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Mulligan Stew May 18th 2024-Special Guest Sue Foley and her new album ‘One Guitar Woman’

May 18, 2024 Mulligan Stew

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New music from
Beyonce/Sue Foley and a wonderful new first single from Winnipeg’s Madeleine Roger.
Classic Saturday night tracks to go with dinner prep and hockey fights
Watermelon Man – Mongo Santamaria/Squib Cakes Tower of Power
LIVE tracks from Billy Strings and Willie Nelson/Indigo Girls/Steve Winwood
and we proudly salute the latest inductee into the Order of Canada – Jim Byrnes
We know Ottawa-born Sue Foley from the blues albums she’s created and released. Plus Multiple blues awards on both sides of the border.
Her new album is One Guitar Woman. A tribute to the female pioneers of guitar.

This was/is a very personal journey for Sue. She’s studied the many women who played guitar before her and left their legacy to study and pass on.
Female singers and players like Memphis Minnie, Elizabeth Cotten, Maybelle Carter, Sister Rosetta Tharp, Geeshe Wiley,  Lydia Mendoza etc.
Many tales and tunes are all connected to the album.We also salute National Whisky Day with a medley of whisky songs.Complete Sue Foley interview on Mulligan Stew and YouTube Channel

 

 

PLAYLIST:

Mulligan Stew – Guest is Sue Foley Terry Mulligan Donor supported CKUA
love will be reborn martha wainwright Locve will be reborn (deluxe)
hasn’t hit me yet Blue Rodeo five days in July
what’s going on marvin gaye what’s going on
I’m a man (live) Steve Winwood Winwood’s greatest hits live
TDMulligan Sue Foley brings new album One Guitar Woman mulliganstewdotca
Jolene Beyonce cowboy carter
ninety nine and a half Jim Byrnes Long hot summer days
gypsy in my soul van morrison magic time
Sue Foley guests in Hour Two One Guitar Woman Tribute to the female pioneers of guitar
Tangled up in blue (live) The Indigo Girls 1200 curfews
champagne corolla justin townes earle Kids in the streets
Youngblood The Coasters the ultimate Coasters
Watermelon Man Mongo Santamaria Watermelon Man
Squib Cakes Tower of Power Back to Oakland
Mulligan Stew – Coming UP Whisky Songs Guest is Sue Foley with new album
Coming UP – Whisky songs and guest Sue Foley One Guitar Woman
Old Men Corb Lund Agricultural Tragic
Whisky River (live) Billy Strings, Willie and cast Willy Nelson 90 (Hollywood Bowl)
Alabama Song (Whisky Bars) The Doors The Doors
Mulligan Stew New Madeleine Roger single Coming Up
You don’t think about me Madeleine Roger Nerve
God only knows The Beach Boys Made in California
CKUA Radio – The Stew Terry David Mulligan Playlist mulliganstewdotca
Interview with Sue Foley New album One Guitar Woman A tribute to the Female Pioneers of Guitar
Last kind words Sue Foley One Guitar Woman
Sue Foley Interview One Guitar Woman New album
Oh Babe, it ain’t no lie Sue Foley One Guitar Woman
Sue Foley Interview A Tribute to the female pioneers of Guitar One Guitar Woman
Maybelle’s Guitar Sue Foley One Guitar Woman
Sue Foley – complete Interview on Mulligan Stew Podcast and tdm YouTube channel
My journey to the sky Sue Foley One Guitar Woman
Complete Sue Foley Interview on Mulligan Stew Podcast and tdm You Tube Channel
Nothing in Rambling Sue Foley One Guitar Woman
Mulligan Stew TDMulligan @tdmulligan
Cold Sweat Mongo Santamaria Greatest Hits

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

May 17, 2024 Tasting Room Radio 0:54:08

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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

Mulligan Stew May 11th 2024- Donor requests and hand picked Stew songs

May 10, 2024 Mulligan Stew

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Hello Warm – Nice to have you back in the neighbourhood.

This second Stew,  following the spectacular Spring Fundraiser at CKUA,  starts with almost a full hour of donor song suggestions and honourable mentions.

Donor suggestions for

  • Tom Petty
  • Matchbox 20
  • Bonnie Raitt
  • The Rolling Stones
  • Tom Waits
  • Elton John
  • Van Morrison
  • Patti Smith Group
  • Robert Plant/Allison Krauss
  • Bruce Springsteen
  • Bahamas
  • Corb Lund
  • Eric Clapton

From my bag of tunes…I added

  • Mark Knopfler
  • The Strumbellas
  • Booker T
  • Seth Walker
  • Gary Clark Jr.
  • Rodney Crowell
  • Pearl Jam and The Tragically Hip
  • The Bros. Landreth

Next Week – The guest is Sue Foley. She brings tracks and tales from her new album One Guitar Woman

Have a memorable Mother’s Day Weekend—heartfelt love to Mothers everywhere.

