Latest News

June 13th, 2020 Celebrating National Rosé Day and our wine partners 

June 12, 2020 Tasting Room Radio 01:05:18

hello

Celebrating National Rosé Day and our wine partners 

 

THE SHOW. 

 

June 13 is National Rosé Day.  Celebrating all that’s  great about drinking Pink. 

Who better to lead the celebration than Master of Wine  Elizabeth Gabay?

Wine Master  and author Elizabeth Gabay joins us.

She’s written a book called Rose!  Understanding The Pink Wine Revolution.

Terry and Elizabeth  discuss her book and all that went into it. For example,  Elizabeth  tasted 10 Rosé a day. A total of 1500 over 6 months from across the globe. Hear everything you need to know about one of the world’s oldest known types of wine.

June 13 is National  Rose Day –Rose was always considered the Ugly Duckling..Now  THE SWAN Emerges!!

She knows what she talks about.

Elizabeth is a Master of Wine who lives North of Nice!

Provence is right around the corner. And in France, 30% of all wine consumed is Rose.

One thing we do understand – there is no hotter wine right now than Rose.

In Canada for example, Imported Rose sales grew by 116% between 2012-2016.

Canadian production grew 9%.

Rose winemaking has become complex, making it perfect for food pairing.

Yes, you can find lots of light Summer Sippers..somebody is even making a stronger Rose..for all you fans who want ice in the glass.

There are natural Rose in cement tanks, eggs and even terracotta amphorae.

… and it’s NOT just a Summer drink anymore.

Even though stores and restaurants back off after Thanksgiving..many wine fans (me included) carry on through the Winter..finding new ways to pair Rose and hearty winter meals.

There’s Rose in Oak. Aged Rose.

What colour Rose you choose is totally open for discussion.

Many fully grown men (if there is such a thing) will not be caught with a “pink drink”

I still find that bizarre.

Elizabeth joins us  from her house in a small French village Saint- Martin- Vesubie “just North of Nice”

Elizabeth Gabay

You can find her at www.pink.wine

Liquid Partnerships

Tasting Room Radio has always been made up of Four Segments. In the beginning we decided to partner with four sponsors, one for each segment. We’ve made some great friends along the way. Okanagan Crush Pad, New District, Okanagan Falls Winery Association, Naramata Bench Wineries, CC Jentsch, Marquee Wine Cellars, Four Seasons Vancouver, Bench 1775, Cowboy Coffee and many more.

We had planned to do a driving tour of our current sponsors..starting at Unsworth on Vancouver Island then taking the Crowsnest Pass to Cawston in the Similkameen Valley and visit Orofino and the new Row 14 Restaurant at Klippers organics. On to Road 13 on the Golden Mile and finally ending up at

The Hatch on Mount Boucherie.

As you well know, all plans were put on hold as the Pandemic swept the World.

So, we’ve done our  best Plan B.

A socially distanced one-on-one at Unsworth and then phone/zoom interviews with the rest of the sponsors.  Talking about the headlines, surviving the loss of customers, growing on line sales and free shipping. Drive through windows and on line tastings. New releases and future plans.

We’re going to talk to all the sponsors –  alphabetically

This week we start with:

The Hatch –  Grayson Riordan (Prince of Tides)  and Jason Parkes. (Founder. Winemaker)

Orofino – John Weber (Co-owner. Winemaker)

Road 13 – Joseph Luckhurst. General Manager

 

www.thehatchwines.com

www.orofinovineyards.com

www.road13.com

 

NEXT WEEK:

Row 14 and Unsworth

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Jennifer Schell – BC Wine lovers Cookbook

Twin Island Cider

Lock and Worth

Nichol Vineyards

Anthony Buchanan

BC Wineries and Restaurants – The New Normal

Hillside Wines – New Releases

Kitsch

Vanessa

Winemakers Cut

Mt Boucherie and Modest Wines

Lots more

 

EP 110 | Dawn Pemberton

June 6, 2020 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

 

It’s like the storyline out of a bestselling book.

In the middle of a political battle for the life of a nation and a virus that takes the lives of 1000’s of its citizens,  a  black man dies at the hands of a police offer while his squad looks on.

The truth is caught on a phone camera and shown to The World.

Days later..citizens all over America and The World are walking, shouting and rioting in protest and a slogan from 2013 reappears,  Black Lives Matter and THIS TIME

It appears the message is actually getting through.

