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February 19th, 2022 – Discovering outstanding  wines at 2House & Gold Hill plus  Little Engine on Naramata Bench

February 18, 2022 Tasting Room Radio 01:04:46

hello

Discovering outstanding  wines at 2House & Gold Hill plus  Little Engine on Naramata Bench

THE SHOW

 In 2007, when Tasting Room Radio began in a barn studio on the Naramata Bench,  I went looking for the most interesting people making the most interesting wines.

The very first of those guests were Val Tait and Ian Sutherland.

Valeria was consulting a number of wineries/vineyards and Ian was making wine as the founder of Poplar Grove. They took me to wine school every time we talked. They’ve become great friends.

Valli and Ian

Ian sold Poplar Grove but continued to consult. Val recently said goodbye as GM and Head Winemaker at  Bench 1775.

Now, 15 years after first meeting them,  they return to Tasting Room Radio as their own winery – 2House. Making singular wines but each with its own expression.

For example, they both make a Cab Franc. One in Val’s cool style and another with  Ian’s passion.

Here’s the problem.  They have yet to SHARE that Franc with me and frankly you as well. I hear it’s coming.

What they did send to taste and talk about were their collaborative efforts with –

2House  2018 Chardonnay (think Montrachet)  WOW!

2House 2017 Tempranillo (one of the very best BC reds I’ve tasted.)

Good grief these are good wines.!

 

Val Tait is also consulting  Gold Hill Wines for the Gill Family.  That means she has access to the very best vineyards for the  Gold Hill label and at the same time can grow the  2House label into the future.

 

This time we sample –

Gold Hill

2020 Cab Franc Rose

2020 Sauvignon Blanc

2014 Merlot –   A 2014 Merlot is one of their releases. It’s huge.

Same with 2015 Cab Franc.

 

Trust me on this.  When Val gets her hands and talent on those vineyards,  in the years ahead the wines at Gold Hill will be keepers.

 

 

 

https://www.goldhillwinery.com/

Instagram: @2housewine

 

 

Steven French  co-founder of Little Engine Wines (with wife Nicole)

 Steven and Nicole met at the University of Western Ontario and upon graduation moved to Calgary where they spent twenty years, Nicole in education and real estate development and Steven in oil and gas.

Successful entrepreneurs with an inherent family motto of will and determination it was their desire to create that beckoned them to an industry steeped in creativity.

They purchased their first vineyard site in 2011 with the foresight of combining their love for both wine and the rich tradition and culture of winemaking into a brand that would deliver excellence without compromise, the Little Engine brand.

Their family motto: “Dreams don’t come true, dreams are made true.”

This two-part interview started when I saw a mention of a virtual tasting Little Engine was offering online.

I liked the idea because you could playback Stevens commentary – pause and make notes – then carry on.

Three small piccolo bottles showed up.

2018 Little Engine Chardonnay

2018 Little Engine Pinot Noir

2018 Merlot

I got Steven to turn off his front-end loader and get in touch. No easy task.

I had a bag full of questions about Little Engine and he answered all of them and more.

Because of the commitment by Nicole and Steven, Little Engine Wines are always going to be singular, outstanding, and better each year.

Thoroughly enjoyed this conversation with Steven.  I hope it shows.  Cheers!!

Congratulations to the winemaking team, led by Scott Robinson. Well Done!

 

 

www.littleenginewines.com

#littleenginewines

@littleenginewines

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

  • New Releases
  • Restaurant Updates
  • Festival Updates
  • A Prosecco Tasting and Seminar.

 

 

 

 

 

February 12th, 2022

February 10, 2022 Audio FIle, Tasting Room Radio 00:53:21

hello

Barclay Robinson   Winemaker  Road 13 and Graham Pierce Winemaker & GM Kitsch

 

THE SHOW

 

Barclay Robinson   Road 13   Golden Mile.   (Also on video)

Barclay Robinson WM Road 13

 

Barclay’s been busy. A Calgary based Sommelier who began his wine education at Brock University. (Bsc)

Then came working classrooms at Foreign Affair, Ridgepoint, Vineland, Tawse and Henry of Pelham. All in Ontario.

Barclay now finds himself 2 years into a fine career as head winemaker at the iconic Road 13 on the Golden Mile.

I was interested in finding out his thoughts on Okanagan winemaking and the different elements and varietals he’s working with.

We end the two part conversation with a clever and fun Blind Tasting feature the team at  Road 13 has created.

The titles alone should capture your attention – Love is Blind. Featuring Heavyweight Whites/Bold Reds

The Perfect Pair!

A Sea of Red

The Dynamic Duo

Road 13 Love is Blind

but First – we start straight into current releases.

