Latest News

EP 154 | Strippers Union

May 2, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

If you are lucky enough to work on the media side of the music business and  if you’re honest in your relationships with artists,  over the years many of them become friends.

Rob Baker and Craig Northey are just such a couple of friends and together they’re making music again as Strippers  Union.

It took 10 years to record and release their third album called The Undertaking.

Craig Northey was leading The Odds and working with a long list of people plus he is  also an important part  of the Steven Page Trio.

Rob Baker was of course a member of one of Canada’s greatest bands The Tragically Hip, who lost their heart and soul with the death of  Gord Downey.

We cover a lot of ground here but always come back to the music of The Undertaking.

Please enjoy the talk and tracks. Thank You Rob and Craig.

Subscribe to the MulliganStew podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify

May 1st, 2021- Our First Spring Wine Release Special of 2021!

April 30, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 01:00:56

hello

Our First Spring Wine Release Special of 2021

 

THE SHOW

  

You can set your clocks by this moment in the year.  Spring shows itself in green “everything”  plus  warmer days and beautiful longer nights.

For the farmers and winegrowers its “Bud Break”. One of  the first signs of life from the wines.

To celebrate, we’ll be presenting a series of these Spring Specials starting with our friends,  the segment sponsors of Tasting Room Radio.

Enrico in the Cowichan Valley, Moon Curser in Osoyoos, The Hatch in West Kelowna.

Next week Hillside, one of the first on the Naramata Bench.

 Celebrate the future with a glass of wine with your family and friends. It’s Spring 2021

 

Develyn Barker –  The ‘Artful Dodger’ of The Hatch (West Kelowna)

 If you’ve never been there, it’s almost impossible to describe the talented community gathered at The Hatch. However, their smarts and passion show in the wines.

The leader is the Fagan of the Okanagan,  winemaker Jason Parkes. JP is the hub of a wine-making wheel called The Hatch.

Please let me give you an example.

Hatch World includes:

Crown and Thieves                                         Spirit and Fizz

Black Swift Vineyards                          Cactus Fruit

Screaming Frenzy                                           The Hatching Post Brewery

Truck 59 Cidery                                     Proper Man – New album 40 Elephants

(Fifty Shades of J and Fifty Beards Old)

This segment is just a small piece of the whole wine picture at The Hatch.

Spring Wine Releases  from Crown and Thieves

2020  Mr. Hickenbothom – Chardonnay

2020 Pinky Blinders – Rose

2020 Little Nipper – Pinot Gris

2020 Winemakers Wench – Blend (Chard. Roussanne. Pinot Gris. Viognier)

 2014 – Scoundrels Punch  $29.00  Amazing blend. 6 years in the barrel. (Hello?  6 years – 29 Bucks?)

2017  Broken Wing – Merlot $38.99

2017 The Arch Doxy – Cab Franc $44.99

And then a tease of two new big reds. (in the photo above)

Fifty Shades of J

Fifty Beards Old.

AND they’re just getting started. Coming up – new wineries, new wines, new ideas.

They will be announcing four new wines every Friday in May

Thanks to our guest Develyn Barker,  The Artful Dodger, and his boss Fagan.

 

www.thehatchwines.com

Beata and Chris Tolley – Founders and leaders at Moon Curser (Osoyoos)

(Best small winery in Canada and the #2 winery of the top 25 in Canada)

 

Winery owners Beata and Chris Tolley.

 

They make a lot of everything at Moon Curser. All with new labels.

Keep an eye out for:

Roussanne Marsanne

Moonlit Viognier Bubble

Dolcetto

Touriga National

Tannat

Syrah. Tempranillo. Petit Verdot.

 

New Spring Releases include:

2020 Arneis. The “little rascal” of Piemonte . Also called Barolo Bianco. They believe it’s the only one grown in Canada. $25.99

2019 Border Vines. 62 Cab/15 Cab Franc/9 Petit Verdot/9 Malbec/5 Carmenere . Big Bold Bordeaux $27.99

2019 Dead of Night. 53 Tannat/47 Syrah. Can be cellared up to 10 years. $39.99

2019 Malbec $31.99. Cellar 7-10 years.

Moon Curser can be contacted online, tastings arranged and wine discovered and purchased.

