Once Upon a GRAPEvine...

Douglas College's 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year

Introducing our brand new newsletter format. The first article will most likely always be the "NEWS" - with sales, new products, and offers in the articles that follow.

Our Biggest Breaking News:

Darlene wins 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year Award! You're hearing it first since the event was just on Wednesday.

This "Visions of Excellence" honor is awarded by the Douglas College Self-Employment Program and this was the 12th annual ceremony. Darlene was awarded both Entrepreneur of the Year for the retail category and the overall category.

My personal comments:

I really AM grateful for this award, and want to thank the Self-Employment program for helping me to learn everything I needed to start our business.

Learning, first and foremost, how to build a business plan really helped me also to RE-build the plan for our expansion last year.

Our awesome CUSTOMERS have made it easy and FUN to work towards being a successful entrepreneur. Your positive attitudes, comments and your patience when things don't ALWAYS go right, make it a joy to come to work each day.

Our EMPLOYEES - Cheryl, Kylie, Charlie, Melissa are such a great team and it's nice to be able to rely on their hard work to get things done and have problems resolved. You are ALL my favorite employees! (thanks also to the ones that have sadly moved on... Colleen, Sharleen - you are missed as part of the bunch)

My FAMILY - MOM & DAD - NEVER would have done it without your support - ALL your support! I REALLY appreciate it and love you so much. Thanks! Dad - you have to stop climbing those ladders!

JESSIE & JOEY - Thanks for helping out whenever I've been in a panic. I know you have busy lives also!

"SISSERS" (and neices & nephews & even the brother-in-laws) - It really has been a family affair hasn't it? I haven't forgotten all the help - moving in, moving around, stocking shelves, laying floors, making food for customer events... THANK YOU!!!

***DAN - Thank YOU for your patience with me. As I said in my speech, I know that I can be a "stubborn visionary" who wants things done my way. I really appreciate the way you give way and do what you do to help me see it through. I couldn't do this without your support! (and sorry for nagging you about putting the Pickled Garlic next to the Wine Lover's Chocolate) :-) Love you!

The End is Near

Your Hand-crafted Wine Makes an Excellent Gift!

... For getting wine ready in time for the holiday that is!

Each year we have customers who wait until the last minute to make wine and find that they only have time to make a four week kit. So this is a friendly reminder for those who are procrastinating, Wake Up!

Unfortunately, it's already too late to start the 8 week kits (Cellar Classic Winery Series & En Primeur Series) since they will not be ready to bottle & enjoy in time. Time is also running short for the six week kits. In order for them to be ready to bottle in time for the holidays, they must be started no later than November 2, 2008.

We are happy to help you select varieties that are best suited to drink young since your "aging time" is limited.

As Fresh as it Gets AND CLOSE to HOME!

As fresh as the cool breezes sweeping over the vineyard, Hightail delivers the harvest of the vine with unprecedented vitality. A unique process ensures that vineyard fresh grapes are picked, pressed and packaged within 48 hours. Hightail comes as an 18L EN PRIMEUR. It is a super premium, as fresh as it gets and as best as it gets, wine kit. This kit now available to you is a groundbreaking, industry leading product, available in limited quantities, through Once Upon a Vine.

WASHINGTON MERLOT_____________________$199.99
This region, Washington State, is one of the top Merlot producing regions in the New World. The climate in the Columbia Valley, due to the eastern exposure of the Cascade mountain range creates wines of intense flavours and high natural acidity. This lush wine is fruit forward with an intense bouquet boasting cherries, plums and raspberries backed by alluring notes of vanilla and spice from medium toasted American oak chips. From the first sip, you will be rewarded with a velvety wine offering fine ripe tannins and a persistent finish.
This is a wine that is spectacular when paired with bacon wrapped beef tenderloin or rustic bread and strong, ripe cheese.

WASHINGTON PINOT GRIS__________________$199.99
Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris are the same grape but the resulting wines can be very different depending on the region, climate and winemaking style. While Italian Pinot Grigio tends to be light and crisp with a short finish, Pinot Gris from Alsace is richer and rounder with more floral bouquet. This wine from Washington State falls somewhere between the two. Brief contact with the dark coloured grape skins gives this white wine a delicate pinkish hue. This fragrant wine has the scent of pears, apples and melon, while the fruity nose is balanced by a crisp mouth watering acidity creating a smooth, easy to drink, dry wine that leaves an impression.
On its own this wine works beautifully as an aperitif or with soft cheese but it pairs well with shellfish and light pastas.

OKANAGAN CHARDONNAY__________________$199.99
Chardonnay is a very adaptable grape and will grow in a wide range of conditions; its finished product is greatly influenced by a region’s terrain. Chardonnay from the beautiful Okanagan Valley in British Columbia with its dry, hot summer days and cooler nights is exceptional. A vivid gold wine in the glass, the nose hints of fruits; pineapple, mango, and apple with sweet floral honey. There is a lively acidity and delicate French oak to deliver a balanced, complex wine.
This wine will pair well both with Holiday meals (roast turkey, mashed potatoes and baked squash) or lighter fare like Cobb Salad.

OKANAGAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON___________$199.99
The Okanagan Valley which is small by wine region standards, only 100 miles long, grows exceptional grapes. The long warm days and cool nights are perfect conditions for growing rich, flavourful Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and creating wines with great depth and body. This deep garnet wine has an intense bouquet of ripe cherries and raspberries with faint spices – clove anise and vanilla. It is a rich full-bodied wine with flavours of dark fruit, cocoa and earthy notes and balanced ripe tannins from toasted oak shavings and spiral.
Pair this complex wine with an equally hearty meal – Beef Bourguignon, Coq au Vin or Irish Stew.

DAN WANTS TO SHARE THE PORTS

Before the ports are finished for the season, Dan would like to make half of each one. Each batch makes 11.5L, therefore, YOUR share would be 5.75L. (This would fill 15 of the small, 375ml bottles).

These ports will be ready for the holidays. They make great hostess gifts, are delicious dessert wines, or a decadent treat when served in chocolate cups to your guests.

Orange Chocolate Port_____________________$70.00
Orange Blossom Port_______________________$70.00
White Chocolate White Port_________________$70.00
also,
Cabernet Franc Ice Wine___________________$80.00
Vidal Ice Wine____________________________$90.00