A fabulous 2019 Viognier. Totally yummy. An Instant favourite! $26

A 2019 Jackpot Chardonnay –  The iconic Castle Vineyard.  Pear Everywhere.$52

A 2018 Syrah – 15.1%. Hot/smoky  year. 30% new oak. A beauty blend of Black Sage, Golden Mile and Similkameen vineyards. $35

A 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon.  14.3%.  Cawston area in Similkameen Valley.  $33  Ripe black fruit and spices. Nice balance and barrel aging.$33

www.road13vineyards.com

 

Graham Pierce –  Winemaker and GM at Kitsch Wines. (also on video)

Graham Pierce

If you’re a fan of BC Wines then you certainly have heard about or enjoyed the wines that Graham has created.

Summerhill, Mount Boucherie, Black Hills, Time Family Wines and now Kitsch Wines in East Kelowna.

Graham proudly walks us through his first vintage of  wines at Kitsch. Each wine tastes  like a celebration.

Kitsch 2020 5Barrel PinotNoir

Cellar Door pricing..

2020 – Riesling $26 Pair: Curry, Thai anything,

2020  -Esther’s Block Riesling $32. Both from Family Estate. Esther’s has neutral French Oak 4 months. Veggies. Tacos

2020 – Pinot Noir $43  a blend of earth and fruit. Duck. Caprese Salad

2020 – 5 Barrel Pinot Noir.  Both a blend of Clones 115 and 777. $69 (releasing later this Spring. FYI  2019 available as well)  Berries, spice, fennel!  Memorable!!  Crab. Blue Cheese, Parma Pasta.

Kitsch 2020 Esthers Block Riesling

www.kitschwines.ca

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

2022 Van Wine fest

Top Drop 2022

New Releases from EVERYBODY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 5th, 2022- The Hatch becomes Jason Parkes Customs/Emily Walker Wine List/New Emandare pours

February 4, 2022 Tasting Room Radio 00:59:38

hello

The Hatch becomes Jason Parkes Customs/Emily Walker Wine List/New Emandare pours

 

THE SHOW

 Jason Parkes is….

  • A  former member of a punk band whose van broke down and he needed money to fix it – so he made wine.
  • the hub of an ever-expanding wheel.
  • The dark star at the center of a distant universe
  • Lead singer of the house band Proper Man
  • Founder,  winemaker, visionary winery owner who surrounds himself with like-minded thinkers and doers.

Actually,  his greatest talent is being a husband and father.  From that family base comes his strength to start The Hatch, then create, build, open, or buy  Hatching Post Brewery, Crown and Thieves, Black Swift Vineyards, Screaming Frenzy, Truck 59 CiderHouse,  Smoke Show by JPC, Gobsmacked, and Jason Parkes Customs.

Team JPC

JPCustoms will become the new name of the overall company.

That’s why it was time to slow the man down long enough to talk things through and get a sense of what the road ahead looks like.

There are very few BC wineries expanding at this rate. Not just creating new wines and new destinations but whole new concepts in how to reach people, how to entertain them, and at times speak an entirely different language.  Best of all, the wines are as memorable as the man.

“do you feel lucky?  Well do ya,  punk?” 

“Dirty” Harry Callahan

 

www.jpcfanclub.com

 https://www.facebook.com/jasonparkescustoms/

 

Emily Walker  – Wine Director Naramata Inn

(a video of Emily’s interview and her wines can be found below)

Emily Walker – working it

 Imagine you’re Emily Walker and you are the Wine Director of the historic Naramata Inn in the village of Naramata.

The Inn is surrounded by 100’s of wineries. As far as the eye can see.

Naramata Heritage Inn

Every one of those wineries would like to be on Emily’s wine list but only a select few are chosen.

It’s those choices I wanted to know more about.  Many of the wines she chooses are small lots. Perhaps as few as 25 cases.

But in between those hard-to-find wines, you’ll find gems that we can all search for. They’re all worth the chase.

Emily Walker is up to the task. Running wine programs at The Four Seasons Vancouver, the group Sommelier at all Tap and Barrels, and the opening of the Fairmont Pacific Rim in time for the Winter Olympics. Emily Walker brings all that big room experience into a dining room built-in 1907. You are going to love the experience.

I asked Emily to choose a handful of wines to tell us about.