They open right after May long weekend.

www.mooncurser.com

Lorin Inglis – GM of Enrico Winery (Cowichan Valley)

They’re open for business at Enrico. And weather permitting there’s live music on the patio Saturdays starting May 8.

Here are your 2021 Spring Wine  Releases from Enrico in the Cowichan Valley:

Two bottles of fine bubble.

Celebration (Pinot Gris) $25.50

Revelation (Pinot Noir) $25.50

Coronet  Reserve Petit Milo  $26.50

Tempest Ortega $22.75

Shining Amour (Pinot Gris) $22.75

Red Dragon – a really interesting Pinot Noir Rose $21.25

Lorin and Terry

Lorin teases us with a new field blend that’s coming. And a little info about the annual  Cowichan Wine Festival all August.

www.enricowinery.com

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Hillside – Spring Releases and a new Chef

Alderlea says Hello

More new Spring Wine Releases from

Clos du Soleil

Tightrope

Roche

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP 153 | Valerie June

April 24, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

I heard someone say “Valerie June is an overnight sensation.”  Well, just so you know It only took 39 years.

Her Tennessee family was strong but had many hurdles to overcome.

Valerie started performing at 19 in Memphis. After she  ended a  marriage to her partner and husband she worked minimum wages and some really seedy joints but kept moving forward. Released her own albums. Booked her own gigs.  Finally she met Dan Auerbach from The Black Keys who co-wrote and produced her 2013 album “Pushin’ Against the Stone”.

Then came The Order of Time in 2017, which is where we first met.  Rolling Stone called it one of the Albums of the Year.

Now comes the next reflection of her genius The Moon and Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers.  Like all of her other albums the sound, texture, lyrics, harmonies and musicianship are unique to Valerie June. In a business that celebrates “been there – done that”, Valerie June is one-of-a-kind.

And man does she have stories to tell..

Listen Up. There’s a hopeful message right  in front of you.  It’s Valerie June.

 

Subscribe to the MulliganStew podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify

EP 152 | Greg Keelor

April 18, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

Greg Keelor.  Co-Founder, co-Singer, co-Writer of one of Canada’s premier bands Blue Rodeo. Share the Love is his 6th solo album.

When I asked “do you  know how many solo albums you’ve  done and what the names are?”  the answer was an emphatic No.

And that was my  first question. I had another 45 minutes of questions. Now what?

Greg spun his first story about he and Jimmy Bowskill sitting around, in a hash haze throwing song ideas and guitar licks back and forth and all of a sudden there’s an album taking shape.

They recorded it and later went to a small community center at a lake to play the songs again while video cameras shot the songs for promo.

THAT recording was so good, they scrapped the studio record and went with the community hall by the lake session.

That was Greg’s answer to the second question…and we were off and running.

We cover a lot of ground with Greg Keelor..ups and downs.  Losses both human and personal.

The album is very good. His best work yet. We both agreed that the feel of the record was much like the late 60’s in LA with Buffalo Springfield and The Byrds.

He’s a good man that Greg Keelor.  Please subscribe and take 20 minutes to enjoy!

And hello Jimmy Bowskill!

Subscribe to the MulliganStew podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify

April 17th, 2021- Spring Releases!

April 16, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 01:04:12

hello

Spring Releases from Le Vieux Pin, Noble Ridge and celebrating World Malbec Day

THE SHOW

 

It’s quite a line up today. Founders, owners, winemakers, viticulturalists and three of the best wine minds I know.

Leslie D’Andrea – co-founder/owner of Noble Ridge  Okanagan Falls.

Leslie brings the  next group of  Spring releases from a very busy winery.

