John and Virginia Weber have created not just one of the very best wineries in BC but Canada.

Orofino is also Canada’s first strawbale winery and also solar powered.

They’ve received Gold Level Certification from Green Tourism.

First planted in 1989..original blocks include Cab Franc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Riesling and Muscat.

They have since added more Merlot, Pinot Noir, & Petit Verdot.  Best of all, they also planted 3 acres of Gamay.

Keep an eye out on the labels for other vineyards they either farm or partner with, such as Passion Pit, Celentano Vineyards, Hendsbee Vineyards, Pozza Vineyards, Mutch (Gamay, Merlot, P Gris, Chardonnay and orange muscat)

And finally, the Riverbank Vineyard  ( The Johnson Family)

John takes us through crop damage done via the two Winter Cold Snaps and how they plan to move forward. That forward movement includes Washington Wines heading north to John’s cellar. That will be worth the wait.

 

As far as their wines, the hit wine in our house in the past year was The MagBags.

Rose, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Cab Franc and a dream come true – Gamay in a MagBag!!

John and I talk about Hendsbee and Home Old Vine Rieslings, The Chardonnay, Sparkling Gamay and the amazing field blend known as PTG. Created as the result of a mis-planting between Pinot Noir and Gamay..the result is a yummy, easy-drinking, light-bodied, fruit-forward blend that wins fans with every sip.

John also spins tales of Home Vineyard Pinot Noir, Syrah, Red Bridge Red, Beleza and Dourado.

I also had to ask about Virginia’s Vineyard Suites and Guest House.

Trust me, you’ll rave about them as well – absolutely gorgeous.

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The label name may be new but the vineyards are well known.  They were known for years as Desert Hills and their can’t miss location was in the heart of Black Sage Road.

A total of 14 acres were planted with Gamay Noir – 8 of which were newly planted in 2024.

Finally a serious commitment to one of the greatest grapes in the world of wine.

For you clone detectives their Gamay clones are   282 – 284 – 358 – 656 and 1060.

 

From those vineyards, Artema has released Gamay Cru and Gamay Village, Chardonnay Cru and Village and  a gorgeous Gamay Rose.

There’s also a Sparkling release, featuring the elegance of Pinot Blanc and the engaging Pinot Gris!

I’ve known Tony Buree for years. Sebastian Legoff and myself walked into  Cin Cin as Tony was pitching a new wine for addition to their extensive wine list.

That new wine he was raving about was Le Vieux Pin.

We have much to talk about…Enjoy!!

Hester Creek

Vancouver Wine Festival 2025

The Hatch

Fort Berens

Year-end lists