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Crafted in BC Releases with John Weber- Orofino & Benoit Gauthier – Noble Ridge

THE SHOW

When BC”s interior wine growing regions were devasted by two Winter cold snaps,  Wine BC met with the provincial government to suggest that if their wineries could access vineyards from out of province for one year, they could begin replanting’s and still have wines to keep them working and selling.

Otherwise,  many of the farmers, farms and wineries would be lost.

2025 brings those wines.

The wines grown, crushed and made from Washington and Oregon vineyards can now be found on our shelves.

All marked.  Such as “Grown in Washington. Crafted in BC”

These are historic wines. One of a kind. Wait ’til you taste them.

This week’s guests are:

John Weber – Co-owner/Winemaker Orofino Vineyards  (Similkameen Valley)

All the “crafted” wines are $24.95.

2024 Chenin Blanc  – Few and Far Between Series 

I was particularly interested in what plans John had made for his 2025 Crafted in BC releases.

He’s a 15-minute drive to the US border and surely had some farming friends down south.

John got my attention when I tasted his 2024 Chenin Blanc from 50-year old vines from the  Ancient Lakes AVA high above the Columbia River Gorge. Aged in concrete and older oak barrels. 250 cases were produced.

Wonderfully bright with lemon/herbal notes and dusty minerality.  John loves the outstanding waxy lanolin thing going on.

2024 Roussanne – Few and Far Between Series 

Ancient Lakes  AVA.  Same as Chenin above.  Engaging blend of tastes and textures. Stainless steel and older oak barrels. Flowers, herbs. Full round finish.

2024 Marsanne – Few and Far Between Series.

Also, Ancient Lakes AVA.  Stone Fruit and a delicious finish.

Ripe Melon, minerals, light spice.  Classic N. Rhone elements.

2024 Cinsault Rose – Few and Far Between Series. 

From Naches Heights AVA.

Coller higher elevation. Notes of watermelon, John notes a saline streak, minerality.

Begs to be combined with summer foods. Only 150 cases.

2024  Cinsault Rose Mag Bag – Few and Far Between Series 

400 bags. $44.90 – Perfect for picnics, fishing, camping etc.

Also, we talk

2022 Sparkling Gamay Noir

John mentions 3 Reisling’s.

Hendsbee Vineyards Clone 21B and Clone 239

And finally, The Home Vineyard Reisling

We finish with a reminder of their sensational  Vineyard Suites and Guest House.

www.orofinovineyards.com

 Benoit Gauthier – Director of Winemaking and Viticulture & COO Noble Ridge (OK Fall

Jon Adrian photo            Benoit Gauthier

“As I walk through the vineyard, I can’t help but reflect on the past year. The Winter of 23-25 dealt us a tough hand, leaving many vines struggling to survive. But here we are, emerging stronger, with renewed hope and a vineyard that is well on its way to recovery”   Benoit Gauthier Spring 2025.

Every vineyard and winery has its own version of the damage and recovery from two Winter cold snaps.

One element that stands out in all the stories is the resilience of the vines and the farmers.

Benoit Gauthier is a prime example.

Totally dedicated to supporting the vineyards struggle to survive and making sure he and his team did everything possible to save and strengthen the vineyards.

Each vineyard with damaged vines took the opportunity to head outside BC seeking replacement grapes to grow and bottle for 2025. Otherwise, some wineries could not/would not survive.

Benoit headed to Washington wine country. Below,  the wonderful results, grown in Washington. Crafted in BC.

In ancient Rome, a vilicus was a steward/overseer of a large estate/farm, who managed operations.

All Vilicus wines are $21.00 in the tasting room .

2024 Vilicus Rose – Crafted with Malbec grapes from Wahluke Slope AVA Columbia Valley. (organic)

Strawberry, ripe cherries on opening.  Strawberry and lime on the palate. Nice rich tones with appreciated texture.

