Tasting Room Radio

May 18th 2024-Spring wine releases from the Naramata Bench

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THE SHOW

Last week we featured Part Two of the Cowichan Spring Wine Releases.  10 interviews in total.

This week, we’re again set up in a very busy room. This time there are even more wineries pouring their Spring releases and all telling the stories that go with each.

This week  we reconnect with the wineries of the Naramata Bench.

Like many others in the BC wine community, The Naramata Bench was also hit with heartbreaking losses of their prime vineyards due to a killer 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 and presenting of Spring wine releases is an annual traditional event.  Talking about failed bud breaks, the loss of complete vineyards and the big question – what to do next?

Many changes coming to BC Wine farming.

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 in the Spring 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  The Naramations pull together as a team. Impressive,  to say the least.

Here are the guests for Part One – talking Spring 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

 

  • Haywire/OK Crush Pad
  • The Hatch
  • Mayhem
  • Poplar Grove Pinot
  • Winemakers Cut
  • Okanagan Spring Wine Fest
  • Best Coast Distillery

May 11th, 2024- Cowichan Valley Spring Wines & singular Scout Wines

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Cowichan Valley Spring Wines & singular Scout Wines in Similkameen Valley

 

THE SHOW

Cowichan Valley Spring Wines in Victoria

Even though they are only a 30 minute drive from each other, the wines from Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley have worked hard to  earn the respect of Victoria restaurants, stores and wine fans. The wineries delivered better wines  every year that have earned that respect.

These interviews were done several weeks ago,  when Cowichan Spring wines were poured for “the trade”.  The sales people in stores and the staff in restaurants who can make or break a wine year.

Unlike their farming brothers and sisters in the Okanagan, the wineries of “warmland” didn’t have to deal with the deep freeze of the past two Winters.

Fair to say, there is renewed interest in the Cowichan.

Two wineries purchased by powerful California wine families, new plantings of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Even though we were all there to talk and taste Spring wines, everyone wanted to talk about the state of BC wines and how the farming community can help each other survive..

This weeks guests are

Xavier Bonilla – Cherry Point Wines.  The one the only Xavier.  www.cherrypointestatewines.com

Xavier Bonilla

Carla Busnardo – Devino Estate.  Wine pioneer Joe Busnardo’s family carries on.  www.devinowinetours.com

Lorin Inglis – Enrico Winery. Gaining in popularity every year. Platinum Winner. www.enricowinery.com

Lorin Inglis-tdm Enrico

Linda Holford – Rocky Creek.  Passionate wines. www.rockycreekwinery.ca

Zac Brown – Alderlea Winery. Swamped by interested trade. www.alderlea.ca

Alderlea Zac & Julie

Sheila Bails – Zanatta Winery.  One of the original wineries and a much admired treasure.  www.zanatta.ca

 

www.cowichanwineries.com

www.tourismcowichan.com

www.tourismvancouverisland.com

www.vancouverisland.travel

 

Scout Vineyard – Similkameen Valley.  Aaron Godard/Partner (with wife Carly plus  Murray and Maggie Fontaine)

Scout vineyards are completely different from just about everyone.

Their vineyard is not perfectly manicured. Their vines are sharing the hard mineral soil with weeds. The partners are re-thinking the way they farm.

Ecosystem first through regenerative farming.

The Similkameen is their home. , so the way they farm has a direct impact on their families, friends and surrounding community.

(Like most of the wineries in the Okanagan,  Scout was also devastated by two freezing Winters. Aaron explains how the Scout team is  coping.)

 

How does all this unique farming show itself in the wines?

 

We tasted Scout  Spring releases

 

2022  Gew Cab

This was born out of experimentation as a component for their Rosé.

Turns out that Cabernet Sauvignon and Gewurtztraminer are a wonderful match when co-fermented! They were co-fermented in open vats for about 10 days and then pressed off and into neutral barrels, where they sat aging undisturbed for 18 months.

