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ITS SUPERBOWL  WEEKEND!

To celebrate we have 33 pre-tasted wines from The Wine Diva AND because it is Superbowl..we present our annual Soup Special..featuring a gaggle of chefs and Larry Thomas The Soup Nazi.   

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[divider]

THE SHOW

Once again its one of the biggest events of the year..THE SUPER BOWL.

Yes, there’re millions of NFL Football fans gearing up for the big game all over the World BUT there are many more millions who never watch football but they get caught up in the parties and dinners.
Put them all together and it really does earn the name Super Bowl.
Its Seattle Seahawks against The New England Patriots..and all bets are off. (Maybe Not)
Daenna van Mulligen –  The Wine Diva – presents 33 wines to go with the whole weekend..

As the Diva says on her website www.winediva.ca
Beer may be the first on hand, but there are many of us who love our wine while watching the game.
Here is my list of wine, all suitable to the game day fare you’re craving – Pizza, chilidogs, sticky ribs and tangy wings…
  

1. Avalon Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley California $29.99
2. McWilliams ‘Hanwood Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon, New South Wales Australia $13.99
3. Leon de Tarapaca Malbec~Syrah, Central Valley Chile $12.99
4. Nugan Estate ‘Dried Grape’ Shiraz, Australia $25.00
5. Frescobaldi Remole, Tuscany Italy $14.99
6. Falernia Carmenere Reserva, Elqui Valley Chile $18.99
7. Bodegas Atalaya ‘Laya’ Alamansa Spain $15.99
8. Ghost Pines Winemaker’s Red Blend, California $24.99
9. Warre’s Warrior Finest Reserve Port, Douro Portugal $24.99
10. Black Sage Vineyard Zinfandel, Okanagan Valley BC $23.99
11. Caymus Vineyards ’40th Anniversary’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley California $72.00
12. Alamos Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza Argentina $14.99
13. Therapy ‘Freudian Sip’, Okanagan Valley BC $18.00
14. Smoking Loon Viognier, California $14.99
15. Peter Lehmann ‘Portrait’ Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia $22.99
16. Miopasso Primitivo, Puglia Italy $18.99
17. Bodega La Rural ‘La Vuelta’ Syrah, Mendoza Argentina $10.00
18. McLarens On The Lake Shiraz, McLaren Vale Australia $13.99
19. Colby, California Red Blend $17.99
20. Flagstone ‘Longitude’ Shiraz~Cabernet~Malbec, South Africa $13.99
21. JL Giguiere ‘Matchbook’ Syrah, Dunnigan Hills, California $17.99
22. Langmeil ‘Valley Floor’ Shiraz, Barossa Valley Australia $29.99
23. The Beach House Red, Western Cape South Africa $12.99
24. ReNacer ‘Punto Final’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza Argentina $16.00
25. Heartland ‘Spice Trader’ Shiraz~Cabernet Sauvignon, Langhorne Creek, South Australia $19.99
26. Palo Alto Reserva I, Maule Valley Chile $14.99
27. ‘Bold Vine’ Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi California $17.99
28. Three Thieves ‘The Show’ Malbec, Mendoza Argentina $18.99
29. Lake Sonoma Winery Dry Creek Zinfandel, Sonoma County California $24.99
30. California Square Red Blend, Paso Robles California $22.95
31. Renwood Zinfandel, California $17.95
32. Carnivore Cabernet Sauvignon, California N/A
33. Conundrum White, California $24.99

