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August 10, 2024-The 45th VanWineFest Part One
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The 45th VanWineFest Part One
THE SHOW
The press release says: It’s the largest combined consumer and trade wine show in North America. And one of the biggest and oldest in the World. From Feb 24 to March 3. Eight days, 42 events, 12 countries, 149 participating wineries, 71 from feature region Italy, 1, 150 wines, 800 in the tasting room and over 18,000 wine fans expected to attend all events.
So…..how does one guy with one microphone cover something like that? You don’t!!
Can’t be done without a huge team but if you plan carefully and do your homework, surround yourself with wine friends who bring their own beliefs on wine and winemakers, then you might get something captured.
I’m so pleased to announce that with the help and smarts of the following friends & experts we managed to do 22 interviews with winemakers and principals from Italy, Greece, Washington, California, Spain, France and BC.
Thank you to Meredith Elliott – Communications and Marketing manager. Grace under pressure.
Harry Hertscheg – Solid Support.

Harry Hertscheg (sip mag)
Our co-hosts are:
Daenna Van Mulligen – The Wine Diva. Writer, speaker, judge and popular reviewer.
Michaela Morris – educator, judge, speaker and wine writer (Decanter)
Kelcie Jones – Best Sommelier 2023, educator, consultant and founder of This is Wine School
DJ Kearney – Director of Wine at Terminal City Club, wine educator at large. Legend.
This first Tasting Room Radio will feature opinions and comments from

Terry and Daenna
Daenna Van Mulligen – www.winediva.ca Has travelled the wine world. Knows many winemakers in the room.
Hosted a sold-out feature seminar on Gerard Bertrand Winery.
Blue Grouse Estate Winery – Michael Abbott – New GM (Cowichan Valley)
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery – Stephen Neumann – Brand Ambassador (Oliver)
Le Vins Bonhomme – Nathalie Bonhomme. (founder/winemaker) Originally from Montreal. Now making wines for her label – in Spain and France.

Nathalie Bonhomme-lesvinsbonhomme
House of Smith – Donal Black VP – Int. Sales. A new gathering of Charles Smith Wines. K Vintners, Substance, Sixto, Golden West etc. (Washington)

Charles Smith – House of Smith
Harry Hertscheg – Executive Director VIWF. The man who dreams the dream and leads the team.
Bench 1775 – Richard Kanazawa (Winemaker) Naramata Bench. Fabulous winemaker
Osoyoos LaRose – Michael Kullmann CEO/Winemaker (Osoyoos) Great discussion between these two. Consistently fine wines.
www.winediva.ca
@HHonWine
#vanwinefest
#VIWF
STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON
NEXT WEEK – All Italian wineries (except for Unsworth.)
Co-host Michaela Morris. Simply fabulous wine educator and influencer
San Polino
Boscarelli
Marziano Abbona
Inama
Anthony Gismondi – National Wine Awards
Burrowing Owl Cook Book
Sipster 3
Jim Moody Zanatta Winery
Ron Kubek – Lightning Rock Winery
Pluvio Revisited
Mulligan Stew Aug 3rd 2024-Summer Stew Long Weekend
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THE SUMMER STEW
We added a last-minute Grapes of Wrath Interview. The complete interview can be heard on Mulligan Stew Podcast and tdm YouTube channel.
When Kevin closed the interview saying it was the first full band interview they had done in 10 years, I realized that the CKUA radio audience had to hear some of this.
I added three of their best tracks, including one of the very best songs to ever come out of Canada, All the Things I Wasn’t.
The Grapes play the Filberg Festival on Saturday, Aug 3 in Comox, Vancouver Island.
(Festival Place Sherwood Park Aug 26)
NEW MUSIC from
Madeleine Roger
Dan Mangan
David Go Go
Tyler Del Pino
Madeleine Peyroux
Celeigh Cardinal
Wings – yup!
