We are blessed to have such fertile soil, amazing grape growers and farmers, and talented vintners and chefs throughout BC. I’m lucky in that I get to know a bit about what goes on behind the scenes at many of our BC wineries.
In this issue, I want to acknowledge all those wonderful people who spend their time and money giving back to the community and the land, in many ways. The wineries of the Naramata Bench recently held their spring release at the ReWined event in Victoria to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of BC & The Yukon.
Chefs, wineries and myriad volunteers pulled off this amazing event, which will benefit children throughout the year through Make-A-Wish. The foundation granted 130 wishes last year alone to kids in BC & The Yukon battling critical illnesses, and has granted over 2,000 wishes in its 35-year history.
In the Okanagan, wineries such as Tinhorn Creek, Lunessence, Tantalus and Spadefoot, belong to the Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship group. They support and assist in conservation, restoration and enhancement of important wildlife habitat throughout the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys. In other areas throughout BC, farmers and grape growers, winemakers and wineries, also act as stewards for the land. You’ll find the love of wine-making usually equates to a love of the land and the creatures and plants that live on it.
I don’t have nearly enough room to list all of the great things our wineries and farmers do to give back in their communities. Some donate to the arts, children’s charities and local charities. Others donate their time and land for fundraising events like Feast of Fields in the Okanagan, Vancouver Island and Metro Vancouver.
When you go wine tasting this spring, find out what else your favourite winery is involved in. I believe we have so many award-winning wines here in BC because the people involved in making these wines put a little bit of love in each bottle.
Happy sniffing, swirling and sipping!