Indigenous yeast, unfined, unfiltered, nothing added or taken away except 25ppm sulphur. This is a light, fragrant red wine. Think spring in a bottle, blossoms, herbs, wild berries. $30.00

 

NV Rose

Non-vintage (NV) blend of 2021 and 2022. The grapes come from four distinct “appellations”: Naramata, Oliver, Osoyoos, and the Similkameen Valley. Comprised of Cab Sauv,  rosé (8 hours on the skins), Cab Sauv and Gewurtztraminer co-ferment, skin contact Pinot Gris, Muscat, and Riesling, on the skins for 7-14 days, and in a variety of vessels (open top vats, qvevri – earthernwear vessels, neutral barrels, and a small amount of stainless steel).

This is a darker rosé. Herbaceous and floral like their  previous vintages, but with the addition of the older ’21 vintage, there’s a little more body and texture, and a slight savouriness that has started to develop. Nothing taken or added except 15ppm sulphur. 12.5% alcohol.  $29.00. Absolutely nothing like it.

 

www.scoutvineyard.com

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

Naramata Bench Wineries  pour Spring wines.

Mayhem Spring Releases

Same with Painted Rock

And Winemakers Cut.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 4th, 2024- Spring releases from Clos Du Soleil and Cowichan Wines

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Spring releases from Clos Du Soleil and Cowichan Wines (Part One)

  

THE SHOW

 Michael Clark Winemaker       Clos Du Soleil (Similkameen Valley)   

Michael Clark

Its Spring Time in BC Wine Country!!  (Just writing the line brings me joy!)

After a Canadian Winter that included freezing temperatures for a second Winter in a row,  growers, viticulturists and winemakers in BC are walking the vineyards right now.  They’re all  looking for bud break and signs that the vines either survived or need replacing. It’s a 2024 Springtime that has brought crisis, major changes AND renewal.

There’s much to talk about in the coming weeks.  Almost 30 interviews.

We’ll talk to the winemakers in the Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island and Naramata Bench above Penticton.

Everyone has an opinion and Spring wines to talk about.

We start with one of the very best. Michael Clark winemaker at Clos Du Soleil in the Similkameen.

 

The winemaking vision at CDS is “to treat our grapes gently and with respect, in order to produce complex, age worthy wines that showcase the very best expression of the Similkameen Valley Terroir”.

 

The hard soils/shales  of the valley can break planting machines but when roots are grown down into that same land,  the valley can produce sensational wines.

For example, Michael takes us through his  Spring releases:

 

2023  Rose – Pinot Noir grapes grown specifically for this wine  in Kaleden.  Cold fermentation in stainless steel tanks.

As always, handling was kept to a minimum.  No oak. Aromas of ripe fruit, floral notes and what I thought was spice became white pepper.

THIS is a keeper. Find this Rose for your Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Retail $28.90

 

2022  Chardonnay – Wonderful golden glow in the bottle and glass.

Highly recommend  to open and let it breathe for 20 minutes. The rewards are Granny Smith notes, lemon and tropical fruit, floral touch.

2022 Winemaker's Chardonnay

Taste is a magical weave  of the above notes, minerality and spice.  There’s a  delicious oak roundness due to its fermentation in older French puncheons.

From their La Cote Vineyard in Keremeos. Find this beauty.

Retail &29.90

 

2021 Syrah –  Part of the much admired Winemaker’s Series. The Syrah was grown and harvested at Blind Creek Vineyard in downtown Cawston and the 3% Viognier came from their La Cote Vineyard in Keremeos.

Aged for 16 months in French oak barrels – 15% new.

Single Vineyard. Very complex  on the palate. With raspberries, ripe dark fruit, blackberries,  currants, chocolate and a hint of spice.

Bottled a year ago – today!!

Heads up – limited production. Well worth the seek.

Retail – $39.90

 

2020 Signature. Clos Du Soleil’s flagship  blend. Produced by hand. 16 months in French oak barrels. Only the most complex, elegant barrels were used.