CLASSIC TRACKS FROM
Bruce Cockburn
Dr John
Bonnie Raitt
Frazey Ford
BB King and The Stones
Paul Simon
Michael Kaeshammer
William Prince
Blue Rodeo
Madeleine Peyroux
LIVE tracks from
Sting and Bruce Springsteen
Bob Marley and the Wailers
Bonnie Raitt and Friends
Have a wonderful loooooong weekend
PLAYLIST:
The Stew-Guest The Grapes of Wrath | Terry David Mulligan | August Loooong Weekend |
fever dreaming | Madeleine Roger | single |
Don’t waste your love on me | Celeigh Cardinal | Boundless Possibilities |
Keep the World we know | Bruce Cockburn | O Sun O Moon |
The Summer Stew | TDM | NEXT |
Every breathe you take (live) | Sting- Bruce Springsteen | Released! Human Rights Now! |
No woman No cry (live) | Bob Marley and the Wailers | Live at The Rainbow |
Deane House River Cafe | The Summer Stew | Playlist mulliganstewdotca |
Paying the cost to be the Boss | BB King and The Rolling Stones | Deuces Wild |
Better be right | David GoGo | Yeah |
September Fields | Frazey Ford | Indian Ocean |
Late in the Evening | Paul Simon | One trick pony |
The Spark | William Prince | Reliever |
Terry Mulligan & The Summer Stew | Guests in Hour Two Grapes O Wrath | First group interview in 10 years |
Black eyed dog | Ben Harper – Rhiannon Giddens | Black eyed dog |
This old heart of mine | The Isley Brothers | Hitsville |
The Summer Stew | Guests in Hour Two The Grapes of Wrath | Together for over 40 years |
Don’t think twice, its alight (live) | Eric Clapton | 30th anniversary concert – Bob Dylan |
shotgun | Jr Walker and the All-Stars | Hitsville |
Hour Two of Summer Stew | August Loooong Weekend | Guests – Grapes of Wrath |
Love sneaking up on you (live) | Bonnie Raitt | Bonnie Raitt and Friends |
sleeping dogs best left alone | Dr John (Mac Rebennack) | Things happen that way |
TDMulligan | Coming Up – Grapes of Wrath Interview | Music for a looooong weekend |
Who are you | Michael Kaeshammer (Colin James and Randy Bachman) | Something New |
Jumping out of the Nest | Tyler Del Pino | In the end EP |
Coyotes Banff | CoyotesBanffdotcom | supporting CKUA for over 25 years |
Showman Dan | Madeleine Peyroux | Let’s Walk |
The CKUA 50/50 On until Aug 15 | just go to ckua.com | Why not You? |
When I’m 64 | The Beatles | Sgt Pepper |
Blackbird | Paul McCartney and Wings | One Hand Clapping |
Gone girl gone | Bahamas | Bootcut |
NEXT – Grapes of Wrath | First group interview in 10 years | Playing tonight in Comox |
What was going through my head | The Grapes of Wrath | Singles |
The Grapes of Wrath Interview | Kevin Kane. Tommy and Chris Hooper | Tonight at The Filberg Fest – Comox |
You may be right | The Grapes of Wrath | Singles |
Grapes of Wrath Interview | First group interview in 10 years | Tonight at Filberg Festival in Comox |
All the things I wasn’t | The Grapes of Wrath | Singles |
Complete Grapes of Wrath | on MSPodcast and TDM YouTube | Happy Weekend – see you at Edmonton Folk Fest |
Call me up high | Dan Mangan | single |
One time asking | Mariel Buckley | Driving in the Dark |
In the darkness | Blue Rodeo | In our nature |
August 3rd 2024- 2024 wine releases from the Naramata Bench
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THE SHOW
Last week we featured The Cowichan Wineries August Festival .
This week we reconnect with the wineries of the Naramata Bench. 15 interviews with winemakers and principals.
Like many others in the BC wine community, The Naramata Bench was also hit with heartbreaking losses of their prime vineyards due to another 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 & presenting of wine releases is an annual traditional event. Talking about failed bud breaks, the loss of complete vineyards and what to do next is not an annual tradition.
Many changes are coming to BC Wines and how they’re farmed.
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 at the early 2024 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. However, The Naramations pull together as a team when crisis arrives.
Impressive, to say the least. naramatabench.com
Here are the fifteen guests – talking 2024 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
- naramatabench.com
- foxandarcherwines.com
- howlingbluff.ca
- kettlevalleywinery.com
- hillsidewinery.ca
- daydreamerwines.ca
- dasilvavineyards.com
- tightropewinery.ca
- rterroir.ca
- rubyblueswinery.ca
- 3sisterswinery.com
- Vanwesternvineyards.com
- elephantislandwine.com
- fourshadowsvineyard.com
- deeprootswinery.com
STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON
Anthony Gismondi – the 2024 Nationals
Burrowing Owl Cookbook
Meyer Family
The Hatch/Black Swift
Fort Berens
The Sipster 3
John Kubek – Lightning Rock on wine wars etc
Jim Moody – Zanatta
Wine witch on Fire – Natalie MacLean
EP 313 | Exclusive Interview with The Grapes of Wrath
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Kevin Kane and The Hooper Brothers Chris and Tommy have been an original Canadian band for over 40 years.
