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October 20th, 2018 – A Merlot Special even Miles would like!

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THE SHOW

 

Jack If they want to drink Merlot, we’re drinking Merlot.

Miles Raymond No, if anyone orders Merlot, I’m leaving. I am NOT drinking any f#*king Merlot!

 

Sideways

Somewhere on this website  is the famous Merlot scene from the film  Sideways, spoken with outrage and indignation by the sublime Paul Giamatti as Miles Raymond, failed writer and wine snob.

The film came out in 2004 and the sales of Merlot dropped like a stone. In some markets it has  never really recovered.

(Director and Writer Alexander Payne starts the show)

Alexander Payne – Director of Sideways

 

I had this nagging question hanging over me for a while now.

Is BC Merlot being taken for granted? Has it lost its luster and ranking to the wine fan?

The most planted grape in BC is Merlot  but, except for Vancouver Sun wine writer Tony Gismondi, I’m not seeing a lot articles or headlines on BC Merlot.

merlot-on-the-vine

In the next hour you’ll hear from many of BC’s Best Merlot winemakers. Many of the questions are the same…

Is Merlot being taken for granted?

What was the effect of Sideways?

What makes BC Merlot outstanding?

When did you fall in love with this grape?

Have we all changed our wine tastes?

Many of the questions were the same ..but the answers were  all wildly different.

 

Our 12   Merlot guests include

 

Alexander Payne – Screenwriter and Director of Sideways https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0668247/

Rhys Pender – Master of Wine   http://www.wineplus.ca/

Mary McDermott – Winemaker at Township 7  https://www.township7.com/

Mike Raffan – GM at Township 7   https://www.township7.com/

Phil McGahan – Winemaker at Checkmate Wines. (Winner: 2017  Judgement of BC) https://www.checkmatewinery.com/

Jeff Harder –  Co-Owner Ex Nihilo  https://exnihilovineyards.com/

Peter Lindenlaub –  Wagner Family Wines (Napa)  http://www.wagnerfamilyofwine.com/

Kane Morgan –  Co-Owner Rust Wine https://www.rustwine.com/

Joseph Luckhurst –  Managing Partner  Road 13  http://road13vineyards.com/

Larry Gerelus – Co-Owner  Stags Hollow  (OK Falls) https://stagshollowwinery.com/

Rob Summers – Senior Winemaker at Hester Creek  http://hestercreek.com/

Michael Bartier –  Co-owner  and Winemaker at Bartier Bros  http://www.bartierbros.com/

 

 

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

FYI – International Merlot Day is Nov 7th

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

Dilettante – the new wine from Sommelier of the Year Shane Taylor wine director at Cin Cin.

Not just any wine.  It’s the first from Okanagan Crush Pad’s Garnet Valley Pinot Noir. It also raises funds for BC Hospitality Fund.

Interviews with Christine Coletta Co-Owner of Okanagan Crush Pad and 2018 winner of Founders Award.

Fall Wines

 

 

 

Mulligan Stew Oct 13th 2018- Byrnes, Go Go and 17 Vultures

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Welcome back to Mulligan Stew…Year 22.

Mulligan Stew / CKUA Radio  October 13th  5-7  Mtn / 4-6 Pacific

www.ckua.com

www.tastingroomradio.com

Three  Guests this week.

First is Jim Byrnes – longtime friend and keep of the blues.

He’s a singer/songwriter/actor and first chair storyteller.

Jim grew up in St Louis, Missouri listening to gospel, blues, and r&b.

Those influences stayed with him to this very day and they show themselves in his music.

Friday Jim is in Calgary at South wood

Saturday night in Edmonton at Parkview Community Centre.

TDM & David Gogo 2016

The second guest is also a long time friend and fine bluesman himself David Go Go

Crazy Dave is releasing his 15th album called 17 Vultures.

It’s a mix of covers and blues standards.

He’s got a great band plus guests like Monkey Junk in studio with him.

