Photo courtesy of Corcelettes Estate Winery

Rugged and independent the Similkameen Valley might be, but that doesn’t mean its wineries aren’t stepping up to help their community just when they’re needed most.

The region is a largely rural one, sun-soaked, windswept and known for its organic farms and rocky soils. Increasingly, it’s also known for the bold, well-structured reds and vibrant whites produced by its proudly independent wineries.

Now two of those wineries are helping British Columbians who might be struggling as a result of COVID-19.

Vanessa Vineyards aims to donate a total of 200 meals over the next 90 days to the Meals on Wheels Program at the Lower Similkameen Community Services Society, which delivers food to seniors every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The winery is starting with a donation of 100 meals; then, for every six bottles purchased of its minerally driven powerhouse wines, Vanessa Vineyards will donate an additional two meals in support of its neighbours.

To purchase wine online, visit vanessavineyard.com. Shipping is free within B.C. for purchases of 12 bottles or more.

Meanwhile, neighbouring Corcelettes Estate Winery is donating $1 from every elegant bottle of wine they sell until May 31 to the BC Hospitality Foundation, which helps people in the hospitality industry when they face financial crisis due to a serious health issue. The foundation, which relies on donations from the hospitality sector it serves, is struggling like everyone else, and initiatives like this will help countless people.

“In tumultuous times like our current global crisis, foundations like these and the people they support cannot be forgotten,” says Jesce Baessler, winery partner and sales and marketing manager. “We are honoured to be able to help, even in a small way, as every dollar counts.”

To order online, visit corceletteswine.ca. Use the promo code “HOME2020” for orders of 12 bottles or more and receive free shipping.

For more charitable endeavours, read our story here; for a complete list of wineries shipping direct to customers during the current pandemic, go here.

Joanne Sasvari

Joanne Sasvari is editor of Vitis and The Alchemist magazines. She also writes about food and drink for WestJet and Vancouver Sun, and is author of the Wickaninnish and Vancouver Eats cookbooks.