 Have a GREAT weekend and enjoy the game.  [divider]   THE SOUP SPECIAL
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TRR Annual Soup Special..considering its SouperBowl Weekend.
 Unattributed feminist quote:
“Men are like soup: you always want to have one on the back burner, just in case.
 Napoleon Bonaparte:
“An army travels on its stomach. Soup makes the soldier.”
 Nora Ephron, American food writer:
“What I love about cooking is that after a hard day, there is something comforting about the fact that if you melt butter and add flour and then hot stock, it will get thick! It’s a sure thing! It’s a sure thing in a world where nothing is sure; it has a mathematical certainty in a world where those of us who long for some kind of certainty are forced to settle for crossword puzzles.”
 “Good soup is one of the prime ingredients of good living.  For soup can do more to lift the spirits and stimulate the appetite than any other one dish.”
Louis P. De Gouy, ‘The Soup Book’ (1949)
 I love my soup and I don’t think I’m alone in that. A well made pot of soup is  such great comfort food  It’s wholesome. Nutritious. Life affirming  and many times taken completely for granted. But not today.. The special kicks off with the kick off to this year’s Dine Out Vancouver.
50 chefs – One Soup.
Takes place at the Pacific institute of Culinary Art (PICA).
All chefs attending bring at least one ingredient. The finished soups, one is vegetarian, are then served free to anyone who comes by PICA..
 
Chefs interviewed  are all asked “what is the secret to great soup”?
 
 
 
 
Chris Whittaker – Forage  www.foragevancouver.com
Karl Gregg – Frankie’s Italian Kitchen and Bar www.frankiesitaliankitchen.ca
George Siu – Memphis Blues BBQ House www.memphisbluesbbq.com
Julian Bond – PICA  https://www.picachef.com
Ned Bell – Yew at The Four Seasons  www.yewseafood.com
Jonathan Chovancek  Café Medina www.medinacafe.com
Paul Cicconi – Brodo Penticton  www.tastebrodo.com

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Soup Meister www.soupmeister.ca
[divider]
We finish off this special with the most famous soup chef in the world The Soup Nazi from Seinfeld.
Larry Thomas auditioned for the role of a lifetime and his life hasn’t been the same since.
Larry has stories from shooting on set and strange things people have said to him over the years.
www.sonypictures.com/tv/seinfeld

 
 
 
 

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[divider]

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

• Argentina in an Hour
• The wine Diva in Italy
• The Wine Diva turns 11 (11 outstanding wines)
• A tour of Ireland.  Cork and Dublin chefs, whiskey and craft beers.
• Tom Cochrane

hello

Pre-tasted wines for under $16.00 from The Wine Diva Plus the Food part of Dine Out Vancouver.
3 chefs – no waiting @  The Parker/Blacktail/Forage.  

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[divider]

THE SHOW

The Wine Diva Daenna van Mulligen loves her lists. Some longer than others.
However, I think THE most popular list she presents is the one today.
The best tasting wines she could find under $16.00.   This list is GOLD.
Follow along at www.winediva.ca
 
 

1. Sinfonia Monastrell~Cabernet Sauvignon, Jumilla Spain $14.99
2. Luis Felipe Edwards Chardonnay, Central Valley Chile $11.00
3. Casolari Lambrusco Di Sorbara DOC Frizzante, Emiglia~Romagna Italy $15.99
4. Alamos Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza Argentina $14.99
5. Perseus Viognier, Okanagan Valley BC $15.00
6. Bodegas Piqueras ‘Castillo de Alamansa Reserva’, Alamansa, Spain $13.99
7. Michel Torino ‘Cuma’ Organic Torrontes, Cafayate Valley, Argentina $13.99
8. Alfiero Boffa ‘Storica’ Barbera d’Asti, Piedmont Italy $15.00
9. Navarro Lopez ‘Pergolas’ Old Vines Tempranillo, Valdepenas Spain $11.96
10. Castellani ‘Principesco’ Pinot Noir Della Venezie, Italy $14.00
11. Graffigna Centenario Reserve Pinot Grigio, San Juan Argentina $14.49
12. Smoking Loon Viognier, California $14.99
13. Bodega La Rural ‘La Vuelta’ Syrah, Mendoza Argentina $10.00
14. Cono Sur Organic Pinot Noir, Colchagua Valley Chile $15.49
15. Undurraga ‘Sibaris’ Reserva Especial Carmenere, Colchagua Valley, Chile $15.99
16. McLarens On The Lake Shiraz, McLaren Vale Australia $13.99
17. Castillo de Monseran Garnacha, Carinena Spain $9.99
18. Handcraft Artisan Collection Chardonnay, California $15.99
19. Louis Bernard Cotes du Rhone Blanc, Rhone Valley France $15.99
20. Luccarelli Negroamaro, Puglia Italy $14.99
21. Casa Silva ‘Dona Dominga’ Sauvignon Blanc~Semillon, Colchagua Valley Chile $14.00
22. Ruffino Chianti DOCG, Tuscany Italy $15.99
23. Graham Beck ‘The Game Reserve’ Shiraz~Viognier, Western Cape South Africa $15.00
24. Quails’ Gate Rose, Okanagan Valley BC $15.99
25. Palo Alto Reserva I, Maule Valley Chile $14.99
26. Codorniu Classico Brut Cava, Spain, NV $14.99    

