Tasting Room Radio

October 3rd, 2020-Fishing, Food, Friends, Fluids – Year 8

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Fishing, Food, Friends, Fluids – Year 8

(A Chef, Winemaker,  Master of Wine and me)

 

THE SHOW

For 8  years now, Master of Wine Rhys Pender, Winemaker/Owner at Orofino John Weber,  Award winning  Chef at Waterfront Bistro Kelowna Mark Filatow and yours truly have gathered once a year to reconnect through fishing. On oceans, lakes, streams, rivers and sharing campfires, food, wines and stories.

 

2020 has been such a crazy mess on so many levels,  that getting away – just for two days – was so the right thing to do.

It was Mark who suggested drift fishing the Kettle River, one large valley East of the Okanagan. There’s no pristine chain of blue lakes down this valley but the river is gorgeous and home to beautiful trout.

Day one we drifted the Kettle River. Fished the rapids and pools for about 5-6 hours..had a spectacular dinner thanks to Mark. It featured the annual Tomahawk Chops cooked on an open fire (this year the fire was a charcoal fueled Weber BBQ)

Dinner cooked all on the charcoal fueled Weber. Dry Aged Beef Tomahawk Steaks.Organic Corn.

Potatoes and Chive sour cream. Tomato and Cucumber Salad. Homemade BBQ Sauce

The wines we poured were like a liquid gift… better and better.

I headed for bed while the other three played campfire dj. I happily slept through the noise.

I put on a master class in campfire coffee- for an audience of one. Me!

When the guys woke up Mark put on his usual healing breakfast – Kale eggs with Rhys’s great bread (photos included) and then off we went.

Day two, we drove Highway 33 East and identified 3 dark pools that looked promising and accessible. So, instead of drifting, we spent the day fishing those pools and walking the river.

Mark had two great fishing days, so did John. Rhys had his moments and I came up completely skunked. But I still spent two days with these friends, on a river and shared fishing, food and fluids.

It’s hard to put into words how wonderful it all felt.

The last dinner was spring salmon I had caught in Ucluelet and we BBQ’d on the fire with a wild variety of wines for pairing.

Dinner

Terry’s salmon with the potato, corn, shishitos and vegetable succotash

Wines in no particular order

Mark

Burge Family Barossa Valley Olive Hill Vineyard Semillon 2006

Clai, Ottocento 2014, Istria Croatia

Jean Bourdy, Cotes du Jura Blanc 2008

Eric Texier, St. Julien St. Alban, 2014, Rhône, France

Stephenson Cellars, Syrah 2008, Columbia Valley, Washington

 

John

 From Orofino:

Gamay bubble 2019

Hendsbee Vineyard Riesling clone 21B 2018

Hendsbee Vineyard Riesling clone 239 2018

Gamay 2019

Plus..

Pozza Vineyard cab franc rosé 2019

SA Natte Valley Cinsault 2017

Domaine de Pothiers “Reference” Loire Gamay

 

Rhys

Pesquera Ribera del Duero 2011,

St. Urbans Hof Ockfener Bockstein Kabinett Riesling 2011

 

Terry

Mission Hill  2007 Point Noir

Desert Hills 2006 Mirage

Inniskillin Dark Horse 1996 Riesling Ice Wine

 

We talked of Covid19, the state of wineries and restaurants this year and what 2021 may bring, wines we brought, about each of their careers and of course,  fishing.

www.orofinovineyards.com

www.Waterfrontrestaurant.ca

www.littlefarmwinery.ca

 

Next year?  Let’s just say “It’s under discussion.”

Thank you gentlemen..it was an honour and a dream.

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Angus An – Maenam Cookbook

Zoom tasting at Yalumba

Noble Ridge

Sandra Oldfield – Back Again!!

Vanessa

Mayhem and Meyer – All in the Family

Fonseca Zoomathon from Portugal

Dining at Row 14 in Cawston

Sam Roberts – Music and Wine

Tightrope

Lock and Worth/Nichol

Taylor Fladgate – Zoom from Portugal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 26th, 2020-Tasting & Talking with Michael Clark/Clos du Soleil & John Skinner/Painted Rock

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THE SHOW

For all you wine fans looking to step up the quality of your weekly wines and then cellaring the same,  this week’s Tasting Room has two of the best wineries and wine leaders in one show.

 

Michael Clark – Clos Du Soleil

 

Michael Clark is the GM and Chief Winemaker at Clos du Soleil in the Similkameen Valley.

“we’re borrowing an aesthetic derived from Bordeaux – the art of blending – stamped with the flavors and aromas of Similkameen soil. “

Michael Clark Clos du Soleil

Clos du Soleil takes great pride in creating delicate wines, featuring beautifully ripe fruit and an amazing minerality. The “soil” in the Similkameen Valley is hard and unforgiving. However, if you can get the right vines to exist in that soil..the results are highly rewarding. For them and especially for you.

Michael is proud to taste and talk about these three wines, any one of which has the flavor and texture components to become your next go-to wine.