Lightning Rock  –  2021 Rose Pet-Nat  $29 (Summerland)

No sugar. No yeast. Whole cluster & double pressed. One night on skins. Fermented in concrete tanks. Cloudy. Lower alcohol. Yummy!

www.lightningrockwinery.com

2020 Lightning Rock Rose Pet-Nat

CoolShanagh  2018 Chardonnay (Naramata Bench)

Pedro Parra,  renowned soil expert proclaimed their soil conditions Top 15% in the World.  Matured in a combination of new oak, concrete, and stainless steel… Notes of nutmeg and caramel. Mighty texture and finish. Award-winning chardonnay!!

www.coolshanagh.ca

 

Scout Vineyards  Syrah  $39 (Similkameen)

Made in Georgian Clay Vessels.  Neutral oak. Unfined and unfiltered. A very different wine. Unpolished. Layered and textured.

And gorgeous. Special Syrah from a very special spot.

 

Nichol Vineyards  St Laurent.  A medium-dark red. The oldest St Laurent in Canada. Ripe blueberry and cassis on the nose.  Tannins, acidity, and pepper in the mouth.  Unfined & unfiltered. Cellared in Neutral French Barrique.

www.nicholvineyard.com

 

Fox and Archer Pinot Noir  Around $29 (Naramata Bench)

The home of Diane Fox and Tyson Archer..  They make three Pinot Noirs on one of the highest vineyards on Naramata Bench.

Emily brought The Creekside. Grown in a dry creek bed. They also make a Malbec.

Small batch winemaking.   Clones 828 and Pommard 91.  Aged for 10 months in 25% new oak, 25% Neutral oak, and 50% stainless steel.

A wine to be proud of.

www.foxandarcherwines.com

 

Mike Nierychlo  Co-founder (with wife Robin)  and winemaker of Emandare Wine (Cowichan Valley)

Team Emandare

 

It was raining ugly when Mike showed up for a quick pour.

I turned on the recorder and Mike took it from there.

He was pouring his new releases from Emandare.

2020 Alice  $40 Traditional Method Rose made from 100% Cowichan Pinot Noir. Named after Robin and Mike’s 2nd daughter.

20ALICE

Strawberry, peach, and citrus scents and flavors abound. It is a great pour but very little was made. If you see it – buy it.

A big congratulations to everyone involved. Especially the label artists.

2020 Estate Pinot Noir – Mike and Robin’s original vines. Some 20 years in the ground now. They present a juicy, cherry, and cranberry-driven experience. Also, a texture that surprises. These are very happy vines.

2020 Estate Marechal-Cabernet Foch. $35  Flavours of ripe blackberries and black current. Cracked pepper delights.

2021  (From the Valley) – Farm  Fresh Foch. $25  85% M. Foch and 15% Pinot Noir. It’s Mike’s Beaujolais.

Or because it’s from the Cowichan Valley it’s perhaps  Cowjolais.  It’s very drinkable. Restaurants are going to love this as a house pour.

Mike explains “from the valley”.  It’s a neighborhood thing.

www.emandarevineyard.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Checking in with

Hillside

Unsworth

Jason Parkes Customs

Moon Curser

Graham Pierce  Kitsch Wines

Emily Walker – Naramata Inn

Barclay Robinson – Road 13

(heavyweight whites and love is blind)

Hester Creek

Gold Hill

and more..

 

 

 

 

January 29th, 2022- The Naramata Shuffle!

January 29, 2022 Audio FIle, Tasting Room Radio 00:56:35

hello

THE NARAMATA SHUFFLE

(Foxtrot. Moraine. Four Shadows)

 

THE SHOW

We hope you enjoyed our five week, 25 interview road trip through the Okanagan.

Along the way we ran into our pal Tina Baird from the Naramata Bench Wineries Association.

We’ve known each other a long time. Through film sets, festivals and movie premiers.

During our day on the Naramata Bench Tina somehow got us a table at the Naramata Inn for dinner.

As we departed an incredible meal, Tina  let me know that if I had any extra time she had three stories she thought wine fans  would appreciate.

Her suggestions became this show. Thank you Tina!

 

This weeks guests are:

Dwight Sick.   Chief Winemaker Moraine Winery (Naramata Bench) www.morainewinery.com

 

Really fine winemaker. 10 years at Stag’s Hollow. Now the Chief winemaker at Moraine on the Bench.

Pouring 2018 Reserve Riesling. Clone 49 (elegant. beautiful long finish)  2019  Pinot Noir Clone 777. (Classic Bench Pinot. Bliss)

“this bench is like Goldilocks. Not too hot. Not too cold. Just right”  Dwight Sick

 

Nathan Todd  President and GM  Foxtrot Winery (Naramata Bench) www.foxtrotwine.com

Even though he made his name working in very serious wine sales out of  New York City he did have a early connection to the Okanagan Valley.  Harvesting  fruit to make ends meet.

