For the past 7 years we've had an annual Country Fruit Wine sale every February.  Unfortunately with the economy as it is, and costs that won't stop climbing upwards, we have had to make the tough decision to increase our production fees later this month.  

So, in lieu of our annual sale, we are giving our customers the chance to come in and get their wine made at today's prices, before the price increase happens on February 15th.  This increase will affect our production fees for country fruit wines, ciders, kit wines, beers and our cork and cap fees.

If you are thinking of making wine for that summer wedding, maybe cleaning out the freezer or even just wanted to try it for the first time, DO IT NOW! 

Please remember:

• You can still make your wine for as little as $6.50 per bottle. Compare this price to commercially made fruit wines at $20-30 each.
• You pay very little tax, and no alcohol tax when you make your own. And those taxes are rising again on April 1st!
• You can customize your wine to your taste - fruits used, amount of flavour and body, percentage of alcohol, oak or no oak, how sweet it is, even the look of your bottles with labels you design.
• You will be supporting a locally owned, small business that in turn, supports other small businesses, local groups and community organizations.
• Making your own wine is more environmentally friendly than buying from the liquor store - reusing your bottles, using ingredients that come from our local area, and Harvest Wine recycles everything it can... even sending the spent fruit to local farmers for animal feed. 

We invite you to call the shop to set up your appointment as soon as possible. 
250-787-2739

Do you have a wedding coming up and want to squeeze everything you can out of your budget.  We can help!

Not only can we save you a ton of money on wine for your banquet tables, we also have some great suppliers to order for those hard to find gifts like flasks, robes, glasses and party supplies.  Personalization with names can be an option on many items. 

Call us at 250-787-2739, stop by the shop to talk to us, or send a message HERE

Also... check out the upcoming wedding show in Grande Prairie.  Click HERE for more information on the event.

Freight expenses are one of our biggest challenges for our small business.  Wine kits are heavy, bulky and expensive to ship. Unlike businesses in the southern part of the province, our location requires longer time on the truck from the Lower Mainland, which of course, costs more. Historically, we have always been charged more for freight but we also don't get some of the quantity discounts available to larger customer bases like they do in Vancouver, Kamloops or even Prince George.

If this isn't stressful enough, one of our major suppliers just announced a substantial price increase to both products (of 6%+), and their shipping program (almost doubled!) I've also heard through the grapevine that another major supplier has significant changes coming to their ordering program as well.

Unfortunately our wine kit suppliers are also our major suppliers for winemaking supplies and equipment.  As supply chain shortages are still an issue, we need to follow a new policy for all product orders.

​Harvest Wine will order only once a month from each of our major suppliers.... if needed.

What does this mean?

• Price increases are inevitable 
• Selection may vary
• Stock levels could vastly fluctuate 
• Our current "Special Order Policy" will be changing from 30 to 14 days for pickup, and
• A deposit will now be required on any special orders​

As customer satisfaction is our main priority, we will always look for the best quality and prices.  Thank you for your patience during these strange times and for supporting our local, small business. 

Sincerely,
Annamari 

Someone posted this on FB and it came across my newsfeed the other day. As a small business owner, still feeling the pinch from previous Covid restrictions/shutdowns and now the ever increasing inflation, I FEEL THIS!
​
"Please understand what not using cash is doing !!! Cash is important!
Why should we pay cash everywhere with banknotes instead of a card?
- I have a $50 banknote in my pocket. Going to a restaurant and paying for dinner with it. The restaurant owner then uses the bill to pay for the laundry. The laundry owner then uses the bill to pay the barber. The barber will then use the bill for shopping. After an unlimited number of payments, it will still remain a $50, which has fulfilled its purpose to everyone who used it for payment and the bank has jumped dry from every cash payment transaction made...

- But if I come to a restaurant and pay digitally - Card, bank fees for my payment transaction charged to the seller are 3%, so around $1.50 and so will the fee $1.50 for each further payment transaction or owner re laundry or payments of the owner of the laundry shop, or payments of the barber etc..... Therefore, after 30 transactions, the initial $50 will remain only $5 and the remaining $45 became the property of the bank thanks to all digital transactions and fees."

Now, it might not exactly work that way, but this person gets it.  Your cashless payment is sent down the line for others to take their piece before it lands in the business' bank account!  

Credit cards do take the largest percentage, debit cards much less. How else do you think the credit companies can afford to reimburse you if your card is stolen and tapped all over town for purchases before you notice it's gone?! Not only do they raise your interest rates to pay for all of these "extra perks and safety features", they also get it from the other side of the transaction too! 

We have been looking at other affordable options for taking cashless payments but the options are few and far between. Shopping around for a new contract and terminal is confusing and time consuming. The best thing you can do to support your local small businesses is to pay by cash, or by debit.  

Knowing that not everyone wants to be surprised by their advent wines, we have listed it a couple of different ways. 

For "All the Info", click HERE - each number's descriptions and everything else you need to know about each wine.

For the "Descriptions Only", click HERE - test your wine tasting skills, try to name the varietal, check here to find a wine that might pair nicely with tonight's meal.

Or, if you just want to know the name of the wine, click the image below for the corresponding day.

Please remember that even though it's an advent calendar, we don't expect you to drink a bottle a day.  Always drink safely and in moderation. 

We'd love to have your feedback on these wines.  Feel free to drop us a comment.  Cheers!

Our First Giveaway - Now Closed
It's really easy...

Click HERE to sign up for our monthly newsletter and you'll automatically be entered to win. If you already get our email, please feel free to enter so you get your chance to win too!

Prize is a FREE Island Mist, Twisted Mist or Orchard Breezin' kit of your choice, service charges included.

Rules:
Must be over 19 years old
Prize will have to be picked up at the Harvest Wine Outfitters location in Fort St. John, BC
One entry per email address
Prizes have no monetary value
Contest closes August 24th @5pm MST

Have questions?  Call us at 250-787-2739
After hours? Try FB or IG messaging.  We might be closed but could be online.