Memorable growing season in 2020. The long hang time shows itself.

So you shouldn’t  be surprised by the nose and palate on this complete wine.

Raspberry, blackberry,  wood box plus  cherry, fig, ripe berries abound. Minerality down the middle and on the finish. Think wet river stones, graphite, pencil and forest floor.

Merlot 34%/Cab 33%/Cab Franc 21%/Malbec 9%/PV 3%

 

Impressive, passionate and complete winemaking.  Congratulations to Michael and the Team.

Retail – $55.90

 

www.closdusoleil.ca

 

Cowichan Wineries pour for wine trade in Victoria

 

A Springtime tradition. The Cowichan Wineries drive in to Victoria to pour for the wine trade. Wine and liquor stores, restaurant wine buyers, Sommeliers, etc.

TechIsland

We had much talk about. Freeze in the Okanagan, helping wine friends who had lost crops, how the spotlight is shining on the Cowichan wineries and new owners/winemakers introducing themselves.

These are the first of a dozen interviews done last week. Each pouring multiple wines.

Mike Nierychlo –  co/founder and winemaker at Emandare (celebrating 10 years) www.emandarevineyard.com

Robin and Mike

Dan Wright – winemaker at Unsworth www.unsworthvineyards.com

Dan Wright

Brent Rowland – Winemaker at Averill Creek and Joue   www.averillcreek.ca

Tricia Huebner – New owner of Cobble Hill Wines. www.cobblehillwinery.ca

Tricia Huebner

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

The rest of Cowichan Wine Pour

The Naramata Bench Trade Pour in Vancouver.

Mayhem

Pinot from Polar Grove.

 

 

 

April 27th, 2024- Alderlea  Spring Releases & 2023 Cider Festival

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Alderlea  Spring Releases & 2023 Cider Festival 

Julie Powell and Zac Brown – Co-founders and Co-winemakers of Alderlea Vineyards  (Cowichan Valley)

For 6 years now Julie and Zac have been re-imagining their lives. Studying the craft of winemaking, and farming techniques and releasing better and better wines.

They are blessed to be working with the outstanding vineyards of former owner/winemaker Roger Dosman.  Roger was a leader in commercial Blattner releases but more importantly, committed himself and his vineyards to Pinot Noir. Well ahead of most of BC vineyards.

The Spring Releases from Alderlea this year include

Julie and Zac

2023  Pinot Gris – At first glance it reads as a Rose but it’s more copper coloured.

Aromas of ripe peaches lead to flavours of citrus, ripe mango and melon.

And a mouthfeel that tops it all off.  Get your hands on this winner.

Zac explains the old-world winemaking process that makes it such a stand-out.

Like all of their wines, this exciting Pinot Gris is sustainably farmed, organically fertilized and grown without synthetic pesticides or herbicides.

All Alderlea wines are Vegan.  Julie has all the prices in the interview.

 

2023  Bacchus

These vines are old and gnarly. They should be, they’re starting their fourth decade. This close relative of the Riesling, it’s one of the oldest plantings in the Cowichan Valley.

Floral and citrus aromas followed by flavours of apricot and ripe South Pacific fruit. A welcomed sipper but also works with Asian dishes and seafood.

No oak program for any of the Alderlea whites.

 

2023 Valerie

Named after Julie’s late Mother. It was the first wine that Julie made as principal winemaker.

It’s a blend of 80% Cowichan Ortega & 20% Alderlea grown Viognier. Apricots, green pear and orange on the nose and palate.

The blend is spirited and elegant with memorable poise, much like her Mother.  Available at the winery only.

The Valerie won a Gold Medal at the 2023 All-Canadian wine championships.

The 2020 Won Double Gold in 2021

Silver in 2019

Silver in 2018

I repeat – these were the first wines Julie has made.