2024 Vilicus  Pinot Grigio– From Horse Heaven Hills AVA Washington. (sustainable)

Stone fruit on the nose. Followed by ripe peach, pear and apple on the palate. A long finish carried by minerality.

2024 Vilicus Viognier – What an opening!  peach, orange and melon. All ripe.  In the mouth, the texture contains ripe tropical papaya and stone fruit. It’s bright and inviting. Truly a treat. Goose Gap AVA  (sustainable)

 2024 Vilicus Pinot Gris/Viognier – Blending these two needs craftsmanship. Well done, Benoit.  Floral notes followed by a crisp clean palate. Hello Summer.  Horse Heaven Hills AVA (sustainable)

Benoit also touches on

2019 Reserve Meritage

2021 Blanc de Blanc

And some of the events they plan to create in 2025.

Details at www.nobleridge.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Crafted in BC releases from

Spearhead

Le Vieux Pin

Niche

Kismet

Clos du Soleil

And more.

Also Barnyard Natural Wine Fest in Victoria

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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.

www.bartierbros.com

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.

www.topdrop.ca

www.winebc.com

www.kurtiskolt.com

@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

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Cowichan Spring Wine Pour  2025

You can your clock by it.

The Cowichan Valley Wine Spring Wine Pour. Year 2025

The location may change from year to year, new faces may appear but one thing that’s always in the room is Cowichan Valley Pride!!

The wine community all across the province is keeping a closer eye on what’s changing on Vancouver Island.

For example – three new winery owners – all from California,   have decided that with climate change,  the future of winegrowing is in the Cowichan Valley.

I did my very best to talk to everyone in the room but for those I missed, I’ll be reaching out shortly.

This years Cowichan Wine Festival takes place all of August.

www.chowichanwineries.com

Pouring Spring wines and talking about the year behind and the year ahead are:

Stacey Hornemann – Winemaker Blue Grouse Winery

Stacey Hornemann

Mike Nierychlo – Co-owner/Winemaker Emandare Vineyard

Mike Nierychlo

Zac Brown – Co-owner/Winemaker Alderlea Vineyards

Alderlea Zac & Julie

Tricia Huebner –  Co-owner  Cobble Hill Winery

Tricia Huebner

Dan Wright – Winemaker Unsworth Vineyards

Dan Wright

Simon Spencer  – Winemaker  Enrico Winery

Enrico Winery

Jim Moody – Co-owner/Winemaker  Zanatta Winery

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

CRAFTED IN BC RELEASES FROM:

Bartier Bros

Le Vieux Pin

Noble Ridge

Niche Wines

Orofino

Clos du Soleil

Kismet

And more to come

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THE SHOW

Kathy Malone – Winemaker Hillside Winery

If you haven’t already heard, April is BC Wine Month.

Its also the month that we thank the four sponsors of Tasting Room Radio.

When we started TRR the Summer of 2007, we made a pledge about the segment sponsors.

If I’m going to talk about their winery or restaurant for a year, let’s please make sure we really like them and admire what they create.

Kathy Malone – the winemaker at Hillside Estate on the Naramata Bench has been part of our show for many years now.  When we moved to Naramata in 2007, I realized if I was to launch a wine show, I’d better find a mentor who had all the answers to my many questions.

That teacher and friend was right down the road from me. Winemaker Kathy Malone.

(I would also like to thank Ian Sutherland and Valeria Tait for  their friendship and support.)

Kathy has just returned from a Winter vacation in Europe, that ended in Paris. No vineyards for this traveler. Instead, it was days and days of museums, art galleries, historic churches and opera houses. Impressive.

Kathy and I hooked up on Zoom and she walked and talked me through her latest releases.

Including 

2023 Below the Road Rose – Unbelievable Rose. Kathy explains the glacial history behind the name and the wild blend driving the savoury notes of this winner.

Merlot, Cab Sauvignon, Cab Franc and Viognier all came together from a field blend. A world class rose, currently available only to wine club members.

Yes, its the perfect reason to join.