PS..The Wine Diva will host our two 1 hour specials at this year’s Vancouver Wine festival
[divider]
Dine Out Vancouver
 Last week we teased Dine Out in Vancouver by visiting craft beer and distilleries in The East End.
This week we’re  down to the nitty gritty..food and the chefs that create with them.
We start with organizer Lucas Pavan who sends us out into the night.
We start on the edge of Vancouver’s Chinatown at The Parker with Chef Felix Zhou and co-owner Steve Da Cruz.

Fabulous vegetarian dishes in a 19 seat bistro. What a find!!  www.theparkervancouver.com
@parkeryvr
Then its off to Chef Geoff Rogers at Blacktail in Gastown..near the steam clock.
Yes, it was once called Blacktail Florist but now it’s just Blacktail. And with the name change a new chef.
Executive chef Geoff Rogers, perhaps you saw him on  Top Chef Canada, comes from Calgary.  Geoff brings his fresh culinary skills from stops at  River Café  Muse and Market.
The dude is damn good. The whole kitchen has smartened up..all for the better.

Chef wants the experience at Blacktail to be like family dinners from your past. Without the fighting.
www.blacktail.ca
@chef_rogers
@blacktailrestaurant
Then we’re off to Robson Street and Chris Whittaker at Forage.
 “Forage stands for everything I care about. It represents what I was taught about food preparation both when I was growing up and over the course of my career in the kitchen. To me forage means that we no longer seek out excess and indulgence, but instead revisit a time when we respected the land and oceans and took only what we needed to survive. It is about being stewards of our land and true conservationists, as we conduct our business and live our lives. It is about goodness, about taking care of each other, and bringing together our community over good food”. —Chris Whittaker, Head Chef – Forage

Isn’t that the kind of thinking we all want from the kitchen??
 www.foragevancouver.com
 
 
 
 
 
[divider]
Heading back to the Okanagan..to discover the differences  between “The Hills Boys”.

Randy Toor at Desert Hills in the South Okanagan and Bobby Gidda at Volcanic Hills in West Kelowna.
 
 

 
They’re friends..and sometimes grow the same wines but that’s where the similarity ends.
Randy is in Big Red heaven on the Black Sage Road in south Okanagan..and Bobby Gidda is just below Mission Hill in West Kelowna.
Let’s find out what makes them so different from each other.
www.volcanichillswinery.com
www.deserthills.ca
[divider]
… and we finish off this Tasting Room Radio with Alison Sokol Blosser team leader from Sokol Blosser  one of the pioneering wine families in Oregon.
They’ve been growing grapes for more than 40 years. Before there was an Oregon wine industry.
Sokol Blosser produce Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Chard, Pinot Blanc and small quantities of special block Pinot Noirs.
Alison along with her brothers Alex and Nik,  have taken over the leadership of the family winery  and are helping to lead the Oregon wine industry into its second generation.
Alison kindly answered all my Oregon wine questions before we got to her wines. For that I thank her.
www.sokolblosser.com

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[divider]

 STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

• 50 chefs – One Soup as part of our soup special
• The Wine Diva in Italy
• Argentina in an Hour
• NZ in an Hour
• Tom Cochrane
• Bruce McCulloch
• Alan Doyle

 

hello

 

THE WINE DIVA previews the highlights of the 37^th Vancouver International Wine Festival and

we join Dine Out Vancouver for Mini Tours of  Craft Beer and Distillery shops.  Featuring stops at Bomber Brewing, Strange Fellows. Odd Society and Yaletown Distillery.   