 

2023  Sauvignon Blanc

A rare varietal in The Cowichan. I think Julie says one of only 3 vineyards growing it on Vancouver Island. Theirs is the largest planting of Cowichan Sauvignon Blanc, some planted in 2018.

Aromas of grasslands and citrus with flavours of Granny Smith apples and Nectarine. This is your seafood, oyster, and scallops wine for the season.

Paired with Halibut, the wine is such a delight and a consistent medal winner at All Canadian Wine Championships.

Two separate Pinot Noirs are arriving this Fall. I have both but I will lay them down for a couple of months. Still young. However, I will let you know how the tasting goes.  Both could be a game changer for Alderlea and the Cowichan.

Wine tasting by appointment, they’re very busy growing and making wines. It is well worth the visit.

 

www.alderlea.ca

 

 

2023 BC Cider Festival – Pipe Shop North Vancouver  

After being shut down for several years of lockdown,  The 5th annual BC Cider Fest has just been announced.  June 16th. Again at the Pipe Shop foot of Lonsdale,  North Vancouver.

It’s grown every year as has the cider industry.

Driven by passionate, colourful cidermakers. It’s quite a community.

To give you an idea of how engaging these people are,  we’re repeating four interviews from the 20 we did the last time they gathered.

Shawn and Kelly Piso – co-founders of Cider Fest

Gretta Lattey – Salt Spring Cider.  Very popular.

Bruce McKinlay – Valley Cider.  Duncan.   Funny and wildly creative cidermaker.

Mathew Vaslev – Twin Island Cider.  Most popular cider winner at last festival.

 

@bcciderfest

www.bcciderfest.ca

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Spring Wine Releases

Orofino

Scout Vineyard

Poplar Grove – new Pinot Noir

Clos du Soleil

The wineries of Naramata Bench

Anthony Buchannan

Painted Rock

Mayhem/Meyers

 

 

 

April 20th, 2024- It’s a Spring Thing – Okanagan Spring Fest & Enrico Cowichan Spring Wines

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It’s a Spring Thing – Okanagan Spring Fest & Enrico Cowichan Spring Wines

 

THE SHOW

 

Kimberly Hundertmark  –  GM  Okanagan Wine Festivals

Kimberley Hundertmark

FINALLY.  The days are noticeably longer and warmer.

Spring is right around the corner.

For farmers and wineries, it’s the time for serious soil and vine preparation.

Unfortunately this year, Okanagan wineries are dealing with deep freeze damage throughout the valley. Some estimates at 97% crop loss.

Whole regions may have to be replanted.

Everyone is awaiting bud break, when the land tells them what the future looks like.

In the very middle of all this is Kimberly Hundertmark, the GM of the Okanagan Wine Festivals.

Kimberly and her team have been organizing the 2024 Okanagan Spring Wine Festival. It’s jammed with events, celebrations at a full speed ahead pace.

 

Wine fans will have an amazing choice of events to consider. The celebration comes from the realization that these small farms and winemakers got knocked down but they just picked themselves up and started again. They’re used to nature messing with their plans.

Kimberly takes us through a state of the valley update and then runs down some of the highlights of this years Festival.

www.thewinefestivals.com

Loren Inglis  – GM Enrico Winery

If you choose to drive up or down Vancouver Island you have a choice.

The four lane freeway that gets you places , sometimes as fast as 110 km an hour.  However, for many of us, the  original coast highway is still found on any map and is sooo much nicer to drive and see and find the wonderful surprises along the way.

Farm gate stalls featuring home baking, spectacular eggs,  fresh vegetables and fruit. Hand made crafts . Fanny Bay Oysters, craft beers, distilleries.

Then around a corner you see a gorgeous vineyard South of Duncan. Between Cobble Hill and Mill Bay.

The home of Enrico Winery. One of a dozen Cowichan  Valley Wineries.

 

The first Vancouver Island winery to win a Platinum Award at the annual Lt. Governors Wine Awards.

The charming General Manager is Lorin Inglis. He’s also the President of the Cowichan Wineries Society, who organize the annual Cowichan Wine Festival.

