PS: I do believe it’ s a holistic approach to the industry that’ s really important and it’ s what makes us sleep well at night: we can grow the grapes, we can make the wine, we can go out there and sell it, and actually bring the money back and re-invest it in our business. We are totally self-sustaining. If you came to our Cellar Door, on any day, one of the winemaking team will be there as well.
MM: Really?
PS: And people are blown away. They’ ll come in on a Sunday and be chatting away with a guy and say“ What do you do here?” And he’ ll say,“ Oh, I’ m the head winemaker” or“ I’ m the owner.” They can’ t believe it! But if the head winemaker can’ t actually sell a bottle of wine to someone, and talk to them at their level, then he’ s not really a winemaker; that’ s a technician. The place is noisy, cluttery, clamoury, stuff going on all the time, but it’ s full of kids and grandmas and blokey blokes who drink beer— they’ re not even drinking wine— and then, of course there’ s a whole lot of wine people here as well.
We try really hard not to force our wine or our wine culture down the community’ s throat. We’ re just really glad they came to see us. We don’ t have rules about trying wine and you don’ t have to buy things— hopefully they just remember our name, so that when they are picking up a bottle of wine for a dinner party, they don’ t just go to Jacob’ s Creek.
MM: Does this go back to your holistic approach— being part of the community?
PS: Yes. One night a week, we have what we call a“ 3-Double-7-Anything” night because the postal code out in this part of the world starts with 377-, so if they can prove to us that they have a local postal code, they get 30 % off everything they eat and drink. It works! They love it.
MM: That would go over well in my town. Everybody loves a deal in Winnipeg! Listen Phil, thanks so much for your time. I look forward to getting the new vintages of Innocent Bystander and Giant Steps.
Banville & Jones is the exclusive retailer of Innocent Bystander and Giant Steps wines in Winnipeg. Watch for new vintages from the Sexton Vineyard arriving in the fall. �
www. banvilleandjones. com 57