 

 

Chardonnay 2019

Pale Yellow. Scents of apple, lemon, and floral notes. On the palate lemon, pineapple, and a classic Similkameen minerality. No new oak but 8 months in barrels. Gently filtered just prior to bottling. $22.90.  A beauty!

Tasting Room -Clos du Soliel

Semillon 2019

Pale yellow. Aromas of pear, yellow apple, and lemon.

The palate is soft. A wonderful texture of ripe apple, peat, apricot, vanilla, and herbs.  Mostly fermented in stainless steel tanks but also some time in French oak puncheon.  Prior to bottling,  the barrel and tank components were blended and lightly filtered. $21.90.  More evidence that Semillon has a place in BC Wine.

 

Estate Reserve Red 2016

 

33% Cab/32% Merlot/20% Cab Franc/12% Petit Verdot/3% Malbec

Aromas of spice, cedar box, ripe black fruit, forest floor.

The palate combines black currant, licorice, and graphite. Tannins lead to a beautiful texture and mouthfeel.

This is just a beautifully structured joy.

Next time you have wine friends over and they’re going on about Bordeaux this and Napa that ..sneak this wine into the tasting and watch the smiles when you tell them who made it and where it’s from. $54.90

Fyi – The Signature 2016 won Gold at the Decanter Awards. Congratulations to the winemaking team.

www.closdusoleil.ca

 

 

 


Jon Adrian. Architectural, winery, and lifestyle photographer.

John Skinner – Proprietor of Painted Rock

Painted Rock Estate Winery was founded with a family legacy in mind by John and Trish Skinner in 2004. Named InterVin International Winery of the Year for 2018/2019, the winery produces primarily Bordeaux red varieties, along with a Chardonnay, Rosé, and Syrah.

 

The star of the winery is Red Icon – a true Bordeaux blend.  2017  has been nominated for Wine of the Year at the Decanter Awards.  Results in January! That’s a game breaker for any BC wine.

It’s been quite a year for John, his family, and his staff. Surrounded by wildfires, they were protected by the First Responder firefighters this summer. On the ground and especially in the air. The smoke from the fires spared the vineyards plus the smoke was blown south.

John got a great mention in the recent  NY Times article on BC Wines.

If anyone is going to lead BC wine into a World profile it very likely will be John Skinner and his peers.

Here’s what we tasted with Painted Rock.

Jon Adrian.  Adrian Photographers

Painted Rock  2016 Estate Grown Merlot

Clones 181 and 347. Hand-harvested, the wine was aged 18 months in French Oak. 30% was new.

Beautifully structured. There’s nothing flabby about this Merlot.

Is this the key to their award-winning blends?  Don’t bet against this Merlot.  Spectacular. The $34.99

 

Painted Rock 2016 Estate Grown Syrah.

 

Clones 99 and 100.

18 months in 30% New Oak.(80% French. 20% American)

And the other 70% was French Oak.

White and Black pepper abounds. Sage and lavender, all in one bottle.

If you can give this Syrah another couple of years in bottle, the reward should be outstanding.

If you can’t wait..it’s a really fine pour right now. $39.99

 

Painted Rock 2017 Estate Grown Red Icon

 

38% Merlot/21% Cab Franc/20% Petit Verdot/11 Cab/8Malbec/2% Syrah.

 

I ask John if the Merlot drives this bus.  He says it’s actually the 2% Syrah.

Notes of ripe black fruit, cassis, and whole nutmeg.

The palate reveals more black fruit, chocolate, and blueberry.

The tongue lingers on the smooth full texture and clean acidity.

It will get better and better with each vintage and each year in bottle.

Just like the owner, a true Icon. $59.99

www.paintedrock.ca

 

Jon Adrian. Architectural, winery, and lifestyle photographer. Kelowna Photographer / Okanagan Photographer / Painted Rock Winery / Waterfront Restaurant

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Zoom tasting at Yalumba

Maenam – The book

Noble Ridge

Sandra Oldfield – Back Again!!

Vanessa

Year 8 – The Four F’s in Kettle Valley

(Food. Fishing. Friends. Fluids)

Mayhem and Meyer – All in the Family

Fonseca Zoomathon from Portugal

Dining at Row 14 in Cawston

Sam Roberts – Music and Wine

 

 

 

September 19th, 2020 – Third Annual BC Cider fest!

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THE THIRD ANNUAL BC CIDER FEST… BIGGER AND BETTER!

 

 

This week long craft cider celebration saw many cider events, tastings and
festivities throughout British Columbia with tasting events from Kelowna to
Vancouver Island, including tap takeovers, cider pairing meals, and much
more throughout the week.

The highlight for me and many others is the final event. The gathering of up
to 40 Cideries at The Pipe Shop foot of Lonsdale in North Vancouver.

It’s one of the buildings my father Pat worked in during WW2.

The first interview had to be with Shawn Pisio, who co-founded the B.C.
Cider Festival three years ago.

Glenn Ennis, Lynn Colliar and the Geo Team

Just how popular is this event? It sells out within minutes.

Cider is going through the very same revolution that craft beers did 10
years ago.

