TRR Sept 28th 2024- Canada’s oldest beer festival celebrates its 30th year— First time at Topaz Park in Victoria, BC.

September 28, 2024 0:46:03

hello

Canada’s oldest beer festival celebrates its 30th year— First time at Topaz Park in Victoria, BC.

THE SHOW

The Great Canadian Beer Festival was launched in 1993 and was the first big beer festival in Canada. The Fest has been held annually since then, except for 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. Besides BC brewers also travelling to the West Coast were brewers from Newfoundland, Labrador, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and The Yukon.

Craig Nichols Rusted Rake Brewery- Nanoose Bay

GCBF gives festival-goers the opportunity to taste beers they can’t find anywhere else in British Columbia.

The event features more than 180 different beverages (beers, ciders and non-alcoholic beers) from more than 60 breweries and cideries from coast to coast. It was a opportunity to talk to these brewers about what makes their beer special and to try some new and classic brews.

As always in the time you have to work the site, there are only so many interviews you can do.

With the support and craft smarts of the Beer Director Joe Wiebe and guidance of Associate Producer Corey Wood we set off to discover a handful of breweries and one great chef.

We start with Joe Wiebe because he knows the history of the event and fills us in on the success of craft brewing in Canada and especially BC.

With the help of Joe Wiebe we were able to locate and engage the following craft brewers…

Joe Weibe

Chris Neufeld Owner/Brewmaster at gluten-free Grey Fox Brewing (Kelowna)

Melanie MacInnes – Owner Locality Brewing (Langley)

Melanie MacInnes

Dave Woodward – Head Brewer/Craig Nichols Co-Owner Rusted Rake (Nanoose Bay, Van Island)

Graham Elliott – Owner BEVA Brewing and Blending (North Vancouver)

Michael Hodgson – Owner/Head Brewer Cow Dog Brew Co. (East Vancouver)

Michael Hodgeson

Chef Brian Tesolin – The Courtney Room (Victoria)

Chef Brian Tesolin

Next year I PROMISE to arrive earlier and stay later and talk to some of those out of towners as well.

This was FUN.

www.greyfoxbrewing.com

www.rrbrewing.ca

www.bevabrewing.ca

www.cowdogbrewcompany.ca

www.thecourtneyroom.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Meyer Family Vineyards

The Wine Witch

Sons of North Vancouver

Pluvio and Ucluelet

Jim Moody

Kimberly Hundertmark OK Fall Wine fest

Fort Berens

TRR Sept 21st 2024-Kathy Malone – Hillside Estate Winemaker on events and new releases.

September 20, 2024 0:27:54

hello

THE SHOW

When I kicked off Tasting Room Radio in 2007 on the Naramata Bench, I had just finished shooting Season Three of Hollywood and Vines TV with pal Jason Priestley.

I came away very impressed with the community that surrounded winemaking. The farmers who worked the fields and the seasoned craft that was created in the winery cellars. I felt I wanted to be part of that community but had a lot more to learn.

Thus, Tasting Room Radio was started.

I felt that as long I was learning about winemaking the audience could learn as well.

One of the very first people that I turned to was Kathy Malone, the new winemaker at Hillside Estate. Hillside was one of the first three vineyards planted on the Naramata Bench. There’s lots more there now.

Many years later, I’m proud to say Hillside is one of the segment sponsors of TRR and Kathy is still mentoring me.

Kathy is guesting for the whole show.

She’s bringing announcements about an event at Bard and The Banker.

Also launching Friday Night Flights. Encouraging locals to come after work on a Friday and taste “old style” with no seated 45-minute wine class. BUT with tasting fees waived with purchase. A number of Bench wineries have agreed to join. Already signed up are Hillside, Little Engine, Deep Roots, Four Shadows and more.

Kathy also lets us know about a mid-October event at the Naramata Inn.

Part Two of Tasting Room Radio is about the new Hillside Releases.