Leslie and Jim D’Andrea

 

FYI – Now open daily from 10-5 (May-October)

NV “The Fizzy One”  Frizzante Sparkling 60% Pinot Gris 40% Viognier – a 100% fun. Lush Pink Grapefruit and citrus  on the nose. The palate is clean, brisk and loaded with berry flavours. and here’s the best part. $21.99. How long do you think 300 cases will last?

2020 Rose’

100% Cabernet Sauvignon Provence style. Pear and herbs take you to a lasting finish.There’s no need to hurry through this rose’…linger a while. Salads, seafoods, soft cheese, chicken or the love of your life. $21.65  Only 120 cases.

2019 Meritage

84% Merlot  16% Cabernet Sauvignon 12 months in barrel. 75% French  25% American. 20%  New Oak. Berry and  dark ripe current on the nose. Herb and a solid minerality/graphite straight down the middle.Hints of heated barn wood and chocolate. yes I know, I’m getting carried away.Which is  what a good wine should do for you. And the bonus is – $22.00 and they made 1984 cases.

 

www.nobleridge.com <http://www.nobleridge.com>

#benoble

Severine Pinte – winemaker/viticulturalist/management team  Le Vieux Pin and La Stella

“Wine is complex, but also simple: it’s the transformation of fruit to alcohol. A lot of people are intimidated because of how people talk about wine: experts use big words, but sometimes it goes back to -“do I like this smell, this colour, am I pleased with what I see in my glass, is the taste pleasing, do I want another glass?”

Wine can be just that. If I see a smile on people’s faces when drinking my wine, then I’m happy. And remember, it’s a training process. You can keep practicing”  Severine Pinte in The Femme Vine

We are so lucky to have Severine Pinte making wines in the Okanagan. With her skills and training she could be working anywhere in the wine world, even back home in France,  where she grew up. She leads the growing in the fields and the winemaking in the cellars for Le Vieux Pin and La Stella. The first leans French and the second fully and completely embraces the best of Italy.

Just a hunch but I think the reason why her wines are SO good is because she’s a grower first. As a grower she knows what she wants in the bottle so she works with the vineyard to produce just such a wine.

Her favorite quote is from Jean Hugel: “100% of the quality of a true wine is already in the grapes, not in the cellars where you can only lose quality.”

Severine has been growing and harvesting and winemaking in BC  since 2010 and she is truly one of the reasons why BC wines  are  so much better today.

Severine and Ava

 

Severine brings with her today her new Spring Releases from Le Vieux Pin and La Stella.

 

2020 Le Vieux Pin  Sauvignon Blanc –hints & elements of Marlborough, a little Napa influence and a dash of The Loire.

Think oysters, prawns, salads.  Strikingly fine  $30.99

2019 Le Vieux Pin  “Ava “  – classic Rhone white  50 % Viognier. Balanced with Marsanne and Roussanne. Can cellar for 5-8 years.

Le Vieux Pin 2019 Ava

Full and rich. Notes of herbs and brioche. Ripe fruit and floral delight. Pairs with roast chicken. Game birds.$30.99

2019 Syrah “Cuvee Violette”  . This is a pure essence of Syrah. Pepper, dark fruit and oak.

Feminine, perfumed and elegant.  16 months in concrete. Some new oak.  $32.99

2017 Le Vieux Pin Equinoxe Syrah.  18 months in French Oak.  48% New. Everything you want in a Syrah. Spice. Blackberries. Balance from front to back. This wine was made by a lover of Syrah. $89.99

La Stella 2018 Fortissimo  Merlot. Cab. Cab Franc. Sangiovese. It has everything you could ask for in a beautiful dark blend – spice, plum, blackberries and a wonderful fruitiness & tannins but what really pulls it all together is the acidity in the Sangiovese. $31.99

La Stella 2017 Espressivo Old World meets New World. Paying tribute to the arrival in the 60’s of Super Tuscans  This release is 52% Cab Franc,  16% Cab, 16% Merlot and 16% Sangiovesse. 17 months in barrel.  28% new oak.  $49.99

2017 Maestoso “solo” Merlot.  100% Merlot. Powerful and seriously structured.

 

Notes of cassis – plum and vanilla. Wildly  impressive. $89.99

 

https://lastella.ca/

 

https://levieuxpin.ca/

 

Saturday April 17th  is World Malbec Day –  Malbec is the flagship wine of Argentina

Viñedos relevamiento WOFA
Wines of Argentina

 

Talking about and recommending Malbecs are:

DJ Kearney – Educator and judge (note: at Argentine Wine Awards)

Kurtis Kolt – Educator and wine judge.

