It’s the annual “Let’s go fishing and drink wine” summer vacation special.

This year it’s at the beautiful Skitchine Lodge located on the Bonaparte Plateau north of Kamloops. Guests include Chef Mark Filatow, Master of Wine Rhys Pender, Orofino winemaker and co-owner John Weber, my friend Mary Corbett.
Plus from the Skitchine Chef Jens Larson, Mark and Tania Lee.
Also a visit to the first winery in Kamloops – Harpers Trail.
The Wine Diva returns with her memories of a summer visit to the wines regions of France and 2 days in Paris.
THE SHOW
Skitchine Lodge
For the third year in a row I felt the overwhelming need to go fishing and talk food and wine with the right mix of friends.

This year, North of Kamloops to Skitchine Lodge.
Bottom Line – 15 lakes – only ever 14 guests.
Lots of room and lots of lakes – to yourself.

From the Skitchine – Mark and Tania Lee, Managers and hand holders.
They help guests adjust to no cell or data service. Withdrawal is painful.
They answer all the questions we have plus they work with Chef Jens Larson on breakfast and dinner service.
Mark and Tania fill us in on how Skitchine came to be.
How could 15 lakes and miles of forest be protected in pristine condition?
Does each lake have its own character?
What’s the shortest/longest walk between lakes?
Catch and Release?
What flies to fish with?
Who picks the wines for the Lodge cellar?
We sit down on the dock with Chef Jens Larson about where he’s cooked previously (surprising kitchens) and how he gathers all his ingredients because there are no stores for miles. Jens also talks about the five courses he cooked for us.
Mary Corbett and Graeme Dales are good friends and it was they who invited us to Skitchine. Mary guests. (Graeme was fighting a bug in bed.)

Then we head down to the fireplace room on the docks to talk food, wine and fishing with
Chef Mark Filatow – current  winner of the Gold Medal Plates competition  in BC. He’s the force behind Waterfront Bistro in Kelowna. His menu highlights include Tomahawk Chops done on a open fire.

Rhys Pender is one of a select few Master of Wine in Canada. He and his lovely wife are also owners/winemakers at Little Farm Winery in Cawston in the Similkameen Valley in the South Okanagan. His next door neighbour is our third guest John Weber from Orofino. John’s been on all three trips.
The general rule of thumb for wines consumed was..whattdayagot?
Here’s a photo with all the bottles displayed. It was such fun.

Our thanks go out to Mary, Graeme, Jens, Mark and, of course, Tania.
Those lakes and the resort are not just for fishing..they’re also for Peace of Mind.

Harper’s Trail
We are pleased to introduce you to Harper’s Trail wines, the first wines made from vineyards in Kamloops, BC. They are crushed in Summerland, at Okanagan Crush Pad.

Named for the cattle drive trail of pioneer rancher Thaddeus Harper, and tucked into the city outskirts on the bank of the South Thompson River, Ed and Vicki Collett‘s vineyard sits among rolling hills of sage and grass, home to bighorn sheep, bears, and myriad birds. The backdrop of limestone, hoodoos, and a natural spring in the vineyard contribute to the biodiversity of this rare place.

IF….IF Harper’s Trail can make this location work then the entire bench they’re surrounded by could/should one day become a brand new wine region in BC.
With the help of consultant Michael Bartier and the growing team..the sky’s the limit.
There’s now a new reason to drive through Kamloops.

The Wine Diva

Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva – returns from a long planned return to the wine regions of France and 2 days in Paris, where she once lived.
If you have ever dreamt of travelling through France and its wine regions, this segment would be a great primer. Daenna touches on wineries and regions  that impressed. You can tell she liked Paris and the rose’ they poured at every table.
STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON
Roger Mooking – Singer and Chef
JC Bekker – South Arican Winemaker
Tyler Harlton – Hockey player, lawyer, Winemaker, Summerland BC
Chris Burns takes us salmon fishing and salmon cooking.
Lou Passaglia, Wally Buono, Marco Iannuzzi. The BC Lions celebrate 60 years of football with a white/red from Ganton and Larson.