Years later  he blind tasted a Foxtrot Pinot. It may have changed his life. He never forgot that wine and years later convinced his wine friend Douglas Barzelay to eventually buy the winery from the Allander family.  Barzelay is one of the  World’s leading authorities on Burgundian wines. Their wine consultant is Veronique Drouhin from Domaine Joseph Drouhin. Torsten Allander’s son Gustav was retained as winemaker. Quite a team.

Nathan poured:

2 versions of Foxly Rose 2019/2020 (both instantly likeable. $24)

An Estate Vineyard 2019 Pinot Noir.  (everything a great Pinot should be. texture. balance. Defines a long finish.)

Nathan Todd Foxtrot

 

Wilbert and Joka Borren – Co-founders/Co-owners of Four Shadows. (Upper Bench . Naramata) www.fourshadowsvineyard.com

What a great story. Joka and Wilbert were pig farmers in Lacombe Alberta with four growing sons. They dreamed of moving to the Okanagan and being farmers there. That’s exactly what they did. They bought a forgotten vineyard on Upper Bench and decided to bring back the vineyards and plant their own vines to then sell the fruit to wineries.

Wilbert and Joka Borren

Along the way it made much more sense to become a winery and Four Shadows was born. The name is from a photo of their four sons.

Did I mention they had no wine knowledge but they knew how to farm pigs. I mean, how tough can it be to grow grapes?

They had amazing mentoring from Lindsay and Graham O’Rourke at Tightrope and consultant Pascal Madevon.  It paid off. They learned well.

You say “Pigs to Pinot”  They say “Swine to Wine.”

They poured

20o20 Rose 2020  Riesling Classic, 2020 Riesling Dry, 2020 Riesling sparkling, 2018 Pinot Noir  and 2018 Merlot.

 

Thank you Tina Baird, Naramata Bench. Thank you Barry and Carol Beecroft for “the swim”.

 

 

STORIES WERE WORKING ON:

 

January 22nd, 2021- The 5th and final week of Okanagan Reconnect

January 22, 2022 Audio FIle, Tasting Room Radio 00:56:33

hello

The 5th and final week of Okanagan Reconnect

Presented by The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association

 

THE SHOW

We come to the last show in a series that started August 21st (you remember August, right?)

The master plan was to reconnect with the people,  wineries and food of the Okanagan after a two-year hiatus.

So many changes, many Covid related.

 

Thankfully we found an excellent  supporting partner in TOTA – The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. They sure know their territory. Top shelf management.

To my delight, I also got to re-connect with long-time friend  CEO Ellen Walker-Mathews and discovered the invaluable assistance of Rob Grifone. My thanks to both.

 

For week five we find ourselves back at our home base at Moon Curser Vineyards in Osoyoos. Got to stay and do the interviews at their fabulous Hideaway.

The whole thing is on Corey Wood’s video. (see below)

 

 

 Our final guests are:

 Beata and Chris Tolley – Our hosts at their gorgeous winery and the co-founders of Moon Curser Vineyards  www.mooncurser.com

Beata & Chris Tolley

 

Moon Curser

Pouring  2020 Arneis (the little rascal of Piedmont. A flinty white)  and 2019  Dead of Night

(a spectacular blend of Tannat and Syrah. Spicy/Opulent)

 

Paula Cooper – It was Paula’s  last day as winemaker at CC Jentsch (Golden Mile). Now she’s at  Lakeside.  (Osoyoos)  www.lakesidecellars.ca   www.CCJentschcellars.com

 

Paula Cooper

Just a note that Paula came by at my request,  as I wanted to salute her work at CC Jentsch and to honor her mentor Chris Jentsch who passed away recently.

The vineyards are up for sale now and likely the new owners will rebrand. This week’s Tasting Room Radio is dedicated to Chris and CC Jentsch.

Things got  emotional on both sides of the microphone.  We thank Paula for hanging in. Thanks also to Michael J McCoy for keeping CC Jentsch open until the end.

Chris and Betty Jentsch

Dan and Carol Scott – Co-founders of Lariana Cellars (Osoyoos)  www.larianacellars.com

At first taste, I knew these were special wines. When I discovered their mentors were Richard Cleave and Senka Tennant, that explained everything.

Dan and Carol listened and learned well. They brought and poured 2020 Viognier (one of the very best expressions in all of Canada) and 2018 Carmenere (glorious pepper heaven. 70% French Oak 27% new)

Dan and Carol Scott. Lariana

 

And that’s it –  25 interviews captured in one week and spread out over five weeks of shows. Now it’s time for you to do your own reconnect.

When it’s safe to do so please consider making plans to do your own week in the Okanagan Valley.

Senka Tennant Lariana

Remember to check out www.totabc.org  All the safety and planning info is there.

