May 31st, 2025- The stories behind Crafted in BC wines from Clos du Soleil and Niche Wine.
hello
The stories behind 2024 Crafted in BC Wines from Clos du Soleil and Niche Wine.
THE SHOW
Have you tasted any Crafted in BC Wines ? Have you bought any Crafted in BC wines?
If the answer is no, I have a question – Why? These are excellent wines , made by Canadian winemakers & wineries, from prime Washington grapes. They need your support, BC wine fans.
BC wineries were hugely affected by two winter cold snaps. With vineyard losses up and down the Okanagan Valley.
To save their farms and family businesses, they were given the option to head for Washington & Oregon.
They worked with growers down south, so they had grapes to work with last year and wines to release this year! Thank you, Washington wine growers.
The wines are outstanding.
They’re also historic because this is the first and hopefully last time such a situation will happen again.
Every grower is adapting and learning from this crisis. Some are planting completely different varietals and some are replanting vineyards that died but placing them in different locations to avoid pockets of freezing cold.
It’s admirable response to the damage but what does it matter, if you, the consumer, couldn’t care less.
So…my hope is that if we keep interviewing wine leaders over the course of this year, many of you will actually step up and throw down some cash and show huge support for Crafted in BC Wines.
Canadian Wine my friends. Buy Canada.
This weeks guests are:
Michael Clark – Winemaker, Co-Owner, GM. Clos Du Soleil (Similkameen Valley)
Michael Clark
Highly respected wines and winery. Very “hands on” growing and winemaking.
How would Michael and the team handle fruit that was not their own? What varietals would they choose and why?
Here’s the Clos du Soleil list of Crafted in BC releases:
From Washington Series: (beautifully yummy)
2024 Sauvignon Blanc Horse Heaven Hills $25.90
2024 Chardonnay Yakima $25.90
2024 Rose Yakima $25.90
From the Similkameen
2022 Syrah – Sublime! Co-fermented with Viognier in concrete tanks. “different from any other Syrah in the World, including the Okanagan” Upper Bench Similkameen $39.90
2021 Signature Bordeaux Blend. Glorious! Merlot(34) Cab(32) Cab Franc(18) Malbec(9) Petit Verdot(7) $55.90
From the Lumiere Collection (Washington fruit. Crafted in BC))
New 9% Rose (Sangiovese) $25.90
New 9% Sauvignon Blanc $25.90
All small lots and low alcohol. You’re going to like it!!!
Also releasing today –
Signature 2021. Their flagship red from a fantastic growing year. $55.90
The Tasting Room is now open Thursday through Monday. In June, they throw open the doors 7 days a week.
Second Guest –
Joanna Schlosser – Co-Founder & CEO. Niche Wine Co (West Kelowna)
Small Batch. Big Love
First, they fought and essentially lost a battle with the McDougal Creek Fire and then 2 Winter cold snaps badly damaged their vineyards. With the help of the wine community, friends and family, James and Joanna fought their way back to something resembling “almost normal.” Commendable fighters.
You can find them and their vineyards in the hills of West Kelowna. Let me tell you why it’s well worth the trip.
2024 Crafted in BC Wines
2024 Small Wonder Rose (Washington) Delish!
2024 Pinot Gris (Washington)
2022 Extra Mile Pinot Noir (16 months in barrel) best of the best of the best
2022 Extra Mile Cabernet Franc – wow!
NV Counsellor Foch – Before he took the role of grape farmer, Joanna’s partner James’ Dad Jerry was the Crown Prosecutor in Kelowna and the visionary who dreamed of planting these vines. Truly, years in the making.
On the nose, raisins, chocolate. With flavors of blackberry, ripe plum and nutty notes.
Joanna and I also talk about
Their Farmhouse Series (Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay)
2024 Small Batch Bubbles
The hot diggity dog wiener truck weekly visit (every second Wednesday starting June 11)
El Taquero (every second Friday starting June 27)
The Hilltop Bar and Patio is open 7 days a week.
And best of all The Outside Inn is available – but don’t wait, All three cabins are busy.
Everyone has a dream of staying at a farm/winery in hotel style comfort and being surrounded by vineyards.
Soaker tubs, rain shower, fully stocked fridge and a turntable.
Dream on!!
STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON
Natural Wine Festival – Victoria
Crafted in BC Wines – New Releases
Township 7
Kismet
Dirty Laundry
