Vineyard Update + Introducing Kim!
Hi Sperling Friends,
We hope you’re making the most of the long summer days and warm weather. From beach days to music events, to yoga in the Labyrinth, or our favourite farmer’s markets, summer is in full swing around here.
Have you had the opportunity to check out the Kelowna Farmer’s Markets held weekly on Saturday and Sunday mornings? It’s fun to interact with vendors and pick out fresh and local produce with which to meal plan. Now that summer is in full swing, market tables and fruit stands across the province are overflowing with goodness. We encourage you to check them out, and ask farmers all kinds of questions about themselves and their farms.
We had a very cool spring in Kelowna, so flowering and fruit set were delayed so we'll be looking at a later than normal harvest this fall. How late will depend on how the weather plays out for the rest of the summer. Ideally, we'd like to see Mediterranean conditions in the 25-30 C range, each day. Grapevines photosynthesize, grow, and develop most efficiently under these warm-day/cool-night conditions. If you're loving the weather, there's a good chance the vines will be thriving too. A typical harvest date for Chardonnay would be the 3rd week of September however, in 2022 we're thinking it could be closer to Thanksgiving.
Due to the severe winter cold we experienced last December, we're retaining a shoot at the base of every vine to establish a new trunks, if needed. This is extra manual work but is one way to keep our old vines thriving. By keeping this "renewal shoot" we make use of the well-established root system of our old vines and refresh the above-ground parts of the grape vine. Our old vines have adapted to our vineyard site over 15 to 50 years, so we know that the DNA has adapted to our unique growing conditions. Renewing and keeping these vines going in our vineyard is superior to planting new vines that were raised in another locale such as France or California.
Above, we mentioned the manual labour it takes to manage the vineyard. Our team truly is incredible, and we are so grateful for them every day. Whether it is our dedicated vineyard or wine shop crew, they work so hard and manage to have fun while they do it. We want you to get to know them too, so will be introducing them in our next blog posts.
First up is Kim Rosenberger, she’s been with us since 2015 when she started as a Tasting Room Associate. Now she takes care of the order desk. Meet Kim:
Q: Why did you want to work with Sperling Vineyards?
A: I wanted to work for Sperling from the moment I met Jill for my interview. She was so lovely and passionate about the history of the family, the wines and the connection to the land. I was hooked from then on!
Q: What is your role?
A: Fortunately, I’m able to work remotely for Sperling, after moving to the Fraser Valley, as an order desk administrator and admin assistant.
Q: What do you love about working at Sperling?
A: Being part of the 'Sperling family' and the commitment to respecting the land, environment, and all of us who have the pleasure of working here is the reason I still love working for them. I've watched the family, the vineyards, and the business grow. Being part of it has been an awesome and rewarding experience.
Q: What is your favourite Sperling wine and food pairing?
A: There are many favorites of mine, and it's hard to choose just one. But I LOVE our Pinot Noirs (both Heritage and Vision) paired with 'anything pizza' as well as my ricotta and spinach stuffed pasta shells with marinara sauce. Delish! (But honestly, it's paired best with great company!!)
Q: What is your favourite wine bundle that Sperling offers?
A: My favorite bundle right now is the Bubbles and Brights bundle, it's the perfect bundle for summertime fun!
Q: Final thoughts?
A: I've learned, and continue to learn, every day about this amazing industry, from the people who work hard in the vineyard to the people who sell the final product, and everyone in between.
The next time you’re in town, be sure to stop by and say “hi” to our team. We are always happy to see you! If you’re local or visiting, book a tasting or event ticket now - they book up quickly! Wine Club Members, remember that your tastings are always complimentary. If you live further away, our online store is always open, we pack every order with a little extra love and care. We're always happy to hear from you, reach out anytime with questions, or share your favourite Sperling wine experience with us.
We hope to see you in person, or online, soon! Until then, take good care.