The opportunity to grow more cider apples in B.C. is unlimited, but BC is
already home to many excellent craft cideries.

One of the cideries we interviewed was Twin Island Cider on Pender Island.
They were voted most popular Cidery at this event.

Finally, for those of you who still think that ciders are not for you
because they’re too sweet or something…FORGET ABOUT IT..

It’s a whole new world out in the orchard.

Enjoy!!!!

Our guests are:

Shawn Pisio – Txotx/ Co-Founder

Russ Johnson – Owner/Cidermaker Truck 59 Kelowna

Sydney Bottomley – Asst Cider Maker Broken Ladder Kelowna

Nick Farrer – Founder The Bricker Cider Co Sechelt

Mike Lachelt – Co-owner/Cidermaker Salt Spring Wild SS Island

Mathew Vasilev Co-Owner Twin Island Cider Pender Island

David Schneider – Persephone Brewing Gibson’s BC

Kathleen van der Ree – Northyards Cider – Squamish

Mike Petkau – Nomad Handcrafted Cider – Summerland

Glenn Ennis – Owner Geo Cider Co – Squamish

Lynn Colliar – Geo Cider Squamish

Jeff Nairn – Co-Founder Windfall East Van

 

http://bcciderfest.ca/

Photos by Linda C

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Zoom tasting at Yalumba

Maenam – The book

Noble Ridge

Painted Rock

Sandra Oldfield – Back Again!!

Vanessa

Year 8 – The Four F’s in Kettle Valley

(Food. Fishing. Friends. Fluids)

Mayhem and Meyer – All in the Family

Clos du Soleil

Fonseca Zoomathon from Portugal

 

 

September 12th, 2020 – Pinot Clonal Heaven at  CedarCreek and Block Party Part Two  

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Pinot Clonal Heaven at  CedarCreek and Block Party Part Two

 THE SHOW

It was an offer I simply couldn’t refuse.

“would I be interested in tasting CedarCreek’s recent  releases – 3 separate Pinot Noirs,

fermented and bottled separately ”

 

2018 Clone 115 – See Paired Recipe

2018 Clone 667- See paired Recipe

2018 Clone 777- See Paired Recipe

 

I couldn’t say “yes” fast enough.

 

 

Their idea was to showcase each of the clones and along the way discover how unique each is from the other.

They also had a 2018 Block 5 Chardonnay for openers. See Paired Recipes

All four wines would be presented by winemaker Taylor Whelan and paired with special recipes created by Chef Neil Taylor from the sensational Home Block Restaurant at CedarCreek.

Taylor Whelan

AND they would agree to gather for a Zoom interview.

CedarCreek now have six clones of Pinot Noir planted at the Home Block, with several more to be added in the next few years.

In order to better understand the terroir and what each clone can bring to wine, they fermented these wines separately and bottled them separately. They selected fruit from silty loam soils for all three clones, fermented them all naturally, and used similar oak coopers and ages.

Each bottling is only four barrels (90-100 cases) and showcases how each of these clones best expresses the terroir of CedarCreek within the confines of its clonal heritage.

 Just a heads up, there weren’t too many cases made so contact CedarCreek soon if you’d like to purchase the Clonal Three Pack.

This was such fun.

The chef nailed the pairings and the wines were outstanding.

Of course they were, this is CedarCreek after all.

executive chef neil taylor

 

 

@cedarcreekwine

www.cedarcreek.bc.ca

 

 

 

 

 

 

Block Party (Part Two) Sarah and Murray Bancroft-  Birch Block Wines. Kaleden, BC

Sarah and Murray Bancroft

 

As we explained in early June, this is a series.

(Like Schitt’s Creek without the laugh track.)

What you do hear is the sound of helicopters fighting a wildfire across from their home in Kaleden. They start flying at first light.

I wanted to follow a small winery from the start of the year to the conclusion.

Hoping to showcase what goes into our wines, how they get made, and the hazards that must be overcome.

Sarah and Murray Bancroft were a natural choice. They are just so damn cool, any wine they made would be likewise.

We’re following their ups and downs in the growing year 2020. Nobody factored in the possibility of a Worldwide Pandemic and raging fires in the Okanagan. And critters, varmints and predators. The whole food chain of nature. Not to mention the kindness of neighbours, the farming community around them and the wines they’re creating.

If you have always dreamed of reinventing yourself into a grower, farmer, winemaker or owner..have a listen to what Sarah and Murray are going through.  It’s a Block Party.

Oh and one more thing. IF you have expertise in harvest crafts please contact Birch Block Vineyards. They’re looking for people with your skills.

www.birchblockvineyard.com

https://www.instagram.com/birch.block.vineyard/

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

Zoom tasting at Yalumba

Maenam – The book

Noble Ridge

Painted Rock

Sandra Oldfield – Back Again!!

Vanessa

Year 8 – The Four F’s in Kettle Valley

(Food. Fishing. Friends. Fluids)

Mayhem and Meyer – All in the Family

Clos du Soleil

Fonseca Zoomathon from Portugal

 

 

 

 

 

September 5th, 2020 – Zooming with Jason and Naomi Priestley!