2023 Muscat Ottonel “The Ottonel”. The new cool name

2023 Gewurztraminer – hottest season on record on 5 vineyard blend

2023 Heritage Pinot Gris – Three vineyards selected for Tokaj oak barrel selection. Its shows.

Hillside Fall Releases

Single Vineyard Series

Currently, our DTC customers are offered the three single vineyard merlots in the same vintage-2018 release. With the next releases, this gets shuffled again, as it is rare that we choose to showcase all in any given year.

2019 Hidden Valley Vineyard Merlot

A thankfully smoke-free year, 2019 was an average year in terms of heat units, but our “above-the-road” Hidden Valley Merlot ripened nicely. At 12.5% alcohol and featuring ripe tannin, it offers a balanced, elegant finish

2022 Occhi Dolci Vineyard Merlot (Okey Duel-Chee)

We’re super excited to send our first release of Occhi Dolci Vineyard Merlot. Planted and grown by Pat Bowen and Carl Bogdanoff, retired scientists from the Summerland Research Station, this vineyard has given us awesome merlot and cab franc for Mosaic and other blends, but we were reluctant to put “Bowen-Bogdanoff” on a wine label. They finally named the vineyard and voilà! Meaning “sweet eyes” Occhi Dolci refers to the gorgeous view from this vineyard perched high over Okanagan Lake, but is also Italian slang for a flirtatious look, or what my sister referred to as her “come-hither look”.

2020 Cabernet Sauvignon

We are continually amazed at the quality and ripeness of this Cabernet Sauvignon, planted as far north as the Naramata Bench. The 2020 vintage is no exception, taking a gold at the National Wine Awards this summer. Even more astonishing is the fact that this block survived over 57 hours of minus-25 Celsius cold this January. Yes, we still have a Howe Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

www.hillsidewinery.ca

www.naramatabench.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

New FALL Releases

Zanatta – Cowichan original

Pluvio and Ucluelet

Sons of Vancouver

Fort Berens

Best Coast Distilling

Hester Creek

Winemaker’s Cut Fall Releases

Q&A Winemakers Dinners

September 14th, 2024- Jason Parkes/Robbie Hundertmark- (The Hatch). Ron Kubek- Lightning Rock

September 14, 2024 0:45:27

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Jason Parkes/Robbie Hundertmark (The Hatch). Also Ron Kubek. Lightning Rock

THE SHOW

Jason Parkes (Team Leader) The Hatch (West Kelowna)

Robbie Hundertmark (Wing Man) The Hatch

The box arrived from Jason Parkes Customs.

Filled with:

The Dynasty White – Wow

B Secco

Hobo Series Gamay MMXXI

Clarity at the Waters Edge

Clash of the Tannins

Franc Says Relax

Auxerrois that Endserrois

Flipping the bird

Octobubble

Merlot Rider etc

As clever as the designs, artwork and titles are, the most important element of these wines is how well they’re made.

The team leader at The Hatch etc is Jason Parkes with his own Jason Parkes Customs.

Also under the leadership of Crown and Thieves, Black Swift Vineyards and a handful more.

We taste and talk our way through as much of the box as we can.

Robbie Hundertmark had no idea what he as walking in to. Jason and I have developed a rock and roll wine based shorthand, so Robbie became the calming effect. Enjoy the ride.

Apparently there is another box coming. They’ll be back.

www.jasonparkescustoms.com

@hatchwines

Ron Kubek – Owner and CEO of Lightning Rock Winery (Summerland)

“2023 has been one of the most challenging years we’ve ever faced in BC”

They lost their beloved Syrah and Viognier vineyards. The Syrah is still alive below the soil and will regrow in 3 years. There’s no such news for the very popular viognier vines.
Expect Riesling to take its place.

This interview with Ron is not just about his vineyards and wines, it’s about the business of winemaking and farming.

Ron Kubek knows what works in business these days. When he sees the BC wine business getting a runaround he doesn’t just speak up, he speaks out.

Loudly.

That’s why I was zoom calling him. I had hoped to capture the anger and frustration I was hearing about in wine farming circles.

It concerned the provincial government supporting these farms and wineries by allowing BC wineries, wiped out by 2 freezing winters, to source replacement fruit from the USA. But they only gave them a year and it takes at least 2 to see growth in vineyards.

