COVID-19 POLICIES

COVID-19 SAFETY PLAN FOR VENTURI-SCHULZE TASTING ROOM AND WINE STORE OPERATIONS 

RISK ASSESSMENT

  • We have identified areas where people might gather (entrance way, washroom area, tasting room and patio).

  • We have identified job tasks and processes where staff come close to one another and/or the public and have implemented procedures to eliminate close contact.

  • We have identified tools, machinery, equipment, and surfaces that workers and/or guests share and have implemented procedures to limit the shared use of same. This includes implementing new sanitation protocols.

PROTOCOLS TO REDUCE THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CONTRACTING COVID-19

  • We have moved to a tasting BY APPOINTMENT ONLY model to ensure that 2 m physical distancing between staff and guests is maintained. To accomplish this at our small family-run winery, we are LIMITING the number of guests to a maximum two "trusted bubbles" (those who have enlarged their contact circles) and a maximum of six people per group. Whenever possible, tastings will be hosted outdoors on the patio adjacent to our tasting room. In circumstances where cover is required (such as driving rain) we will host tastings under our carport or in our tasting room with windows and doors open (limited to a “trusted bubble” of two people in the tasting room). Tastings will be suspended at our discretion when winter-like weather arrives. 

  • Tasters/customers will call 250-709-4893 on arrival and a staff member will direct you to a parking space. You are asked to remain in your vehicle until the staff member directs you to your tasting area. Following your tasting and purchase, you will be directed back to your vehicle in a manner that maintains physical distancing of at least 2 m from any other group.

  • The wine store will remain open for sales without tasting by appointment to ensure physical distancing.

  • We are reducing the number of staff in the tasting room to ensure physical distancing rules are met.

  • We have made one washroom available for staff use, and one washroom for guests. Guest washroom will be sanitized before start of day, and on the hour.

  • Where possible, doors will remain open and lights on to limit the need to touch door knobs and switches. We will wipe down our POS with sanitizer after every customer or staff use.

  • We will have Lysol (or similar wipes) inside for use by staff.

  • We will place sanitizer and disposable cleaning cloths so that the staff on duty can easily and regularly sanitize surfaces to include (but not limited to) washrooms, POS, POS area, door knobs & light switches (if necessary), and bottles that are being handled by pourers.  

  • We will also place hand sanitizer in the store area, and tasting areas for use by guests and staff.

  • We will endeavour to maintain 2m distance from other staff members, as well as guests at all times. We will not lean over guests to pour, but rather ask that glasses are placed on the service table nearby for the staff member to pour in a way that ensures 2m physical distancing. When a customer purchases, we will request the customer approach the wireless POS to complete the transaction, only when the staff member can step back to ensure 2m physical distancing.

  • Because we understand that masks are only recommended outdoors when other control measures cannot be implemented, staff and guests may wear masks if they wish but this will not be mandatory.

  • Staff will continue to wash their hands regularly with soap and hot water, drying them with disposable towels.

  • We will be pouring strict 1oz pours and no longer offer communal spittoons. We provide disposable cups for individuals wishing to spit during their tasting.

  • We will retain contact information for each tasting party for a minimum of 30 days following their tasting.

  • We will have tasting notes digitally, on a board on the patio or on a sheet that will not be re-used. Guests can no longer request to see the tasting bottle.

  • We will continue to use real glass for tastings/water, but the glasses will be sanitized immediately after each tasting party.

  • We will only place sanitized tasting glasses in on the serving table near each group when they arrive for their tasting, not before. 

POLICIES

  • You and all staff will be asked on arrival if you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or are under any order or advisory to self-isolate. Please do not enter the Venturi-Schulze property if you have been advised or ordered to self-isolate or exhibited any of the following symptoms in the last 14 days: fever, chills, new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, and new muscles aches or headache. We will happily reschedule your tasting.

  • Workers must report to management if they exhibit even mild COVID-19 symptoms during their shift, in which case they will be asked to isolate in a structure away from the winery/tasting room building. We will immediately sanitize surfaces that the worker has come into contact with and suspend tastings for that day. We will contact a family member, 811 or 911 as required to ensure the staff member receives the appropriate care.  

COMMUNICATION PLANS AND TRAINING

  • We stay in regular email/text communication with staff, through which we share any updates to our safety plan. The safety plan must be read and signed by staff and will be easily accessible on the website, as well as in the winery (hard copy). Verbal communications will be on-going.

  • We will post signage to communicate the core tenets of our COVID-19 policies and procedures for both staff and guests.

WORKPLACE MONITORING AND SAFETY PLAN UPDATES

  • We will constantly reassess our protocols and policies and procedures to ensure the safety of both staff and guests. We will update our COVID-19 safety plan accordingly.

  • Staff know to approach us with any health and safety concerns.

We will work as a team to resolve safety issues.

This COVID-19 Safety Plan for Venturi-Schulze was developed using WorkSafeBC’s template and resources available here: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/checklist/covid-19-safety-plan?lang=en