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Zooming with Jason and Naomi Priestley at Home

  

THE SHOW

 

Jason Priestley. Naomi Priestley  –  North Hollywood, Ca.

The Priestleys

 I’ve been very happy to call them friends for a long time.

Jason Priestley and I would see each other at auditions for TV and film roles in Vancouver.

Then he headed for LA and the rest you know.

Jason and TDM

Along with Producer Chad Oakes., we created and co hosted Hollywood and Vines TV. 3 years of shows from vineyards and kitchens in Italy, USA (California, Washington and Arizona), Mexico  and across Canada.

He met Naomi while acting in London. Jay didn’t know it yet but he was “done, like dinner”.

Naydog is a force… We had lots to get caught up on.  The kids, the USA and it’s pandemic and political crisis.

Plus three wines. The Rose they were drinking and my two – both with stories attached. Winemakers Cut and “The Mulligan” from Behrens and Hitchcock.

Nay asks about returning to The Guadalupe Valley outside of Ensenada Mexico. It was just waking up to the possibilities of winemaking there when we visited over 10 years ago. Now it’s just exploded.

We talk about the status of his current series Private Eyes, thoughts on shooting film and tv down  the road and how their  family, their  neighbours and fellow Californians are handling 2020.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its casual but a lot of fun. It gets serious a couple of times because it’s a serious time we’re all living in.  Cheers.  Enjoy!!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Priestley

 

 

Mark Wachtin and Mich Pambrun   (Storied Wines and Spirits)

These two interviews were left over from our coverage of Swirl and Untapped in Parksville earlier this year.

Parksvilles gorgeous beaches!

I really like these guys and their outstanding  portfolio. They represent…

 

(Vancouver Island)

Rathjen, Unsworth, Wayward Distillation

 

 (Okanagan)

Anthony Buchanan

Bella

Lock and Worth

Desert Hills

Kitsch

Nagging Doubt

Nichol Vineyard

Synchromesh

Ursa Major

Skaha Vineyards

Scenic Road Cidery

Tall Tale

 

 

That is an impressive list of clients.

You can tell these guys know their wines and winemakers.

Mark Wachtin

Mark Wachtin

Founder – Storied Wines & Spirits

It’s all about the people—conversations, stories and histories. Vancouver Island raised (free range) with a lifetime in hospitality, Mark’s drawn to smaller, family-run operations, sustainable farming and handcrafted production methods.

Motivated by both the traditional and the new wave of producers, Mark has paired wine and food in world-class hotels, restaurants and eateries. Mark’s commitment is best expressed in his strong relationships with sommeliers, chefs, bartenders, servers and retail product consultants.

Mich Pambrun

Mich Pambrun

North Island Sales & Marketing Representative

Michel Pambrun, former DJ and hospitality pro from Manitoba, is an  Internationally accredited sommelier. Michel celebrates natural, sustainable terroir-driven wines and their environments.

His many distinctions include participation in multiple Gold Medal Plates events curating pairings and perhaps his finest harvest, the raising of  two incredible daughters.

http://www.storiedwinesandspirits.com/

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Zoom tasting at Yalumba

Cedar Creek food and wine pairing

Block Party Two –

Maenam – The book

Noble Ridge

Painted Rock

Sandra Oldfield – Back Again!!

Vanessa

Year 8 – The Four F’s in Kettle Valley

(Food. Fishing. Friends. Fluids)

Mayhem and Meyer – All in the Family

Clos du Soleil

August 29th, 2020 – HONOURING WINE EVENTS THAT DISAPPEARED THIS YEAR:

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HONOURING WINE EVENTS THAT DISAPPEARED THIS YEAR:

 

 Hello all:

We started April by showcasing the wine events that would have happened in early 2020 except for the fact that the Earth was fighting a pandemic.

First was event was  –

 Locals Only.  Vancouver Islands  best showcase of  distillers, winemakers, brewers and cider makers.

Then Okanagan Falls &  Skaha Lake Wine Assn  pour in Vancouver. They were shut down. So we went back to 2019 and talked to the very same wineries. When people could shake hands and stand next to one another.

This week its Top Drop Vancouver/Victoria.

Top Drop is simply one of the best small wine festivals anywhere.

They ask of applicants to be sustainable, honour the fruit, don’t mess with the winemaking and be true to the land.

Unsworth Cowichan Valley

It’s become an astounding collection of “must taste” wineries.

We go back to years 4 and 5 to relive the interviews.

To salute BC Wine Month, we have collected only interviews with BC wineries.

Naramata beauty

 

Our guests are:

https://topdrop.ca/

 

 

 STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Cedar Creek – The Pinot Bundle

Tasting with Yalumba on Zoom

Birch Block – Volume 2

Vanessa

Four F’s

 

 

 

 

August 22nd, 2020 – The Grand Crew Collective  and Graham Pierce pours Kitsch in Victoria!

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The Grand Crew Collective and Graham Pierce pours Kitsch in Victoria!


