate at Okanagan College in 2009 and earned his Enology Certificate from Washington State University in 2016. Along the way, he has been fortunate to learn from some of the industry’s most respected mentors.

Outside the cellar, Gabriel enjoys playing soccer, mountain biking through the rugged hills of the Okanagan Valley, and exploring wines from around the world.

Barry is the Vineyard Manager at Painted Rock, where he oversees every aspect of our vineyard. His deep knowledge of the land and commitment to sustainable farming are at the heart of our operations.

Originally from Calgary, Alberta, and raised in Chilliwack, BC, Barry joined Painted Rock in 2005. He completed his Viticulture Certificate at Okanagan College in 2006, further honing his expertise in the field.

When he’s not in the vineyard, Barry enjoys spending time with his family, working on his passion for farming, and exploring the world of wine.

Dawn oversees the wine club, weddings, and all hospitality experiences across the estate. She began her journey at Painted Rock as Tasting Room Manager before progressing into the role of Wine Club Manager, making this position a natural evolution of her leadership, hospitality expertise, and genuine care for creating memorable guest experiences.

Born and raised in Ontario and based on the West Coast since 2009, Dawn discovered her passion for BC wine after a trip to the Okanagan more than a decade ago. She holds her WSET Level 3 with Honours and Canadian Wine Scholar certification and brings over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry.

Dawn is passionate about showcasing the Okanagan as a world-class wine region and is committed to delivering thoughtful, welcoming experiences. Outside of the winery, she enjoys making pasta from scratch, building beautiful charcuterie boards, and pairing both with great wine.

Born and raised on the West Coast, Sarah has a love of the ocean, mountains, and of course BC wine! Sarah began her passion for wine while obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology at the University of British Columbia. Who knew an elective course in Wine Science would someday lead to her career path today.

Having been in the wine industry for almost a decade, Sarah is excited to join the Painted Rock team as Sales Manager bringing her experience, excellent level of professionalism and services to the Lower Mainland, Whistler, and Vancouver Island markets.

Upon moving to Penticton, Petra sought an opportunity to put her finance and accounting knowledge to work in the wine industry. She was committed to working for a winery that shared her meticulous attention to detail and that led to her joining the Painted Rock team in the summer of 2020.

Petra holds a Bachelor of Commerce and is a level two Chartered Financial Analyst candidate.