-TDM

 

PLAYLIST:

Mulligan Stew Year 28 (I think) Terry David Mulligan Donor Requests
Free Fallin’ Tom Petty Full Moon Fever
3:00 AM Matchbox 20 Yourself or someone like you
No expectations the rolling stones Beggars Banquet
Down on you Bonnie Raitt Slipstream
The Mothers Day Weekend Stew TDMulligan Coming up – Elton, Van and Junior
Tom Traubert’s Blues Tom Waits Small Change
Donor Requests from the Spring fundraiser The Stew
Texas Flood Gary Clark Jr Willie Nelson 90
Mother Days Weekend Mulligan Stew TDM
Levon Elton John Madman across the water
Playing donor choices You made history at ckua Thank you
Astral Weeks Van Morrison Astral Weeks
Deane House River Cafe Mulligan Stew
2 pairs of hands Mark Knopfler One Deep River
Lucky Rodney Crowell The Chicago Sessions
Find new ways Dan Mangan single
Shrimp and Grits Tedeschi Trucks Band Revelator
This is Mulligan Stew TDMulligan Spring Fundraiser Requests
Scavengers yard Mark Knopfler One Deep River
Dancing barefoot Patti Smith Group Wave
Mulligan Stew – CKUA NEXT – Robert Plant-Allison Krauss Playlist mulliganstewdotca
Your long journey R Plant – A Krauss Raising Sand
Steal my soul (acoustic) The Strumbellas Steal my soul Acoustic
Hip Hug Her Booker T and the Mg’s Definitive Soul Collection
Take me to the River Seth Walker single
Coyotes Banff Mother’s Day Menu NEXT -Clapton
Stones in my passway Eric Clapton I Still Do
Gone Girl Gone Bahamas Bootcut
The Ghost of Tom Joad Bruce Springsteen The Ghost of Tom Joad
Next Week – Sue Foley Interview One Guitar Woman The Stew
Daughter Pearl Jam RearView Mirror
Bobcaygeon The Tragically Hip Phantom Power
Thank you Donors You created an Amazing Fundraiser Next week Sue Foley
Made up Mind The Bros Landreth CKUA Hidden Track
The Spell of the Lilac Bloom Ruth Moody ( Joey Landreth) Single

 

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

May 10, 2024 Tasting Room Radio 0:51:09

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP 295 | Corb Lund Interview, New Album ‘ EL VIEJO’ Repeat

May 10, 2024 Mulligan Stew Podcast

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Corby brings new, acoustic, live off off-the-floor music in his new album El Viejo (The Old One) in memory and tribute to his pal Ian Tyson.

Corby says that this album may be his best yet.

He brings memories of Ian and also how his audiences are different depending on where he’s playing,

For El Viejo Corb and the Hurtin’ Albertans played live, letting the songs reveal themselves.

It was all captured by CKUA Alumni Scott Franchuck.

Corby describes it as “organic”.

We talked about his name “is that the name of the band?”

Talked about  his time with The Smalls and how this music connects to those days. “half urban/indy and half cowboys/ranchers”

We touched on Hearts on Fire Michael Barclay’s book on “6 Years That Changed Canadian Music” which in its promo mentioned cowboys who used to play speed metal. 

“the alt-country music in the late ’90s and 2000s was littered with x-punks who suddenly discovered acoustic guitar.”

That’s Corb. The Poet Laureate of the Albertan people.

May 28 Amsterdam

And multiple dates in Europe with The Dead South.

Canada Day – CFB Wainwright

ALL dates – corblund.com

 

 

 

EP 303 | Bassist Ron Carter The living history of modern jazz turns 87

May 4, 2024 Mulligan Stew Podcast

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When Ron Carter’s name comes up, one of the first things people write or say is – he’s played bass and cello on over 2500 albums.

That’s impressive and awe-inspiring. Totally agree.

When I hear the name Ron Carter I think of the bassist who played in Miles Davis’ second band, alongside Herbie Hancock, Tony Williams & George Coleman.

“The List” of bands and recordings would include Wayne Shorter, Blue Note recordings with Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, McCoy Tyner, Horace Silver, and 100’s of others.

I talked to Ron about his recordings in popular music.  Roberta Flack, Eddie Harris, Aretha, Billy Joel, Bette Midler, Erykah Badu, A tribe called Quest, Phoebe Snow, The Rascals, Gil Scott-Heron, Carlos Santana.

Ron has taught music for many years at esteemed colleges and schools, his current documentary is Finding the Right Notes, also the name of his bio book.

