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We salute the Winery of the Year –  Nk Mip with Daenna Van Mulligen,  Chief Clarence Louie and Winemaker Randy Picton

Ollie Powrie – Viticulturist for Villa Maria. Tall tales of fine wines down under.

Valeria Tait – GM and Winemaker for Bench 1775

 

THE SHOW  

Nk’Mip is announced Canadian Winery of the Year in the 2016-17 InterVin International Wine Awards. They also came in second in the International competition against The World.

Clarence Louie – Chief of Osoyoos Indian Band.

Chief-Clarence-Louie

Chief-Clarence-Louie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Randy Picton –  Head Winemaker 

Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva

 

Randy Picton

Randy Picton

 

   Pronounced “in-ka-meep,” North America’s first aboriginal owned and operated winery overlooks Osoyoos Lake in the Okanagan Valley.

Using grapes from the Osoyoos Indian Band’s Inkameep Vineyard managed by Sam Baptiste, winemaker Randy Picton and assistant winemaker Justin Hall produce wines in three tiers: Winemaker’s Series, Qwam Qwmt and Mer’r’iym tiers. The award-winning portfolio includes favourites such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Talon, Dreamcatcher, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling Icewine.

 

Nk’Mip Cellars story begins with the people of the Osoyoos Indian Band; strong, independent, and proud, with a rich history as the stewards of the desert landscape. Under the leadership of Chief Clarence Louie – who believes that native independence hinges on economic independence – the band owns the winery in partnership with Constellation Brands Canada. The winery is part of an engaging and ambitious development that also includes a resort hotel, spa, golf course and cultural centre, the spectacular 18,000-square-foot winery is nestled in prime terroir overlooking Osoyoos Lake.

 

The Wine Diva was one of the key members of the InterVin Judging Team – she gives us the inside scoop on how and why they won!!

We all talk about three outstanding releases that were awarded Gold Medals.

Qwam Qwmt  Merlot   2014  – simply outstanding

Qwam Qwmt  Cabernet Sauvignon  2014 – who says we can’t grow Cabs?

Qwam Qwmt  Syrah  2014  – Great now but give it 3-5 years it will be World Class.

NK’MIP CELLARS 2016 MEDAL WINNERS

 2015 NK’MIP CELLARS QWAM QWMT RIESLING ICEWINE
– Gold, InterVin Wine Awards
– Silver, British Columbia Wine Awards

2015 NK’MIP CELLARS WINEMAKER’S DREAMCATCHER
– Bronze, InterVin Wine Awards

2015 NK’MIP CELLARS WINEMAKER’S PINOT BLANC
– Silver, InterVin Wine Awards

2015 NK’MIP CELLARS WINEMAKER’S ROSÉ
– Bronze, InterVin Wine Awards
– Silver, British Columbia Wine Awards

2014 NK’MIP CELLARS QWAM QWMT CABERNET SAUVIGNON
– Gold, InterVin Wine Awards
– Bronze, British Columbia Wine Awards

2014 NK’MIP CELLARS QWAM QWMT CHARDONNAY
– Silver, Chardonnay du Monde
– Bronze, British Columbia Wine Awards

2014 NK’MIP CELLARS QWAM QWMT MERLOT
– Gold, InterVin Wine Awards

2014 NK’MIP CELLARS QWAM QWMT RIESLING ICEWINE
– Gold, British Columbia Wine Awards

2014 NK’MIP QWAM QWMT SYRAH
– Silver, InterVin Wine Awards
– Bronze, British Columbia Wine Awards

2014 NK’MIP CELLARS WINEMAKER’S PINOT NOIR
– Bronze, InterVin Wine Awards
– Bronze, British Columbia Wine Awards

www.nkmipcellars.com

www.winediva.ca

 

Ollie Powrie – Viticulturist  for NZ Villa Maria, NZ

 We found Ollie in Whistler for Cornucopia.

Ollie heads up a team of Regional Viticulturists, Vineyard Managers and Grower Liaison Officers scattered throughout New Zealand.

He’s constantly on the road between plantings and vineyards.

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Ollie Powrie

Ollie Powrie

Ollie graduated with a Bachelor of Viticulture from the E.I.T. and Charles Sturt University in 2002 and began his career working for Sacred Hill Wines, working in the Gimblett Gravels sub-region. In 2003 Ollie decided to broaden his skills and experience by accepting a position with a large negociant in the Rhône Valley, France.

By his own admission, he’s obsessed with wine quality, and he sees a hugely exciting time ahead for Villa Maria. He’s passionate about growing grapes in the most sustainable way that enhances the land and local environment.

villa-maria

Villa Maria

Ollie, his wife Rebecca, and daughters Sophia and India live in sunny Napier, Hawkes Bay.

Just how good is Ollie at his craft?    He’s very much part of the fact that Villa Maria continues to be New Zealand’s Most Awarded Winery.

 Ollie takes us through some of Villa Maria’s most popular wines..

Single Selection Keltern Chardonnay

Taylors Pass Chardonnay

Hawkes Bay Reserve Chardonnay

VM Albarino

Cellar Selection Pinot Noir

Hawkes Bay Cellar Gimblett Gravels Syrah

 www.villamaria.co.nz

  

Valeria Tait – Winemaker and GM at Bench 1775 (Naramata)

 

Val Tait

Valeria Tait

“There isn’t much Malbec grown in BC, and even fewer (any?) blended with cabernet franc. But that’s the beauty of being an adventurous winemaker like Valeria Tate of Bench 1775 in a pioneering wine region like the Okanagan Valley. From her coveted perch on Naramata Bench, she deftly weaves together interesting blends like this, ignoring convention, thankfully, to spark creativity.” Treve Ring / Scout magazine

 

There was a fire sale of wineries on the Naramata Bench a couple of years ago.

They were all owned at one time by Lang Vineyards.

One was called Soaring Eagle with a hand carved sign you couldn’t miss.

The Viticulturist who helped plan the vineyard was Val Tait. Upon the sale it was re-branded as Bench 1775. The key to any future success was Valeria,  who was pals with that land and those vines.

7 years later, she’s now the General Manager and Executive  Winemaker  There’s a whole wall of hard-won awards and a patio with one of the very best views in the entire province.

bench-1775-banner

I caught up with Valeria at a recent Naramata Bench  pour in Vancouver. She proudly takes us through the new portfolio.

 

Keep an eye on Valeria Tait. She’s a winner and so are the wines.

 

www.bench1775.com

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

Restaurants Under the Radar.

Kettle Valley

Burrowing Owl

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

Restaurants Under the Radar.

Kettle Valley

Burrowing Owl

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep an eye on Valeria Tait. She’s a winner and so are the wines.

 

www.bench1775.com