Kathy and I talked about their Hillside Rose but it may be sold out soon, an absolutely delicious 2020 Cab Franc. 18 months in French oak. 23% new!

And the 2018 Mosaic. A classic blend of Bordeaux grapes – Cab Franc, Merlot, Cab Sauvignon,  Malbec and Petit Verdot. All grown on the Naramata Bench.

Kathy talked about one of her favorite wines. The 2018 Dickinson Vineyard Merlot and how that varietal is sometimes taken for granted these days.

We’ll be back to talk to Kathy about her Crafted in BC wines.  Created using Yakima and Columbia Valley grapes. A new chef’s white is here.

Speaking of The Chef,  Bistro Chef Evan Robertson opens the doors Wednesday April 30! We’ll be back to talk to chef as well.

Oh..one more thing.

Kathy mentions the Naramata Bench event, bringing it all back home. A Spring tasting for locals Saturday April 26  from 11am to 5PM.

Details at discovernaramata.com (events calendar)

www.hillsidewinery.ca

www.naramatabench.com

Paul Sawler – Chair of Wine Growers of BC/Wine BC & VP Sales & Marketing Dirty Laundry Wines

Paul Sawler

We’re so pleased to introduce our latest sponsor,  Wine Growers of BC and Wine BC. (Thank you Wine BC)

Paul Sawler is Chair of the Board and part of the leadership team at Summerland’s Dirty Laundry Winery.

Wine BC represents the BC wine community.  It’s a big job in any growing year. However this year is historical.

People will reference this year for many years to come.

Two vine killer winters, sales conflicts with Alberta, out of province wines being crafted in BC, trade barriers possibly dropping across Canada and ugly tariffs from the USA.

Paul takes us through the headlines..

April is BC Wine Month. How can consumers  support BC Wine?

How the Crafted in BC wines are proceeding? Where to find them and what to expect?

( I think they’ll be a smash hit)

Thoughts on the tourism season ahead. Why Canadians hopefully are planning a visit to BC wine country?

What about those dropping trade barriers and what does it mean? Will BC wines be available across Canada?

In the time we had left Paul takes us through some of the releases coming from Dirty Laundry.

Winemaker Mason Spink spent a great deal of the year down in Washington State choosing vineyards, growing, harvesting the crops, crushing within hours of harvest and getting the juice overnight to The Okanagan.

They’re releasing their whites now and the reds 2 years from now.

Watch for the 

2024 Hush White (Yakima)

2024 Pinot Gris (Yakima)

2024 Sauvignon Blanc (Yakima)

2024 Unoaked Chardonnay (Yakima)

It’s an amazing year. Right in front of us.

BC wines are changing. Just how much we don’t know yet but we’ll follow this story from week to week and find out!

HAPPY EASTER ALL!

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Crafted in BC wines from 

Orofino

Noble Ridge

Clos Du Soleil

Bartier Brothers.

Dirty Laundry

Winemaker’s Cut

The Opera

Le Vieux Pin

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Jason Parkes & Robbie Hundertmark – 12 Spring wines from Jason Parkes Customs/The Hatch (West Kelowna)

THE STORY

We welcome back – a dynamic duo.

Jason Parkes is the founder of The Hatch in West Kelowna.  Labels include The Hatch, Black Swift Vineyards, Crown and Thieves. Each of those labels has a rapidly growing list of sub-labels. There’s the spectacular rooftop dining at Angel Share. and The Broken Hearts Club,

The Hatching Post (West Kelowna’s BBQ Saloon)

The total portfolio is wider than the lake.  Think Santa’s elves only bigger,  smarter and much nicer.

Robbie Hundertmark is the  recipient of the 2025 Ultimate BC Wine Ambassador Award.

Jason and Robbie

The award recognizes an individual who is passionate about sharing the love of BC Wine with their guests. They are seen as a hospitality superstar.  Robbie inspires and educates with his smarts, dry humor and humanity.

Robbie has been in the wine industry since 2012.  Fully certified Sommelier as of 2019.