We met and did the interview in front of The Modern Cafe in downtown Nanaimo.

The third guest is featured on Mulligan Stew PODCAST (Spotify, Google Play Music. Apple Podcasts)

He’s noted author Michael Barclay and he’s taken up the formidable challenge of capturing the life, times, music and stunning final tour of Gord Downie and The Tragically Hip.  Thus the interview we present is 50 minutes long and we still didn’t cover everything.

The book is called The Never-Ending Present:  The Story of Gord Downie and The Tragically Hip.

 

“ The story of The Tragically Hip is the story of Canadian Music. They taught us that there are no dress rehearsals, that the best time is always now, that we should be celebrating the next 150 years – and that we should embrace the never-ending present.”

 


FYI – the show starts with a wicked Ray Charles classic The Nighttime (is the right time) followed by Aretha, Levon Live, Molly Johnson, kd, Taj, Paul Simon, Tom Petty, Bruce, Wood Brothers, and new music,  Dangerous Heart  from Joey Landreth and Cold in the Summer  from Dan Mangan.

Have a great weekend…

TDM

PLAYLIST:

Mulligan Stew – for your Saturday Night www.mulliganstew.ca
The Night Time Ray Charles Live
Son of a preacher man Aretha Best of
Rag mama rag (live) Levon Helm Ramble at the Ryman
Inner City Blues Molly Johnson Meaning to tell you
www.deanehouse.com Tonight Jim Byrnes and David GoGo
Lola (live) The Kinks Come dance with The Kinks
The thrill is gone(live) The Crusaders and BB King Royal Jam
Mulligan Stew Year 22 www.mulliganstew.ca NEXT – kd lang
Helpless kdlang recollection
Honky Tonk Women Taj Mahal This is Taj Mahal
Hang Loose Alabama Shakes Boys and Girls
Jim Byrnes Interview
Long hot Summer days Jim Byrnes Long hot Summer days
Late in the evening (live) Paul Simon iTunes Festival London
This is Mulligan Stew with TDMulligan Coming UP – David GoGO talks 17 Vultures
Get Back (live) Paul McCartney Bridge School Concerts
Breakdown Ilive) Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Live Anthology
Ophelia (live) The Wood Brothers Live at The Barn
waiting for a sunny day bruce springsteen the rising
www.coyotesbanff.com Coming UP – David GoGO talks 17 Vultures
you got lucky Ridley Bent Wildcard
woogity bop spyro gyro wrapped in a dream
Mulligan Stew Podcast Apple.Google.Spotify. www.mulliganstew.ca
dangerous heart joey landreth single
cold in the Summer dan mangan more or less
Mulligan Stew www.mulliganstew.ca
real real gone van morrison enlightenment
David GoGo Interview 17 Vultures
tom Cat Prowl David GoGo 17 vultures
David GoGo Interview
shake my head David GoGo 17 vultures

Ep 27 | Michael Barclay Authour of The Never-Ending Present. The Story of Gord Downie and The Tragically Hip Podcast

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Oct 13, 2018
This week on the podcast, author Michael Barclay talks to Terry David Mulligan about his latest book: The Never-ending Present: The Story of Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip.
“This is not just a story of a band, I think is a story about culture and how we talk about it,” says Michael about his new book. Michael tells us about Gord’s resistance to being considered “Captain Canada”, how The Tragically Hip remained intact and vital for more than 30 years, and the celebration that was The Hip’s Man Machine Poet Tour. Plus, Barclay reflects on one of Downie’s final solo releases Secret Path, his entry into artistic activism, and how the band’s music bound the country together.

October 13th, 2018- The Wickaninnish Inn and Natural Wines

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Discover the Cookbook from The Wickaninnish Inn.  #1 Resort in Canada (Conde Nast)

and face to face with Bella and Lock & Worth   

  Condé Nast Traveler this week announced the results of its 31st annual Readers’ Choice Awards with The Wickaninnish Inn recognized as the # 1 RESORT in CANADA.

