The 45th VanWineFest Part One
THE SHOW
The press release says: It’s the largest combined consumer and trade wine show in North America. And one of the biggest and oldest in the World. From Feb 24 to March 3. Eight days, 42 events, 12 countries, 149 participating wineries, 71 from feature region Italy, 1, 150 wines, 800 in the tasting room and over 18,000 wine fans expected to attend all events.
So…..how does one guy with one microphone cover something like that? You don’t!!
Can’t be done without a huge team but if you plan carefully and do your homework, surround yourself with wine friends who bring their own beliefs on wine and winemakers, then you might get something captured.
I’m so pleased to announce that with the help and smarts of the following friends & experts we managed to do 22 interviews with winemakers and principals from Italy, Greece, Washington, California, Spain, France and BC.
Thank you to Meredith Elliott – Communications and Marketing manager. Grace under pressure.
Harry Hertscheg – Solid Support.
Our co-hosts are:
Daenna Van Mulligen – The Wine Diva. Writer, speaker, judge and popular reviewer.
Michaela Morris – educator, judge, speaker and wine writer (Decanter)
Kelcie Jones – Best Sommelier 2023, educator, consultant and founder of This is Wine School
DJ Kearney – Director of Wine at Terminal City Club, wine educator at large. Legend.
This first Tasting Room Radio will feature opinions and comments from
Daenna Van Mulligen – www.winediva.ca Has travelled the wine world. Knows many winemakers in the room.
Hosted a sold-out feature seminar on Gerard Bertrand Winery.
Blue Grouse Estate Winery – Michael Abbott – New GM (Cowichan Valley)
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery – Stephen Neumann – Brand Ambassador (Oliver)
Le Vins Bonhomme – Nathalie Bonhomme. (founder/winemaker) Originally from Montreal. Now making wines for her label – in Spain and France.
House of Smith – Donal Black VP – Int. Sales. A new gathering of Charles Smith Wines. K Vintners, Substance, Sixto, Golden West etc. (Washington)
Harry Hertscheg – Executive Director VIWF. The man who dreams the dream and leads the team.
Bench 1775 – Richard Kanazawa (Winemaker) Naramata Bench. Fabulous winemaker
Osoyoos LaRose – Michael Kullmann CEO/Winemaker (Osoyoos) Great discussion between these two. Consistently fine wines.
www.winediva.ca
@HHonWine
#vanwinefest
#VIWF
STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON
NEXT WEEK – All Italian wineries (except for Unsworth.)
Co-Host Kelcie Jones
Marchesi di Barolo
Medici Ermete
Il Molino di Grace
Vietti
Unsworth
Co-host Michaela Morris
San Polino
Boscarelli
Maziano Abbona
Inama