Lorin and I will talk about Enrico Spring Releases and the plan for this years Cowichan Wine Festival – the whole month of August.

TDM and Lorin Ingles

A new Rose – made from Cabernet Libre!  A first.

A standby from years past  – Cabernet Foch is back. When it’s grown right, harvested at its prime and cellared creatively Foch can shine.

Also another standby,  the award winning – Tempest Ortega will be available soon.

It’s a Spring Thing – Okanagan Spring Fest & Enrico Cowichan Spring Wines

It’s a Spring Thing – Okanagan Spring Fest & Enrico Cowichan Spring Wines

And two sparkling wines in cans. Both of which will be a sold out hit!

Enrico_Mixed-Sparkling_Can_4_notext.jpg

Revelation  Pinot Noir  Charme de L’ile 2022 Sparkling Rose (250 ml can) Simply wonderful.

 

Celebration Pinot Gris   Charme De L’ile 2022 Sparkling Wine (250 ml can)

 

www.enricowinery.com

 

www.cowichanwineries.com

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

 Spring Releases….

Painted Rock

Clos du Soleil

Orofino

Anthony Buchannan

French Door

Naramata Bench Vancouver Pour

 

April 13th, 2024-2024 Spring Releases from Hillside Estate Winery and Bartier Bros

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2024 Spring Releases from Hillside Estate Winery and Bartier Bros

 

THE SHOW

 

It’s a very busy time in the BC wine world.

Firstly, April is BC Wine Month.  Vineyards are being examined to see what the deep freeze damage was and plans are being made to replant vineyards lost. Perhaps with entirely new varietals. Our second guest, Okanagan wine veteran Michael Bartier reveals his plan to replace the 17 vineyards he lost to the freeze.

To quote Michael “ I’ve stopped grieving”.  (more on Michael shortly)

 

Kathy Malone – Winemaker at Hillside Vineyard and winery/Exec Chef Evan Robertson Hillside Bistro (Naramata)

Hillside Winery Merlot Malbec and Heritage Series Cabernet Franc For Now and Later – MyWinePal

(Kathy Malone – Winemaker/Hillside Winery)

We start with Kathy Malone,  Winemaker at Hillside Estate Winery Naramata Bench.  Hillside was the third winery on The Bench so those vines have found their place in the deep soils. Hillside staff  are celebrating their 40th anniversary!

 

Hillside Winery – Scout Magazine

(Hillside Winery – Naramata Bench)

Kathy is joined by Hillside Bistro Executive Chef Evan Robertson. Chef pairs his new Spring menu  with the wines we taste and talk about. Such as:

 

2022 Heritage Muscat Ottonel – The Heritage series is dedicated to their history and the land, showing all the flavours and styles of the Naramata Bench. The graceful and thoroughly pleasing Ottonel never fails to surprise and find new fans. $26

2022 Heritage Pinot Gris.  Only the best vineyard blocks  are selected. Fermented in Tokay Hungarian Oak. 5 months of lees stirring. The wine and barrels are a perfect match. A top shelf white. Citrus notes, tropical fruit on the nose – full bodied due to 71% barrel fermentation.  $35

2023  Un-oaked Pinot Gris. White peach , granny smith and melon. Beautiful clean finish. A blend of four vineyards, all from Naramata Bench. $25

2022 Heritage Viognier.  The 2021 won an exclusive Platinum Award from Lt. Governors awards. The 2022 was a much cooler growing season. They created layers of texture with 24% fermentation in French Oak and time on lees in a concrete jarred. This is fine winemaking. Find this one.  $28

2020 Gamay Founders Block. Thanks to founder Vera Klokocka. She ignored  the advice given 40 years ago and hedged her bets by using “own roots” vines. That alone protects the vineyard from cold but today allows Hillside to regrow vines from the roots up. The roots seem to be able to take the deep freeze of  past years.