 

THE SHOW

 

The Press Release said it all.

The Grand Crew is a Collective of fiercely committed Okanagan wineries with a passion for sustainable farming and small-lot winemaking.

Unlike other “regional gatherings,” these wineries are from four different Okanagan regions. What they have in common is a “garagiste “ attitude. Smaller batches of wine, a true “hands-on”  approach.

Each winemaker creates something unique, but they meet regularly to share insights, growing and winemaking tips, and resources so that they can each continue to craft some of the best wines in the region.

They have joined with Kelowna’s Public Liquor to offer a sample box of their releases,  curated by the winemakers themselves!  The limited-edition inaugural Grand Crew Collective box is available in-store or online, visit Public Liquor to get yours.

Read the official press release

 

Black Market Wine Co.  Rob Hammersley Owner/Winemaker (Kaleden)

Black Market Wine Co.

2019 Omerta Syrah Rose $24
A crisp, dry rosé made from 100% Syrah. Aromas of wild strawberries, cherries, and a hint of watermelon. The palate dominated by wild red berries and rhubarb. With crisp acidity, this wine finishes dry.

2017 Syndicate.  $35

50% Merlot. 31% Cab Franc. 19% Petit Verdot.  100% Yummy

21 months French Oak. (40% new) Lots of black fruit, Dark chocolate. Tobacco.

 

Nagging Doubt Winery – Rob /Westbury  – Winemaker. Owner  (East Kelowna)

Rob and Abby Westbury Nagging Doubt

2018 Sallows Rd Vineyard Chardonnay.  $21

Estate-grown Chardonnay shows yummy citrus, pear, and mineral notes with a subtle touch of vanilla from aging in 25% new French oak puncheons. On the nose and palate, lemon, green apple, and minerality. A true cold-climate Chardonnay, this wine offers beautiful balance, crisp acidity, and hangs a long time in the mouth.

2018 The Leap$23.   Rob says The Leap is the younger brother of The Pull. Plumb, Blackberry, and Cherry.  Oak and Vanilla note. 60%  Merlot. 27% Cab Franc.  13% Malbec.  18 months in new French oak.  Bingo!

The Leap

Niche Wine Co. Joanna and James Schlosser.  Owners/Winemaker (West Kelowna)

Joanna – James Schlosser Niche Wine Co

2019 Small batch bubbles – $26 

Buttery texture. Homegrown. Handmade.  Stirred weekly for 5 months. Limited production. Off-dry.  Only 185 cases. Much sought after.

Pinot Noir Blanc – $24  Strawberries, lots of berries frankly. Made from just two barrels. 95 cases.

Again. $24 bucks. Oysters. Charcuterie. Or by itself. Hide from family and friends.

Tender Hope WineryEfi Perel  Owner. Winemaker   (West Kelowna)

Eli Perel – Rob Westbury

Efi began his winemaking in Israel. Now 25 years later he’s fully Okanagan.

 

2019  Rose Bubble. VQA. $23

Whole cluster. Combo of Stainless steel and French oak.  Melon. Strawberry.  A light touch of  PNE Candy Floss.


2018 Fire Dance Meritage

This wine is made up of a ripe and balanced blend of 50% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 14% Malbec sourced from the southern limit of Canada’s pocket desert. Rich dark fruit, blueberry, chocolate, wood spice, and smooth mouth feel and a spicy finish.

 

Winemaker’s Cut  – Michal Mosney co-owner and winemaker. (Oliver)

Michal and his wife moved from winemaking in Croatia directly to the Okanagan.

They have become a force, making us even better.

Michael Mosney Winemakers Cut

2019 Gruner Veltliner $26

Shades of Slovakia!
Peach, pear, and citrus aromas along with beautiful minerality and a touch of white pepper and marzipan.  Hello Gruner!!!

2018 Bohemia Cuvee $26 and $36

Michal makes a Blanc and a Rose.

Blanc is Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Viognier.

Rouge is Cab, Merlot, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, AND Syrah. (Pepper. Herbs. Dark Fruit)

https://www.facebook.com/grandcrewcollective/

ttps://tenderhopewinery.com/
https://winemakerscut.ca/
http://naggingdoubt.com/
https://blackmarketwine.ca/
https://www.nichewinecompany.com/

Winemaker and GM Graham Pierce  –  Kitsch Wine pours in Victoria.

I felt I owed this revisit with Graham Pierce. First, he’s a friend, second he’s one of the best winemakers in Canada (think Black Hills and Note Bene) and lastly, my previous interview placed Graham in the uncomfortable position of having to explain the wines of former gifted winemaker Grant Biggs.

Graham Pierce

When I saw that Graham was pouring for the wine community in Victoria  I headed South from Nanoose Bay and met him on the 6th floor deck at Laurel Point in the inner harbour.

Beauty spot but windy that day. Plus it was the first time I was doing an interview with masks on. So the audio is a tad muffled but that goes with the times. Mask Up!

Here’s what we tasted.

