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Mary McDermott. Township 7 Winemaker presents  Interlude  Series 2025.   “Crafted in BC” Wines.

THE SHOW 

Such a delight to have Township 7 winemaker- Mary McDermott returning to Tasting Room Radio.

When we started this food and wine adventure,  it was from a studio in a barn on the Naramata Bench. The closest vineyard out the windows was Township 7.

I was determined to ask to questions & learn from those around me. The people actually doing the planting, pruning, growing, harvesting and blending.

That’s when I first met Township 7 leaders  Mike Raffan and Lori Pike. Mike led the growing team in the vineyards and the making of the wines.  Lori handled marketing and promotion.  They taught me my first lessons on the rules of the wine road.

Eventually Mike and Lori moved to another vineyard  in the famed Russian River Valley in Sonoma. This vineyard, they owned. Its beautiful.

Back at Township 7 on the Naramata Bench,  Winemaker Mary McDermott was re-defining what a Naramata Bench Vineyard could produce. Mary specialized in seven stars sparkling wines. They continue to win awards everywhere.

The T7 portfolio is big and wide. Wine groupings such as Benchmark Series, Infinity Series, Magnum Series, Provenance Series and Interlude Series.

The Interludes are the ones we tasted and talked about.  Crafted in BC wines,  harvested in Washington and Russian River, Sonoma and created in BC.

2024 Pinot Gris Interlude Series. Grown at Clos Chevalle at Lake Chelan. Primarily settled in stainless steel but with an intriguing note from a French barrique. Deep palate with a long finish. 420 Cases. $26.97 (at winery). Delightful!

2024 Sauvignon Blanc Interlude Series. From the Bacchus Vineyard on Wahluke Slope. A perfect wine for Summer seafoods. 340 Cases $26.97 (at winery) Tropical fruit notes beautifully balanced with barrique texture. Crisp and fresh.

2024 Chardonnay  Interlude Series Grown at Four Palms Vineyard in the Russian River Valley, Sonoma.

Four Palms is the vineyard now owned by Mike Raffan and Lori Pike. The best two people in all of California wine to know what Township 7 was seeking.  Mike was growing the Wente Clone 4 and Dijon Clone 96 vines.  Following harvest, the wine was housed in stainless steel and two neutral French Oak barriques, creating wonderful texture and depth.

Getting consistent 90+ points from reviewers who admire the melon, apple and citrus notes which leads to a crisp, complex and complete finish.   432 Cases  $29.97 (at winery)

2024 Rose Interlude Series. Four Palms Vineyard Russian River Valley,  Sonoma

Strawberry abounds on the nose and in the mouth. Bright acidity and a beautiful dry finish. It’s a complete winner.

328 cases $29.97 (at winery)

Mary McDermott and I finished our conversation talking about the Township 7 vineyards in South Langley. The fruit from that area is beginning to get serious notice, especially for sparkling wine production.

Well done Team T7 and Mary McDermott.  Very Well Done!!!

www.township7.com

www.fourpalmsfarm.com

www.winebc.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

2025 Crafted in BC wines

Meyer Family

Mayhem Wines.

Tantalus wines

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Winemaker Mason Spink and his  2025 Dirty Laundry “Grown in Washington – Crafted in the Okanagan” Wines

THE SHOW 

“We’ve always prided ourselves on making delicious and approachable wine,” adds Mason Spink, Winemaker at Dirty Laundry Winery. “We believe wine should be fun, so we try to keep things lighthearted and tongue-in-cheek. , and we’re really excited to move forward with a fresher, more modern image.”

Winemaker Mason Spink and his  2025 Dirty Laundry “Grown in Washington – Crafted in the Okanagan” Wines

Dirty Laundry makes a lot of wine but even they were seriously challenged by two winters of cold snap at their vineyards in Summerland and the Similkameen Valley.

When an agreement was agreed upon between the BC wine industry and the BC government,  Winemaker Mason Spink headed south to the Yakima Valley to grow and harvest the grapes for their very popular 2024 Hush White.

Hush is a happy blend of Reisling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay.  12.7%  $20.99.