This Gamay is from the oldest Gamay vineyards in Canada. “cru” style Gamay spent 8 months in French Oak – one third new. $45

2021 Heritage Syrah. Syrah took a big hit these past two winters. Hillside still doesn’t know if they survived. The warm 2021 season created one of the best vintages from this block in years. From the Hidden Valley Vineyard. Planted in 2007, the year Tasting Room Radio started.  Syrah fans will love this release. $36

2017 Mosaic   The flagship wine of Hillside. The 2017 blend is 33% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 18% Malbec, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot. Finished in 43% New French oak. Gloriously good. $70

 

www.hillsidewinery.ca

 

Michael Bartier – co-founder of Bartier Bros Vineyard and Winery. (Black Sage/Osoyoos)

Bartier Bros Winery | Don and Michael

(The Bartier Bros – Don & Michael)

Michael has become one of BC’s wine leaders. Working his  winemaking way through Hawthorne Mountain, Road 13, Township 7, Okanagan Crush Pad, Michael now has his own vineyards and winery. Yes, there is another  brother – Calgary based Don.

Michael also consults many other vineyards.

Over the 17 years of Tasting Room Radio, Michael has become a mentor to me and the audiences through our interviews.

I was looking forward to talking to Michael about his 2024 Spring releases but also wanted his opinions on “the freeze damage”  of the past two winters.

He’s lost 17 vineyards. Seventeen!

In this interview he admits  “I stopped grieving”. I also wanted to hear his comments on the current Alberta/BC wine war.

 

Michael and I tasted and talked about these 2024 Spring releases….

 

2022 Riesling  To quote John Schreiner “Every wine Michael creates is meant to showcase the purity of the fruit.”   This is a beautiful wine. Outstanding nose and palate. Intense, crisp, stays complete through the finish. $22

2023 Rose.  All day. Every day. Perfect wine for the season ahead and then some $19

2023 Sauvignon Blanc From the Members Club. Wonderful blend of citrus and tropical flavours. A favourite $25

2022 Pinot Noir  Also from the members club $40  Rich and ripe  dark fruit with a whiff of dill on the nose. Well constructed tannins with scenes of  a  balance of fruit and minerality and a long delicious third act. Bravo!

2021  Granite  A brand new red blend.  53% Syrah. 32% Merlot. 12% Cab Franc 3% Cabernet Sauvignon.  From vineyards in Cawston, Golden Mile and Black Sage Terrace. 19 months in neutral French Oak before blending and bottling. 14.5 Alc.   $29.99

 

Piquette Rose – 4X355 ml Cans. Delicious. Perfect summer fun. Originally the wine workers drink. Made much better these days.

Piquette White – 4X355ml Cans. Easy to drink. Perfect for camping and backyard. Both $15.99

 

 www.bartierbros.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

French Door

Anthony Buchannan

Painted Rock

Orofino

 

 

 

 

April 6th , 2024- 7th Annual April is BC Wine Month-Buy B.C. Wine.

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It’s the 7th Annual April is BC Wine Month

Seven Wine Stars on  why it’s time to Buy BC Wine. We can ALL help!

 

 

 

THE SHOW

 

Christine Coletta – Co-founder  Haywire Wines (Summerland)

Grant Stanley –Winemaker/GM of Spearhead  – (East Kelowna) 2022 Best Small Winery in Canada.

Rhys Pender – Master of Wine and co-founder Little Farm Wines (Similkameen)

Kimberly Hundertmark – Executive Director Okanagan Wine Festivals

Sandra Oldfield – Partner Elysian Projects and Organizer of  Fortify Conference in Penticton

Tim Pawsey – Writer and Wine Judge (Hired Belly)

Leslie D’Andrea – Co-founder and CEO Noble Ridge Winery (OK Falls)

 

The BC Wine industry could use your support. This month would be good!

