It is not always easy to say thank you to every customer in a busy wine shop, but the Farinha and Nunes families are grateful to every person that stops in to sample and purchase their wines. Adega’s traditional day of thanks is their annual Customer Appreciation Day held every Father’s Day, but this year they felt it was important to say it again after such a great summer. “We see a lot of return customers,” says owner Pamala Farinha. The average return visitors for most wine shops is usually around 10%, however owner Maria Nunes knows it is much higher than that at Adega and says, “We see some people weekly!”
The availability of cold wines in the cooler has meant that people camping at Nk’Mip Campground often stop to buy a bottle for dinner. “We’ve almost become the neighbourhood winery,” says Pamala. Along with the campground that neighbourhood also includes Spirit Ridge Resort, whose visitors are also frequent customers. Nk’Mip Corner and Beach Bum Lunch Box at the intersection of 45th and Highway 3 also attract more people.
Even with a hot summer, a growing season well ahead of normal, and with one of the sunniest patios in the Okanagan, red wines have sold unusually well this year. “We’re surprised at how many reds are selling this summer,” says Maria. “It’s usually whites.” The Quarteto Tinto has been especially popular, which Pamala attributes to a higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend.
Look for Adega to pour their wines at the Festival of the Grape in Oliver on October 4th!
(pictured: Adega owners,Fred & Pamala Farinha and Alex and Maria Nunes)
~ Luke Whittall