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[divider]

THE SHOW 

Two big  upcoming events in Vancouver.

Dine Out Vancouver takes place Jan 16 – Feb 1. And The 37^th Annual Vancouver International Wine Festival Feb 20 – March 1. 

 

 

As expected The Wine Diva – Daenna van Mulligen – is totally involved in the upcoming Wine festival. She has just posted her recommended highlights at www.winediva.ca

 

 

 

… and she brings those highlights to this week’s Tasting Room Radio show.

Spectacular Dinners, cutting edge Seminars,  plus the essential do’s and don’ts in the tasting room.

Since 1979, the festival has raised $8.3 million for the performing arts in Vancouver. The charitable beneficiary

is Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival.

They are expecting 25,000 wine fans.

The Vancouver International Wine Festival is one of the biggest and oldest wine events in the world, offering something for every level of wine drinker, collector and trade professional. Winery principals (winemaker, proprietor, senior executive) representing 170 wineries from 14 countries will be in attendance to pour and discuss their wines. Every year, this international festival shines the spotlight on one country or region, and that region has more wineries, wines and events than any other. There is also a global focus. For 2015, the regional country is Australia and the global focus is Syrah.  

The heart of the festival is the Acura International Festival Tasting

Room at the Vancouver Convention Centre, where 750+ wines are

available for sampling, with an additional 165 wines available at

the trade tasting. More than 825 additional wines will be served

at special events orbiting the tasting room, including a gala dinner

+ auction, wine seminars, trade events, and food and wine pairing

affairs such as winery dinners, lunches and brunches at top

Vancouver restaurants and hotels.

See complete details at www.vanwinefest.ca 

Tasting Room Radio will be presenting two complete shows from the Trade Tasting events. Your host this year – Daenna van Mulligen.

[divider]

Dine Out Vancouver 2015

The 13th annual Dine Out Vancouver Festival is bigger and better than ever with more than 70 food-themed events plus a record-setting 277 restaurants dishing up prix fixe menus at $18, $28 and $38 price points (many with BC VQA wine pairings available at an additional cost). The festival runs from January 16 to February 1.

The diverse mix of restaurants participating in the 2015 festival allows diners to sample many of the city’s top-rated restaurants (like Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar, West and Chambar), and an impressive array of multicultural flavours (from sushi and Indian to First Nations cuisine), as well as new openings (like Shirakawa, Exile Bistro, Blacktail and Gyoza Bar). From North Vancouver to Langley, Dine Out touches all corners of Metro Vancouver.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This week we’re taken on a teaser mini tour of craft beer and distillery participants.

Guests include:

Yaletown Distillery – Craig Harris  GM

Odd Society – Mariam Karp  GM

Bomber Brewing – Blair Calibaba  Head Brewer

Strange Fellows Brewing  –  Iain Hill 

Off the Beaten Path – Bonnie Todd

La Grotta Del Formaggio – Rachel Parker

Vancouver Brewery Tours – Ryan MacKay

Famoso – Ryan Chillibeck   

Tourism Vancouver – Lucas Pavan  

 

 

 

 

 

Next week..we talk to three chefs and give you Dine Out restaurant suggestions you can use.

 www.dineoutvancouver.com      

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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[divider]

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 Wine Diva has budget bottles UNDER $16

Dine Out Vancouver – The Food coverage

Chefs, Menus, wine pairings

A Wine Diva tour of Sardinia and Piedmont, Italy.