Discover the Wines, Wineries and Vineyards of British Columbia | Wine BC

Farming and making wine is a long hard road during the growing season. However,  the past farming year was hit with wildfires, smoke, a December freeze that killed many vines and the MacDougall Creek Fire, one of the largest and most vicious fires overlooking West Kelowna.

Then, at the height of the fires,  the BC government shut down the highways into the Okanagan.  Wine fans and tourists were asked to either go home or stay home.

They did stay home and when the roads opened again they either stayed home or went elsewhere.

The wineries, restaurants and accommodation businesses in the Okanagan lost weeks of prime-time sales.

The lost revenue and the reduced fruit crop has put a hurt on many small wineries. Some will be lost. Many are “holding on” hoping for a better year ahead.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

 Have a listen to these BC Wine leaders.  Lots of suggestions and much wise advice.

From buying BC wines for the near future and ordering a BC wine when dining.

Join a wine club. Shop online. Gift your friends. 

Also, the Spring Wine Festival is on in the Okanagan.  Now’s the perfect time to visit.  Kimberly Hundertmark Executive Director gives us a primer on the events.

  • Spearheadwinery.com
  • Haywirewinery.com
  • LittleFarmWinery.ca
  • thewinefestivals.com
  • elysianprojects.com
  • Nobleridge.com
  • TimothyPawsey
  • WineBC.com
  • Totabc.org

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Spring Wine Releases

Hillside

Bartier brothers

Anthony Buchannan

Painted Rock

Orofino

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 30th, 2024Spring Releases – Tightrope (Naramata) & Bonterra Organic  (Mendocino)

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Spring Releases – Tightrope (Naramata) and Bonterra Organic  (Mendocino)

 

THE SHOW

 

Lyndsay O’Rourke – Winemaker at Tightrope Winery (Naramata Bench)

Lyndsay O'Rourke Tightrope Winery - Good Life Vancouver

(Lyndsay and Graeme O’Rourke)

 

Tightrope Winery is a small, family-run, sustainable winery on the Naramata Bench.

A true Labour of love for owners Graham (viticulturist) and Lyndsay O’Rourke (winemaker). Their vineyards on the Naramata Bench are farmed sustainably to make hand-crafted wines with artistry and passion. Tightrope wines capture the soul of Naramata – the personality, character, culture and fruit of “the Bench.”

Tightrope Winery, Naramata Bench - Visit Penticton

(tightrope winery)

Tightrope  is yet another story of a couple who discovered they both had a passion for wine and when given the self inspired opportunity  to become farmers and winemakers, they changed careers and homes to follow their dreams.

To those who seek such things, it should come as no surprise that their wines are completely  passionate and speak to your senses.

 

Top 10 small wineries in Canada – 2019.

Our interview with co-owner and winemaker Lyndsay O’Rourke will cover Tightrope Spring Releases..

2023 – Pinot Gris – 4 different vineyards. Notes of pear and grapefruit. Beautifully clean and dry. ( Lyndsay has prices in interview)

2023 – Rose . What a nice surprise to find 96% Pinot Noir and 4% Barbera which adds spice notes in the tasting experience.

 

2022 – Semillon. Single vineyard Gem.  100% Sem. Lemon zest. Grapefruit and minerality. Clean and crisp.

2023 – Viognier.  Two vineyards involved.  Ripe citrus notes, ginger. Dry and bright. Aged on lees for 3 months. French and Acacia Barrels. Worth it!!

2022 – Pinot Noir Rubis.  Destemmed not crushed. 3 weeks on skins. Then  French Oak – 30% new for 10 months. Cranberry. Strawberry. Spice. (Cellar for 2-10)

2022 – Pinot Noir Fleet Road. Complex vineyard management pays off. Ripe black fruit, plum. Leather. Some Oak. Impressive. (cellar 2-10 years)

www.tightropewinery.ca

 

Bonterra Organic Estates – Joseph Brinkley Director of Regenerative Farming/Benjamin Mitarakis Dir. of Trade Development (Mendocino)

Bonterra Organic Vineyards Continues to Advance Organically Farmed Wine | Minnesota Monthly

This taste and talk took place at Tap and Barrell Bridges on Granville island . The afternoon was part Spring release tasting and very much a talk about organic farming at Bonterra Organic Estates. America’s #1 Organic Winery.