Rhys Pender – Master of Wine, winery co-owner and wine teacher.

 

Stories we are working on:

Spring Releases

Cowichan Wine Festival

Fort Berens

Hillside

Moon Curser

The Hatch

Enrico

 

 

Mulligan Stew April 17th 2021- Special Guest Greg Keelor

April 16, 2021 Mulligan Stew

hello

Mulligan Stew April 17, 2021 – in the middle of a pandemic.

The very special guest on this week’s Stew is Greg Keelor!!

  Co-Founder, co-Singer, co-Writer of one of Canada’s premier bands Blue Rodeo. Share the Love is his 6th solo album.

When asked did he know how many he has done and what the names are the answer was No.

And that was the first question. I had another 45 minutes of questions. Now what?

Greg spun his first story about he and Jimmy Bowskill sitting around, in a hash haze throwing lines and guitar licks back and forth and all of a sudden there’s an album taking shape.

They recorded it and went to a small community center at a lake to play the songs again while video cameras shot the songs for promo.

THAT recording was so good, they scrapped the studio record and went with the community hall by the lake session.

That was Greg’s answer to the second question…and we were off and running.

We cover a lot of ground with Greg Keelor..ups and downs.  Losses both human and personal.

The album is very good. His best work yet. We both agreed that the feel of the record was much like the late ’60s in LA with Buffalo Springfield and The Byrds.

He’s a good man that Greg Keelor.

And hello Jimmy Bowskill!

If you’re interested – the complete ramble can be heard on the Mulligan Stew Podcast.  You’ve subscribed, right?

Subscribe to the MulliganStew podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify

The playlist below covers a lot of territory.

Faces, Dan Lanois, Smokey and the Miracles, Doors, Corb Lund, Dylan, Boz, Bruce Live, Carole King Live,…lots more

FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS WE LAUNCH THE CKUA SPRING FUNDRAISER. WHY AM I YELLING?

PLAYLIST:

Mulligan Stew April 17 Special Guest – Greg Keelor with 6th solo album Share the Love
I don’t need no doctor John Scofield. John Mayer That’s what I say
Memphis Faces A nod is as good as a wink
(Under the) Heavy Sun Daniel Lanois Heavy Sun
I second that emtion The Miracles Hitsville
www.deanehouse.com www.river-café.com
You make me feel so free Van Morrison Into the music
Alabama Song (whisky bar) The Doors The Doors
Hold on I’m coming Sam and Dave Best of Stax
A hard rains gonna fall Leon Russell Leon Russell and the Shelter People
This is Mulligan Stew – Guest is Greg Keelor www.mulliganstew.ca
Get together Jesse Colin Young and Steve Miller Song Aid Vol 002
Old men Corb Lund Agricultural Tragic
Lucy in the Sky The Beatles Sgt pepper
Good Vibrations The Beach Boys Greatest Hits
BlueBerry Hill Fats Domino Live at Univercity of New Orleans
Coming UP – Greg Keelor (blue rodeo) with his new solo album www.mulliganstew.ca
Peace Train The Bros. Landreth with Murray Pulver single
Coming UP – Greg Keelor (blue rodeo) with his new solo album www.mulliganstew.ca
Slow train Bob Dylan Slow Train Coming
Down in Virginia Boz Scaggs Out of the blues
Goodbye Jimmy Reed Bob Dylan Rough and Rowdy Ways
Raise your hand (live) Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Live 75/85
Up on the roof (live) Carole King Live at Montreaux
www.nobleridge.com Coming UP – Greg Keelor – and his new album Share the Love
For what its worth Buffalo Springfield Buffalo Springfield
My back pages The Byrds Younger than Yesterday
www.mulliganstew.ca NEXT – Greg Keelor
Greg Keelor Interview in conversation with TDMulligan
White dove Greg Keelor Share the Love
Greg Keelor Interview complete interview on Mulligan Stew Podcast
Share the Love Greg Keelor Share the Love
Greg Keelor Interview Complete interview on Mulligan Stew Podcast
Feather Witch Greg Keelor Share the Love
Greg Keelor Interview Complete interview on Mulligan Stew Podcast
Wonder Greg Keelor Share the Love

