2026 mid summer
2026 has been a strange year for weather, and thus it has impacted the various crops we grow. Cherries did not set well and we had one of the smallest crops for many years. Apples look to be maturing well, as of early August. Grapes are heavy with so many bunches on some varieties that we need to trim and thin so all will reach full ripeness. We are seeing wild blackberries with more fruit than we remember. They are a plague to the vineyard as they make it difficult to thin and pick, but they are showing a side of mother nature that we have not seen before, just not sure what they are telling us other than they are having a good year for fruit.
|
View to the east with Saltspring Island in the background
|
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 ! 
|
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. |
