hello
OK Spring Festival has started plus Spring releases from Painted Rock & Winemaker’s Cut.
THE SHOW
Kimberly Hundertmark – GM Okanagan Wine Festivals
Kimberly Hundertmark
The Okanagan Wine Festival returns this June with three weeks in wine country. There is no better time to visit BC Wine Country than in June.
Just before the summer season kicks into high gear, The Okanagan Spring Wine Festival will focus on a TASTE and SIPS series of events throughout the Okanagan Valley – from June 2 through the 23.
The official launch of the Spring Wine Festival will take place at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre on Friday, June 7, following the British Columbia Wine Awards where the 2024 BC TOP 50 and the Wine of the Year will be announced. The wines were judged by an hand picked panel of wine experts the previous week, and the BC TOP 50 wines will be making their first public appearance at the BC TOP 50 Grand Tasting.
The Okanagan Spring Wine Festival sees the return of the TASTE Series, which includes carefully curated events in various locations. The TASTE Series will launch with the Naramata Bench Wineries Association on Sunday, June 2, followed by the District Wine Village on Saturday and Sunday, June 8 and 9.
Also new this year are two events in the SIPS Series. Summer Sips at Spirit Ridge Resort and Destination Silver Star – outside in Vernon.
Best of all – Kimberly takes us through all the events, big and small, so there’s something for everyone
All events can be found at www.thewinefestivals.com
John Skinner co-founder Painted Rock Winery (Okanagan Falls)
John was a stockbroker in Vancouver for more than 25 years, during which time he became an avid wine enthusiast. John and his wife Trish dreamed of having their own vineyard after spending time exploring wineries in the South of France with their family. In 2004, they purchased the land in south Penticton known locally as “The Blackhawk.”
Perched high on a bench on the east side of Skaha Lake south of Penticton, backing up against the famed climbing bluffs. Once an apricot farm, it had been fallow for 17 years. He planted in 2005 and 2006 and now has roughly 25 acres under vine, all of it Bordeaux reds or Syrah except for a block of Chardonnay. On the advice of consultants, he has planted multiple clones of every variety, giving his winemaker good blending options.
John was confident that this terroir and its site influences presented “a unique opportunity to create exceptional wines” and that he had “both the opportunity and the obligation to do this property justice.” John and Trish’s vision was and remains to grow exceptional grapes in their estate vineyard to produce ultra-premium wines that reflect the perfect marriage of new world fruit and old world processes, employing the best modern technologies and expertise, while respecting old world traditions.
Best of all, the whole family is involved. This is a very personal life journey for The Skinners.
John brings new information on possible deep freeze damages done to his vineyards and the news is good.
Painted Rock is open for business and pouring very top quality wines, including the two we talk about.
For example there are very few wineries who really attempt to make a rose that stands alone.
The 2023 Painted Rock Rose is a world class blend.
51% Merlot/15% Cabernet Sauvignon/12% Petit Verdot/ 11% Cab Franc/11% Malbec.
A rose completely and fully formed. Delicious and memorable. A real rose.
The second wine John talks about is his 2022 estate grown Skaha Bench Chardonnay.
Very fruit forward. Granny Smith, peaches, vanilla – some spice, Meyer lemon. Long glorious finish.
A blend of four micro-harvests picked over 7 days. 8% aged for 6 months in French Oak. (45 new/55 used) The last 15% in Stainless Steel
There are 3 clones involved. The third is a trade secret. John explains.
We also talked about the future of wine in BC and the status of the wine war between Alberta and BC.
My thanks to The Skinner Family.
Michal Mosny – Co-owner/Winemaker of Winemakers Cut/Q&A Wine
Michal, Terry and Jason
Michal and his wife Martina were involved in the Slovakian wine business. They were regular viewers of a wine show called Hollywood and Vines TV from the travel channel London. Hosted by Jason Priestley and myself. Produced by Chad Oakes in Calgary.
They especially loved the Okanagan stories we did. So much so that they travelled to the Okanagan, checked everything out and then went home and sold everything and moved to Oliver. When they got settled they bought a vineyard at Deadman lake and called their new home Winemakers Cut. The winery became an instant success. Still is.
When we finally met, Michal suggested we celebrate his new life and home by creating a new wine called Q&A. A Bordeaux style red blend and a gorgeous white blend of Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier. Both Jason and I are wildly happy for their success.
Now comes the Spring releases for Winemakers Cut – and there’s one that will have people talking.
They are:
2023 Rose – perfect for the months ahead
200 ml Piccolina Frizzante – watch this little bottle get popular.\
2023 Wild Gruner – outstanding. Cloudy. Watch for The Cat on the front. Michal’s Slovakian roots are showing.
Charmat Fidelia – 85% Sauvignon Blanc 10% late harvest Riesling and 5% muscat canelli. All beautifully balanced.
2021 Merlot Franc Delightful
2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Real craft here.
2021 Syrah. – a varietal under the deep freeze gun. Grab what may be the last release.
www.winemakerscut.ca
STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON
Noble Ridge
Haywire/Narrative/Garnett Valley Ranch/Free Form
The Hatch etc
Mayhem