Dawn Pemberton is a wonderful singer, songwriter, and educator who shows up on albums all the time plus her own release  “Sayin’ Something”

She leads The Roots and Wings choir..tours with The Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer, sits in with the Good Noise Choir, and tries to lead by example.

Her father was born in St Kitts.  Her Mother in Barbados.

They moved to Canada and restarted their lives. Dawn has lived in Canada all her life and still has to deal with racism.

Who better to share her feelings on Black Lives Matter and the movement on the streets than Dawn Pemberton.

My thanks to The Shouting Hour last Sunday who showed the way.

June 6th, 2020- Winemaking Couples  –   Birch Block and 2House  

June 5, 2020 Tasting Room Radio 01:02:00

hello

Winemaking Couples  –   Birch Block and 2House

 

THE SHOW

 Block Party with Sarah and Murray Bancroft  (a series)

This whole show is about new school and old school winemaking.

Ian Sutherland and Valeria Tait have been a couple for years in the Okanagan but now have decided to make wine together. Finally.  After all those years. That’s the second half of TRR.

We start with one of the newest, coolest couples to ever become winemakers and farmers.

Just a couple of years ago Sarah and Murray Bancroft were living the life in Paris.

 

Murray is a trained chef but works in food and menu design/styling.

Sarah is an editor and is skilled at crafting digital sites and campaigns.

Now they’re farmers in Kaleden, just south of Penticton. Their winery is called Birch Block

www.birchblockvineyard.com

What we have in common is a love for a documentary called The Biggest Little Farm

“The Biggest Little Farm is about a young couple who decide to leave their old lives behind and buy a farm. The movie especially points out how hard it is to keep a farm running and all of the hardships, sadness and anger they face, but also the happy, beautiful moments and the relationships they build.”

https://www.biggestlittlefarmmovie.com/

I like these two and their story so much, we’re going to do a series of interviews..chronicling their growing season and the up and downs of being a new school winemaking team.

Sarah says the series is called Block Party.

Birch Block has released a Rose and a small lot chardonnay. The future sounds like Pinot Noir is in the plans. They have a guest house with French linen, Moroccan plates and Spanish hats.

If the wines are as stylish as these two..you’ll want to get your hands on some.

Valeria Tait and Ian Sutherland – Old School

When Meg and I first moved to the Naramata Bench in 2007, the very first winemaking locals we became friends with were Ian Sutherland and Val Tait.

Ian had founded Poplar Grove. A small vineyard with huge potential. Ian was a really good winemaker and always fun to be around.

Val was a viticulturist. Basically hired to design vineyards and consult in the planting and growing.  Painted Rock, Poplar Grove, Bench 1775.

Years went by.

Ian sold Poplar Grove and headed for Panama. Valeria became GM and winemaker at Bench 1775 and joined Ian in the off season. They built a beautiful home in Panama.

Now. FINALLY. They have decided to make wines together but not the same wine.

For example, they’ll both make a Cab Franc but one will be Ian’s take and the other Val’s.

Love that.

The wines will be called 2House..with a second label called Charisma.

They have a Tempranillo coming. Plus Bubble and  Semillon/Sauvignon.

Val has agreed to become the winemaker at Gold Hill, the label that the farming Gill family has built. Her partner is those wines is the not yet 30 year old Navi Gill. Definitely new school.

Navi joins us in the last  segment.

Instagram: @2housewine

https://www.goldhillwinery.com/

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

 

NEXT

The Hatch

Unsworth

Row 14 at Klippers Organics

Orofino

Road 13

Mulligan Stew June 6th 2020-Black lives, D-day, Mike Plume

June 4, 2020 Mulligan Stew

hello

Hello all

It’s been a 10-day span that has seen murder,  hatred, battles, riots, confrontation, and just now a possibility of hope and healing.

How does a 2-hour music weekly show help with healing and understanding?

I can’t really answer that but I can tell you that from the feedback I get, you are listening and you are finding comfort in what we do.

Good enough for me.

GRAHAM HUGHES/THE CANADIAN PRESS

 

With Black Lives Matter front and center, I found myself playing old and new songs I’ve played and been inspired by…

Louisiana 1927 – Aaron Neville

Stand Up – Cynthia Erivo

False Prophet – Bob Dylan

Red Right Hand – Nick Cave

And

Brown Baby – Nina Simone

We remember June 6, 1944

D-Day – The Beaches of Normandy

The changing of World history in several days.

