Every time we open our wallet, every dollar we spend, we have an amazing opportunity to vote and directly shape the world around us. This simple act is one of the most powerful ways to make your voice heard, and the secret to affecting change. Imagine this - you can make a difference even by going out for a drink. The wine you choose to enjoy with you dinner can either support a small unique local organic vineyard or one that chooses to laden their grapes with petroleum derived fertilizers and pesticides. By choosing one of the incredible local micro-breweries available, you can reduce the negative environmental effects caused by long-distance transportation and drink great beer at the same time.
Fernie stores have some great options when choosing a drink that supports local, organic, eco-minded, community-oriented businesses like:
* Fernie Brewery – check out their small batch distinctive ales and lagers like their Rocky Mountain Genuine Lager, Griz Pale Ale and First Trax Brown Ale. Want to check out their new brewery? Just call to book your winter brewery tour.
* Pacific Western Brewery - Western Canada's largest independent Canadian owned brewery established in 1957, produces Natureland Organic Lager & Amber Ale in Prince George. Canada's first organic beer, and has won multiple International Brewery Awards.
* Nelson Brewing Company – This craft brewery located in Nelson produces organic hand–crafted, traditionally styled beers like Wild Honey Ale and Paddywhack India Pale Ale.
* Summerhill Pyramid Winery – Canada's largest certified organic vineyard located in Kelowna is perhaps, the most unique winery in the world. This 80 acre vineyard energizes its wine in their four-story pyramid. Said to be "divine purpose in every single drop"
* Hainle Vineyards- brings us Deep Creek Wine Estate from Peachland. This is the birthplace of Icewine in North America, and Canada's first certified organic winery. Made from n*ew world grapes, and old world handcrafted natural winemaking practices.
* Rain Organic Vodka - handmade from scratch in small batches, this high quality vodka is distilled exclusively from 100 percent organic white corn.
Did you know that genetic engineers in Florida are currently inserting fluorescent jellyfish gene into grape plants to develop a cure for a vine-withering disease? Or that the conventional grape is one the most heavily sprayed crops around, covered in acutely toxic herbicides and pesticides that pollute our ground water, seriously impact vineyard workers and other wildlife?
You don't have to drink them just because they're organic. Drink them to enjoy their excellent quality and fantastic taste. All of us our eligible to participate in this economic election, every single day, every hour, every time we open our wallet, we cast our ballots. Question is… what are you voting for?