 

2016 Blanc de Blancs  ($39)– Lime, Granny Smith apples, crème Brulee. In other words delicious. New vintage coming soon.

2018 Ester’s Block Riesling  ($25)– classic Riesling. Nectarines and Apricots..add peach and ginger notes and you’ll love this wine.

2019 Pinot Gris ($22) – clean citrus on the nose. Green apples and minerality.  Beauty.

2019  Block Party ($21) – I’m a Block Party fan. Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Noir all from the same block. From the 5 blocks on the family vineyard. You just know this is going to be an interesting experience.

2018 Chardonnay ($24)–  (Tentree) Really approachable wine. One bottle bought plants 5 mangrove trees in the Village of Mahabana, Madagascar. Get your bottle soon.

2018 Pinot Noir ($40)– Star anise, forest floor, clean and bright.

2018  Cabernet Franc  ($36)  Oh Hell yes. More, please.  Elderberries, lilacs. Intriguing minerality. Spice and red berries.

 

Thank You, Graham. Can’t wait for your wines.

 

www.kitschwines.ca

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

 

Yalumba Zoom Tasting

Birch Block  Vol 2

Charles Smith

Vanessa

Maenam – The Book

 

August 15th, 2020 – Sandra Oldfield & BC’s Women in Wine and  Jeff Hundertmark from Mt Boo & Modest Wines!

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Sandra Oldfield & BC’s Women in Wine and  Jeff Hundertmark from Mt Boo & Modest Wines!

 THE SHOW

Sandra’s email said it all “let’s feature BC women in wine”.

Sandra Oldfield is currently the President of Elysian Projects Inc., a company that supports BC’s wine industry. Sandra is best known as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tinhorn Creek Vineyard, kick starting Oliver’s Festival of the Grape in 1997 and  has always advised tourism in the province.

Check out #BCWineChat (returns first Wednesday of September) www.sandraoldfield.com

Her recent tweet says  she’s was born in the same Oakland Hospital as Kamala Harris a year and a half after the VP candidate.

It’s fair to say we took some time organizing  these names.

Sandra describes some of them as unsung heroes and some you’ll recognize instantly.

It appears we will be doing this feature again soon as there were LOTS of winemakers/owners we had to leave off just to make room.  That’s a good thing.

BC is blessed with an abundance of women in wine and there are many more joining them each year.

 

This week’s guests are:

Part One:

Joanna Schlosser – Niche Wines and Grand Crew Collective https://www.nichewinecompany.com/

https://www.facebook.com/grandcrewcollective/

Ria Kitsch – Kitsch Wines https://mykitsch.com/

Kathy Malone – Hillside Estate Wines https://www.hillsidewinery.ca/

Jacq Kemp – Therapy Wines https://www.therapyvineyards.com/

 

Part Two

Lindsay O’Rourke – Tightrope https://www.tightropewinery.ca/

Severine Pinte – Le Vieux Pin  https://levieuxpin.ca/

Marilyn Venturi – Venturi-Schulze  https://www.venturischulze.com/

Valeria Tait – 2House and Gold Vineyards https://www.instagram.com/2housewine/?utm_source=ig_emb

Penelope Roche – Roche Wines https://www.rterroir.ca/

Cynthia Enns – 1 Mill Road https://www.1millroad.ca/

 

 

Jeff Hundertmark – Director of  Winemaking at Mount Boucherie, Modest Wines, Rust Wine Co.

jeffHundertmark

Met Jeff and his wife Kimberly at the Niagara Wine Festival. Several times actually.

Kimberly was one of the lead organizers of a very large team.

Jeff was making wines for Mike Weir, Stoney Ridge, Marynissen, The Hip, etc

Then came the big move to The Okanagan in 2017.

Kimberly continued on nicely,  joining  the Wines of BC  team.

Jeff was originally  hired by Rust Wine Co, then Mount Boucherie and Modest Wines.

3 wineries with more  to come.

The new ownership at Mt Boucherie is not only heading their 200 acres to organic status but has finally completed their spectacular experience centre.

Mt Boucherie

The Modest Butcher restaurant has opened and kicked off their Modest Wines.  https://modestbutcher.com/

200 acres under vines gives this crush pad and cellar many many choices.

It’s a huge portfolio.  Well done Jeff!!

In this two part interview Jeff and I are going to taste and talk about:

From Modest Wines

2019 No 4 Orange – 100% Gewurz

2019 Odd Couple – Riesling and Merlot

2018 Little Green Red – 100%  Petit Verdot (crazy good)

2019 Last Hurrah – Syrah 95%  &  Zin 5%

2019 Green Lightning – 100% Gruner

2019 Elder Vicar – Field Blend (Muscat, Gew, Riesling, PG)

The Rest:

2018  White Label Syrah

2018 PTG – Original Vines. (Pinot Noir, Gamay, PG)

2018  Original Vines Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 Malbec Reserve

2017  Summit Reserve (Merlot/Cab Franc/Cab Sauv/Syrah/Malbec)(WoW)

 

www.mtboucherie.com

https://mtboucherie.com/collections/modest-wines-1

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

 

Grand Crew Collective

Kitsch pours in Victoria

Vanessa

Zooming to Yalumba

 

August 8th, 2020 – ZOOM  visits to HILLSIDE and HESTER CREEK  

hello

ZOOM  visits to HILLSIDE and HESTER CREEK   

THE SHOW

 

THIS WEEK two of the leading wineries in BC.

