B.C. winery, tour operator hope staycation tourists can boost summer season

Wineries in B.C.'s Interior are figuring out a safe way to operate through the summer, which is typically a busy time for the industry and its offshoot businesses. 

Roberto Fiume, owner of Ciao Bella Winery in West Kelowna, B.C., opened up his tasting room on Thursday for the first time this spring.

Typically, the tasting room would open in April, but this year, he and his family, who all work at the winery, used the time to reach out to local customers, become experts on social media and offer delivery and curbside pickups.

The decision appears to have worked out well for the winery. 

"I think people were wanting to see a local, family-run business survive the current situation and, also, people were at home and quite frankly I think they wanted wine to drink, so that's worked out fairly well," he told CBC's Christine Coulter.

The winery will continue to offer pickup and delivery, but they are now looking forward to welcoming guests into the shop and tasting room, by appointment. They've set up hand-sanitizing stations and installed physical distancing signage. 

He expects his customers to be a little different this year. The clientele is often from out of town, but now he's hoping locals will take advantage of the winery scene in B.C.

"Outside tourists are really just not coming and I don't anticipate them coming the way they have in the past," Fiume said. 

He's also preparing for local wine tours, like those offered by Wicked Wine Tours. 

Owner and president Nicholas Wilson said that while he's expecting a slow summer, his business is not discouraging tourists, especially those coming from Alberta, from visiting the region. 

"Frankly, we very much disagree with the B.C. government's ban on Alberta visitors to our parks," he said. "We won't be policing people necessarily coming from out of province, particularly Alberta, [which is] right next door and a large portion of our customers."

Wilson said it could be up to two years before revenue is restored.

That said, he hopes British Columbians look into taking a wine tour this summer. 

"I think a lot of people are comfortable travelling a couple hours away from their home and we're only two or three hours away from Vancouver, and the whole Okanagan Valley has a lot in its backyard to explore," Wilson said. 

Wicked Wine Tours has also had to put in new policies and procedures to ensure safety for its customers: tours will be limited to a maximum of six people; staff will be asking visitors if they've travelled outside the country recently, and will ensure physical distancing; and sanitizing procedures have been enhanced. 

Anyone who shows the slightest signs of illness, Wilson said, won't be allowed on the tour.

If you have a COVID-19-related story we should pursue that affects British Columbians, please email us at impact@cbc.ca.