subsequent Canadian winter passed through the Cowichan Valley. Even after getting the plants in the ground, there was no assurance of their investment - they had to wait six years for the tea bushes to grow and mature enough for their first harvest. This did not include the time and experimentation needed to begin mastering the art of tea-making, either.
TEN YEARS OF GROWTH A CANADIAN TEA ANNIVERSARY
T
his year marks a decade since the first 200 Camellia sinensis (tea) bushes were planted on the slopes of the Westholme Tea Company property. Co-founders Margit Nellemann and Victor Vesely took a leap of faith those ten years ago (or more accurately, a series of tremendously time-consuming, expensive, risky, and passionate hurdles) into the world and art of tea growing and tea making. Without anyone to consult with about the specific nature of their business, as there were (and still are) no other commercial tea growers in Canada, Margit and Victor cared for the new plants while thoroughly researching, and crossed their fingers as each
Those who know tea are aware of its slow nature.
In its growing, making, and enjoying, tea is best described as an ever-evolving process, and a meditative one - a series of thoughtful motions requiring patience, pause and attention. The leaves slowly unfurl, their colour and flavour spreading outward to a perfect steep. The Camellia plants, too, had to steep their roots deep into the layers earth that make up Westholme’s terroir, acclimating to weather and pests and elevation. Their flavour is a direct expression of their home and their careful handling. As the hills were converted from a vegetable farm to tea slopes, the change spread outward. The old dairy barn on the property evolved into an expression of Margit and Victor’s collaborative and artistic selves - a place to share their passion for tea and art with each other and with the community. The main portion of the barn became The Westholme Teashop, where customers could buy organic imported pure teas and organic artisanal tea and tisane blends to take home. And finally, four years ago, they could also take home a pouch of our Westholme
Canadian Tea, grown in the earth merely feet from where they stood. Westholme is the teapot in which all is steeped before it is poured outward, to fill the cups of our friends and neighbours, from here and elsewhere. And what a journey it has been! To commemorate where we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re going, we thought it was time to spill the tea about some very exciting news: On the 10th day, of the 10th month, of the 10th year of growing Canadian Tea (10/10/2020), we will be officially launching new creative products from both of our co-founders. From Margit, the official and permanent re-opening of The Gallery at Westholme, plus a brand-new series of gorgeous ceramic works fresh from the kiln. From Victor, a new and extremely rare, limited edition Westholmegrown Tea - #10 Reserve Black - a tea made from the finest,
most delicate pluck of our tea bushes this year. As a thank you from us to all of you, we wanted to extend an invitation to the community near and far to celebrate this milestone with us, virtually or in-person. To comply with physical distancing guidelines and to avoid a crowd, we will be staggering this event from October 10th - 20th, with new products being made available each day of this event in our Online Store and in our Teashop. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for ongoing details. For all these years of love and support - especially during this particularly difficult period - A huge, warm, and humble thank you to all who helped make our dream, and this place, possible. Emma Barrett is an employee at Westholme Tea Company, a writer, and a tea fiend in the Cowichan Valley.
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