The team at Fort Berens Estate Winery has always had close ties to Lytton. So when staff from the award-winning Lillooet winery drove through Lytton a few months after the fire last summer that destroyed much of the town, a plan was hatched.
“Since the fire, our team had been looking for ways to be a part of the community rebuilding efforts,” said Fort Berens co-founder and co-owner Rolf de Bruin in a release. “On harvest day, just a few months after the fire, while driving from Lillooet to Lytton, the Fort Berens team, deeply moved by the devastating loss in Lytton, crafted a plan to launch a fundraising campaign. These Pinot Gris grapes from Lytton escaped the fire, and became grapes with a special purpose.”
One of the few areas of Lytton that escaped the June 30, 2021 fire unscathed was a small vineyard, Winch Spur Vineyard, on the opposite side of the Fraser River, owned by Chuck and Nonie McCann.
The grapes were about to be picked at the time of the blaze will now be used to craft a special edition wine, with Fort Berens donating 100 per cent of the proceeds to recovery and rebuilding efforts in Lytton.
“As a result, we produced a Special Edition Lytton Strong Pinot Gris made exclusively with grapes from Lytton’s Winch Spur Vineyard,” de Bruin continued.
The fundraiser will run from June 3 to 12, with 1,440 bottles of pinot gris available for sale. In addition, there will also be a silent auction with “unique and experiential items,” a 50-50 raffle, and the chance to donate directly to the campaign.
Fort Berens is aiming to raise $125,000.
“Our desire is to have these funds go towards a dedicated legacy building project for the community of Lytton. We are currently working with Mayor, Council and Staff at the Village of Lytton on this. Our desire is to help build a legacy community project that would be a central gathering place for the community,” de Bruin explained.
The winery is currently seeking corporation sponsorships, donations for the silent auction, and volunteers to help with the fundraising campaign.
To get involved, email [email protected].