I’ll let Ron pick up the story line. You won’t have to turn this one up, Ron can and will be heard.

www.lightningrockwinery.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

New FALL Releases

Zanatta – Cowichan original

Pluvio and Ucluelet

Sons of Vancouver

Fort Berens

Best Coast Distilling

Hester Creek

Hillside Fall releases

Winemaker’s Cut Fall Releases

Q&A Winemakers Dinners

September 7th, 2024 Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Cookbook with Kerri McNolty Interview

September 7, 2024 0:08:54

hello

Our Guest is Kerri Wyse-McNolty VP Burrowing Owl Vineyards and co-creator of their fine Cookbook.

(with Author and Wine Writer Jennifer Schell Lirag)

THE SHOW

The Question they most often hear in their tasting room is …..”what should I pair with this wine?”

So Kerri Wyse and her team collaborated with award winning cookbook author, wine writer Jennifer Schell Lirag and her team and wrote a cookbook to answer that question.

Unlike most books of this nature, Kerri and Jennifer organized the pages by varietals that they produce at Burrowing Owl.

So you’ll find – page by page – three recipes that pair with each of the award winning wines they create. (Pinot Gris is an example)

You’ll also find suggested music to go with meal prep and dining. I am very impressed and I’ve included some below.

Pinot Gris (Baba Ghanoush/Chicken Marbella/Okanagan Apple Crisp)

Sauvignon Blanc

Chardonnay (La Traviata Giuseppe Verdi)

Viognier (Come away with me – Norah Jones)

Pinot Noir

Malbec (Doo Bop Miles Davis)

Merlot

Cab Franc (Stand in the Joy William Prince)

Rose (Arriba Bruce Becvar)

Syrah (Harvest – Neil Young)

Athene (Dans Ma Main Jean-Michel Blais)

Cab Sauvignon

Meritage (Oscar Peterson plays Count Basie)

Coruja (fortified) (Duke Ellington and John Coltrane)

The recipes were a collaboration between Jennifer and the Wyse Family. Some were inspired by Wyse family favourites. The book also provides Wyse Family history and stories. I also loved the fact that Jennifer and Kerri suggested music that would pair with the meal prep and dinner.

In his foreword, Master of Wine Rhys Pender wrote…

“In this cookbook, I like to think of 30 years captured of Wyse Family meals.

That’s 3 decades of family working, cooking and eating together. – their hard work, tough decisions and deep family conversations as they shared wines, shared recipes and helped pioneer the BC wine industry. That is what it takes to become an iconic winery”

Available now at www.burrowingowlwine.ca

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

New FALL Releases

A catch up with The Hatch

Zanatta – Cowichan original

Pluvio and Ucluelet

Sons of Vancouver

Fort Berens

Ron Kubek – Lightening Rock

Best Coast Distilling

Hester Creek

Hillside new releases

Winemaker’s Cut

Q&A Winemakers Dinners

August 31st 2024- Interview with Anthony Gismondi: Co-founder of The Nationals!

August 31, 2024 0:39:30

hello

Full show Interview with Anthony Gismondi: Co-founder of The Nationals!

THE SHOW

The 2024 National Wine Awards of Canada wrapped up in June in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Founded by Canadian wine experts David Lawrason and Anthony Gismondi, ‘The Nationals’ are the largest and most respected Canadian wine competition.

This year 22 judges tasted 1,800 entries from 230 wineries. Canadian wine is indeed gathering acclaim internationally, but ‘The Nationals’ is the most important peer competition local wineries can enter. With nearly every producer of note in the country competing, making it to the top ten of any category list is special. Getting on the annual list of the Top 25 Wineries in Canada is one of the most sought accolades in the business.

The Judges

The entries came from seven provinces. British Columbia had the highest representation with 147 wineries entered, Ontario came second with 84, followed by wineries from Quebec, Nova Scotia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.