EP 151 | SOOK-YIN LEE

April 10, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

Vancouver’s Mint Records yesterday released Soon-Yin Lee and Adam Litovitz jooj two albums 

Behind the release, there’s a very personal story – the love and loss between Sook and Adam.

“When we were making the song ‘Wrecking Heart’, Adam and I looked at each other, blown away by this song that was like nothing we’d ever written. It began with a supercharged sonic fragment he made that became the foundation of an unapologetic banger of a song that possessed and moved through us. We blasted it on the stereo, danced and air-guitared to it. Unconsciously, our lyrics seemed to telegraph our separation. “It sounds like a break up song,” he said, much to our disbelief at a time when we were very much together. But life challenges ended up pushing us in different directions. Though separated, we remained best friends, holding out hope that we would make our way back to each other. Adam landed a job scoring a TV series and I worked on our album, incorporating his notes. He said that he looked forward to playing cathartic meltdown live shows with me.
But that was not to be. Adam is no longer here. I believe he exists on other planes, in those who love him, and in our music, in his music, drawings, and writing. With this album, ‘jooj two’, I pick up the pieces of this Wrecking Heart, honoured to share our music.”
– Sook-Yin Lee

 

Adam took his own life. Sook-Yin patiently takes us through what happened and how it shaped the songs and her life. And yes, even though all this, we share smiles and laughs.

I’ve known Sook-Yin a  long time… I think it shows in the discussion.

 

Follow Sook-Yin Lee

Instagram • Facebook • Twitter • YouTube • Bandcamp • Spotify • Apple

Subscribe to the MulliganStew podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify

Mulligan Stew April 10th 2021-Special Guest – Sook-Yin Lee and new album jooj two for the Spring Smile

April 9, 2021 Mulligan Stew

hello

The music this week almost picked itself. In celebration of warmth on our shoulders and shots in our arms.

In normal years, we would see more smiles around us but not this year.

So please consider this April 10  Mulligan Stew your official Spring Smile.

Vancouver’s Mint Records yesterday released Soon-Yin Lee and Adam Litovitz jooj two albums 

Behind the release, there’s a very personal story – the love and loss between Sook and Adam.

“When we were making the song ‘Wrecking Heart’, Adam and I looked at each other, blown away by this song that was like nothing we’d ever written. It began with a supercharged sonic fragment he made that became the foundation of an unapologetic banger of a song that possessed and moved through us. We blasted it on the stereo, danced and air-guitared to it. Unconsciously, our lyrics seemed to telegraph our separation. “It sounds like a break up song,” he said, much to our disbelief at a time when we were very much together. But life challenges ended up pushing us in different directions. Though separated, we remained best friends, holding out hope that we would make our way back to each other. Adam landed a job scoring a TV series and I worked on our album, incorporating his notes. He said that he looked forward to playing cathartic meltdown live shows with me.
But that was not to be. Adam is no longer here. I believe he exists on other planes, in those who love him, and in our music, in his music, drawings, and writing. With this album, ‘jooj two’, I pick up the pieces of this Wrecking Heart, honoured to share our music.”
– Sook-Yin Lee

 

Adam took his own life. Sook-Yin patiently takes us through what happened and how it shaped the songs and her life. And yes, even though all this, we share smiles and laughs.

I’ve known Sook-Yin a  long time… I think it shows in the discussion.

