A note from Ron

Dear Valued Members of the Wine Club,

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each one of you for your unwavering support as members of the Lightning Rock Winery wine club. In a region blessed with numerous outstanding wine choices, we are truly honoured that you have chosen to be a part of our community.

I, along with my dedicated team, constantly strive to provide you with the best possible experience, whether it's through your wine orders or visits to our tasting room. Your support means the world to us, and we want to express our sincere thanks for the continued connection.

The year 2023 brought its challenges, notably the severe cold in December that inflicted widespread damage across the Valley. Many wineries and vineyards faced losses ranging from 50-100%. Some even had to uproot entire vineyards due to trunk splitting caused by the cold. Subsequently, the Summerland Rock Slide and West Kelowna Fires disrupted the flow of visitors to the Okanagan.

Amid these challenges, there has been a noticeable trend of wineries closing or transitioning to grape-only operations. However, I am delighted to share some positive news. Sebastien and his team performed admirably in the vineyards and the winery. Despite the adversities, our own vineyard production was down by only 18%, a feat that many industry peers have commended as impressive given the circumstances.

To bolster our production, we incorporated fruit from several vineyards Sebastien had worked with previously, resulting in a 50% increase in overall wine production. We've introduced exciting new varietals, including Chenin Blanc, a Reisling, Cabernet Franc, and, of course, the familiar favourites you've come to associate with Lightning Rock Winery.
These times in the BC Wine industry are marked by uncertainty, with external pressures such as significant wine imports affecting prices. Your commitment to "Buying BC" is genuinely appreciated, and it fuels our determination to craft wines that you love.

As we navigate these challenges, we remain committed to offering you exceptional wines. Looking ahead, we are refining our tasting experience for the upcoming year, introducing changes we believe you will appreciate. Despite facing increased material and labour costs, we are dedicated to maintaining our current pricing structure as we understand the financial challenges in our current climate. 

In conclusion, I want to express my gratitude once again. We sincerely appreciate your orders this month and perhaps even more as the holiday season approaches. Should you have any questions or require assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out. Your continued support and patronage mean the world to me as the owner, and to our Lightning Rock family.

Thank you,
Ron

P.S. If you're in the area, consider picking up your wine shipment and joining us for Light up the Vines (insert dates here). Our team has been hard at work decorating the winery with enchanting lights, and we look forward to hosting you and your friends starting November 8.