 

Lariana vineyards

Thank you TOTA.  Thank you, guests, Corey Wood and Meg.

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

A visit to Four Shadows

Dwight Sick at Moraine

Nathan Todd at  Foxtrot

 

January 15th, 2022- Week Four of our Okanagan Reconnect (OK Falls)

January 14, 2022 Audio FIle, Tasting Room Radio 00:52:19

hello

Week Four of our Okanagan Reconnect (OK Falls)

Presented by The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association

The SHOW

 

Because…

Tasting Room Radio started its audio life in a studio in a barn on the Naramata Bench and…

Hadn’t been back to the Okanagan since  Fall 2019 and

the pandemic kept us from returning,  it was time to Reconnect to the Okanagan.

(The Vista in OK Falls)

Week Four finds us with a  home base at the very popular Noble Ridge in Okanagan Falls.

All the interviews are on video. On our website and our YouTube Channel.

Our guests this week include:

John Skinner – co-founder of Painted Rock www.paintedrock.ca (OK Falls)

John Skinner. Painted Rock Winery   (Jon Adrian  Photo)

John poured the aptly named 2018 Red Icon and truly wonderful 2020 Chardonnay. Both are world-class.

Terry Meyer Stone – co-founder of Mayhem Wines and family member of Meyer Family Wines. (OK Falls)

www.mayhemwines.com

www.mfvwines.com

For Meyer Family Terry pours:

2019 Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay (again World Class) and 2019  McClain Creek Pinot Noir (simply marvelous)

For Mayhem Wines Terry pours

2019 Pinot Gris (better? – you bet)  and 2019 Anarchy (Wow. Huge Merlot with a touch of Cab Franc. Oak heaven)

John, Terry, and TDM

Leslie D’Andrea – co-owner of Noble Ridge (OK Falls)

Benoit Gauthier – Winemaker Noble Ridge

(My apologies to Benoit for calling him Bernard.  A Senior moment!)

Terry. Leslie D’Andrea Benoit Gauthier. Noble Ridge

www.nobleridge.com

Leslie/Benoit pour

2016 The One Sparkling (sublime)   and 2017 Kings Ransom Pinot Noir (what a beauty)

The One

Thank you Noble Ridge for hosting and putting on A SHOW. Thank you, Okanagan Falls!

And Thank you to Ellen, Rob, and all at The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association.

www.TOTABC.org

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Okanagan Reconnect Week Five

Beata and Chris Tolley  – Moon Curser

Paula Cooper – CC Jentsch

Dan and Carol Scott – Lariana Cellars

 

 

 

January 8th, 2022- The Okanagan Reconnect Week Three. South Okanagan

January 7, 2022 Tasting Room Radio

hello

The Okanagan Reconnect Week Three. South Okanagan

(Presented by Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association)

THE SHOW

What an adventure. Talking, traveling, and tasting our way through the Okanagan.

Moon Curser is our home base this week. Spectacular place! What a great winery Beata and Chris Tolley have created.

They’ll join us for a sit-down interview in Week Five

www.mooncurser.com

 

We Re-Connect with –

John Weber –  Co-owner and winemaker at Orofino Vineyards  (Similkameen Valley)

John Weber

John brings two of his best wines. The  2019 Chardonnay (Fantastic) and his 2020 Gamay (Sublime)

(check out the interview on video. On our website or our YouTube channel)

www.orofinovineyards.com    

@orofinowinery

 

Bill Eggert – Owner & winemaker at Fairview Cellars. (Golden Mile)

This is not Bill Eggert. But it IS  his tasting room at Fairview Cellars.

Wild Bill brings two nice surprises. 2020 Sauvignon Blanc (Sauv/Sem) “my oyster wine”

And the engaging  2019 Crooked Post Pinot Noir. (Interview also on video)

This is Bill Eggert.

www.fairviewcellars.com

@fairviewcellars

Justin Hall – Estate Winemaker at Nk’Mip (Osoyoos)

With many fine wines to choose from, Justin poured the beautiful 2019 QQ Pinot Noir and the delightful 2020 White Merriym.  (Interview also on video) 

 

www.nkmipcellars.com   

@Nk’MipCellars

 

Justin Hall  Nk’Mip Estate Winemaker

Executive Chef Jeff van Geest – Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek (Golden Mile)

Jeff talks about the staffing problems that all restaurants have been having. It’s tough  times  in the Okanagan and some restaurants are cutting down hours and days in order to stay open. Jeff is revealing,  enlightening, and a damn fine chef.

www.tinhorn.com

 

@miradororesto

 

Jeff Van Geest

 

Thank You TOTA – www.totabc.org

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Next Week –

At Noble Ridge (OK Falls)

Leslie D’Andrea Owner  Noble Ridge

Benoit  Gauthier Winemaker/Vineyard Manager  Noble Ridge

John Skinner – Owner Painted Rock (OK Falls)

Terry Meyer Stone – Pres Mayhem Wines. Also pouring Meyer Family (OK Falls)

 

 

 

 

January 1 2022- The Okanagan Reconnect Week Two

December 30, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 00:58:12

hello

The Okanagan Reconnect Week Two – at Hillside,  Naramata Bench.