Highly recommend you let this white, and all their whites,  open up and breathe after opening.  It reveals floral notes on opening & flavors of peach & ripe apricot.

Then Mason describes the 2024 Pinot Gris ($21.99) Again in Yakima. Ripe tropical notes on the nose. On the palate,  grapefruit, pear and orange zest. Nicely crisp with much appreciated acidity.

Mason describes the 2024 Dirty Laundry Sauvignon Blanc ($21.99) Honeydew, kiwi on opening. In the mouth it reveals Lime, berries, herbs all in a delightful balance. Highly entertaining taste. Summer feta and goat cheese salads, BBQ chicken. Or Asian dishes. Handles the spices nicely.

And finally, the 2024 Dirty Laundry Unoaked Chardonnay. ($20.99)

100% Yakima Chardonnay and nice blend of tropical fruit, floral notes and “orchard”.

Clean, crisp with an acidity highway right down the middle.

Congratulations winemaker Mason Spink, winery team,  growers and cellar crew.  Thank You all Yakima vineyards.

Well done Dirty Laundry.

www.dirtylaundry.ca

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON.

Crafted in BC wines.

Township Seven

Meyer Family Wines

Mayhem Wines.

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The 2025 Barnyard Wine Fair  Natural. Biodynamic. Organic.

THE SHOW

Natural wine has arguably been the major movement of the 21st Century wine world, and for some it has also become a ‘lifetsyle choice’, writes Elin McCoy, ahead of the Raw wine fair in London and after visiting the New York version of the show.

First off, the NY fair was squirrelled away in a warehouse district in hipster Brooklyn, rather than in glitzy Manhattan. The producers’ tables were lined up in a reclaimed industrial space with a cavernous, artist’s loft appeal: high ceilings, rough brick walls, giant windows, exposed beams and concrete floors. The unmistakable vibe of ‘We’re all rebel artisan producers here’ sent a warning and a promise: don’t expect polished or, heaven forbid, luxury bottles; this is the gritty, real stuff, made by real people from real grapes grown in real vineyards.

That image extended to the attendees – young (under 35) drinkers in worn jeans, fleece vests and scuffed designer boots – and to the food: grain bowls and pizza to wolf down at picnic tables in the gravel courtyard.

There’s been a lot of talk in the past year about whether natural wine (which as a category resists easy definition) has become mainstream or will be, but its casual image and ‘cool’ factor suggest many winemakers and aficionados may not actually want it to go there.

If natural wine makes people think harder about how the wines they drink were produced, that’s a good thing. Having what natural wine stand for – the real deal – become what’s expected in wine, would be too!

Natural wine has arguably been the major movement of the 21st century wine world. Elin McCoy March 2018. Decanter magazine (thank you)

Once again, Matt Cook of Barnyard Events in Victoria has given the natural crafts community a place and a date to gather and showcase their releases for an ever-expanding consumer. The main lobby of Save On Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria. As last year, we got there early and started doing interviews between the set up and doors opening. Once those doors open, the winemakers are going to be very busy. Constantly pouring and in conversation. Answering many,  many questions.

Uncontaminated Grapes/Old School Winemaking/Wild Fermentation/Nothing Added and Nothing Removed.

The natural wine community on Vancouver Island is a very popular leading edge in the local wine world. Thing is, this gathering of the community includes wines from Italy, Spain, Georgia (Europe), France, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Germany & Austria.  It’s a much bigger world these days

Let’s find out why.

Here’s part one of Barnyard Wine Fair 2025.  Our guests include:

Matt Cook – Organizer ( Victoria)

Rhys Pender    Owner/Winemaker/ Master of Wine/Little Farm Wines (Similkameen Valley)

Rhys Pender, Little Farm and TDM

Jordan Kubek – Co-owner and Winemaker Pamplemousse Jus (Summerland)

Brent Rowland – Winemaker, Averill Creek. (Cowichan Valley)

Brent Rowland

Anna Siradze – Siradze Selections for Georgian Wines  (Europe)

Anna Siradze

Georgian Wines

Matthew Vasilev – Co-owner/Cider maker, Twin Island   (Pender)