The complete and very engaged conversation can be heard on the Mulligan Stew Podcast EP 151

On Spotify. Apple Podcasts and Google Play.

Follow Sook-Yin Lee

Instagram • Facebook • Twitter • YouTube • Bandcamp • Spotify • Apple

;

PLAYLIST:

Mulligan Stew April 10 2021
honest man matt anderson honest man
on your way down trombone shorty and allen toussaint Backatown
we got to get out of this place dan auerbach single
superstition wide spread panic and dirty dozen brass band this is our new orleans
www.winebc.com Coming UP – Sook Yin Lee Interview
break your Mother’s heart Stephen Fearing The Unconquerable Past
The Healer John Lee Hooker and Carlos Santana Dance of the rainbow serpent
The healing song dominique fils-aime three little words
Healing son real and jessie reyez The Aaron album
www.mulliganstew.ca Coming UP – Sook Yin Lee Interview
funny how time slips away lyle lovett and al green rhythm, country and blues
angel of Harlem U2 Rattle and hum
(under the) Heavy Sun Daniel Lanois Heavy Sun
Maybe I’m Amazed (live) Paul McCartney Wings over America
www.mulliganstew.ca Coming UP – Jackson Browne..Peter Gabriel.Rickie Lee Jones
Groovin’ The Rascals Greatest Hits
This is Mulligan Stew – Year 26 www.mulliganstew.ca
Running on empty (live) jackson browne. david lindley. En vivo con tino Love is strange
shaking the tree peter gabriel. Youssou N’dour secret world live – 16 golden greats
love is gonna bring us back alive (live) Rickie Lee Jones Live at Red Rocks
www.coyotesbanff.com Coming UP – Sook Yin Lee Interview
Sook Yin Lee Interview complete interview on mulligan stew podcast.
Re-Veil Sook Yin Lee – Adam Litovitz jooj Two
Sook Yin Lee Interview complete interview on mulligan stew podcast.
run away with her Sook Yin Lee – Adam Litovitz jooj Two
Sook Yin Lee Interview the complete amazing interview on mulligan stew podcast
wrecking heart Sook Yin Lee – Adam Litovitz jooj Two
Sook Yin Lee Interview www.mulliganstew.ca
rumble Sook Yin Lee – Adam Litovitz jooj Two
the complete conversation with Sook can be experienced at Mulligan Stew Podcast – Spotify. Google play. Apple Podcasts
The king must die Elton John Elton John

 

April 10th, 2021 -A tribute to Chris Jentsch. Laura Kittmer & April Wine Month and a New Documentary : Brewmance

April 9, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 00:49:06

hello

 

A tribute to Chris Jentsch, Laura Kittmer & April Wine Month and new Documentary  Brewmance

Chris Jentsch (CC Jentsch)

THE SHOW

 

 

Remembering Chris Jentsch (CC Jentsch)

One of the great benefits of being around the people who call wine their life is finding and making friends along the way.

For Chris Jentsch and I it was two days after his 2013 Syrah beat all comers at the  Judgement of BC gathering in 2015.

(There were 6 BC Syrah and 6 from around the World. His CC Jentsch 2013 Syrah  placed first to the delight of a room full of judges. Me included)

When I read that Chris had died April 2 I was taken with such a sadness. For his loss, for his wonderful partner Betty and their whole family.

The BC wine industry also lost a true leader. Chris was an admitted  farmer first!  When I showed up to congratulate him on winning The Judgement, I had to talk him off the tractor. That machine was his escape from the phone that wouldn’t stop ringing.  It’s ringing still.

I’ve gathered the interview that day and two others. One at Bloom 2016 and one at VanWineFest 2019, sitting in with Val Tait.