Joining The gang at The Hatch is like running away and joining the Circus..

For Example – have a look at the wines they are releasing this Spring.  8 BC grown and crafted/4 Washington grown & BC crafted

(Prices quoted are pre-tax)

’21 Royal Scamp  (BC)  What a blend.

• Traditional Method, 60/40 Chard & Pinot Noir, 24 months bottle aging, Brut
• $55.99

’22 Crown Chard (BC)  You can taste the love that went into this wine

• Crown’s oak aged chard
• 24 months, 500L second fill French and American Barrels, weekly batonnage, full MLF
• $39.99

’18 Scoundrels Punch NEW for you (BC)  The finish is long and beautiful. Bravo

• Blend of CF (46%), CS(38%), Merlot (12%), Syrah (4%)
• Vineyards from mostly Oliver and Osoyoos
• 70 months in barrel because we straight up lost the barrels for a bit.
• $29.99

’23 Mums the Word pink NEW LABEL (BC)   The Gamay wins the day.  The label is a keeper.

• Rosé frizzante made from Estate Gamay Noir and Pinot Noir
• The wine that we had to relabel.
• $27.99

’24 Hobo Sauv Blanc NEW (Wash)

• Amazing fruit from WA!
• Super tropical, the first SB for the hobo series
• $24.99

’24 Flipping the Bird NEW  (Wash)

• amazing fruit from WA!
• 100% Cabernet Franc
• $24.99

’24 Bury the Hatchet white NEW  (Wash)

• Washington Fruit
• 47% Chard, 29% SB, 24% Riesling
• $23.99

2024 Bury the Hatchet (Washington Grown – BC Crafted))

’22 Clash of the Tannins NEW  (BC)  A serious mouthful.

• Big Big Red
• 50% CF, 50% Malbec, 100% Hans Vineyard
• $52.99

’22 Franc Says Relax NEW (BC)  glamorous and complex

• 37% Desert Valley, 36% Hans Estate, 27% Jagger Rock, Southern Okanagan/Similkameen Fruit
• 24 months, Majority American minority French, 36% new, 72% neutral
• $47.99

’20 Peanut Pond Merlot (Pouring so so nice) (BC)  Beauty

• 100% Merlot from Peanut Pond Vineyard in Oliver
• 40 months in French Oak
• $41.99

’20 Hans Estate Syrah (a pride and joy for BSV) (BC)   WOW

• 100% Hans Estate Syrah
• 37 Months 100% New Oak
• $59.99

’24 frenzy Pinot Gris NEW (Wash)  Welcome to BC

• Washington Fruit
• $21.99

www.thehatchwines.com

www.jasonparkescustoms.com

NB: On the back label of each Washington grown wine it says

“JPC thanks our friends in Washington for supporting us during these unpredictable times” 

Washington Vineyards  involved-

Royal Slope AVA

Aviator Vineyard

Frenchman’s Hills

Two Gun Vineyard

Ancient Lakes – Columbia Valley

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

SPRING  Releases from Washington/Oregon/BC

Orofino

Bartier Bros

Le Vieux Pin

Dirty Laundry

Hillside

Winemakers Cut

Best Coast Distillers

Wine Growers BC

Spearhead

Cowichan Spring Wines

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FREE SPIRIT VICTORIA –   non-alc.  zero-proof, alcohol free. A story of our times.

THE SHOW 

For the first time under one roof in Victoria , importers will be joined by local BC makers from Vancouver Island, Vancouver, the Okanagan etc.,  to showcase the best alcohol-free wine, beer, spirits, and packaged cocktails available.

Organized by Kurtis Kolt.

Kurtis Kolt is a Vancouver-based wine consultant who writes about wine, presents seminars, hosts events, judges wine competitions, works with restaurants on their wine programs etc. His various certifications and credits include London’s Wine & Spirit Education Trust, the Court of Master Sommeliers & the Winemaking Program at UC Davis.