The Grapes of Wrath.
Same three guys. Still making music.
This podcast is their first complete band interview in over 10 years.
Like many, I had presumed that the guys had moved on to solo efforts or other bands or other dreams.
When I saw that they were playing and selling out The Carleton in Halifax I started to dig and found – amazed – that they were in fact playing the Filberg Festival in Comox, Vancouver Island on August 3.
Also Edmonton, The Maritimes, Vernon and The Dream Café in Penticton.
Bringing with them songs containing people’s memories, whole lifetimes.
Peace of Mind
You may be right
These days
And the still brilliant…
All the things I wasn’t.
Platinum records, multiple tours of Canada, the USA and Europe.
In 1992 they went separate ways only to rediscover the power of their friendship and music in 2010 at a festival in Surrey, BC.
The same three guys…Let’s celebrate The Grapes of Wrath. Enjoy the stories and the music.
Tour Dates:
July 27th, 2024- August is Wine Festival Month in the Cowichan Valley
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There’s a buzz going on about the Wineries of the Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island.
It started when Unsworth Winery was purchased by key members of the Jackson Family (Kendall Jackson, Napa). Then months later it was revealed that the same family members had purchased Blue Grouse, just down the road.
So…
A California wine family with intimate knowledge of farming, planting, harvesting and selling wines had researched wine regions all over the World and Canada, had twice decided that “the” place to take a stand against wine growing in climate change was the Cowichan Valley.
Those are decisions that start people talking In and out of the wine business.
The Cowichan was abuzz with talk over coffee in the morning and a glass at the end of the day.
It makes this group interview with a number of Cowichan winemakers all that more interesting.
We’re talking about the 2024 Cowichan Wine Festival, which runs Aug 1 – 31.
Each winery has events and different wine pours.
All are celebrating being in the Cowichan.
ALL are pouring.
The entire month of August all of the Cowichan Wineries will be open and pouring their very best.Each will have their own events, food components and August Wine Passports.
Please go to www.cowichanwineries.com
Tap on August Wine Passports
The guests this year are :
Dylan Sheldon – owner of his own micro-winery in Santa Rosa, California has become the winemaker at Cowichan’s newest winery Cobble Hill.
Driven by regenerative farming and serious winemaking Dylan talks about his new plantings, including Albarino, Verdelho, Gruner, Sauvignon Blanc, Zweigelt etc

Cobble Hill Winery
Stacey Hornemann – The new winemaker at Blue Grouse. Coming directly from Sonoma, California. Stacey too has planting and replanting plans. We also talk Dutch Ovens
Julie Powell – Co-owner of the delightful Alderlea Vineyards, just North of Duncan. Pinot Noir leaders.
Lorin Inglis – GM of Enrico Wineries. President of Cowichan Wineries.
STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON
Meyer Family
The Hatch/Black Swift
Fort Berens
Burrowing Owl Cook Book
The Sipster 3
John Kubek – Lightening Rock on Alberta and BC Government
The Nationals Wine Awards – Anthony Gismondi
Jim Moody – Zanatta
Mulligan Stew July 27th 2024- Remembering a Son and Musical Thank You for Firefighting Teams
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PLAYLIST:
The Summer Stew with TDM | Remembering Bo & Songs for Firefighters | CKUA |
On your way down | trombone shorty and allen toussaint | Backatown |
Ride on | corb lund (ian tyson) | cover your tracks |
top yourself | the Raconteurs | consolers of the lonely |
Full circle | Mono Neon and Mavis Staples | Full Circle |
Playing songs for Bo, family & friends | Coming up-Solomon Burke & The Hi | TDMulligan |
proud Mary | solomon burke | proud mary |
long time running | the tragically hip | Easy side of the Hip |
in the end | Tyler del Pino | In the end EP |
Terry David Mulligan | The Summer Stew | NEXT -Michael Franti, Lake Street & Willy |
Out in the Sun | Michael Franti & Spearhead | Big Big Love |
