Pretty hard to imagine that we are now into our eighth month since covid was seriously recognized. The wine cellar has been taking a beating! Your executive has been meeting – once in a member’s workshop complete with social distancing and a couple of zoom meetings. Also, we have held a few wine club gatherings in the last few months – suitably covid organized and monitored by Cindy in accordance with Dr. Bonnie’s requirements. A picnic at Cavallotti in August and general club meetings in September and October. All in all, a cautious return to “normal” or as close as we can safely get.
Your Grape Team has had to approach things a little different this year in order to continue to bring in grapes safely. No more grape crushing and destemming at Cavallotti with the inherent risk of contact and social distancing problems – grapes were destemmed at site in the Okanagan and Lodi, California and shipped to Nanaimo in a refrigerated state. Zinfandel(Lodi) and Pinot Noir(OK) were the first to arrive Saturday October 3rd and are now safely fermenting in greater Nanaimo/Ladysmith, Nanoose Bay, Campbell River, Cobble Hill and Victoria. Riesling, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Merlot, Cab. franc and Cab. Sauvignon are all to follow.
The October general meeting featured red wines from some of the newer club members- Gloria, Kathy and Clair. 2019 Cab. Sauvignon, Syrah and 2018 Merlot respectively. All very well received and an indicator of future medal winners for sure.
We were also pleased to welcome a new member from Saltspring Island – Robert Steinbach.