The finale, the Top 25 Wineries of the Year list, has become an all-out race we look forward to every year and one warmly received by consumers looking for an edge when shopping for top Canadian wine. Each year has its rhythms, and 2024 was no different. Less winemaking and more of that elusive terroir/site/origin was making its way into the top-scoring wines, something eminently satisfying for the judges tasked with finding the best in the country. Every medal is hard fought for at the national level and should signal consumers that something good is going on at the recipient wineries. Our goal has always been to award medals that mean something in a crowded retail market, and we couldn’t be prouder of this year’s collection.” Co-Chair, Anthony Gismondi, Gismondi on Wine

I look forward to connecting with Tony each and every time. So much to talk about. He is, after all, the perfect guest.

Anthony Gismondi

I just ask the questions and get out of the way.

The master link for the final results is included below. Perhaps pour yourself something: a morning coffee or an afternoon platinum rose (yes, that actually happened) and follow along.

Its an amazing read. Congratulations to Anthony and David, their volunteers and staff, the judges and especially the wineries of Canada.

No photo description available.

https://www.winealign.com/awards/2024/07/23/2024-nwac-results/

and to the Winery of the Year – Grant Stanley GM and Winemaker

https://www.winealign.com/articles/2024/07/24/results-from-the-2024-nationals-winery-of-the-year/

Enjoy!!

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Burrowing Owl Cook Book

Pluvio – Ucluelet

A Hatch Cage Match

Sons of North Vancouver

Sipster 3

Fort Berens

Ron Kubek – Wine Issues

Zanatta Wines

Wine Witch on Fire – Natalie Maclean

Hester Creek

August 24th, 2024- VanWineFest Part 3 with DJ Kearney and a reconnect with Sandra Oldfield

August 23, 2024 0:47:44

hello

THE SHOW

Our last segments of 2024 VanWineFest with DJ Kearney and an Okanagan reconnect with Sandra Oldfield

The Vancouver International Wine Festival (#45) has come and gone but the interviews live on….for at least this week.

I’m joined by my fourth & final co-host, the one and only DJ Kearney. Educator, mentor, leader, wine judge, black belt, speaker and wine director at Terminal City Club. None better!!

Deej is also the best friend a person could ever have. We all feel lucky to know her.

As I did with Daenna van Mulligen (The Wine Diva), Kelcie Jones and Michaela Morris, I asked DJ to choose who she’d like to interview and spotlight.

Immediately she belted out….. “Justin Hall – first Indigenous winemaker in the World”.

So winemaker Justin Hall joins us from Nk’Mip in Osoyoos.

And Stavros Kriaris Global Ambassador of Alpha Estate in Greece.

“I’ve been there and loved the winery and wines”

Justin Hall Nk’Mip

Then I had the gall to ask “who do we close with Deej?”

DJ yelled “Lets invite next years feature theme region California“

Bonterra Organic Mendocino (Gabriela Marble Export manager)

Robert Mondavi Napa (Kurtis Ogasawara, Director of Winemaking)

Signorello – Napa Valley Golden Mile (Ray Signorello Owner)

Signorello Estate Napa Valley Golden Mile (Ray Signorello – Owner. North Shore guy)

Ray Signorello

www.signorelloestate.com

www.robertmondaviwinery.com

Sandra Oldfield – Elysian Projects / Tourism Leader

Sandra Oldfield (Elysian Projects)

Many of you know Sandra from her over 20 years at Tinhorn Creek. Winemaker, co-owner, helped to establish BC’s first sub-appellation – The Golden Mile Bench. In 2017 Sandra and husband Kenn started Elysian Projects, a beverage/tourism consulting company. Sandra named one of Canada’s Top 100 Powerful Women of 2016. She co-founded the Fortify Conference and is in the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame.

Sandra embeds herself into the dialogue of today’s BC Wine Industry , she’s natural leader.

We met in Victoria in the Spring, just before a 3 day tourism conference kicked off. There was much to talk about at the conference.

In addition, there were a number of issues Sandra and I had to talk about for the podcast. The on going BC/Alberta wine clash. What can tourism do to help the wine industry through this very tough year? The loss of considerable vineyards to cold snaps and who speaks for the small farmer?