This is the third time the Wickaninnish Inn has received Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Award, taking the number one spot in both 2013 and 2014, and the second award from Condé Nast this year. In January 2018, the Wickaninnish Inn was given the Gold List Award which highlights the editors’ favorite hotels from the best across the globe.

All of that great news was well timed as we were planning on repeating these interviews we aired back in June.

The second half of the show features two of the outstanding new winemaker/owners in the Canadian wine industry.

Jay Drysdale makes Bella – all bubble. All the time. On the Naramata Bench.

And just down the road is Matt Sherlock from Lock and Worth and Nichol Vineyards.

Both are introducing new winemaking methods and attitude. They both sound like preachers in mid-sermon.

The Show:

The Wickaninnish Inn

  

The Wickaninnish Cookbook – Rustic Elegance on Nature’s Edge

Executive chef Warren Barr and Managing Director Charles McDiarmid

 ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF 2018: “On the furthest west coast of Vancouver Island, the Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino, B.C., has been a destination for visitors from around the world since its opening in 1996, the Pointe restaurant a pillar of the town’s flourishing culinary scene. Their first cookbook gathers signature recipes from former and current chefs and focuses on regional techniques and seasonal west coast ingredients.” The Globe & Mail 

 

Since the Wick first opened in 1996, it has become a destination for travelers attracted by its rustic elegance, warm hospitality, and incredible west coast cuisine. This cookbook highlights the distinctive dishes (and the stories behind them) that have made The Pointe Restaurant a destination dining experience like no other and captures the spirit of spectacular natural surroundings, west coast life, and scenic ocean-to-table dining.

Memorable recipes from the Wick are coupled with signature recipes from current and former chefs–Warren Barr, Rod Butters, Matthias Conradi, Mark Filatow, Justin Laboissiere, Duncan Ly, Andrew Springett, and Matt Wilson–and combine cutting-edge techniques with fresh, seasonal ingredients, to create a distinctly contemporary, west coast cookbook.

Inside you will find both sophisticated and accessible recipes that speak to the Inn’s longstanding commitment to farm- and ocean-fresh ingredients, and strike a harmonious balance between the bounties of land and sea that surround the Inn. The Wickaninnish Cookbook offers a chance to visit life on nature’s edge and discover dishes from one of the most prestigious kitchens in Canada.

 

Guests on Tasting Room Radio are  Charles McDiarmid,  Managing Director  (His family conceived of and built The Wick)

And current Executive Chef Warren Barr.

 

https://www.wickinn.com

Matthew SherLOCK and Ross HackWORTH.  Lock and Worth. 

Jay Drysdale and Bella…

 

Matt Sherlock – Lock & Worth (VanCourier)

 Want to get a sense of BC’s wine future?  Matt and Jay will be the very front, leading the movement.

Honest, single vineyard wines of time and place – priced for everyday consumption.

Mathew Sherlock

 “We strongly believe that one should be able to drink high quality, single vineyard (non-commodity), small production wines that are priced reasonably from British Columbia. We plan to be around 20 years from now, not by becoming a large company but by creating a sustainable business within our community. For us, part of that means making wines that always over deliver

 Sherlock and Hackworth farm organically and work the vineyards by hand whenever possible. They use native yeasts for fermentations, limited sulfur, and a gentle touch that avoids punch downs or pumping over or racking during élevage. The wines are bottled without fining or filtration.

Up the road at Bella, is a winery owned by Jay Drysdale and his wife, Wendy Rose. Bella only makes sparkling wines and only works with Chardonnay and Gamay Noir.

Bella ’s annual production is 2000 cases, split between a vineyard series and a natural series. Each wine in the vineyard series highlights a single grape, from a single vineyard, and single vintage. Dry-farmed and organic vineyards from Kelowna to Kamloops supply the fruit. The natural series uses the same vineyards, plus Bella’s four-acre estate vineyard.