Argentina in an Hour

hello

 
THE WINE DIVA previews the highlights of the 37^th Vancouver International Wine Festival and
we join Dine Out Vancouver for Mini Tours of  Craft Beer and Distillery shops.  Featuring stops at Bomber Brewing, Strange Fellows. Odd Society and Yaletown Distillery.   

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

[divider]

THE SHOW 

Two big  upcoming events in Vancouver.
Dine Out Vancouver takes place Jan 16 – Feb 1. And The 37^th Annual Vancouver International Wine Festival Feb 20 – March 1. 

 
 
As expected The Wine Diva – Daenna van Mulligen – is totally involved in the upcoming Wine festival. She has just posted her recommended highlights at www.winediva.ca
 

 
 
… and she brings those highlights to this week’s Tasting Room Radio show.
Spectacular Dinners, cutting edge Seminars,  plus the essential do’s and don’ts in the tasting room.
Since 1979, the festival has raised $8.3 million for the performing arts in Vancouver. The charitable beneficiary
is Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival.
They are expecting 25,000 wine fans.
The Vancouver International Wine Festival is one of the biggest and oldest wine events in the world, offering something for every level of wine drinker, collector and trade professional. Winery principals (winemaker, proprietor, senior executive) representing 170 wineries from 14 countries will be in attendance to pour and discuss their wines. Every year, this international festival shines the spotlight on one country or region, and that region has more wineries, wines and events than any other. There is also a global focus. For 2015, the regional country is Australia and the global focus is Syrah.  

The heart of the festival is the Acura International Festival Tasting
Room at the Vancouver Convention Centre, where 750+ wines are
available for sampling, with an additional 165 wines available at
the trade tasting. More than 825 additional wines will be served
at special events orbiting the tasting room, including a gala dinner
+ auction, wine seminars, trade events, and food and wine pairing
affairs such as winery dinners, lunches and brunches at top
Vancouver restaurants and hotels.
See complete details at www.vanwinefest.ca 
Tasting Room Radio will be presenting two complete shows from the Trade Tasting events. Your host this year – Daenna van Mulligen.
[divider]
Dine Out Vancouver 2015
The 13th annual Dine Out Vancouver Festival is bigger and better than ever with more than 70 food-themed events plus a record-setting 277 restaurants dishing up prix fixe menus at $18, $28 and $38 price points (many with BC VQA wine pairings available at an additional cost). The festival runs from January 16 to February 1.
The diverse mix of restaurants participating in the 2015 festival allows diners to sample many of the city’s top-rated restaurants (like Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar, West and Chambar), and an impressive array of multicultural flavours (from sushi and Indian to First Nations cuisine), as well as new openings (like Shirakawa, Exile Bistro, Blacktail and Gyoza Bar). From North Vancouver to Langley, Dine Out touches all corners of Metro Vancouver.

 
 
 
 
 
 
This week we’re taken on a teaser mini tour of craft beer and distillery participants.
Guests include:
Yaletown Distillery – Craig Harris  GM
Odd Society – Mariam Karp  GM
Bomber Brewing – Blair Calibaba  Head Brewer
Strange Fellows Brewing  –  Iain Hill 
Off the Beaten Path – Bonnie Todd
La Grotta Del Formaggio – Rachel Parker
Vancouver Brewery Tours – Ryan MacKay
Famoso – Ryan Chillibeck   
Tourism Vancouver – Lucas Pavan  



 

 
 
 
 
Next week..we talk to three chefs and give you Dine Out restaurant suggestions you can use.
 www.dineoutvancouver.com      
 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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[divider]

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 Wine Diva has budget bottles UNDER $16
Dine Out Vancouver – The Food coverage
Chefs, Menus, wine pairings
A Wine Diva tour of Sardinia and Piedmont, Italy.
Argentina in an Hour

hello

 

Dying to get to New Zealand but cant seem to get away..Not to worry. We went last year.
TRR presents New Zealand in an Hour 

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[divider]

THE SHOW 

Last March I had the pleasure of touring various outstanding wine regions in NZ.
What drove the various stories was New Zealand’s remarkable sustainability record.
Tasting Room Radio broadcast four hours of interviews over the course of 2014 but there were so many interviews I realized other shows could be created..
Thus New Zealand in an Hour!!   