TDM and Matthew Vasilev

@barnyardevents

www.barnyardevents.ca

www.littlefarmwinery.ca

www.pamplemoussejus.ca

www.siradzeselections.com

www.averillcreek.ca

www.twinislandcider.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

BARNYARD Part two

Dirty Laundry

Mayhem

Meyer Family

Crafted in BC releases

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True Dual Citizens: Winemakers Severine Pinte  & Grant Stanley

THE SHOW

Severine Pinte –  Chief Winemaker, viticulturist and managing partner

Le Vieux Pin and LaStella  (South Okanagan)

Severine and Ava

This weeks TRR is part of an on-going series highlighting stories of cold snaps, badly damaged vines/vineyards and renewal!

Both Le Vieux Pin/La Stella and Spearhead were badly hit by 2 Winter cold snaps that left their prized vineyards hanging by the slimmest of threads.

Le Vieux Pin on Black Sage Bench is known for capturing the essence of French Winemaking but doing so with the fruit and character of The New World. Elegance, balance and the pure intensity of fruit.

Executive Winemaker, viticulturist and managing partner Severine Pinte came to Le Vieux Pin and La Stella in 2010 with 14 harvests of international winemaking experience under her belt along with 8 years of vineyard management.

For her, the Okanagan, with its unique terroir and cool climate, has always been intriguing. She is the perfect winemaker to craft world-class Syrah, Viognier and other varietals  native to France,  in the South Okanagan.

Since Le Vieux Pin became certified sustainable in 2021, Severine has been also serving as the chair of Sustainable Wine Growing BC.

In the spring of 2023, Severine Pinte received the 140-year-old honour of being knighted to the “Order of Agricultural Merit” by the Consul General of France.

Severine is also the proud recipient of the Leadership Excellence Award presented to her by the Winegrowers BC on March 12th 2024.

Severine also leads the winemaking team at Italian influenced sister winery La Stella!

Like many other winemakers, Severine sourced her 2024 fruit from vineyards in Washington State for their “Crafted in BC” replacement wines.

Severine takes us through the journey from cold snaps, through renewal and into bottle. For many winemakers and growers these two years of damage and recovery are the story of a lifetime. The journey demanded much.  Smarts – Luck – Drive.  Severine has quite a story to tell.

We taste and talk about the Washington Edition series.

2024 Le Vieux Pin – Petit Blanc (chardonnay, viognier, sauvignon blanc, roussanne)

2024 Le Vieux Pin – Ava (53% roussanne, 46% viognier)  Horse Heaven Hills. “familiar yet different.”

2024 La Stella  LaStellina Rosato (Cab Franc/Merlot) Red Mountain and Horse Heaven Hills

2024  La Stella Leggiero Chardonnay. Red Mountain

www.levieuxpin.ca

www.lastella.ca

Grant Stanley – Winemaker and General Manager   Spearhead Winery

Best performing small winery in Canada – Best Winery in Canada –  2024 Wine Align Nationals.

Grant is a dual citizen of Canada and New Zealand.

Grant’s grown in Washington and Oregon, crafted in BC 2024 Spearhead wines are called Dual Citizen

When we last talked in February, the conversation was about winning both top awards at The Nationals and the loss of their prime vineyards that won those awards.

Grant brings the roller coaster stories of how, when and why Spearhead managed to find a way to celebrate the winning of top awards and surviving a historic loss. Back to back.

2024 Spearhead Dual Citizen Reisling (Carousel Vineyard – Yakima)

2024 Spearhead Dual Citizen Sauvignon Blanc  (Den Hoed Vineyard – Yakima)

2024 Spearhead Dual Citizen  Pinot Gris (Rosa Hills – Yakima)

2024 Spearhead Dual Citizen White Pinot Noir (DeVries Vineyard – Yakima)

2024 Spearhead Dual Citizen Pinot Noir Rose (DeVries Vineyard – Yakima)

Grant also has news of new plantings heading into the future.

Congratulations to all at Spearhead.

www.spearheadwinery.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

More Crafted in BC releases

Dirty Laundry

Niche

Barnyard natural wine festival – Victoria

Clos du Soleil

Kismet

hello

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