14,00 Canadian troops

10,000 sailors

15 RCAF Squadrons

And two songs from that day by artists who  are still in play

I’ll be seeing you – Eric Clapton

Over the Rainbow – IZ

Our Special Guest interview is with

Mike Plume and his fine new album Lonesome stretch of Highway

Peace

PLAYLIST:

Mulligan Stew June 6 2020
TD Mulligan www.mulliganstew.ca
call that gone north mississippi all stars up and rolling
highway 28 Paul Butterfield Better Days paul butterfield better days
highway 61 bob dylan highway 61 revisited
6 days on the road taj mahal giant step
www.eauclairedistillery.ca Tonights guest Mike Plume
red right hand nick cave and the bad seeds let love in
song for sam cooke (here in America) dion. Paul simon blues with friends
Tonights guest – Mike Plume – New album and stories to tell www.mulliganstew.ca
and its still alright Nathaniel Ratyeliff and its still alright
king of july the radio grande town and country
walk away Renee The Four Tops 3 billboards outside Ebbing missouri
www.mulliganstew.ca Coming UP – Remembering the songs of D Day
l’ll be seeing you Eric Clapton I still do
over the rainbow Isreal Kamakawiwo’ole IZ IZ
TDMulligan NEXT – Brown Baby Nina Simone
Brown baby Nina Simone Live at Village Gate
Mulligan Stew – with tdmulligan Next Mike Plume guests
Mike Plume Interview Lonesome stretch of highway
perfume and gasoline mike plume lonesome stretch of highway
Mike Plume Interview Lonesome stretch of highway
Summers around here (don’t last forever) mike plume lonesome stretch of highway
Mike Plume Interview Lonesome stretch of highway
I’m your huckleberry mike plume lonesome stretch of highway
Mike Plume Interview Lonesome stretch of highway
in God’s hands mike plume lonesome stretch of highway
for what it’s worth buffalo springfield Buffalo Springfield
www.mulliganstew.ca
NEXT – Aaron Neville. Dylan. Robert Plant. Cynthia Erivo
Lousiana 1927 aaron neville warm your heart
I’d rather go blind grace potter muscle shoals small town. Big sound
stand up cynthia erivo Harriet. Original soundtrack
the May Queen robert plant carry fire
www.nobleridge.com Next – New Dylan
False Prophet Bob Dylan rough and rowdy ways
hello mary lou rick nelson best of

 

Mulligan Stew May 30th 2020-Music to heal and renew

May 30, 2020 Mulligan Stew

hello

How was your week?  Memorable or immediately forgettable?

For those of you who had a memorable week…Joyous tracks from

 

Morning Dew – The National

10th Ave Freeze Out (live) – Miami Steve and Bruce Springsteen

Trapper – Mark Knopfler

In the air – great new track from The California Honeydrops

Let Them in – The Bros. Landreth

Mrs Robinson (Live)  – Paul Simon

Makin’ Whoopee – Dr John and Rickie Lee Jones

Get Back – The Beatles with Billy Preston

 

A Battle of The Bears

Grizzly Bear Blues – Corb Lund

Grizzly Bear- The Youngbloods

Grizzly Bear – Angus and Julia Stone

For those who had a forgettable week..music to heal and renew

Worries man – Willie nelson and Toots

Funny how time slips away – Lyle Lovett

Compared to what – John Legend and The Roots

Hear me Lord – Bonnie Raitt

Dear mr Fantast – Traffic

Paint it black – The Stones

Like a rolling stone (live) The Stones

Keep on Pushin’ – Mavis Staples

Six Strings Down – Jimmy Vaughn

Walking Blues (live) – Eric Clapton

Don’t shuffle me back – BareNaked Ladies and The Persuasions

Love and Elbows  – tdm

NEXT WEEK – Mike Plume – new music

 

PLAYLIST:

Mulligan Stew May 30 2020
Your Saturday Night Stew with tdmulligan
walking blues eric clapton unplugged deluxe
six strings down jimmy vaughn This is Jimmy Vaughn
keep on pushing mavis staples reason to believe
morning dew the national day of the dead
www.eauclairedistillery.ca Next – Knopfler. Stones.Traffic
10th ave freeze out (live) little steven and the disciples of soul soul fire live
THIS is Mulligan Stew – Year 25 www.mulliganstew.ca
Trapper Mark Knopfler down the road wherever
paint it black the rolling stones 50 years
dear mr fantasy traffic dear mr fantasy
www.mulliganstew.ca Next – New Cali Honeydrops . Old bonnie raitt
in the air california honey drops single
hear me Lord bonnie raitt silverlining
Coming Up – Battle of The Bears and The Beatles www.mulliganstew.ca
Grizzly bear blues corb lund agricultural tragic
Grizzly bear blues the youngbloods the youngbloods
Grizzly bear blues angus and julia stone grizzly bear
across the universe the beatles past masters – box set
www.nobleridge.com Next – the beatles and john legend & the roots
get back the beatles with billy preston past masters – beatles box
compared to what john legend and the roots wake up
TDMulligan www.mulliganstew.ca
worried man willie nelson and toots countryman
let ’em in the bros landreth undercover
mrs robinson (live) paul simon collection
funny how time slips away lyle lovett best of lyle lovett live
makin whoopie dr john and rickie lee jones anthology
Thank you for listening and donating..you did both right?? www.mulliganstew.ca be safe
don’t shuffle me back Barenaked Ladies ladies and gentlemen. BNL & The persuasions

 

May 30th, 2020- David Farran Pres.  Eau Claire Distillery, Turner Valley & A Revisit to Tofino Food and Wine

May 30, 2020 Tasting Room Radio 01:06:35

hello

 

David Farran Pres.  Eau Claire Distillery, Turner Valley & A Revisit to Tofino Food and Wine

  

THE SHOW

 For years, a huge percentage of the grains that were grown by farmers in Alberta were shipped to The UK to make Scotch. 80% of all that Scotch was made with Alberta Barley.

The distillers who did make spirits in Alberta , made  whisky in bulk.

Then David Farran  left his management position at Big Rock Brewing and began the dream of starting Alberta’s  first ever craft distillery. Eau Claire was born in Turner Valley South of Calgary.

David Farran

David partnered with brewer and distiller Larry Kerwin in 2014 to launch the first micro distillery in Alberta,  Eau Claire Distillery.

The spirit maker?  Caitlin Quinn, Glaswegian and very talented.

Eau Claire can be found in beautiful Turner Valley..on Sunset Blvd.  Yup.  The old movie theatre and dance hall building built in 1929.

eau claire single malt

I love the fact that they harvest with Percheron horse teams, trained by The Amish. The only people still harvesting by horse.

Does it make for better spirits?  You tell me.

Parlour Gin. Ploughman’s Rye, Cherry Gin, Saskatoon Honey Gin, Dill Pickle Vodka,  Three Point Vodka and Alberta’s first single malt whisky.

Prickly Pear equinOx and many more.

They open their Tasting Room first week in June.

Local farmers. Local grains.

“from farm to glass”

www.eauclairedistillery.ca

 

Remembering The Tofino Food and Wine Festival  (2019)

The Tofino Food and Wine fest was always one of the outstanding events on the calendar.

The Gardens

Sure there were lots of other food and wine gatherings,  in ballrooms, basements and  convention centres. None of them could match holding a wine festival in a beautiful community garden and a RAINFOREST.

Welcome to Tofino

It was organized by Kira Rogers and a wonderful team of volunteers.

We covered the event as part of our Tofino food and craft special.

The Music

Months later a press release arrived from Kira cancelling future events.

“For the past 16 years, our experience in working with the British Columbia LCRB has been positive, constructive, helpful and supportive. In 2019, our 17th year producing this well-loved event, our experience was the opposite: obstructive, hostile, intimidating and rude. We felt like an opponent.”  

Way to go LCRB.

 While we wait for the possible return of this wonderful gathering, I thought I’d offer the interviews we did last year.

Kira Rogers – organizer

Sara Triggs – Culmina Sales and Marketing Manager  Culmina.ca

Rob Hammersley – Owner Black Market Wines  BlackMarketwine.ca

Chris Smith – Island rep for Way West Wines  waywestwines.com

David Gouge – Owner Sea Star Wines. Pender Island  seastarvineyards.ca

Paul Gardner –  Co-Owner Pentage    pentage.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Block Party at The Birth Block Vineyard – a series.

Unsworth

Orofino

Row 14 at Klippers

The Hatch

Road 13

Valeria Tait and Ian Sutherland – 2Houses

BC Wine Lovers Cookbook

Ned Bell

EP 109 | Susana Trilling-Chef. Educator. Oaxaca, Mexico

May 29, 2020 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

Susana Trilling is a chef, teacher, caterer, author, TV hostess, food consultant, and director of Seasons of My Heart Cooking School and Sazon de Mi Corazon S.A. de C.V., producing gourmet Mexican products.  She’s from Philly.

She owned 2 NYC restaurants, a restaurant in Fremantle, Western Australia, and has lived in Oaxaca since 1988, where her two sons were born and raised on her ranch outside of the city.

