in a consultant to help with the blending,” says Peter. “I know a lot of winemakers.” Peter is the vineyard dogsbody and wine salesman, making deliveries to restaurants on his rebuilt 1979 Moto Guzzi motorbike. Jane runs the tasting room, gift shop and the 40-seat patio, the last offering artisan goodies such as savoury onion tarts, Texas-style smoked ribs from a recipe of Peter’s, a plate of local charcuterie and home-smoked salmon. Jane also organizes special events such as winemaker dinners and on-site art shows. She’s planning their participation in the first-ever Grape and Graze event at Sidney’s Mary Winspear Centre this fall, a wine and food showcase for producers from the Peninsula and Gulf Islands. “Peter and I have two daughters, plus a mother and daughter pair of dogs, and brother and sister cats that we rescued from the pound to catch mice in the winery,” says Jane. “I guess you’d have to say we really are a family operation.” Standing guard on a shelf behind the tasting room bar are 35 award-winning bottles of Chalet Estate wine, medals hanging proudly from their necks. Down below, Peter’s cellar reflects his history in the wine world, everything from massive bottles given as birthday presents from winery owners to collector Zinfandels (his favourite varietal) whose labels are personalized with scribbled best wishes from the winemaker. To undercut the glamour a bit he talks about his earliest days, as a rep for Gallo wine, when he had to schlep their bottom-tier plonk, including a belch-worthy sparkling wine named Totts. As Peter recounts, Gallo had a contest that involved coming up with a catchy slogan. Well-endowed with stripper bars on his sales route — and because strip joints are awash in cheap “champagne” with which customers are encouraged to impress the dancers — Peter got inspired and came up a winner. His cheeky catchphrase “Show Us Your Totts” won him notoriety — and a cheque for $5,000. Happily, Peter’s wines and his sales style are both classier these days. Chalet Estate fully occupies the time of its proud owners, who say they feel lucky to be part of a supportive local community — especially at harvest time, when 40 volunteer pickers fill the buckets in exchange for a vineyard “party” that includes great food and an open bar. “This is the hardest I’ve ever worked in my life . . . and I love it,” grins Peter. “In January after a day of pitchforking, still covered in mud, I lit a bonfire, opened a bottle of Pinot Noir to share with Jane, and just gaped up at the stars. It was so peaceful we could have been in heaven.” t
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Chalet Estate Winery is located at 11195 Chalet Estate Road Hours: May to October, 11 am – 5 pm; closed Mondays. Contact: 250-656-2552 or visit www.chaletestatevineyard.ca victoriaboulevard.com 119