RKS 2023 Wine: So What if the Wine You Bottled is Incredible? A Cave Spring Example of What Needs to be Done to Create a Buzz

Making a good wine these days is simply not enough. The distance from a winery to a consumer’s gullet may be a very long one and in most cases it, never happens. You must think of creating some “buzz”. Flies migrate to honey and certain other substances. Wine drinkers gravitate towards buzz.

I recall many years ago here in Ontario you might go to a winery, assuming of course it was open to the public, and pick up your wine. There might even be a cellar and vineyard tour. Once wineries opened to the public then some thought was given about creating more than a cash register in the barn and so the tasting room was born. Then tasting rooms became not only a good opportunity to sell wines but merchandise as well such as wine accessories. Then the merchandise expanded to food. Then why not a bistro or restaurant to sell and consume meals and snacks. Then entertainment was “hired” to bring wine drinkers and abstainers alike. Then perhaps even lodgings.

Not all wineries can slide into basic wine tourism that easily. In addition to foresight and planning capital is required to offer more than simply a retail operation to earn your income. Given that most of the revenue for Ontario wineries is on site sales well then you must give some thought on how to attract customers to your winery.

I am seeing an increase in the past few years of wineries displaying some innovation. One such winery in Ontario is Cave Spring Vineyard in Jordan, Ontario in the Niagara wine region. On 9December2023 they are inviting the public to “The Ultimate Holiday Feast”. Cave Spring winemaker Gabriel Demarco is teaming up with The Culinary Workshop to virtually celebrate the holiday season. Two courses will be created by chefs Jody O’Malley and Kirstie Herbstreit. Well actually you will be creating the courses guided virtually by these two chefs using an interactive approach. Demarco will be chiming in from his kitchen to explain the wines he has chosen and how wine and food can be successfully paired. The Culinary Studio are chefs who have founded a virtual cooking school during our recent plague. The raw materials for the dishes will be delivered to participants by the two chefs.

The first course will be Sauteed Wild Mushroom Crostini paired with a Cave Spring NV Brut Dolomite. The second course will be Pan-seared Local Beef Tenderloin with Bearnaise Sauce, Shallot and Endive Salad with crispy Golden Potatoes aired with a 2021 Cave Spring Pinot Noir Estate. The cost including the Pinot Noir is $180.95 for two plus tax and delivery and add $35 for the Dolomite Brut. Did someone forget dessert?

The Ultimate Holiday Feast will be on 9December2023 between 17:00 and 19:00 hrs.

So you see dear readers selling your wine requires more than a good bottle of wine. I recall Cave Spring has also offered painting and yoga classes in the vineyard. My friends you are seeing “wine tourism” in play.