|
Statistics
Members: 237
News: 1054
Web Links: 17
Visitors: 636140
|
 The discovery that if one left grape juice undisturbed it would turn into wine was, and is ,cause for celebration. The subsequent discovery that wine left undisturbed eventually turns into vinegar was greeted with somewhat less enthusiasm. However, vinegar has many a useful property.
Over the years vinegar has been used as a cleaning agent, a deodorizer, a sanitizer, a preservative, a condiment, a first-aid treatment and yes, as a beverage. One used to marvel as uncles drank ‘dill pickle juice’ because it quenched their thirst and replaced vital body salts lost through sweat.
Although one was vaguely aware that where there was wine there was also vinegar; one never quite put the two relationships together. But then - it always gives one particular pleasure when one discovers an aspect of art in what may initially seem part of the ordinary and the light clicks on! It takes an ‘out of the box’ perspective to see things in a way that many others do not. Take the evolution of farming. From what used to be an exercise of intense physical labour to one of an art and science using high tech machinery, genetically altered growth medium and highbred plantings. Here in the Okanagan the industry of the Grape is no different. The evolution of former orchards into vineyards and a burgeoning wine industry has morphed so significantly over the last twenty or so years that many a neophyte has entered the exploding opportunity. Just to provide an additional perspective on what is otherwise a visceral, sensual, epicurean experience with the tasting, pairing and sipping of exquisite wines a sideline industry has taken advantage in the true meaning of ‘reuse, recycle and discovering an entrepreneurial opportunity’.
At least one group in the vineyard industry has re-discovered a tertiary vineyard opportunity and is taking distinct advantage. Located immediately adjacent to the Hollywood and Wine Estate Winery in Summerland is the The Valentine Farm. A former orchard, now sporting a vineyard, has taken farming to a different level and is now a Certified Organic Farm complete with a boutique sales shop. Wine is not the only product that is at a vineyard! The Certified Organic farm now named Valentine Farm grows and sells a variety of products from seasonal market garden vegetables, to raspberries and small fruits, to premium wine vinegars produced from wine by-product made with grapes. “The Vinegar Works” wine vinegars are just one of the products available and sold at this ‘farm gate’ operation.
No ordinary vinegars these blendings. It has taken on an element of the arts supported by science to render mere vinegar into articles of epicurean delight. No simple white ‘distilled’ product here. These vinegars are a class product, rendered from many a variety of grape. Flavoured, bottled and artfully labelled these ‘vinaigrette’ and their associated jellies would please the most discriminating palette as well as be ‘de rigour’ on a properly attired table.
Valentine Farm is owned and operated by Kim Stansfield and John Gordon. Kim and John are proud of their achievements since purchasing the farm in 1999 and are particularly proud of their vinegar production. They took what was then viewed as a ‘non-productive’ group of dilapidated buildings on a patch of marginal, un-worked land to a thriving and productive farm that produces food items for their satisfied customers. The farm is Certified by the Similkameen/Okanagan Organic Producers Association.
|
|
Subscription
Special OfferOrder 12 ISSUES of the CHOICE for family and friends for only $12.00 plus gst (Canada only). Send your name and address and a cheque to Seniors Choice at Box 41075 RPO South, Lake Country, BC V4V 1Z7
MYRA CANYON KELOWNA BC
SILVER STAR VERNON BC
|