In  2010, when  Kurtis received the ‘Sommelier of the Year’ award from both the 2010 Vancouver International Wine Festival and Vancouver magazine, he opted to diversify his focus on wine through different arenas.

In recent years, Kurtis  co-founded and runs ‘Top Drop’ in both Vancouver and Calgary, a terroir-focused trade & consumer wine festival Western Living magazine called, “The one wine tasting of the year you shouldn’t miss.”

Guests we could slow down long enough to talk to were:

Kurtis Kolt – See above

Kurtis Kolt

Mark Wachtin -storied wines and spirits. Pouring Ones+

Andrea Demers –   Softer Drink Store in Victoria. More than 100 different drinks.   pouring Zamalek and Fin Soda.

Ceri Barlow –  NuBeverage. Pouring Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Co.

Janet Helou – from Glimmer.  pouring Glimmer (BC)

Paul Watkin – from Seacove pouring Medbubble (Spain)

Paul Jordan–   Mondiale.    pouring from Clear Sips (Ontario)  Cognato (S. Africa) OddBird (Italy/France) NOA (Quebec) Cipriani (Italy)

Cameron Duke –  Coastal Craft   pouring from  Soft Crush –  Noughty (UK) Colibi (Italy)  Undone (Germany)

www.kurtiskolt.com

www.storiedwinesandspirits.com

www.softerdrink.ca

www.nubeverage.ca

www.seacove.com

www.drinkglimmerwine.com

www.mondialebev.com

www.coastalcraftbeverages.ca

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

The Hatch – The whole Dang Thang

New Spring releases

Out of BC Wines

Wine Growers BC

Winemakers Cut

Hillside Estate

Best Coast Distillers

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Hester Creek – The 2024 Columbia Valley Collection

Guests:  The Marks.

Mark Sheridan – President

Mark Hopley – Winemaker

It was only a matter of time before we all started to see the “out-of-province” wines of 2024.

Due to 2 cold snaps, especially the Winter of early 24, BC, Wineries were given permission to source their much-needed fruit from out of province.

Most headed to Washington and Oregon. Some from California, some from Ontario and several from the Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island.

As we approach the beginning of April, we’ll all start to see new labels and new wording on those labels. Advising that the wine in the bottle was “Grown in Washington. Crafted in BC”

The agreement between BC Wineries and the BC Government was – transparency!

Make your source statement on the front of the bottle. Not hidden on the back.

Hester Creek went in full tilt.  The label on their four new releases makes a statement.

2024 Columbia Valley Collection.  The back of the label has a map and information on where the grapes were grown. Vineyards are identified when possible.

Located just south of the border, the proximity of the Columbia Valley to Hester Creek on the Golden Mile allowed Mark Sheridan to regularly meet with his growing community. He got to choose the varietals best suited to the collection, which vineyards they were grown in and supervise the growth for every stage of the growing season. The grapes were hand harvested, transported the same day as picking,  in temperature-controlled trucks to the Hester Creek Crush Pad.

The Columbia Valley Collection is:

2024 Pinot Gris. Soils are very similar to Hester Creek. Ripe apricot, peach, honey,  fennel, and that’s just the nose. Crisp and clean in the mouth, herbs, peach and minerality delight. Pairs well with a smile and engaged conversation. $19.99 plus tax

2024 Sauvignon Blanc.  again, very similar soil to the South Okanagan, perhaps slightly higher heat units. Grown, harvested and again sent by temp-controlled truck to Hester Creek. The same day as they were picked.

Berry, lemon and grapefruit of the nose.  Ripe tropic fruit, citrus and herbs on the palate.

Here’s your wine for the Hali/Salmon season. $19.99 plus tax

2024 Viognier. Sustainably farmed at Goose Gap AVA. Hand harvested and trucked to the Golden Mile the same day they were picked.

As a Viognier fan, on the nose I was welcomed by the ripe fruit, apricot, peach, and light white pepper.

