Why Can’t We Be Friends?

Boycott or not, B.C. winemakers open their arms to give some love to our Alberta brethren.

Let’s park for the time being, Alberta’s simmering rage at B.C.’s attempt to erect any sort of barrier possible to the Kinder Morgan expansion—that issue is for a separate part of this magazine.The choice to strike back against the B.C. wine industry is a head-scratcher. For starters, from owners on down, the industry has a ton of Albertans participating, so punishing it is punishing them. Secondly, anyone who’s spent even a passing amount of time in the Okanagan realizes that the region has a huge population of resident and part-time resident Albertans who probably have little interest in their property taxes going up if the region’s tax base takes a hit as a result of the boycott. Thirdly, if you want to strike back at anti-Kinder-Morgan folk maybe aim for the liberal of Kitsilano as opposed to the far more conservative-leaning interior. Dumb and Dumber and Dumber.Thankfully, a group of B.C. wineries—led by Okanagan Cush Pad’s Christine Coletta— put their big boy pants on and, instead of calling for a rival boycott of Alberta beef, are instead going to kill our neighbours with kindness. “We want everyone to see that we are better together,” was the olive branch offered by Coletta and to that end she’s gathered a who’s who of B.C. wineries—Culmina Family Estates, Poplar Grove, Summerhill, Painted Rock, Liquidity, Les Dames and 50th Parallel—to start the charm offensive. First up is this Thursday’s event at Edible Canada on Granville Island where the wineries will be pouring their wares paired with Alberta beef and Alberta bison. It’s $55 and to continue the karma train they’re donating all the money to the BC Hospitality Foundation.It turns out the view is nice from the high ground.

Farm Friends

Thursday, February 22 (6 to 8 p.m.)Edible Canada, 1596 Johnston StreetTickets: $55 (available here)