THE SHOW
2023 Lt Governor’s Wine Awards. TerraLux Estate First Pours & Ned Bell on BC Shellfish Festival
2023 BC Lt. Governor’s Wine Awards (Penticton)
The intense competition recognizes the top varietals produced in BC across 21 distinct categories and was held over 2 ½ days in early April at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.
After 3 days of tasting and spitting we couldn’t wait to get out of the building for a burger and a beer.
All-star Somm Team
I setup my trusty microphone, recorder and talked to several of the judges about their thoughts on the competition.
Brad Royale, Rhys Pender, DJ Kearney, Kurtis Kolt, Emily Walker, Mathew Landry, Sid Cross, Tim Pawsey, etc.
Some very interesting comments along the way.
We also include comments from Kimberly Hundertmark GM of Okanagan Wine festivals and event organizer Alana Dickson.
Kimberly Hundertmark
Next – an invitation came from Jennifer Tocher at Terralux Estate Winery to taste the new releases from a winery still being built.
- 2019 Reserve Viognier – retail $35
- 2020 Reserve Chardonnay – retail $40
- 2018 Syrah – retail $35
- 2019 Meritage – retail $35
- 2019 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – retail $59
The tasting was moderated by BC’s Best Sommelier 2023 Kelcie Jones alongside Geoffrey Moss, MW and representing Terralux will be the Vineyard and General Manager Kevin Rossion.
Kelcie Jones
As for case production, they are currently sitting at about 3,000 cases per year and have planted a few additional acres over the past few years so this number will continue to grow. The new winery build in West Kelowna will comfortably handle 16,000 cases plus.
The winery is currently under construction with the production facility due to operate for Harvest 2024. The design of the winery pays tribute to the name “Terra” meaning earth and “Lux” meaning light. Gravity Fed winemaking facility.
Chef Ambassador Ned Bell
And to close the show – Executive Chef Ned Bell once again joins the leadership team at the BC Shellfish Festival. This year at Mt Washington
NED BELL
The 15th annual BC Seafood Festival returns with a new home atop Mount Washington from June 23 to 25, 2023. The three day festival boasts over twenty sea-foodie events with an all star line up of chefs. Attendees are invited to taste the bounty of the West Coast through a variety of events, happy hours, MasterClasses and friendly competitions.
Festival highlights are the elaborate Gala Dinner, Shucked! Canada’s largest oyster bar happy hour led by a World Champion Oyster Shucker, Kitchen Party with the Junior Culinary Team Canada, Clam it up! Happy hour and more. This year the Festival is led by Chef Ambassador Ned Bell.
STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON
Top Drop Vancouver and Calgary
The Ones
Bartier Brothers
Moon Curser
Mt Boucherie
Unsworth
Cowichan Wine Festival
BC Cider festival
Hester Creek
Sipster’s Two