94% of all NZ wines are farmed under sustainable practices.
It’s not so much a program as a way of life. New Zealanders are all about being green..
We start in Auckland, then Hawkes Bay, Marlborough and finally Central Otago.
 Our guests include
Auckland:
We talk to our “host” Phillip Manson, the man in charge of New Zealand’s Sustainability efforts.
He’s proud of New Zealand’s reputation. So he should be. www.nzwine.com
On the Ferry heading for  Waiheke Island..just off the coast from Auckland..we visit Mike Spratt at Destiny Bay, maker of only three wines.  three Bordeaux influenced red blends..one of which,  Magna Praemia,  is the most expensive wine in NZ.  Mike, his scientist wife Ann and winemaking son Sean lead a stellar team.  http://www.destinybaywine.com/

mike-spratt-destiny-bay
Before we leave the dormant volcanoes of beautiful Auckland we visit just one more winery.
The most awarded winery in all NZ – Villa Maria!!  www.villamaria.co.nz
Sir George Fistonich has spent five decades at the forefront of New Zealand’s wine industry
that he helped develop. As an icon of the New Zealand wine industry, Villa Maria is known for
bold and industry-changing moves such as moving to 100% screw cap through to the
emphasis on sustainable practices in every area of the family owned company.
Villa Maria Estate was named the supreme winner at the New Zealand Sustainable Business Network awards in November 2012
Here’s  the man himself, Sir George Fistonich.    

 
 
 
 
[divider]
Elephant Hill     Hawkes Bay
 
Elephant Hill is a stunning and innovative winery estate and restaurant located on the idyllic Te Awanga coast, in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand.

They create 2 very fine chardonnays , Sauv blanc, a white & red blends called Le Phant Blanc/Rouge and a 5 star Viognier and favour Syrah on the Red side..
We sit down in their fabulous restaurant with Viticulturist Jon Peet and sales and marketing leader Vince Labatt.
The word I get from the NZ wine business is..watch these guys..they’re very good.
 
http://www.elephanthill.co.nz/
[divider]
 Pask     Hawkes Bay    
On our tour of NZ #1 we talked to Kate Ranburnd the famous winemaker  at Pask.
Hawkes Bay is a short flight from Auckland. http://www.hawkesbaynz.com/
Hawke’s Bay’s long, hot summers and cool winters offer the best weather for growing grapes. The climate is dry and temperate. Hawke’s Bay is renowned for its horticulture with large orchards and vineyards on the plains.

Hawke’s Bay is one of New Zealand’s warmest, driest regions and this has made it one of the country’s leading producers of wine; notably red wines – cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah – but also with some quite stunning whites.
They are working on being the Syrah Capitol of NZ.  www.winehawkesbay.co.nz/
Pask Winemaker and Managing Director Kate Radburnd is one of New Zealand’s most acclaimed winemakers. She commands an international reputation for her extensive record of award winning wines and her vision and contribution to the industry.
Pask’s 59 hectares of vineyards are located on Gimblett Road where Chris Pask was first to plant in the region now known as the Gimblett Gravels Winegrowing District®.

Formed over 100 years ago when the Ngaruroro River changed its course, the light, stony soils of the region are low in nutrients, completely free draining, and create the perfect environment for growing premium quality grapes. Their  very first vintage of 1985 Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded 5 stars in Cuisine Magazine. Since then Pask wines have consistently enjoyed gold medal and  trophy success in London, Australia, Asia, the United States, Canada and New Zealand across a range of varietals and winestyles.
 Kate holds the role of Deputy Chair of the Wine Institute of New Zealand, has been a Director of the Wine Institute of New Zealand and New Zealand Winegrowers since 1999, and is Chair of Judges at New Zealand’s oldest wine competition, the New Zealand Royal Easter Show Wine Awards.
Kate has also been instrumental in the development of the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand program and led Pask to be among the first group of wineries in the country to secure ISO environmental accreditation.
Kate  spent five years as Chair of the SWNZ advisory/working group, which at that time saw the introduction of the winery programme under the scheme.
Four of her  labels command the wine world’s attention
Declaration
Gimblett Road
Roy’s Hill
Kate Radburnd
 Loved this interview..Enjoy!!  http://www.pask.co.nz/ 
 [divider]
 YEALANDS  Marlborough   