She wrote My Search for the Seventh Mole and Seasons of My Heart; A Culinary Journey through Oaxaca, Mexico to accompany her 13 part PBS series, that ran for 6 years.

 Susana was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Oaxacan International Food and Wine Festival in 2002 and in 2012 was presented with the Espiga de Oro Award for her work promoting Oaxacan cuisine internationally. She has been featured at many Food and Wine and Cacao Festivals and been a celebrity chef at CIA San Antonio’s annual Paella Challenge.

 Please enjoy this mid-afternoon chat with Susana Trilling. If you get a chance Google her complete history. It’s fascinating.

http://seasonsofmyheart.com/

EP 108 | Julius Makarewicz-Nude Beverages Founder

May 23, 2020 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

It’s 2013.
In Vancouver, 23-year-old Julius Markarewicz is at a trade show featuring entrepreneurs who have “new ideas”. He’s one of many.
His idea is putting vodka and soda TOGETHER in a can so all we have to do is pour it.
Nude Beverages are now approaching 44 Million cans sold.
This is the story we tell today.

Mulligan Stew May 23rd 2020-Full on Spring!

May 22, 2020 Mulligan Stew

hello

“Get out my life, woman”…First lyrics sung on Saturdays Mulligan Stew on CKUA Radio…

Written by Alan Toussaint… A big hit by Lee Dorsey in the ’60s but times have changed.

This version is sung by The Wood Brothers – who are the funkiest brothers I know.  Speaking of brothers.

The Every Brothers end The Stew with Cathy’s Clown – released May 23 1960.

Also a big hit. The usual wicked harmonies.

In Between “The Brothers”

Van Morrison – Astral Weeks

Promised Land – Bruce Springsteen

Deep Purple – The story behind Smoke on the Water

Elton John – Capt Fantastic released on May 23, 1975

The Who  – Tommy  released May 23, 1969, My memories of Tommy in Amsterdam and The Keith Moon Moment

We salute the birthday of Bumps Blackwell – who produced

Sam Cooke and all the early Little Richard hits.

William Prince – Pearl Jam – Robbie Robertson – new Dylan – Mae Moore – Sister Rosetta Tharpe – Tom Petty Live – Jimi – Marvin – Colin Linden – Los Lobos – Maceo

Let’s get at it!!!

PLAYLIST:

mulligan stew may 23 2020
get out my life woman (live) The Wood Brothers live at nail and tooth
i wish i had answered manx mariner mainline hellbound for heaven
Don’t fight it Phantomm Blues Band Still Cookin’
eauclairedistillery.ca Next on The Stew – Astral Weeks
astral weeks Van Morrison Astral Weeks
the promised land Bruce Springsteen Darkness on the edge of town
www.mulliganstew.ca Next – Smoke on the Water.Lucy in the sky.Tommy
Smoke on the water Deep Purple Machine Head
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds Elton John Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
We’re not going to take it The Who Tommy
Playlist www.mulliganstew.ca The Stew Year 25
you send me Sam Cooke Portrait of a legend 51-64
Long tall Sally Little Richard Here’s Little Richard
Tutti Fruit Little Richard Here’s Little Richard
Mulligan Stew – Year 25 Podcast at mulliganstew.ca
Wasted William Prince Reliever
Buckle Up Pearl Jam Dance Of The Clairvoyants
Dead end kid Robbie Robertson Sinematic
False Prophet Bob Dylan Rough and rowdy ways
Love won’t find us here Mae Moore Dragonfly
www.mulliganstew.ca Next – Sister Roseta Tharpe
60 years more Madeleine Roger Cottonwood
Strange things happening everyday Sister Roseta Tharpe Vol 2
Coming UP – Tom Petty Live. Jimi. Colin Linden. Los Lobos www.mulliganstew.ca
great wide open (live) Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers An American Treasure
Remember Jimi Hendrix rainy day dream away
Trouble man marvin gaye Greatest Hits
www.coyotesbanff.com www.deanehouse.com
Don’t let go Colin Linden. Luther Dickinson Amor
www.nobleridge.com coming up los lobos. Everly bros. Maceo
Come on let’s go Los Lobos Just another band from East LA
Cathy’s clown Everly Bros Best of
Cold Sweat Maceo Parker Soundcheck

 

May 23rd, 2020- OUR RESTAURANTS ARE OPEN – NOW WHAT?/ NUDE BEVERAGES- THE STORY/FORT BERENS

May 21, 2020 Tasting Room Radio 00:56:51

hello

OUR RESTAURANTS ARE OPEN – NOW WHAT?/ NUDE BEVERAGES- THE STORY/FORT BERENS

THE SHOW

First things first – we hope this finds you safe and well.