 

The vineyard series wines are made using the traditional Champagne method, with commercial yeasts and sugar added to the wine to trigger a second fermentation. Jay and Wendy make the natural series wines by pressing whole cluster grapes and allowing wild yeast fermentation to begin in neutral barrels.

No additives, allowing fermentation to finish in the bottle.  This process is called méthode ancestral and Bella is the first winery in western Canada to use it.

The natural process causes some of the bottles to be cloudy.  As Jay has said “Yes, they’re cloudy. Get over it”

Here’s a quote from a go-to wine human Kurtis Kolt in the Georgia Straight

 “Natural wine.  It’s wine made with minimal intervention. This means organic (and sometimes biodynamic) farming (without the use of pesticides and such), naturally occurring ferments with wild yeasts in the cellar, and winemaking without fining, filtration, or manipulation”.

 

https://www.lockandworth.com

 

http://bellawines.ca/

 

 

 

 

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

 

A Merlot Special:

Why doesn’t it get more respect?

  • Checkmate
  • Rhys Pender (MOW)
  • Hester Creek
  • Eh Nihilo
  • Township 7
  • Rust Wine
  • Road 13
  • The 2018 Judgment of BC

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ep 26 | The Bros. Landreth Podcast

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Oct 7, 2018

This week on the Mulligan Stew podcast, a feature chat with The Bros. Landreth recorded live at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival 2018, including a live rendition of a new song from their forthcoming album. Brothers Joey and David talk to Terry about the Winnipeg music scene, the band’s forthcoming record, and balancing solo projects while keeping the band a going concern.

Mulligan Stew Oct 6th 2018- Allison Brock and The Fortunate Ones Interviews

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Depending on what you’re doing this Thanksgiving Weekend..you’ll be wanting some music for gathering, dining, dancing or just laying low.

Check!!

Live tracks from Tom Petty, Sting, Little Feat and Janis Joplin (Live in Calgary) and Van Morrison

New music from David GoGo, Lady Gaga, Dan Mangan, Amy van Keeken, Billy Gibbons. Colin James

And the REST?

Colin Linden, Leeroy Stagger, Howlin Wolf, Bob Dylan, Ann Vreind

 

Two special interview guests this week.

Alison Brock – Host of Wide Cut Country..with the final update on her Wide Cut Weekend – next weekend

And

The Fortunate Ones – Catherine Allan and Andrew O’Brian return for the second week..It’s the Best of the rest of the interview.

Saturday they are at The Arden.

Happy Thanksgiving

The podcast is The Bros Landreth..at the Edmonton Folk Festival

-TDM

 
 

PLAYLIST:

Mulligan Stew Oct 6 2018
welcome to The Stew www.mulliganstew.ca
ooh baby hold me colin james miles to go
twistin and groovin leon bridges coming home
shallow Lady gaga and bradley cooper a star is born
www.deanehouse.com Guests – Alison Brock and Fortunate Ones
Born in Chicago (live) Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Live from Soundstage
if you love somebody (live) Sting Best of 25 years
Fat man in the bathtub (live) Little Feat Waiting for Columbus
Mulligan Stew Year 22 Coming Up – Allison Brock Going Full WideCut
just fear dan mangan Just Fear
alison brock interview www.widecutweekend.com
no more cheap wine colin linden Rich in love
Come with me Amy van Keeken In dreams
Joe strummer and Joey Ramone Leeroy Stagger Love Versus
Domino (live) Van Morrison At the Movies
Mulligan Stew Podcast Spotify. Apple. Google Subscribe today
tell mama (live) Janis Joplin Festival Express – Calgary
I ain’t Superstitous Howlin Wolf London Sessions
leopard skin pill box hat Dylan the collection
www.coyoytesbanff.com Coming UP – The Fortunate Ones
second line billy gibbons the big bad blues
everybody sings in Nashville Ann Vriend Love and other messes
TD Mulligan – The Stew www.mulliganstew.ca
Mulligan Stew Podcast Apple.Spotify.Google Subscribe Today – clears the Synosis
I just want to make love to you (live) Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Live Anthology
Tomcat Prowl David GoGo 17 Vultures
The Fortunate Ones Interview Hold Fast
Hold Fast The Fortunate Ones Hold Fast
The Fortunate Ones Interview Hold Fast
before you The Fortunate Ones Hold Fast
Happy Thanksgiving
Salt peanuts (live) Charlie Parker Best of Charlie Parker