We’ll never forget the loss but let’s remember the man. Here’s to Chris Jentsch and CC Jentsch from the Golden Mile Bench.

www.ccjentschcellars.com

 

 

Laura Kittmer – Celebrating BC Wine Month in April

Laura_Kittmer   (Wine Growers of BC)

Laura is the Communication Director of Wine Growers of British Columbia. That’s a big job!   As my pal Barney Bentall says “Like a goat rodeo”

 

In celebration of B.C. Wine Month, Wine Growers British Columbia has launched a campaign titled “A Year in the Life,” aimed at celebrating B.C.’s hard-working, passionate and dedicated winemakers and farmers and their deep sense of respect for the land. The month long event includes a consumer contest inviting British Columbian’s to learn more about B.C. wine, discover new spring releases, and participate in a B.C. wine quiz for a chance to win an exclusive behind-the-scenes trip for two to one of B.C.’s pristine wine regions once it is safe to do so.

Laura walks us through the events above and then we get into a Spring Release speed rap..lots of names and wines.

But first we remember the legacy of one of the finest persons in the farming/wine industry Chris Jentsch.

We try to get a sense of what the year will look like, given the pandemic.

Laura also reminds us that there a new Wine BC Explorer App now available. For all of you wine fans who get your shots and mask up and want to make plans to visit a BC wine region this year,  this app answers all your questions. So you can start making plans or organize your dreams of travel.

Lots of info. Because that’s what Laura brings.  Every time.

www.winebc.com

@WineBCdotcom  #BCWineLife

 

 

 

Christo Brock – Director of new documentary BREWMANCE (April 13)

 

The boys from Liberation-BREWMANCE-

Our brewery, forged from equal parts Mos Eisley cantina and a Tom Waits fever dream, is a mighty 5 barrel production facility with tasting room. A safe haven for workers, story tellers, shamans, down-n-out detectives, street samurai, graffiti artists, revolutionaries, punks, drunks, con artists, and pirates. Sit for a pint and a tale… or three. Cheers!  Liberation!

There are over 7000 breweries in America. How do you find “the story” in that many tales.

Well, if you’re documentary director Christo Brock you stay home in Long Beach and tell the story through the people behind Ten Mile Brewing and Liberation Brewing. 

Why?  “because I promised my wife I wouldn’t disappear again  and wanted to be part of my kids upbringing..so I stayed in Long Beach for this story”   Good Call.

 

The American Craft Beer movement began with a group of restless homebrewers searching for something genuine and flavorful. Today it’s evolved into a redefinition of beer and an international cultural phenomenon. The  American spirit of rebellion and innovation survives in two groups of homebrewers from Long Beach, California who are looking to open their own breweries and bring their beers to the world. These include a Christian father-son team who grew close over making beer and a retired ska band rock star (Dan Regan, Reel Big Fish) looking for the “quiet” existence of a brewery owner. With the insight and commentary of legendary brewers Ken Grossman (Sierra Nevada), Fritz Maytag (Anchor Brewing), Charlie Papazian, Vinnie Cilurzo (Russian River), Sam Calagione (Dogfish Head), Jim Koch (Boston Brewing) and others, BREWMANCE reveals the soul of craft beer in the heart of America.

 

“Over the three years and 600+ hours of footage I gathered I found some unexpected discoveries. Firstly, craft beer is a uniquely American story. It could only have happened in a land that values independent, out-of-the-box thinking, and anti-authoritarianism. It’s a product made by people used to working hard, not giving up, and persevering through the impossible times. It’s also a story of entrepreneurship, one driven by innovative capitalists who saw a way of giving the people something they didn’t know they wanted. And most of all, it’s a story of people who honored and respected each other, and redefined the laws of competition to include collaboration. Craft beer is a better place to be, and we are all better because of it”  Christo Brock – Filmmaker

 

 

Christo Brock is an American Producer, Director, and Editor best known for directing and producing the iconic swim documentary Touch the Wall, the sports films Spirit of the Marathon and Hood to Coast, and  now the craft beer documentary BREWMANCE.

