Michael Bartier Presents 2025 Crafted in BC Wines – Kurtis Kolt presents Top Drop 2025
THE SHOW
Michael Bartier – Co-founder/Winemaker Bartier Bros (Black Sage Road)
Bartier Bros
When I last talked to co-owner and winemaker Michael Bartier at Bartier Bros on Black Sage Road, South Okanagan, he had a total of 17 vineyards damaged due to 2 cruel cold snaps.
I reconnected with Michael to see if he and the vineyards survived.
I was also very interested in his “Grown in Washinton – Crafted in BC ” Spring releases.
He called the series of wines Pristine. Named after the beautiful vineyards he partnered with in Washington State.
Michael still follows his mission statement “over deliver by 50%. Make a $20 wine that tastes like a $30 wine.”
2024 Pristine White Blend – $17.99 Reisling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay (Columbia Valley)
2024 Pristine Sauvignon Blanc – $18.99 Fresh, clean and gloriously round in the mouth. (Horse Heaven Hills)
2024 Pristine Chardonnay – $18.99 40 year old vines. Elegant and memorable. (Soaring Eagle, Wahluke Slope)
2024 Pristine Reisling – $18.99 Classically crisp with a loooong finish. (Rattlesnake Hills)
2024 Pristine Rose – $17.99 Cab driven but notes of Pinot, Chard and Reisling (Columbia Valley)
2024 Pristine Vin Gris (Pinot Gris Rose) – $19.99 Dark grapes treated like white wine. (Rattlesnake Hills)
2024 Pristine Cabernet Sauvignon Rose – $19.99 40-year-old vines. Great structure/price.(Soaring Eagle)
When we get done talking about these new wines, Michael takes us through the new vineyards.
Its all great news!!
Chardonnay and Cab Franc are being restored. Merlot and Semillon have been replanted
The Syrah has been removed (it didn’t do well) but it’s being replaced by Chenin Blanc.
As much as Michael Bartier loved the Washington experience, he can’t wait to get back to his own vineyards.
Kurtis Kolt – Wine judge, mentor, educator and event organizer.
Kurtis-Kolt
We’re featuring Kurtis Kolt .
Top Drop 2025, his amazing small wine fest runs next week in Vancouver and Calgary.
Kurtis brings his thoughts on 2025 Washington Grown/Crafted in BC Wines
Kurtis is a Vancouver-based wine & hospitality consultant who writes about wine, presents seminars, hosts events, judges’ competitions, works with restaurants on their wine programs, and so on.
Kurtis received the ‘Sommelier of the Year’ award at the 2010 Vancouver International Wine Festival.
KK is also the co-founder of Top Drop, a series of terroir-focused trade and consumer festival-style events, dubbed
“the nerdiest, most awesome wine festival in Canada.”
The 2025 TOP DROP takes place In Vancouver May 13 and Calgary May 15.
Kurtis books very select wineries (and their winemakers)
Check out the impressive list of participants – https://vancouver.topdrop.ca/en/exhibitors
Dubbed “The One Wine Tasting of the Year You Shouldn’t Miss,” by Western Living magazine, Top Drop Vancouver and Top Drop Calgary‘s Main Events return with continued focus on sustainably-farmed, handcrafted wines offering a distinct sense of place, without heavy-handed winemaking trickery to get in the way.
Kurtis’s latest project is Free Spirit!, a celebration of the world of non-alc wine, beer, and spirits!
Kurtis joins us on Tasting Room Radio to also talk about the Grown in Washington – Crafted in BC 2025 Wines, now being seen on BC shelves and background of the upcoming Top Drop events.
@Kurtis Kolt
STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON
Le Vieux Pin
Noble Ridge
Niche Wines
Orofino
Clos du Soleil
Kismet
Spearhead
Barnyard in Victoria
And more to come