October 6th, 2018- Fifth Annual Victoria Wine Festival

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The Fifth Annual Victoria Wine Festival

 

As all festivals do, it started with an idea and a dedicated band of volunteers. Five years into its existence it’s become one of the highlights of the year in Victoria.

After talking with some of the perhaps 1500 attending,  two things became apparent.

The women outnumbered the men by a wide margin and I was surprised how many wine fans attending were not from Victoria.

Over 300 wines were showcased and the pop-up store from Vessel was crazy busy.

 

The Hatch – Andrew Melville.   Chief Steward and Storyteller

…We talk about Black Swift/The Hatch/Dynasty White/Rosso/Screaming Frenzy/Oak Street Vineyard etc

Andrew Melville – The Hatch

https://thehatchwines.com/

 

Road 13 –  Joseph Luckhurst Managing Partner. Canadian Winery of the Year

Joe talks us through the portfolio  and pours  GSM/Blind Creek Viognier/Stemwinder/Fifth Element/74K

http://road13vineyards.com/

 

Okanagan Crush Pad  – Mike West.  Mike is pouring and taking us through…

Free Form Ancient Method Sparkling Wine/Vin Gris/Waters and Banks/The Bub/Narrative/haywire/New Narrative Syrah & Cab Franc

http://okanagancrushpad.com/

Rust Winery – Kane Morgan Asst GM.  Pouring and focusing on  Single Vineyard & Single Varietal wines.

3 separate Merlots/Zin/Syrah/Gamay/ Rose from Pinot Noir/Pinot Gris/Riesling.

https://www.rustwine.com/

 

Wagner Family Wines  – Peter Lindenlaub Division Manager Canada.   A can’t miss portfolio

Caymus/Conundrum/Mersoleil/Emmolo/Red Schooner.

http://www.wagnerfamilyofwine.com/

 

Stile Brands – Benjamin Philip  Acct Exec.  Specializing in Italian Wines

Cantina Tollo Mo Montepulciano D’ Abruzzo Riserva  2012 &2014/

Altesino Rosso & Brunello/Argiolas Vermentino & Sardegna/Bottega  Prosecco Brut/ Bottega Petalo Moscato/Medici Ermete Concerto Lambrusco

https://stilebrands.com/stilebrands/

 

Unsworth  Vineyards– Tim Turyk  Owner.   Pouring from the Cowichan Valley

Unsworth Vineyards

Charme De L’lle/Allegro/Sauvignette/ Pinot Noir Rose/2016 Pinot Noir/Ovation

https://www.unsworthvineyards.com/

 

Hope Family Wines   Ex-pat Cameron Matches returns with wines from Paso Robles.

Hope Family Vineyards

Treana Blanc/Treana Cab/Austin Hope Zin & Cab/Liberty School Cab and Chardonnay.

https://www.hopefamilywines.com/

 

Many thanks to Heather Wood and Kerry Sedran for their help with shots at the event!