 

https://www.brewmancemovie.com/

RELEASING ON VOD ON ALL MAJOR PLATFORMS ON APRIL 13, 2021.
(US, CANADA, UK AND MORE)

CANADA: 
Apple TV (iTunes), Google Play, Microsoft Store, Vimeo On Demand

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Spring Releases

The Wine Diva

Le Vieux Pin

Cowichan Wine festival

 

 

April 3rd 2021 – New Releases from Michael Bartier (Bartier Bros) and Mark Hopley (Hester Creek)

April 1, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 00:54:03

hello

THE SHOW

New Releases from Michael Bartier (Bartier Bros) and Mark Hopley (Hester Creek)

 It’s that time of year.

Spring brings new releases from all the wineries.

Michael Bartier  – Winemaker  (and co-founder) at  Bartier Brothers (Black Sage Road)

Bartier-Brothers

2019 Rose –  (Now) $17.99

2019 – Grenache Syrah Mourvedre (April) $41.99

2019  Merlot –  (May) $22.99

2019 – Orchard Row (June) $36.99

 “Less is More“

 That’s Michael Bartier’s winemaking philosophy. No big over oaked glob in the glass.

Lean and sharply defined. Flinty. Minerality.

 

The Rose is a smash hit. A blend of Merlot, Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer.

Strawberry, melon and floral notes.  A clean beauty in the mouth. And best of all,  affordable.

The GSM  is tough to grow and blend. Thus the price tag. But what a payoff.  It stays with you long after you finish.

The Merlot is one of the very best in Canada. Blueberry, cherry on the nose. Flint, wet stone follows. Very affordable. Highly Recommended.

The Orchard Row is quite a story. Its basically a long row of plantings left over from other vines. Like a hedge you can drink.

It’s a field blend of Cab Franc, Merlot, Gamay and Pinot Noir. All from the same row.

It was the Bartier house wine until friends convinced them to share.

Its fantastic.

Just like the winemaker.

NOTE – Michael takes us through the partnership he’s formed with one of France’s most influential wineries – Boutinot.

The wine Michael makes for them is called Boutinot – Project B.  A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.

 

Bartier Bros Tasting Room now open.  Daily 11am to 5PM

 

www.bartierbros.com

 

 

Mark Hopley – Winemaker at Hester Creek (Golden Mile)

 

Hester Creek is celebrating over 50 years of winemaking.  Those years started with the original owner/winemaker Joe Busnardo.

Mark Hopley – Hester Creek

In 1968, BC wine pioneer Joe Busnardo came upon an excellent property sheltered below the rugged desert bluffs of what is now known as the Golden Mile Bench.  Joe recognized the potential for growing superior vinifera grapes on this unique land.

Today, a total of 115 acres comprise the Hester Creek  estate, which is planted with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Italian Merlot, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Sémillon, Syrah, and Trebbiano on 22 vineyard blocks.

 

All that wine history allows  all of to us celebrate the release of the….

2020 Hester Creek Trebbiano.  52 year old gnarly vines that deliver absolutely classic flavours. Do yourself a favour. FIND THIS WINE.

Apple, Melon and topical fruit on the nose and clean citrus, honey and minerality in the mouth. $22.99 plus tax

Thank you Hester Creek.  Thank you Mark. Thank you Joe.

2020_Trebbiano

2020 Hester Creek Pinot Gris-Viognier.  (2/3 Pinot Gris .1/3 Viognier)

Hand picked and pressed. Stainless steel retains the complexity and flavours we’ve come to love.

On the nose,  peach, clover.  In the mouth peach and honey and minerality. $16.99 plus tax.

This is a Save On Foods special. Also available at winery.

2020 P Gris. Viognier

Hester Creek is now welcoming guests at Terrafina Restaurant for patio service and take-out from 12:30-4pm, Wednesday-Sunday.   Check out the Hester Creek Website for special events.

 

Wine release dinners

Rose/Trebbiano April 3  – sold out

Bubble evening  May 13/14. Ti Amo and Old Vine Brut

The Judge – July 8 Summer Dinner.

 

Mark also looks ahead to future releases this Spring and Summer..

Ti Amo,  Old Vine Brut and The Judge.

 

www.hestercreek.com

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

April is BC Wine Month

Valleys of Wines

New Spring Releases

Eat Local. Checking in with the restaurants