In the mouth it’s stone fruit, fennel and minerality right down the middle. Beautiful.$23.99 plus tax

This is viognier with just a touch more heat during growing season.

2024 Rose Cabernet Franc

Specifically grown in Red Mountain AVA and Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Where the big reds live.

After transportation to Hester Creek, same day as picking, the grapes were destemmed, cold soaked for three days, 21 days of fermentation. Then cross-blended and aged for four months in stainless steel tanks.

On opening, stifling a pleasure giggle, aromas of pink grapefruit, warmed strawberries. The palate showed itself to be a delight with ripe cherries, strawberry of course and a touch of rhubarb.

Here comes Summer. $22.99 plus tax

There are four more Hester Creek Columbia Valley Collection wines to come.

Thank you to the growers, farmers and field teams in Washington State for their very important contribution to these BC wines. The border disappears at times like these.

Congratulations to the winemaking teams at Hester Creek, lead by Mark Hopley.

FYI – The wine shop, Terrafina Bistro  and the Villa are all open.

WWW.HESTERCREEK.COM

Stories we’re working on

New Spring Releases

Out of province wines

Cross provincial border situation

Free Spirits – non-alc, zero-proof or alc free gathering in Victoria

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Co-Hosted with This is Wine School -Part Two of  2025 VanWineFest 

THE SHOW 

This is Wine School are founders, educators and award-winning sommeliers Jenna Brisco, Kelcie Jones and Maude Renaud-Brisson. 

We gathered in a small circle of chairs, surrounded by many 100’s of wine trade attendees constantly on the move at the convention center.

We welcome to the chairs…

The much-celebrated Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein.

Evan Goldstein

The first ever Master Sommelier for a professional sports team – his hometown San Francisco Giants. (Evan touches on that very subject when we talk about attracting new, younger wine fans)

Evan was the keynote speaker at a recent VanWineFest and has developed a long-distance love affair with

Vancouver and many of our wineries in BC.

Once he’s set in motion, there is no way to stop Evan from talking wine. Highly entertaining.

www.fullcirclebevcon.com

www.mastersommeliers.org

Then we talk to David Gates. VP of vineyard operations at Ridge Vineyards at Monte Bello (Santa Cruz Mountains) and Lytton Springs (Sonoma)

And

John Niven. Owner of Baileyana (Edna Valley Central Coast)

Situated in California’s coolest growing region, nearest the Pacific Ocean. In San Luis Obispo County.

Specializing in Chardonnay and Piot Noir.  Lots of both!

www.ridgewine.com

www.baileyana.com

Tony Holler is the owner of Poplar Grove Winery  (Naramata Bench)

Tony Holler

Tony makes things happen. He’s a leader.

For example, when a dozen or so Naramata wineries were looking for out of province fruit to replace vineyards lost in the Winter deep freeze, Tony offered to search and buy for everyone as he felt there was more bargaining power in the collective.  At Van Wine Fest Tony  was pouring the new Poplar Grove Cascadia series.  Says right on the front of the bottle

Washington Grown, Made in BC

Cascadia series includes Pinot Gris & Rose. Out April 2025.   Lots more varietals to come.

www.polargrove.ca

Amber Pratt – winemaker at Moraine Winery (Naramata Bench)

Because Moraine takes pride in using only Naramata grown fruit, I was interested in knowing if Amber was now working with out of province fruit in this special year.

Interesting conversation.  www.morainewinery.com

We finish in a roundtable discussion with Jenna, Kelcie and Maude from This is Wine School.

General observations on the Wine Fest and the changing landscape of BC Wine.

www.thisiswineschool.com

What a year 2025 promises to be.

www.vanwinefest.ca

Many Thanks To

Kellie Cassidy and Ruby Gillett from 

Milk Creative Communications

www.thinkmilk.ca

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Hester Creek – 2024 Columbia Valley Collection

The Hatch

Best Coast Distilling

Hillside Releases

Winemakers Cut – 2024 releases

Wine Growers BC

Pinot Noir Update