(Presented by Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association)

THE SHOW

It’s week two of our Okanagan Reconnect!

This week we are gathering at Hillside Winery and Bistro  on the Naramata Bench

FYI – Tasting Room Radio was conceived in a studio in a barn on The Bench in 2007.

So we’ve come full circle.

Our winery and food guests were asked to bring two wines to profile.

 

Rickard and Jill Richardson Branby – Sperling Vineyards  (East Bench Kelowna)

(Final interview from last weeks show)

Rickard & Jill Richardson Branby-Sperling

Sperlingvineyards.com  Sperling Organic 2018 Pinot Noir & Sperling Pet Nat

Jay Drysdale –  co-founder and winemaker Bella Wines

Celebrating 10 years of making fine wines.

Jay Drysdale and Josie

Bellawines.ca Estate Chardonnay made ancestral method and 2016 Reserve Eastside Trad Method

Master of Wine Marcus Ansems – co-founder and winemaker Daydreamer Wines

Master of Wine Marcus Ansems (Daydreamer)

Daydreamerwines.ca 2019 Amelia (Syrah/Viognier) & 2019 Orange Wine (100% Viognier)

Exec Chef Ned Bell and Sommelier Emily Walker – Naramatainn.ca

Chef Ned Bell

Emily brought L-ST Projects Ambient Chardonnay (Alyssa Hubert) & 2020 jocko a light Cab Franc (Kelsey Rufiange Echo Bay) BRAVO to both.  Thanks Emily.

Emily Walker

Penelope and Dylan Roche –  co-founders/winemakers of Roche Wines

Penelope and Dylan Roche – Roche Wines

www.rterroir.ca    2020 Pinot Gris Texture & Nuances (Bordeaux Blend) (such promise)

Kathy Malone – Chief Winemaker Hillside Winery  hillsidewinery.ca

Chef Evan Robertson. Kathy Malone Winemaker & Shelann Sleegers Wine Club Hillside Winery and Bistro

2020 Muscat Ottonel & 2015 Mosaic (Bordeaux Blend) History in a bottle

Evan Robertson – Exec Chef  Hillside Bistro/Shelann Sleegers – Wine Club Manager 

 

 Associate Producer Corey Wood has edited video versions of the interviews with Jay Drysdale, Marcus Ansems, Ned Bell, and Emily Walker. They can be found on YouTube https://youtu.be/uralP29wDOE

THANK YOU TOTA!

https://www.totabc.org

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

NEXT WEEK

At Moon Curser

John Weber – Orofino

Bill Eggert – Fairview Cellars

Justin Hall – Nk’Mip Cellars

Chef Jeff van Geest – Miradoro

 

Dec 25, 2021 -The Okanagan Reconnect – (The Repeat) Week One!

December 25, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 00:59:48

hello

The Okanagan Reconnect –  (The Repeat) Week One

(A 5-week series repeat presented by Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association)

 See Full Video below!

The SHOW

 It’s been close to two years since Tasting Room Radio toured the vineyards and restaurants of the Okanagan.

TRR started its 14-year existence on the Naramata Bench in 2007.  Since leaving the valley we’ve stayed in touch through Zoom, Phone, Text, What’s app, Skype, email, and in person. The in-person was usually in Vancouver or Victoria when wineries poured for the media and public.

I truly missed traveling through the Okanagan, walking the vineyards, seeing and smelling the cellars, and listening to the winemakers and winery principals tell great stories of bud break, harvest, and release days. The past year and a half also included a heat dome, wildfires, and Covid19.

With the assistance and support of TOTA –  The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association – On Aug 3 we headed back to the Okanagan.

Rather than drive around to 20 plus wineries and losing valuable interview time to the driving, we decided to try and base ourselves at our sponsor locations.

The Hatch in West Kelowna, Hillside Winery and Bistro on Naramata Bench, Moon Curser in Osoyoos, and Noble Ridge in OK Falls.

This first week we called The Hatch our home.

