Lisa 0720
One of my favourite editions is the Innovation Issue, because I love new ideas and people doing cool stuff, so I’m very excited to share what we found for you for this edition!
Thinking about innovations during this time in the world seems a bit strange. However, the more we looked, the more we discovered that there are lots of new advancements and developments driven by the response to the pandemic. Wineries have created virtual tastings, virtual events and virtual parties. Some wineries have created intimate appointments and tastings for in-person visits while following the distancing requirements.
Someone we are pleased to be covering in this issue is Karnail Singh Sidhu, who is a talented winemaker and all around nice man. He is well respected and admired by his colleagues and community, you will want to read this heart warming success story. He came over here from India with his family in 1993, with only $40 US in his pocket, which was all the Indian government would let them leave with. After reading the story, I immediately emailed writer, Tom Walker and wrote, ‘What a beautiful article!!’ To which he replied, 'Thank you, he is a very nice guy, I could’ve written another few thousand words."
We visited Northern Cherries in June to take a few photos of their newly expanded packing line and were super impressed with the size of this operation. It’s very clean, organized, and so high tech. The new tracking system they’ve implemented improves the grading and sorting of the cherries.
Congratulations go out to longtime master winemaker, Howard Soon who received an Honorary Doctor of Science Award from UBC.
You’ll like reading about the other new products and advancements, such as edible packaging, compostable bottles and can holders, robots to pick weeds, using bees to improve crop quality and so many others.
It saddens me hearing about the businesses that have closed down, struggle to survive and of the families that have trouble making ends meet.
I hope that during this time of reading that things are going well for you and you are able to make the best of your season and adapt to this changing world with a smile on your face (most days) and in good health.