The winery and vineyards over the years has been known as Fetzer Vineyards and had winemakers such as Paul Dolan and Bob Blue.

Vina Concha y Toro took control of Fetzer in 2011 and when they launched Bonterra they were well ahead of anyone else in Organic farming and wines.

Its taken years of education to raise the profile of organic wines. With the consumer and surprisingly with wine sales staff. Not just in Vancouver but everywhere.

Benjamin and Joseph spent several hours walking us through the farming process, the certification of the vineyards and their commitment to The Earth.

(Joseph Brinkley – TDM – Benjamin Mitarakis)

Our  energized  conversation covered most of the questions asked in the room but then we talked about “the wines”.

All the while we tasted the following Bonterra  Spring Releases..

2022 – Bonterra Organic Estates Chardonnay. 2 vineyards. One sandstone and the other volcanic rock. On Lees 6 months American Oak – third new. $24

Delightful Mendocino Chard. Light oak notes – nice finish and the price is right.

2021 – Bonterra Organic Estates Cabernet Sauvignon. Nice touch of Petit Syrah adds fine aromas. 40% new French oak. Raised toast levels lifts everything.

$25.  Dark ripe berries, lasting finish. Again, the price is right.

 

Not yet available but hopefully coming our way, we also tasted

 

2022 – Bonterra Estate Collection  (new) Chardonnay. Granny Smith, citrus, ripe pear. 50/50 oak  French/American. Brilliant nose.  Big hit!

2022 – Bonterra Estate Collection   (new) Cabernet Sauvignon. Butler Ranch Fruit. 100% French Oak.  40% new.

2022 – Bonterra Estate Collection  (new) (new) The Butler Red Blend. Butler Ranch Vineyards. 63% Syrah, 18 P Syrah, 12 Mourvedre,  6 Grenache and 1% Viognier. 14 months in French Oak (12 new).  Direct,  delicious and damn good.

Bonterra Certified: B Corporation/ Regenerative Organic Certified/Climate Neutral Certified/True Zero Waste Certified.

www.bonterra.com

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

BC Spring Releases

Whisky Tales

 

 

 

 

 

March 23rd, 2024- VanWineFest with DJ Kearney and a reconnect with Sandra Oldfield

hello

THE SHOW

 

Our last segments of  2024 VanWineFest with DJ Kearney  and  a 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 third & final co-host, the one and only DJ Kearney.  Educator, mentor, leader, wine judge, black belt, speaker and wine director at Terminal City Club.

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

As I did with 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 liberally 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 Estate   Napa Valley Golden Mile (Ray Signorello – Owner. North Shore guy)

Ray Signorello

www.signorelloestate.com

www.robertmondaviwinery.com

www.bonterra.com

www.alpha-estate.com

www.nkmipcellars.com

www.tcclub.com

@djkearney

 

 

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, 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?

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.

 

www.elysianprojects.com

www.fortifyconference.ca

www.winebc.com

www.hellobc.com

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

New Spring Release Feature Wines

Tightrope – Naramata

Hillside Winery – Naramata

Winemakers Cut (South Okanagan)

Orofino – Similkameen

Bartier Brothers

Painted Rock

March 16th, 2024- 45th VanWineFest TRR Part 2 – 10 Italians and a Turyk!

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 invited

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

Then Sebastiano De Ferrari. The owner of Boscarelli sits in.

Michaela and I then welcome

Barbara De Rahm from Marziano Abbona and

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!!

 michaelamorris.ca

           @kelciejones

            thisiswineschool.com

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Van Wine Fest Part Three

  • with DJ Kearney
  • Tightrope Winery  New Releases.
  • BC/Alberta  Wine Wars