Serendipity Winery’s Katie O’Kell tore herself away from the four-day job of removing bird nets from the vineyard to report on the winery’s exciting developments.
“All of our single varietal reds are now bottled and the whites are next,” she said. “They will all be ready for our opening on May 1st.”
The conversation quickly turns to incredible edibles. In the works are three food-related events this year.
A food truck will be at the wineshop every Saturday so visitors can either stroll through the vineyard or grab some perfect picnic food and wine. This will be the first move in a plan to open a restaurant adjacent to the winery next year.
As well, a follow-up to last year’s Naughty or Nice Party is set for August 2nd. The theme builds on tongue-in-cheek Serendipity wine names like White Lie and Devil’s Advocate. The theme reached greater heights last year with the release of Red Handed, a red wine created to help pay for Judy’s divorce settlement! The event includes wine and food pairings and admission is free.
The third event is the second annual bring-your-own blanket movie night in the vineyard. There will be pizza, popcorn and wine pairings.
Not all events are food-related. In July, Judy and Katie will once again don Western duds, Stetsons included, to spend 10 days at the Calgary Stampede, where Judy will once again serve as winemaker in residence. She will be pouring special editions of Syrah and Serenata, the wonderful Bordeaux blend, in bottles with suitable Western themed labels playing on the familiar apple tree.
With production still at a modest level—only 45 cases each of Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cab Franc and Cab Sauv, for example—we can only recommend that fans consider joining the wine club. These wines don’t grow on trees!
~ Lorne Eckersley