The 9th annual Okanagan Falls Spring Releases in Vancouver
(a dozen winery interviews and lots of new releases)
The SHOW
For 9 years the wineries of Okanagan Falls have gathered up their new Spring releases and headed for the West Coast.
This year we find them at The Terminal City Club on Hastings. A grand heritage building. Funds raised go to BC Hospitality Foundation.
From the northern tip of Skaha Lake to the hills above Vaseux Lake the Okanagan Falls wine region in the South Okanagan was blessed with the land that the ice age left behind.
When the huge glacier came through and formed the valley, it managed to created pools and hollows. Each one today has become its own growing terroir. A combination of silt and rock. Each vineyard can have a completely different expression of wine.
Best of all, the days are hot and bright and the nights are cool. Possibly the best growing combination that nature can provide.
In 2018, the B.C. Wine Authority gave Okanagan Falls their own sub-region designation.
Oliver’s Golden Mile was the first local region to get appellation status.
Similkameen, Kelowna, Lake Country, Peachland, Summerland, Naramata, Penticton, Oliver and Osoyoos — are expected to be recognized within the next few years. The process is, in a word, glacial!
Our guests this week:
Leslie D’Andrea – Vice Chair of OFWA (OFWA.ca)
Blasted Church – John Bayley Vineyard Manager (blastedchurch.com)
Crescent Hill – Tysha Pope – Family member (crescenthillwinery.com)
Liquidity – Ruth Hanbury President (Liquiditywines.com)
Wild Goose – Leslie Matheson marketing manager (winegoosewinery.com)
Pentage – Julie Rennie co-owner (Pentage.com)
Bonamicci – Mario Rodi owner/partner (bonamiccicellars.com)
Noble Ridge – Jim D’Andrea Owner/Chair (nobleridge.com)
Stag’s Hollow – Linda Pruegger Owner (stagshollowwinery.com)
BC Hospitality Foundation – Dana Lee Harris Exec Director
(bchospitalityfoundation.com)
Synchromesh – Alan Dickinson Founder (synchromeshwines.ca)
Meyer Family – Chris Carson winemaker/viticulturist (MFVwines.com)
Nighthawk – Christy Bibby co-owner (nighthawkvineyards.com)
STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:
Ben Bryant – Chief Winemaker at Mission Hill
Sal Howell – Deane House
Galasa Aden – CDC Deane House
Colin Linden – Wine Choices in Nashville