I’m sure you heard that BC’s restaurants are being allowed to re-open.  Be forewarned – they won’t look or feel like what you’re used to.

 

(the BC Governments document here)

Here are  the words that keep popping up under General Considerations:

Consider

Modify

Eliminate

Maintain

Provide

Create

Manage

Support

Ensure

Encourage

…and for the restaurants..directions such as

Remove, used multiple times

Provide

Consider

Limit

Encourage

Here’s a link from Scout Magazine that breaks down the original document and gives you the info you need to know.  https://scoutmagazine.ca/2020/05/15/new-table-service-protocols-for-bc-restaurants/

Tasting Room Radio reached out to three leaders in the Food and Beverage industry to get their opinions and reactions.

Andrew Morrison – Editor in Chief  www.ScoutMagazine.Ca

andrew morrison

Scott Ward – President/COO Brown’s Restaurant Group https://brownssocialhouse.com/

Scott Ward

Ian Tostenson – President and CEO of BC Restaurant & Food

ian-tostenson

Services Assn  https://www.bcrfa.com/about-us

We‘ll keep going back to this story  as it unfolds.

Julius Markarewicz  – Founder of Nude Beverages

julius-makarewicz- in the beginning…

 

The press release was one of many that day. It said something like “ Nude Beverages is shipping more product to Ontario because in their debut they:

“SOLD OUT”

Nude is Canada’s original sugar free Vodka Soda Brand.

It all started in 2013 when Julius thought he saw a gap in the adult beverage market. Right then he  started his plan to launch an RTD (ready to drink) beverage.

But first, he had to convince the BC Liquor Board to sell his discovery in their stores.

Nude was sugar, sweetener, gluten and carb free.

48 hours before the window of opportunity was closed, he sat opposite their headquarters in a Starbucks and drank a lifetime of coffee and let the decision makers across the street know  that he was “right there:” if they had a questions.

At the last minute they called and he/they were in.

Nude sold 1Million cans in 2019 with a 30% market share.

It’s been a blur every since.  They have now sold 44 Million cans across Canada and in a growing number of US States.

Nude comes seven flavours now with more to follow.  Besides the original vodka soda, there’s gin soda, iced tea, tequila soda etc.

Nude feels it’s important to give back to the community and are developing relationships with animal rescue groups as part of their company expansion plans with more charities and movements added every month.

They have also committed to the covid relief efforts.

https://nudebeverages.com/covid-relief-fund/

Julius will bring us up to speed with this two part interview.

www.nudebeverages.com

@nudebeverages

Rolf de Bruin  – co-founder of Fort Berens Wines

Rolf-de-Bruin-Fort-Berens-Lillooetnews

With his wife Heleen, they moved from Holland to BC, eventually choosing Lillooet to plant and grow their own dreams, in the form of a vineyard and winery. On a day-to-day basis, Rolf helps lead the Fort Berens team by example and by inspiration. He also manages the sales and marketing for the business. Eleven owners show great teamwork.

Rolf takes us through tasting notes and price points of their new releases

2019 Pinot Gris – 10% barrel age.  Yummy! Apples, lemon, vanilla

2019 Riesling – blend of 3 vineyards. Classic honey- grass notes. Apple, pear ,citrus

2019 Rose – 5 clones all from estate. floral nose & strawberries in the mouth

                      (828-667-777-115-47)

2018 Pinot Noir – from estate, Similkameen & West Kelowna. French Oak. Cherries. berries. Pepper around the edges. (perfect with salmon)

2017 White Gold Chardonnay. Dry Creek Vineyard, Fort Berens Estate.

Aged in French Oak until blending. Texture, acidity, apples and orange. Pasta/chicken

2017  Red Gold– Dry Creek Vineyard.67% Merlot & 33% Cab Franc.(passimento style)

Aromas of blackberries & plums,  sage & liquorice. Flavours of spice, dark fruit, oak.

Great with game, beef, hard cheese and a hammock.

www.fortberens.ca

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Block Party – a series.

Eau Claire Distillery

Noble Ridge

Unsworth. Orofino. Row 14.The Hatch. Road 13

(a virtual road trip)

Lock and Worth

Anthony Buchanan

Mt Boucherie

Bartier Brothers