One of the originals on the Naramata Bench and one of the leaders on The Golden Mile and  home of “The Judge.”

This week we spotlight Hillside Winery and Hester Creek Estate Winery!

 

Kathy Malone – Winemaker at Hillside Winery (Naramata Bench)

Kathy Malone

In the early 1900s, this site was an apricot orchard.

In 1979, the property was purchased by Bohumir and Vera Klokocka who had recently immigrated to the Okanagan Valley from Czechoslovakia. In 1984 she and Bohumir pulled out the apricot trees and planted 3.5 acres of vineyards. The grapevines thrived in the gravelly soil and warm Okanagan sunshine and Vera’s dream took shape.

In 1989 Hillside, together with Lang Vineyards and Wild Goose, lobbied the Provincial Government to bring about the Farmgate Winery Policy that was instrumental in changing the B.C. Wine Industry.

 

Since  Kathy moved from Mission Hill to Hillside she has lead the winery to walls of awards and became the voice and face of the Naramata Bench Wineries.

The Hillside portfolio is a testament to Kathy’s skill and passion.

100% of Hillside wines are Naramata raised and grown.

Alert – some wines are marked either above or below the road or below the road. The road being the shoreline of the lake 1000’s of years ago.

2019 Unoaked Pinot Gris (Hillside series. Heritage PG) Splendid!

2018 Viognier (Heritage series)  White Texture

2017 Reserve Malbec.  (A first – the label says Naramata Bench Sub-GI)

Then comes three merlots which are part of their single vineyard program (also includes Cab and Gamay Noir)

2013 Gjoa’s Vineyard Merlot   (Joe-ah) A true beauty.  Below the road.

2014 Hidden Valley Merlot. Bowl-shaped vineyard behind the winery.

Elegant Balance. Above the road

2015 Dickinson Vineyard Merlot. On a bluff overlooking the lake. Below the road.  It’s a classic.

www.hillsidewinery.ca

https://www.hillsidewinery.ca/Bistro

Hester Creek Estate Winery

Chef Adair Scott – Terrafina Restaurant

Winemaker Mark Hopley

 

Hester Creek on The Golden Mile. Kind of rolls off the tongue, right?

Hester Creek Estate has been growing and releasing wines for 50 years.

In 2018, they marked the 50th anniversary of their estate vineyards. As one of the oldest wine properties in the South Okanagan, they are graced with historic vineyards and a modern winery.

None of it would have been possible without the stubborn farming passion of original owner/winemaker Joe Busnardo. His original planting of Trebbiano is still bringing smiles to wine fans.

Joe sold and moved on to  Divino in the Cowichan Valley.

Hester Creek went on to become one of the finest wineries in Canada.

Our Zoom guests are Winemaker Marl Hopley and for the food pairings Terrafina chef Adair Scott.

We talk about two new releases.

2019 Character White – The Pinot Gris has stone fruit on the nose. The palate is treated to honey, melons, papaya, and pear. $16.00

2017 Judge. 

Equal parts Cab Franc, Cab, and Merlot. Also equal parts DeLish.$43.99

Your nose will love the anise, black fruit, and cherry.

Followed by tastes of plum, fig, and dark chocolate.

What a great wine.

Every year it surprises and seduces.

This, my friends is an icon wine..let this beauty rest for a couple of years..like 5-8-10 years. The wait is well worth it.

Given that we’re only talking about two wines and because I had the winemaker and the chef handy I decided to pair foods with wine.  And then wines with food. This includes a speed round. Like a game show.

Great fun.

www.hestercreek.com

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

Sandra Oldfield presents  The Women of Wine.

Jeff Hundertmark  – Winemaker @ Mount Boucherie, Modern Wines. Rust Wine Co

A Zoom gathering with Yalumba

Noble Ridge

Creek and Gully Cider

 

 

 

August 1st, 2020 – Celebrate Food Day Canada 

hello

CELEBRATE FOOD DAY IN CANADA   AUGUST 1

 

Saturday, August 1st  is  Food Day Canada – a chance to salute Canada’s   favourite foods, farmers and all the people involved in our culinary experiences!  Hail to the farmers, those who harvest fish and shell fish, those who get our foods to us fresh and safe,  to the chefs and restaurateurs, the grocery stores and everyone in the food chain.

Buy Local. Eat Local. Shop sustainably. Let’s all get out of this year alive, well and still in business.

 

ANITA STEWART – Founder of Food Day Canada. Food Laureate,  University of  Guelph

Anita Stewart

Anita Stewart was a  little girl selling beans on the side of the road.  Who knew she  would become the author of 14 cookbooks and founder of one of Canada’s most talked about culinary events.