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

  • Where did Merlot go?
  • Ned Bell – Is he a chef or a Food Preacher?
  • Tojo celebrates 30 years
  • The 2018 Judgement of BC

 

 

PODCAST ON APPLE PODCASTS and GOOGLE PLAY

Streamed on site

 

 

 

Ep 25 | Alan Doyle Podcast

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Oct 2, 2018

From the archives, this week we feature Terry’s conversation with Alan Doyle, former lead singer and co-writer of songs for Great Big Sea. He’s an actor, a storyteller and has spent many years raising funds for various charities and foundations.
We should have known that Alan would end up writing a book: He has the gift, and the stories. ‘Where I Belong: From Petty Harbour to Great Big Sea’ was an instant bestseller.
It’s about his family, the poverty that at times called for “kitchen parties” where the Doyle’s would play and friends would bring heating oil, food and provisions to get them through. ‘Where I Belong’ ends with the very first beginnings of Great Big Sea and the possibilities that their success would bring.

Mulligan Stew Sept 29th 2018-The Fortunate Ones and Kandace Springs Interviews

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Welcome back to Mulligan Stew Year 22.

The last show of September has two guests.

In the first hour, it’s a drive through interview with The Fortunate Ones..who are touring The West for the next 10 days.

“drive-thru” being  a quick chat about their tour and also about their new album Hold Fast and  a song they wrote and released called

Steady As She Goes.  It’s about the Newfoundlanders who work in Alberta and their fellow islanders who flew in to fight the Fort Mac Fire.

Andrew and Catherine are in Vancouver Saturday at Rogue Folk Club. Then October 3 in Canmore at Communitea, October 4 at Esplanade in Medicine Hat,

Festival Hall in Calgary October 5 and The Arden in St Alberta October 6.

The rest of the interview – with backstage tales of touring with Alan Doyle – will be featured on next week’s Stew.

Our other feature guest is Kandace Springs..

Her new album Indigo is 13 tracks from a Memphis original. She grew up with a father who was a working musician in and around Memphis.

Maybe that’s why Indigo has R&B, Jazz ballads, Pop leanings with Breakdown and the hit single Don’t need the real thing.

Her album includes producers who’ve worked with Madonna, Amy Winehouse, Pink, Rihanna, Common and Erykah Badu.

From all of that, you can probably guess that she’s a one-of-a-kind artist.

You know who found her brilliant – Prince!  He heard her sing and immediately offered to mentor her going forward.

They began great friends and some of what Prince advised her is on display here.

Sexy funk for one.

Her voice reminds me of Sade..but her sense of music is closer to Stax than anything else.

I found it a fascinating talk with a performer who I believe will be a star very soon.

PLAYLIST:

Mulligan Stew Sept 29 2018 Pitter Patter – lets get atter
Welcome to Mulligan Stew Year 22 www.mulliganstew.ca
young boy blues ben e king best of
mustang sally albert collins thaw out at the fillmore
the only difference Beatchild
I just wanna feel something Sam Bush storyman
www.deanehouse.com Coming UP – The Fortunate Ones
bring it on home Led Zep LZ2
bones of saints robert plant carry fire
Mulligan Stew Podcast Spotify.Google Play Music.Apple Podcasts
look at little sister Stevie ray vaughn Live Alive
corrina colin james rooftops and satellites
the things i used to do (live) Stevie ray vaughn Live at Carnegie
national steel colin james national steel
www.mulliganstew.ca The Fortunate Ones Interview Hold Fast
steady as she goes The Fortunate Ones Hold Fast
Mulligan Stew – CKUA Radio www.mulliganstew.ca
They can’t take that away from me Van Morrison Versatile
keep on pushing Mavis Staples I believe to my soul
learning to fly tom petty and the heartbreakers anthology
and when i die (live) Laura Nyro Un-Cut
Nobody knows you when you’re down and out Eric Clapton Unplugged
www.coyotesbanff.com Coming UP – Kandace Springs
10th ave freezeout (live) Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul Soulfire Live
Me and Julio (live) Paul Simon Live at Hyde Park
Mulligan Stew – The Podcast Subscribe on Spotify.Apple.Google Play Music
guiding light mumford and sons delta
Kandace Springs Interview Indigo
don’t need the real thing Kandace Springs Indigo
Kandace Springs Interview Indigo
First time ever i saw your face Kandace Springs Indigo
compared to what (live) Les McCann & Eddie Harris Black Power

September 29th, 2018- The Four F’s!