All of these issues were in play in the spring. Some have been sorted out, mostly they remain issues for the BC wine industry.

Sandra finished the interview with a story about several boxes that arrived at her house. Sent from Alberta to BC.

The question is/was “what’s in the boxes and why should we care?”

We welcome back Sandra Oldfield. A Fall Update to follow.

www.elysianprojects.com

www.fortifyconference.ca

www.winebc.com

www.hellobc.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

The Nationals – Anthony Gismondi

Burrowing Owl Cook Book

Pluvio – Ucluelet

A Hatch Cage Match

Sons of North Vancouver

Sipster 3

Fort Berens

Ron Kubek – Wine Issues

Zanatta Wines

Wine Witch on Fire – Natalie Maclean

Hester Creek

August 17th, 2024-VanWineFest Part Two – 10 Italians and a Turyk!

August 16, 2024 0:14:30

hello

Featuring guest hosts and wine specialists Kelcie Jones and Michaela Morris.

TDM. Kelcie Jones co-host – Ermes Scardova (Ermete) and Beatrice Schiavio (Marchesi di Barolo)

The feature region of the 2024 Vancouver International Wine Festival was Italy.

There were 71 wineries representing 13 different Italian regions, from Sicily in the far south to Trentino-Alto Adige in the north.
There were hundreds of autochthonous grape varieties and each region has its own mix of varieties, wine styles, and food and wine culture!

So much history and passion wrapped up in Italian wines. Italian winemakers and owners know that Canada has its own history of embracing the wines of Italy.

No matter what the region.

When I asked Kelcie Jones and Michaela Morris to consider co-hosting with me, I also asked who would they like to invite for the interviews.

Kelcie is the co-founder of This is Wine School and the Sommelier of the Year 2023.

Kelcie looked forward to talking with

Beatrice Schiavio – Marchesi di Barolo. The first Barolo was created in their cellars.

Thomas Jefferson was an early fan. The King of Wines. The Wine of Kings.

Ermes Scarova. Medici Ermete. Growing vineyards and creating wines since 1890. Not just any wine but a sensational CRU of Lambrusco: Concerto

Next comes the charming Daniel Grace – the American owner of Il Molino di Grace

In the very heart of the Chianti region. Producing world-class wines for 350 years.

Urs Vetter – from Vietti. Formed 150 years ago in the very heart of the Langhe at the highest point of the medieval village of Castiglione Falletto. It’s still there today.

What followed were beautiful Arneis, Moscato, Dolcetto, Barbera, Nebbiolo, Barbaresco and many Barolo.

tdm – Michaela Morris– Daniel Grace. Katie Nussbaum. Sebastiano De Ferrari Vanwinefest 2024

Unsworth Vineyards – Cowichan Valley Vancouver Island. Chris Turyk.. marketing and family member. If you listen to Tasting Room radio you know Chris Turyk.

Chris Turyk – Unsworth (Cowichan Valley)

Every region needs a spokesperson. Chris is the leading voice of the Cowichan Valley Wineries.

Unsworth leads by example.

Michaela Morris becomes the co-host in the second half of this Tasting Room Radio.

Michaela is a fully acknowledged leader in Canada’s wine world.

She’s an educator, mentor, sought-after wine judge and gifted writer. (Decanter)

Michaela had just returned from Tuscany.

Michaela’s interview guests included:

Katia Nussbaum Owner of San Polino. Vineyards were created early in the 10^th century. As of 1581 it was owned by the Montalcino Hospital, Santa Maria della Croce. The olive trees planted in 1581 are still standing.

Sebastiano De Ferrari. The owner of Boscarelli.

Barbara De Rahm from Marziano Abbona

Stefano Inama – Inama Wines Owner and family member – perhaps the finest producer of Soave!!

Stefano brings his son along for the chat.