Anita’s  farming roots and farming smarts earned her a membership into the Order of Canada and the first interview on today’s Tasting Room Radio.  Thank You Anita!

Remember to

Shop Local

Eat Local

Cook Local

 

#fooddaycanada

www.fooddaycanada.ca

CHEF ABUL ADAMEThe Kitchen at da Silva Winery (Naramata Bench)

“Mexican born, never cooked back home, moved to Canada 20 years ago. “Throughout my first years as a newcomer, the thought of a restaurant job was an “easy thought” for a start up. but, it seemingly became a life style long term commitment and a true addictive passionate affair to me.”

Abul writing on his main page  www.thekitchen-dasilvavineyards.com

Abul Adame

I’ve known Abul since 2007 when we moved to the Naramata Bench.

My first question to the locals was – most interesting chef?

When the third neighbor said Abul Adame..that did it.

At the time he was cooking up a storm at Amante Bistro in downtown Penticton.

Loved the room and ecstatic about the kitchen. The experience was head and shoulders above 90% of the bistros in the Okanagan.

Thankfully, Abul and The Kitchen are still one of the best Okanagan dining experiences.

The da Silva family is a Portuguese family who has been farming in the Okanagan for many years.

So it’s no surprise that Abul is cooking Portuguese tapas with Mexican Flair.

 

When was the last time you saw a chef come out of the kitchen, take 2-3 minutes to get to know you..go back to the kitchen and cook to your personalities and tastes. Every table. Every night.

 

 

When I told Adul I was still recommending his dining room he actually said

“please. No more. I can’t keep up. The place is very busy.”

Its old school here.

Don’t write..don’t text. Just phone and make a reservation.

If you get Abul..he’ll say they’re too busy. If you get staff,  make a date.

 

One more quote from Abul

“you may like my food, you may not like my food – either way,  I Thank You.

because I no longer cook to impress.”

https://www.thekitchen-dasilvavineyards.com/

JENNIFER SCHELL  – The BC Wine Lovers Cookbook

(Recipes and stories from Wineries across BC)

Jennifer Schell

 

Jennifer Schell (@JenniferSchell8) | Twitter

Jennifer Schell is a highly acclaimed food and wine writer, columnist, and former editor of BC Food & Wine Trails Magazine. Her three cookbooks, The Butcher, The Baker, The Wine & Cheese Maker (In the Okanagan & ‘By The Sea’) are Canadian bestsellers and have won numerous international awards.

 

She is also the co-founder/producer of Garagiste North Wine Festivals, an event celebrating BC’s small lot wine producers chosen as one of the Top Wine Festivals in the Word in 2015 by the London Financial Times.

 

Jennifer was also the founder of Soup Sisters (Kelowna), a charity organization that focuses on feeding the Women and children at the Kelowna Women’s Shelter and the youth on the streets.

Above all, she is a food, wine & culture leader.

Plus she is part of the Schell Family Winery with her two brothers.

 

 

This is not just a book filled with recipes.  Each farming family has its own story.

And when you open their wines, the stories come spilling out. Generations of wines, harvests, long table dining, and every conceivable weather story.

Jenn knows it’s the stories, the people and the food that make wine a great experience.

What a book.

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/599901/the-bc-wine-lovers-cookbook-by-jennifer-schell-foreword-by-john-schreiner/9780525610366

CHEF NED BELL – Naramata Inn

Chef Ned Bell

Ned Bell and his wife Kate Colley have come full circle.

Ned grew up 20 minutes from Naramata Village. Kate met Ned on our veranda on The Bench

in 2008.

They married and had two sons.

They have both had outstanding careers. Ned through bigger and bigger kitchens. Kate through her own successful marketing and media company.

They last worked together at The Four Seasons in Vancouver.

Then over two years ago Kate was diagnosed with breast cancer. She’s beaten it back with an amazing team of professionals.

(even as I write, she’s going through more treatment in Vancouver)

They decided to come full circle and return to the Naramata Bench. Specifically,  the tiny hamlet of Naramata.

With their partners Maria Wiesner and Paul Hollands, they bought the Naramata Heritage Inn at the end of the main street.   Over the years the Inn has represented a beloved base of community and become a destination for visitors.   With 12 vintage rooms above and a dining room and bar below, the inn is surrounded by beautiful gardens. Trust me. The rooms are a memory you’ll treasure always.

Ned, Kate, and the new owners bring world-class culinary experience to the kitchen, which is all about sourcing and celebrating local.

The Inn will deliver a proudly “Naramatian” experience. From produce to proteins, the menus will be built around the best local growers and artisans in Naramata and the Valley. It will showcase the true depth and breadth of award-winning wines produced by British Columbia’s winemakers.

Keep in mind, you’re surrounded by 20-30 wineries and a lake that goes on forever.

www.naramatainn.com

https://www.nedbell.com/bio

 

stories we’re working on:

 

Kathy Malone – New releases from Hillside

Hester Creek checks in

Noble Ridge – a revisit

Sandra Oldfield – What’s on her mind?

Birch Block Take Two

Maenam (The Book)  – Angus An

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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