"I see the winery as a place that is not just to talk about the vineyard or what we do... I want it to be a place where people have fun."
Klein recognized that the critical factors for success in the wine industry include the quality of the soil where grapes are grown and investing in skilled personnel. By focusing on these areas, he managed to elevate Rodney Strong's international profile significantly.
The wine industry faces a grape surplus, leading to vineyard removals and abandoned properties, with many grapes left unharvested due to poor sales and market conditions.
The proposed support package from the Nova Scotia government for the wine industry deviates from expert recommendations, providing excessive funds to commercial bottlers instead of farm wineries.
"The needle has shifted forward a bit," says Phil Long, president of AAAV and the founder of Longevity Wines, pointing to increased visibility for Black-owned wineries. He emphasizes the need for a constant source of energy to maintain momentum in driving diversity in the wine industry.