You want Character?
You want baby goats in the vineyard?
How about a visit to one of NZ most successful organic wineries Yealands. Named after the character owner Pete Yealands.  
Peter’s trademark “can do” attitude is the stuff of legend.
Peter has a track record of making pioneering, innovative plans come to fruition – and his successes have been recently chronicled in a book “A Bloke For All Seasons – the Peter Yealands story”.

He has developed seven of his own vineyard sites in Marlborough, plus several others under contract for other companies. However his entrepreneurial vision extends well beyond grapes. Early on, Peter recognized the potential to farm Greenshell mussels commercially and in 1971 was issued with New Zealand’s first marine farming license. Thanks to his efforts in designing innovative technologies and helping establish aquaculture in the region, marine farming now contributes $160 million a year to New Zealand’s export earnings.
In the mid ’80’s Peter established one of New Zealand’s most successful deer farms, specializing in stud animals and embryo transplants. This 2,000 hectare property in Kaiuma Bay in the Marlborough Sounds won a rural environment award in 2003. 

Peter, wife Vai and son Aaron now focus their energies on building Yealands Estate into a global brand.
Pete was on the road when we got there so our guest today is Michael Wentworth the General manager.
FYI  Yealands makes 1.2 Million cases. All sustainably grown.
[divider]
STAETELANDT –  Dorien Vermaas  Co-Founder  Marlborough.
While Ruud is hands on in the winery, Dorien has had her finger on the pulse of the marketing / sales of StaeteLandt Wines since the beginning. Her background as a marketing manager in larger companies and her love for wine has certainly given her the edge when it comes to understanding this intricate side of the business.

 
Her bright and bubbly personality are a true asset to the company. Along with Ruud, her philosophy is to produce wines of character and integrity – words that sum up her attitude to all she has done for StaeteLandt Wines
 
 
 
[divider]             
FELTON ROAD  Central Otago  

One of the world’s finest Pinot Noirs. No Question.
 This Central Otago icon produces stunning biodynamic wines year after year. These guys really know their stuff.
In 2010 Felton Road was designated a Grand Cru winery of New Zealand. This Grand Cru status, currently only held by two other wineries (including Ata Rangi), recognizes the premier producers of Pinot Noir in New Zealand.
Winemaker Blair Walter is a master of less is more, Pinots are unfined and unfiltered and challenge the very best the world has to offer.
Felton Road is situated on warm, north facing slopes of glacial loess soils in Bannockburn, in the heart of Central Otago. The modern gravity fed winery receives 100% estate grown fruit from its three vineyards that are all farmed biodynamically and are fully certified by Demeter. Minimal intervention in the winemaking with such practices as wild yeast, no fining or filtration, allow the unique vineyard characters to further express their considerable personality.

Since the first vintage in 1997, Felton Road has acquired a formidable worldwide reputation.
Felton Road is one of the legendary names in New Zealand wine. They’re probably the most famous of the Central Otago wineries, making some highly regarded Pinot Noirs.

It was my great pleasure  to spend a number of hours talking to Owner, part time chef and team leader Nigel Greening.
Looking for one of the best wineries anywhere in NZ?  you’ve just found it.  Felton Road.
 www.feltonroad.com  

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[divider]

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

• Argentina in an Hour
• The Wine Diva has the highlights of this year’s Vancouver Int Wine Festival
• Budget bottles under $16.00
• Wines from Spain, Portugal.