A bit of a late start to the season but it is picking up fast. Weather during the spring was cold, then wet , then warmed up, a bit of everything. The risk of frost on the early blooms passed without problem and a warm and long summer seems to be in front of us. The few hectares of cherries give the first indication of how other fruit and more importantly the grapes may develop. Cherries came in with reasonable yield. No attacking flocks of birds and minimal bother from wasps and bees this year. Fingers crossed that this carries through the season. Mid-summer view is that 2023 grape harvest could be heavy and good quality.
UPDATE ++ The 2023 harvest was set to be fantastic, 30% higher yield and good quality. Unfortunately everything matured close in timing and the birds got one step ahead of us in many areas. Still good quality but the birds got a big share as we struggled to keep the picking crews filled. ++ Spring 2024 still with a bit of frost for late April, but buds look good on the grapes, apples and cherries.
UPDATE ++ The 2023 harvest was set to be fantastic, 30% higher yield and good quality. Unfortunately everything matured close in timing and the birds got one step ahead of us in many areas. Still good quality but the birds got a big share as we struggled to keep the picking crews filled. ++ Spring 2024 still with a bit of frost for late April, but buds look good on the grapes, apples and cherries.
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View to the east with Saltspring Island in the background
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Flashbacks and memories, taking a break on a hot July day
Joe, the owner, enjoying a sip of some very old sparkling wine, found in storage. Il Segreto, means 'the secret'. As well as the sparkling, there are still a few cases of 1994 Pinot de Pinot that are sparingly consumed as it is a fantastic white that has held up perfectly after all these years. Amazing staying power of 100% Estate produced wines.
This article below, likely published in 1980 or 81 also speaks to the persistence that has been the style of Divino over all these years. As many have dismissed the 'swimming upstream' philosophy that Joe has had, he's still here and still enjoying his wine, and still speaking his mind ! 
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A 30c+ day in the first days of July. Lots of activity on summer wines, Pinot Grigio, Trebbiano. Raven Red and other refreshing offerings. As we dug around the warehouse to get some Frizzante wine, we came across some old, very old, bottles of Il Segreto. A wonderful find and even better that the bubbles were still big and strong. One bottle consumed and then the second bottle for Spritz Aperol cocktails to help fight the heat! A wonderful drink and even better made from rediscovered Divino sparkling wine.
Spritz Aperol, a great summer refresher from the Veneto -3 parts Prosecco or other dry sparkling wine -2 parts Aperol -1 part club soda or sparkling water Serve on ice, garnish with a slice of orange or some olives. |