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Year Seven of The Four F’s

(Food. Fishing. Fluids and Friends)

As all good things sometimes do..it started with a “what if”.

What if I put together some of my food and wine friends who loved fishing – and we all went fishing together but we also brought along wines we wanted to share and food we wanted to cook?

John, Mark, Terry and Rhys

Except for several years when one of them was just too damn busy,  the friends line up has been pretty much the same.

Here are some links on “the friends”

Basically, these are gents and artists you would love to hang with.

 

Chef Mark Filatow  Waterfront Bistro  (Kelowna)  https://waterfrontrestaurant.ca

John Weber – Orofino Wines (Similkameen)  https://www.orofinovineyards.com/about-2/

Rhys Pender – Little Farm Wines (Similkameen) and Master of Wine.  http://littlefarmwinery.ca/

John Weber, Mark Filatow, Rhys Pender

The really interesting thing with this group is that at times the fishing is EVERYTHING.

Then the Wines become EVERYTHING.

Then the food becomes EVERYTHING.

 

We dive into all three with a shared passion that seems to know no bounds.

 

For example –

Fishing – Except for this year we have always fly fished in the interior of BC. Skitchine Lodge, Cathedral Lakes, 7  Half Diamond Ranch , Tunkwa Lake.

This year we head for Campbell River on Vancouver Island and some Salmon Fishing.

Gowlland-Harbour-Resort-Outdoor-Patio

Our home base was the gorgeous Gowlland Harbour Resort on the jewel known as Quadra Island, just off downtown Campbell River.

And most importantly,  our guide was one of the very best Mark Stewart from East West Charters in Campbell River.

http://eastwestcharters.com/

TDM & Mark Stewart

So, here’s Mark with a boat build for four..now holding 5. As the rods went off..all four reaching for the now bouncing rod.

Surprisingly, it all went very well thanks to Mark Stewart and his 28 years of experience. We caught and released lots of wild coho..kept one hatchery coho.

John caught a Spring and everyone caught sockeye and pinks.

We were chased by dolphins who surfed in the wake of the boat as we cut through the water. Exhilarating!

We tasted Moscato d ‘Asti for breakfast..memorable.

Wines – We each like to bring wines that we think the group would find interesting.

A grand total of 22-25,  depending on who you talk to.

Wines from Croatia that Mark brought back from his summer trip there.

I brought a Viognier from France

John from Italy and Orofino.

Rhys from EVERYWHERE. Palo Portado for one

A Spectacular Education.

Chef Mark Filatow

Food – Chef Mark has always traditionally brought to these trips his gift of making something truly special from an assorted bag of goodies.

We know there will always be two Tomahawk Chops from Two River Meats in North Vancouver.

Tomahawk Chop

He’s usually chosen to cook these on an open campfire but this year we had the luxury of a BBQ. (In the Dark)

The rest of the meal started with a charcuterie board that was outstanding  It truly challenged the wines..

Including N’Duja made from #cheamviewranch pork from @tworiversmeats and @medleyorganics espelettes

Salad..exploded on the plates. Lobster mushrooms with toasted corn gnocchi and glazed delicata squash.

I dream about these meals..before and long after.

Let me finish by thanking those who helped make this wonderful trip happen.

The guys for one.  They all are busy.

John and Rhys were just starting their vineyard harvest. Mark Filatow may be the busiest chef in the Okanagan.

A minor miracle that they freed up.

Thanks go out to Mark and Anita Stewart. A formidable Team –  Son and Mother.

 

The staff at Tourism VI for the assist and support. https://www.tourismvi.ca/

The staff at Gowlland Harbour Resort/Quadra Island https://twitter.com/GowllandHarbour

Shawna Gardham for support and encouragement right from the start.

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

The 5th annual Victoria Wine Festival