Thank you, Kelcie and Michaela!! Thank you, Meredith and Harry!!

www.michaelamorris.ca

@kelciejones

www.thisiswineschool.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Van Wine Fest Part Three

with DJ Kearney
Burrowing Owl Cokbook
Sipster 3
Fort Berens
Anthony Gismondi – The Nationals
Ron Kubek – Wine Issues
Jim Moody – Zanatta
Wine Witch on Fire – Natalie MacLean
The Hatch – Jason Parkes Customs
Dining at Pluvio – Ucluelet
Hester Creek

August 10, 2024-The 45th VanWineFest Part One

August 9, 2024 0:46:31

hello

The 45^th VanWineFest Part One

THE SHOW

The press release says: It’s the largest combined consumer and trade wine show in North America. And one of the biggest and oldest in the World. From Feb 24 to March 3. Eight days, 42 events, 12 countries, 149 participating wineries, 71 from feature region Italy, 1, 150 wines, 800 in the tasting room and over 18,000 wine fans expected to attend all events.

So…..how does one guy with one microphone cover something like that? You don’t!!

Can’t be done without a huge team but if you plan carefully and do your homework, surround yourself with wine friends who bring their own beliefs on wine and winemakers, then you might get something captured.

I’m so pleased to announce that with the help and smarts of the following friends & experts we managed to do 22 interviews with winemakers and principals from Italy, Greece, Washington, California, Spain, France and BC.

Thank you to Meredith Elliott – Communications and Marketing manager. Grace under pressure.

Harry Hertscheg – Solid Support.

Harry Hertscheg (sip mag)

Our co-hosts are:

Daenna Van Mulligen – The Wine Diva. Writer, speaker, judge and popular reviewer.

Michaela Morris – educator, judge, speaker and wine writer (Decanter)

Kelcie Jones – Best Sommelier 2023, educator, consultant and founder of This is Wine School

DJ Kearney – Director of Wine at Terminal City Club, wine educator at large. Legend.

This first Tasting Room Radio will feature opinions and comments from

Terry and Daenna

Daenna Van Mulligen – www.winediva.ca Has travelled the wine world. Knows many winemakers in the room.

Hosted a sold-out feature seminar on Gerard Bertrand Winery.

Blue Grouse Estate Winery – Michael Abbott – New GM (Cowichan Valley)

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery – Stephen Neumann – Brand Ambassador (Oliver)

Le Vins Bonhomme – Nathalie Bonhomme. (founder/winemaker) Originally from Montreal. Now making wines for her label – in Spain and France.

Nathalie Bonhomme-lesvinsbonhomme

House of Smith – Donal Black VP – Int. Sales. A new gathering of Charles Smith Wines. K Vintners, Substance, Sixto, Golden West etc. (Washington)

Charles Smith – House of Smith

Harry Hertscheg – Executive Director VIWF. The man who dreams the dream and leads the team.

Bench 1775 – Richard Kanazawa (Winemaker) Naramata Bench. Fabulous winemaker

Osoyoos LaRose – Michael Kullmann CEO/Winemaker (Osoyoos) Great discussion between these two. Consistently fine wines.

www.winediva.ca

www.Bench1775.com

www.bluegrouse.ca

www.burrowingowlwine.ca

www.Lesvinsbonhomme.com

www.houseofsmith.com

@HHonWine

www.vanwinefest.ca

www.osoyooslarose.com

#vanwinefest

#VIWF

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

NEXT WEEK – All Italian wineries (except for Unsworth.)

Co-host Michaela Morris. Simply fabulous wine educator and influencer

San Polino

Boscarelli

Marziano Abbona

Inama

Anthony Gismondi – National Wine Awards

Burrowing Owl Cook Book

Sipster 3

Jim Moody Zanatta Winery

Ron Kubek – Lightning Rock Winery

Pluvio Revisited

August 3rd 2024- 2024 wine releases from the Naramata Bench

August 1, 2024 0:40:57

hello

THE SHOW

Last week we featured The Cowichan Wineries August Festival .

This week we reconnect with the wineries of the Naramata Bench. 15 interviews with winemakers and principals.

Like many others in the BC wine community, The Naramata Bench was also hit with heartbreaking losses of their prime vineyards due to another Winter deep freeze.