Ron Carter turns 87 years old today – Saturday, May 4 !!  we wish him WELL.

Enjoy the conversation – I sure did.

 

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

May 4, 2024 Tasting Room Radio 0:54:26

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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.

 

 

 

Mulligan Stew May 4th 2024-Salute to Bassist Ron Carter on his 87th Birthday

May 4, 2024 Mulligan Stew

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This first Stew in May reflects the creative freedom of having a sensational fundraiser behind us. All of Us.

On air and off – Thank You donors everywhere!!

On the way home I dug out my handy notebook and realized I had a whole 2 hours on music that I wanted to play and never got the time.

(yes, I still write with a pen and paper. Old school but it’s always worked for me. And I don’t need batteries.)

Heads up –

Saturday, May 4 is Ron Carter’s 87 Birthday.  He’s the most recorded bassist in the history of recorded music.  Played on over 2500 albums but while it’s an astounding number it’s who he played with.

The man is a living history of Jazz. From Miles Davis’ second ground-breaking band in 1953, Wayne Shorter’s Speak no Evil, Herbie Hancocks’s Maiden Voyage,, and Freddie Hubbard’s  Red Clay,  making history with Quincy Jones, Stan Getz and hundreds more.  The man is Jazz Royalty.

I was interested in the popular artists who made sure Ron Carter was on bass when they made music. Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Bette Midler, Aretha, Erykah Badu, Roberta Flack, Eddie Harris,

A Tribe Called Quest, Gil Scott-Herron, Santana etc etc etc.

Ron is a teacher, music educator, author, speaker and cellist!

His biography and documentary are both called  Finding The Right Notes

Complete Interview on the Mulligan Stew Podcast and the video version on terrydavidmulligan You Tube Channel.

Bringing you A bag of strong songs and artists.

  • Waterboys
  • Justin Townes Earle
  • Levon Helm
  • Emmylou Harris
  • Trav. Wilburys
  • Dr John/Aaron Neville
  • Rickie Lee Jones
  • Willie and Keith
  • Sue Foley new
  • Lake Street Dive new
  • Ndidi O  new
  • Boz Scaggs
  • Clapton,
  • Stones
  • James Brown
  • Tower of Power
  • Devin Cuddy
  • Steely Dan Live
  • Taj Mahal

PLAYLIST:

The May Mulligan Stew Terry David Mulligan CKUA – donor supported-Thank You
Trouble is Justin Townes Earle Kids in the Street
sweet thing The Waterboys Fisherman’s Blues
Milk Cow Boogie Levon Helm and RCO All Stars Levon Helm and RCO All Stars
Deeper Well Emmylou Harris Wrecking Ball
Mulligan Stew Ron Carter Interview on MS Podcast and tdm YouTube Channel
End of the line The Travelling Wilburys The Travelling Wilburys
End of the line Dr. John and Aaron Neville Things happen that way
Deane House & River Cafe Coming Up – Rickie Lee Jones and Ndidi O
Easy Money Rickie Lee Jones Rickie Lee Jones
Come back to me The Devin Cuddy Band Dear Jane
Worth Ndidi O Simple Songs for Complicated Times
Dinah Flo Boz Scaggs Hits
Searching for my Love Robert Plant – Allison Krauss Raise the Roof
Willie and the Hand Jive Eric Clapton Give me strength. 74-75 studio recordings
Tumbling Dice The Rolling Stones Exile on Main Street
Thank you donors – originals and newbies This is Mulligan Stew TDMulligan
Live forever (live) Willie Nelson and Keith Richards Willie Nelson 90
The Stew Happy Birthday Ron Carter on Mulligan Stew Podcast
Run that body down Paul Simon Paul Simon
Last kind words Blues Sue Foley One Guitar Woman
Better not tell you Lake Street Dive single
Papa’s got as brand new Bag James Brown and the Famous Flames Something to believe in
What is Hip Tower of Power Tower of Power – What is Hip
The Great Ron Carter Turns 87 Today – We talk on MS Podcast and tdm YouTube Channel
Tears of a Clown Smokey Robinson & The Miracles Motown Magic
A Beautiful Morning The Rascals Time Peace
Find your way Tim Easton Find your Way
Coyotes Banff Mothers Day Menu The Stew
Aja (live) Steely Dan North East Corridor – Steely Dan Live
Ron Carter 87th birthday Interview on Mulligan Stew Podcast and terrydavidmulligan YouTube Channel
Done changed my way of living Taj Mahal The Natch’l Blues

 

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

April 26, 2024 Tasting Room Radio 0:57:33

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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

 

 

 

Mulligan Stew April 20th 2024- Spring Fund Raiser 2024!

April 20, 2024 Mulligan Stew

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