Good Together | Lake Street Dive | Good Together |
Just breathe | Willy and Lucas Nelson | Heroes |
Deane House | River Cafe | Both on The Bow |
Bootleg | Booker T and the MG’s | Best of |
and it stoned me | van morrison | Moondance |
Mulligan Stew Year 28 | TDMulligan | Podcast – The Grapes of Wrath |
You stay young | The Glorious Sons | Glory |
Sunbeam | Corb Lund | Things that can’t be undone |
Sunday Sermon | Booker T and the MG’s | Best of |
Welcome to The Summer Stew | Grapes of Wrath on MSPodcast | First group interview in 10 years |
All that you dream (For Rope) | Little Feat (Linda Ronstadt) | Rad Gumbo |
Tumbling Dice | Linda Ronstadt | Simple Dreams |
Sandpaper | Zack Bryan (Bruce Springsteen) | Great American Bar Scene |
Helpless | Neil Young and Crazy Horse | Early Daze |
Remembering Michael Bloomfield | One of the greatest guitarists | Born July 28 1943 Chicago |
Albert’s Shuffle | Al Kooper & Michael Bloomfield | Super Session |
A change is going to come | The Neville Brothers | Yellow Moon |
Coyotes Banff | -The Grapes of Wrath on MSPodcast | First group interview in 10 years |
Next – Music for Fire Fighters | Robert Plant, Mumford, Bob Marley etc | Thank you from ALL of us |
Carry Fire | Robert Plant | Carry Fire |
Yes you will | Tedeschi Trucks Band | I am the Moon |
Just smoke | Mumford and Sons | Wilder Mind (Deluxe) |
This house is on fire | Natalie Merchant | Motherland |
Stir it up | Bob Marley and the Wailers | Legend |
Thank you for ALL the Fire Fighters | Please take care of each other | Same to all the families involved. |
Time is tight | Booker T & The MG’s | Best of |
EP 312 | The last two folk fest interviews. Terry Wickham (Edmonton) Jenna Klein Waller (Canmore)
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July 20th 2024- Kathy Malone Hillside Winemaker – Naramata Bench & a walkaround 3rd Langford Beer Fest.
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Kathy Malone Hillside Winemaker – Naramata Bench and a walk around 3rd annual Langford Beer Festival.
THE SHOW
Two of BC’s wine originals.
Hillside Estate Winery. The third winery built and planted on the Naramata Bench. Our guest – Kathy Malone, The Chief Winemaker since 2008.

Kathy Malone
Kathy bring three outstanding wines :
Chef’s Whites is a unique blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Chardonnay, all grown along the pristine Naramata Bench. Winemaker, Kathy Malone and Chef Evan Robertson have combined their expertise to create a wine that pairs seamlessly with the culinary delights served at the Bistro. The idea behind Chef’s Whites is simple yet profound: “What grows together goes together.”
Even before it was released, Chef’s Whites had won a place in the BC Top 50 wines this Summer and Gold in the All-Canadian Wine Championships.
Featuring fermentation in terra cotta jarre.
2021 Heritage Collection Pinot Noir
This 100% Naramata Bench Pinot Noir shines with juicy raspberry and wild strawberry aromas and flavours. The silky texture lingers on the palate while a hint of spice adds to its beautiful complexity.
2019 Gjoa’s Vineyard Merlot
This elegant wine shows dark fruits, with meaty umami undertones, followed by silky fine-grained tannins. So fun to taste and compare with our Hidden Valley Merlot or Dickinson Vineyard Merlot
Aug 12 – Join Hillside as they celebrate the junior Chefs of their culinary team for a summer send off with “Hillside’s Got Talent”!
Enjoy an afternoon on their patio with a delicious bite created by their junior chefs at 4 different stations, carefully paired with an outstanding Hillside wine. Cast your vote for favorite bite and savor the Naramata Bench.
Tickets: $55 plus tax and gratuity; available thru our website at www.hillsidewinery.ca or by phone: 250.487.1350.
Third annual Langford Beer Festival took place at Starlight Stadium. It’s from Victoria Beer Society, the same team that also presents The Great Canadian Beer Festival Sept 6-7 in Victoria.
Its Joe Weibe and Lee Marchbanks. Lee starts off the beer blitz by explaining what breweries are attend, the pouring format (2 kegs) some of the outstanding beer trends and the new beer fans attending.