Winery Guests were asked to bring a red and white to feature.  They included:

 

Mark Filatow – Executive chef and Sommelier Waterfront Wines Restaurant (Kelowna) waterfrontrestaurant.ca

Mark Filatow

David Patterson – GM and Winemaker at Tantalus Vineyards (East Kelowna) Tantalus.ca

David Patterson Tantalus

2018 Chardonnay and 2019 Pinot Noir

Jason Parkes – Founder of The Hatch Wines  (West Kelowna) (also Black Swift/Crown and Thieves/Screaming Frenzy) The HatchWines.com

Jason Parkes The Hatch

Grayson Riordan, Mikayla Jones, Graham Dell – (Manager Black Swift/Manager The Hatch/CFO) blackswiftvineyards.com

Grayson Mikayla and Graham. The Hatch

2017  Crown and Thieves Arch Doxy Cab Franc   2020  Black Swift Pinot Blanc

Ellen Walker-Mathews – new CEO of TOTA (Kelowna)

Ellen Walker-Mathews

Jeff Hundertmark – Chef Winemaker of Mt Boucherie and Rust Wine Co mtboucherie.com/rustwine.com

Jeff Hundertmark

 

Rust Wine 2020 Chardonnay  &  2019 Solus

Christine Coletta, Matt Dumayne and (standing) Duncan Billing  – Founder of Okanagan Crush Pad and Haywire Wines/OCP Winemaker and Director of Viticulture

Duncan, Matt and Christine… OCP and Haywire

2019 Narrative Chenin Blanc  Haywire 2019 Gamay Rose  okanagancrushpad.com

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Okanagan Reconnect Week Two ( at Hillside Naramata Bench)

Rickard & Jill Branby – Sperling Vineyards

Jay Drysdale – Bella Wines (Naramata)

Marcus Ansems – co-founder/winemaker/master of wine  Daydreamer Wines (Naramata)

Chef Ned Bell and Sommelier Emily Walker – Naramata Inn

Penelope and Dylan Roche – Roche Wines (Naramata)

Kathy Malone and Evan Robertson – Winemaker Hillside Winery and Bistro Executive Chef

 

Okanagan Reconnect  5 week series  presented by Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association

 

December 18th, 2021- The Wine Diva’s Top 50 Over $20 & Best Bubbles Plus Fitz Wines

December 17, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 01:04:27

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The Wine Diva’s Top 50 Over $20 & Best Bubbles Plus Fitz Wines

 THE SHOW

Even though it’s been a completely eventful year we still arrive at perhaps the best season of the year.  Hanukah,  Christmas,  the Holidays, and New Year’s Eve. If ever there was a great time to heal and recommit to family and friends this is the one.

If you’re considering those important last-minute gifts – the ones that say “Thank You” – great wine and sparkling wines can’t be beaten.

Daenna van Mulligen through her websites, winediva.ca, and winescores.ca has tasted 100’s of wines every month of 2021 and her year-end lists are a fantastic resource. This week it’s the Top 50 over 90 points and over $20.00

 

To start The Show we head to Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards just south of Peachland.  You can’t miss the gateway sign at the entrance of Greata Ranch.

Our guest is Gordon Fitzpatrick, the president of the winery.

Gordon Fitzpatrick and TDM

Grew up in Vancouver.  Father Ross became a Senator.  Gordon worked for a future Prime Minister. Spent 10 years in mining (gold!). Came to the Okanagan in 1996 to run CedarCreek Estate Winery.  Helped shape the BC wine industry as the Former Chair of the BC Wine Institute.

The family sold Cedar Creek with their eyes firmly on the almost forgotten Greata Ranch Estate above Okanagan Lake.   It was a  former peach-producing estate that had been left to wither but Gordon had a dream to reclaim the land and rebuild the home base as a producer of bubble and still wines.  Voila!  Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards.  They have a quickly expanding portfolio.

Here are the latest releases from Gordon and the team at Fitzpatrick.

Greata Ranch – Fitzpatrick Winery

2017 Fitz Brut  Their signature Cuvee (Pinot Noir. Chard. Meunier)  Bottle aged. 24 months on lees. $32.50

2019 Fitz Cremant soft and yummy.  $24.50

2020 Big Leap Chardonnay.  Ripe stone fruit.  Caramel.  Texture.  50% Stainless steel and 50% Neutral French oak.  $24.50

2018 Sudden Inversion Meritage “we turned the valley upside down” 70% Merlot. 20% Cab Franc 10% Cab. 14 months on Oak  (some new) $28.50

Also, keep an eye out for the Fitz Reserve Sparkling wines.

The glorious Blanc de blanc – Blanc de Noir – and Blanc de Noir Special Rose

 

www.fitzwine.com

 

Wine Divas Top 50 Wine List for 2021  (Year 15)

All more than 90 points and over $20.00..

