Solvero Wines, a new winery and tasting room in the South Okanagan, is set to officially open this weekend. The winery is located in the Garnet Valley region along Summerland’s Bottleneck Drive and is introducing people to this region for the first time. The winery has been in the making for over a decade, with a 16-acre vineyard planted in 2016 and the winery itself built in 2020. The new tasting room provides optimism for the industry, which has been dealing with the impact of severe cold snaps resulting in major crop losses across the Okanagan.
While wineries are still assessing the full extent of the damage from the cold snaps, most are predicting a more than 90% crop loss. However, wineries in the region are becoming more innovative and creative in finding ways to attract visitors to their properties. Despite the challenges, there is still wine available for consumers to enjoy. The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association CEO, Ellen Walker-Matthews, notes that wineries are adjusting by planting different varietals and hosting events, activities, and culinary experiences to attract visitors.
Solvero winery has an intentionally focused portfolio, with two varieties, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, as their main focus. The winery also grows a bit of Pinot Gris and recently planted a block of Gamay. The tasting room will be open full-time starting next week, with reservations recommended for seated tastings. The winery offers a selection of four wines for their seated portfolio tasting, including a Pinot Gris, Rose, Chardonnay, and their flagship Pinot Noir, which recently won a silver medal at the International Wine and Spirits competition.
The tourism association emphasizes that despite the challenges faced by some wineries, there is still a wealth of wine available for consumers to enjoy. Many wineries are focusing on creating unique experiences for visitors, such as educational events, culinary experiences, and other activities to attract people to their properties. Walker-Matthews notes that the wine industry, while romantic, is ultimately an agricultural business that goes through highs and lows like any other agricultural industry, prompting wineries to adapt and innovate in order to thrive.
Overall, the opening of Solvero Wines is seen as a positive development for the industry, along with other wineries in the region reopening and finding ways to attract visitors despite the challenges they have faced. The introduction of new wineries and tasting rooms provides a sense of optimism for the future of the industry, despite the recent crop losses due to severe cold snaps. The focus on creating unique and innovative experiences for visitors, along with the availability of a variety of wines for consumers, highlights the resilience of the wine industry in the face of adversity.