We appreciate the following guests allowing us to mess with their pours…
Tristan Fetherston – Brewer/Owner Beacon Brewing. (Sidney by the Sea)
Owners Alexa, Tristan and Steven are committed to supporting the community they live in and call home. Proudly using as many local ingredients from as many local companies as possible. (an observation…On Tuesdays they have 25% off a growler refills but only 10% off Senior purchases. How about leveling that out 25% off both. Take care of those Seniors)
Ryan Bangma – One of the partners in Herald Street Brew Works. (Victoria) When the sensational Herald Street Café closed . they grabbed the space and did a amazing refurbish. Then followed very popular craft beers, including Salted Watermelon Lager, Phazer Hazy IPA etc. Ryan started a discussion about the method of making “Watermelon Terpenes” and he lost me.
Isaiah Archer – Whistle Buoy Brewing (Market Square – Victoria) Patio and Tap Room. Always busy.
Vape Lord Hazy Pale Ale, Fuzzy Peach Sour
Brad McCarthy – Owner White Sails Brewing (Naniamo)
Very popular room and very handsome brewery. Just below “Gina’s”. If you don’t know what that means, ask someone who does.
They create very special beers…highly recommended.
whitesailsbrewing.com
whistlebuoybrewing.com
heraldstreet.com
beaconbrewing.ca
victoriabeersociety.com
STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON
Meyer Family
The Hatch/Black Swift
Fort Berens
Burrowing Owl Winery Cookbook
Sipster 3
Cowichan Valley Wine Festival
John Kubek – Lightening Rock and Alberta Wine Wars
Mulligan Stew July 20th 2024- Summer Stews – Guests are Artistic Directors Terry Wickham (EFMF) and Jenna Klein Waller (Canmore)
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PLAYLIST:
The Summer Stew 2 Guests | Artistic Directors from Canmore and Edmonton Folk Fests | TDMulligan |
Having a party (live) | Nathaniel Rateliff and the N Sweats | Live at Red Rocks |
Get out my life woman | The Wood Brothers | Virgin Digital Sessions |
Let the four winds blow | Fats Domino | Greatest Hits |
For what its worth | Los Lobos | Native Sons |
The Summer Stews | TDMulligan | mulliganstewdotca |
Jesus just left Chicago | Phish | Live Fish Vol 15 |
Body and Soul | Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse | Duets 2 |
Chuck E’s in Love | Rickie Lee Jones | Rickie Lee Jones |
Where’s the party at? | Son of Dave and Celeigh Cardinal | single |
This is The Summer Stew | Deane House and River Cafe | 2 of the very best Restaurants in Canada. |
Jenna Klein Waller | Canmore Folk Fest | Aug 3-5 |
Vuela Junto a Mi | Lido Pimento | Curiche |
Jenna Klein Waller | Canmore Folk Festival | artistic director |
Find new ways | Dan Mangan | single |
Summer Stew | Next Guest Terry Wickham | Edmonton Folk Fest |
Going to California | Elisapie | Inuktitut |
Everyday Angels | Jim Cuddy Band | All the World fades away |
This is Mulligan Stew | Terry David Mulligan | MulliganStewdotca |
Breakdown (live) | Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers | Pack up the Plantation |
Don’t come round here no more | Rhiannon Giddens (Benmont Tench) | Petty Country |
The Summer Stews | TDMulligan | Coming UP – Marvin Gaye |
Inner City Blues | Marvin Gaye | Something to believe in |
Pacing the cage | Bruce Cockburn | The Charity of Night |
High Summer | Joel Plasket | single |
Terry David Mulligan | The Summer Stew | NEXT – Leeroy Stagger |
Watermelon Pink | Leeroy Stagger | single |
Coyotes Banff | supporting ckua for over 25 years | Coming UP – Terry Wickham |
Terry Wickham Interview | Edmonton Folk Fest | Aug 8-11 |
Head over heels (Live) | Blue Rodeo | Live at Massey Hall |
Terry Wickham Interview | Edmonton Folk festival | Aug 8-11 |
When the levee breaks | Robert Plant / Allison Krauss | single |
Terry Wickham Interview | Edmonton Folk fest | Aug 8-11 |
Midnight son | Reuben and the dark- Trvstfall AG Bullhorn | single |
Terry Wickham | complete interview on Mulligan Stew Podcast | and TDM YouTube Channel |
Black is the color | Rhiannon Giddens | Live on Mountain stage – 40 year ann. |
complete Terry Wickham Interview | on Mulligan Stew Podcast | and tdm YouTube channel |
I have NO idea what song this is | Kruger brothers | Same thing with the album |