ALL tasted and reviewed by Daenna van Mulligen.  The full list can be found at  www.winediva.ca  and www.winescores.ca

daenna van mulligen – The Wine Diva

 

Belle Glos Pinot Noir ‘Clark & Telephone’, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara, Calif. $62.99

Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel, Sonoma California $36.99

Meyer Family Vineyards ‘Micro Cuvee’ Pinot Noir, Okanagan Falls, BC N/A

Pentage Winery Syrah, Okanagan Valley BC N/A

Lake Sonoma Winery Dry Creek Zinfandel, Sonoma County California $25.99

Philipponnat ‘Royale Reserve Rose Brut’, Champagne, France $109.99

Robin Ridge ‘Falcon’ Merlot, Similkameen Valley BC N/A

Monte del Fra Amarone della Valpolicella Classico ‘Lena di Mezzo’, Valpolicella, Veneto $57.99

Carmel Road Pinot Noir, Monterey, California $30.00

Township 7 Vineyards and Winery ‘Seven Stars Sirius’, British Columbia N/A

CedarCreek ‘Platinum’ Home Block Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley BC $55.00

Stag’s Hollow Pinot Noir, Shuttleworth Creek Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, BC N/A

Chateau de Rauzan~Gassiers ‘L’Orme’, Haut~Medoc, Bordeaux, France $45.00

Cambria Estate Winery ‘Julia’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley, California $38.99

Da Silva Vineyards and Winery Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley N/A

Unsworth Vineyards Pinot Noir, Vancouver Island, British Columbia $35.00

Moon Curser Tannat, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Phantom Creek Estates ‘Red’, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Hester Creek ‘Limited Edition The Judge’, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Quartz & Yarrow Sustainable Red, Okanagan Valley, BC $36.00

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery ‘Summit’, British Columbia N/A

SpearHead Pinot Noir ‘Saddle Block’, Okanagan Valley BC $40.00

Laughing Stock Vineyards ‘Portfolio’, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Quails’ Gate Chenin Blanc, Okanagan Valley $25.00

Unsworth Vineyards Pinot Noir, Vancouver Island, British Columbia $35.00

Painted Rock Syrah, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley BC $42.99

Domaine Drouhin ‘Arthur’ Chardonnay, Dundee Hills, Oregon $43.99

Lake Breeze Winery ‘Cellar Series Mistral’, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

 

Wine Diva Sparkling Wines of 2021

McWatters Collection Brut, Okanagan Valley BC $65.00

Time Estate Brut, Okanagan Valley BC $35.00

Chronos Brut, Okanagan Valley BC $35.00

Gray Monk Odyssey White Brut Sparkling, Okanagan Valley BC $26.00

Jackson-Triggs ‘Entourage’ Grand Reserve Brut, Niagara Peninsula N/A

Philipponnat ‘Royale Reserve Rose Brut’, Champagne, France $109.99

Pentage Winery ‘Fizz Blanc’, Okanagan Valley N/A

Steller’s Jay ‘Mountain Jay’ Brut, Okanagan Valley BC $22.99

Township 7 Vineyards and Winery ‘Seven Stars Equinox’, Okanagan Valley N/A

Township 7 Vineyards and Winery ‘Seven Stars Rigel’, Okanagan Valley N/A

Township 7 Vineyards and Winery ‘Seven Stars Polaris’, Okanagan Valley N/A

Township 7 Vineyards and Winery ‘Seven Stars Sirius’, British Columbia N/A

Medici Ermete ‘Concerto’ Lambrusco Reggiano Frizzante, Emilia-Romagna, Italy $19.99

CedarCreek ‘Platinum’ Sparkling Rose, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Unsworth Vineyards ‘Charme de L’ile’ Rose Brut, Vancouver Island, BC $25.99

Da Silva Vineyards and Winery ‘Isabella’ Frizzante, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Stoneboat ‘Piano’ Brut, Okanagan Valley BC $25.00

Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards ‘Fitz’ Brut, Okanagan Valley BC N/A

Hester Creek Estate Old Vine Brut, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Covert Farms Family Estate Sparkling Zinfandel, Okanagan Valley, BC $35.00

Marques de Monistrol ‘Monistrol Seleccion Especial’ Cava, Penedes, Spain $18.00

Louis Bouillot ‘Perle d’Aurore’ Cremant Brut Rose, Bourgogne, France $26.99

Evolve Cellars Pink Effervescence, Okanagan Valley BC N/A

Evolve Cellars Effervescence, Okanagan Valley BC $19.99

Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards H’s Brut, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars Gold Label Brut, Okanagan Valley BC $30.00

 

www.winediva.ca

www.winescores.ca