Even as they pour the wines this year, we’re still talking about the growing season last year and how each and all with survive.

The pouring & presenting of wine releases is an annual traditional event. Talking about failed bud breaks, the loss of complete vineyards and what to do next is not an annual tradition.

Many changes are coming to BC Wines and how they’re farmed.

What to plant? Where to plant? How to survive the crisis?

New Varietals, new Blends and new owners/makers/farmers.

As tough as the next couple of years may be, none of that showed itself at the early 2024 pour at Vancouver Community College on West Pender.

The Bench is a very tight community. Even though they are all hyper-competitive, when it comes to showcasing their individual wines. However, The Naramations pull together as a team when crisis arrives.

Impressive, to say the least. naramatabench.com

Here are the fifteen guests – talking 2024 Wines and Vineyard Survival!!

Colin Ross – President of Bench Wineries (Tightrope)
Tyson Archer – (co-founder) Fox and Archer
Emma Roberts – (GM) Howling Bluff
Bob Ferguson – (co-founder/winemaker) Kettle Valley

Kathy Malone – Hillside Winery

Kathy Malone – (Winemaker) Hillside Winery and Bistro

Marcus

(Marcus Ansems/Daydreamer)

Marcus Ansems – (Winemaker Co-owner) Daydreamer Wines
Richard Da Silva – (Owner-Winemaker) Da Silva Vineyards and Winery
Lyndsay O’Rourke (co-founder/winemaker) Tightrope Winery

Dylan Roche-Roche Wines

Dylan Roche – (co-founder/co-winemaker) Roche Wines
Graham Pierce – (winemaker) Ruby Blue

Rebecca Mikulic

Rebecca Mikulic – Three Sisters Winery

Robert Van Westen

Robert Van Westen – (co-founder/winemaker) Van Westen Vineyards
Lauren Bunckle – (Asst Winemaker) Elephant Island Winery
Wilbert Borren – (co-owner/winemaker) Four Shadows Vineyard and Winery
Will Hardman – (co-founder/winemaker) Deep Roots Winery

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Anthony Gismondi – the 2024 Nationals

Burrowing Owl Cookbook

Meyer Family

The Hatch/Black Swift

Fort Berens

The Sipster 3

John Kubek – Lightning Rock on wine wars etc

Jim Moody – Zanatta

Wine witch on Fire – Natalie MacLean

July 27th, 2024- August is Wine Festival Month in the Cowichan Valley

July 27, 2024 0:38:34

hello

There’s a buzz going on about the Wineries of the Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island.

It started when Unsworth Winery was purchased by key members of the Jackson Family (Kendall Jackson, Napa). Then months later it was revealed that the same family members had purchased Blue Grouse, just down the road.

So…

A California wine family with intimate knowledge of farming, planting, harvesting and selling wines had researched wine regions all over the World and Canada, had twice decided that “the” place to take a stand against wine growing in climate change was the Cowichan Valley.

Those are decisions that start people talking In and out of the wine business.

The Cowichan was abuzz with talk over coffee in the morning and a glass at the end of the day.

It makes this group interview with a number of Cowichan winemakers all that more interesting.

We’re talking about the 2024 Cowichan Wine Festival, which runs Aug 1 – 31.

Each winery has events and different wine pours.

All are celebrating being in the Cowichan.

ALL are pouring.

The entire month of August all of the Cowichan Wineries will be open and pouring their very best.Each will have their own events, food components and August Wine Passports.

Please go to www.cowichanwineries.com

Tap on August Wine Passports

The guests this year are :

Dylan Sheldon – owner of his own micro-winery in Santa Rosa, California has become the winemaker at Cowichan’s newest winery Cobble Hill.

Driven by regenerative farming and serious winemaking Dylan talks about his new plantings, including Albarino, Verdelho, Gruner, Sauvignon Blanc, Zweigelt etc

Cobble Hill Winery

Stacey Hornemann – The new winemaker at Blue Grouse. Coming directly from Sonoma, California. Stacey too has planting and replanting plans. We also talk Dutch Ovens