hello

Harry McWatters dies. Raise a glass.

THE SHOW

Harry McWatters died in his sleep in Summerland this week. He was 74.

Harry was one of the singular leaders who paved the way and built the framework for the Canadian Wine Industry.

From opening the first estate winery Sumac Ridge, to the first sparkling wine – Steller’s Jay,

Launching the Okanagan Wine Festival, introducing Meritage blends into our lexicon, Launched BC VQA, the BC Hospitality Foundation, founding chair BC Wine Institute, Director BC Vintners Assn, started Encore Wines, Time Wines, McWatters Wines.

Vintage Consulting, Time Winery and Kitchen.

Harry had just celebrated his 50^th vintage..and the first year for his downtown winery in Penticton.

Harry McWatters

On and On.

We’ve all  lost a leader and a great friend.

This tribute to Harry consists of moments from the many interviews we did together.

Starting with one of my first for Tasting Room Radio –  Summer 2007. In Penticton after Harry had swept the wine awards.

Cheers Harry.

https://timewinery.com

In honouring the builder and legend Harry McWatters, I felt the feature also needed another voice other than mine.  It was a natural move to pick up the phone and talk to Christine Coletta. Co-Founder of Okanagan Crush Pad and one of BC’s  current  wine leaders.

She was also a dear friend of Harry’s and as she explains..there would be no Okanagan Crush Pad or Christine Coletta in the wine business without the guidance and support of Harry McWatters in the early years.

I’m so pleased  I made the phone call.

https://okanagancrushpad.com

Interstellar Rodeo.  Pairing live music and wine   with Gurvinder Bhatia

The last segment of the show is a yearly story for Tasting Room Radio.

First there’s Gurvinder Bhatia..Quench Magazine Wine Editor, Global TV (Edmonton)  Wine Columnist, International Wine Judge, Italian wine  specialist and friend of Harry McWatters. And then there’s Interstellar Rodeo this weekend in Edmonton.

Gurvinder Bhatia

It features a wide portfolio of artists..some “artists to watch for” and many artists who’ve created their own fan base over many years of recordings and touring.  Headliners and those who want to be headliners.

Artists include Whitehorse, Rheostatics, Aloe Blacc, Sheila E, Southern Ave, Lucius, Asleep at the Wheel, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats,

Gurvinder studies the music of each and then pairs his best wines to match the vibe and texture of the music.

Even if you can’t attend..you can find the artists on the Interstellar Website with their matching wines..and do your own Rodeo.

Here’s the link

https://interstellarrodeo.com/edmonton/beer-wine/

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Jim Cuddy – Cuddy by Tawse Wines

A special feature on “field blends”

Willie Mitchell & Brendan Morrison  speak out on their/our  role in saving fishery

Chris Tolley Moon Cursor

Fort Berens

Andrea Sartori and 121 years of Italian Winemaking

Jason Priestley – 90210 and his California wine.

Parking in The Passion Pit  with John Weber at Orofino!

hello

BC Chefs work to save our fishery and Cowichan Valley Wine Festival

THE SHOW

 Three stories from Vancouver Island.

We start by heading back to the 13^th annual BC Seafood Festival in Courtenay-Comox.

For some it’s a getaway weekend.

However, for those who want to get involved..there’s oyster shucking on a massive scale, cooking classes, a chef competition that loves  a vocal audience, gala dinners, brunch heaven plus you get to connect with your new favourite chef.

However, this year all the talk among the chefs was saving our fishery.

We are/were so spoiled on the West Coast. Our fishery was the envy of all.

Not anymore.

It’s been overfished and as a result it’s starting to affect the food chain for whales, orcas, eagles, bears  and feed fish.

Chef Ned Bell says we’re so used to getting the centre of the plate.  Spring and Coho salmon. It’s time to start working “the edges” of the fishery.  Sole, shellfish, sardines, herring.  Eating down the food chain.

Chefs have to convince their customers that if they order alternative fish they can help save the fishery we’ve come to love.

Ask questions. Know your fisherman.

Take a break from some species. Find a few fish. Pinks for one.

Responsible aquaculture starts to become very important.

So, really this sustainability comes from the chefs, the fishermen, first nations, fish farms AND

You and I. The customers.

Every one of the guest chefs had something to say to all of us.

Ask questions…know your fisherman..if your restaurant can’t tell you where your fish is from , don’t order it.

Here  we go:

• Chef Ned Bell –  Executive Chef, Ocean Wise, Vancouver, BC;
• Jean-Francis Quaglia, Exec Chef/Founder. Provence Marinaside
• Nathan Fong, Executive Chef Producer of the BC Seafood Festival; Fong on Food
• Ricardo Valverde, Exec Chef Ancora Vancouver and West Van.
• Quang Dang Exec Chef Top Table Group
• Ryan Bissell  Director of Food and Beverage Villa Eyrie Resort Malahat
• Chris Andraza   Exec Chef  Fanny Bay Oyster Bar and Restaurant

The 2^nd annual Cowichan Valley Wine Festival takes place August 23-25.

In order that you can pull off a master plan for the weekend..we have invited three local  influencers to join us on a park bench in Ladysmith for a chat about who, why and where you should be heading for the Cowichan.

Mike Nierychlo  Co-founder/Winemaker Emandare Vineyard  Duncan

Lorin Inglis   Manager Enrico Winery Mill Bay

Karen Elgersma  Tourism Cowichan

Mike,Karen and Lorin

For your master plan, here’s the layout of The  Cowichan Valley Wine Festival Aug. 23 – 25

Aug. 23     Party at the Pavilion Shawnigan Lake School 6pm – 8pm – Kick off Public Tasting

Aug. 24 – 25   Winery Tour Weekend

All local wineries will be hosting free tastings and events over the weekend.

Check with the winery websites for what they’re up to..

https://www.tourismcowichan.com/

…and while we’re on Vancouver Island I had the distinct pleasure of tasting the wines of Brent Rowland from Averill Creek.

Brent Rowland winemaker

Brent creates the Averill portfolio but he’s also released two very special wines. They’re called Joue. There’s a Field Blend White and Field Blend Red…and unlike almost everyone  else in the BC wine business he puts the name field blend right on the label.

Brent has created wines all over the World. Alpha Box and Dice in Australia. By Farr in Australia, Calera in California, Escarpment in New Zealand and most recently at Pearl Morissette in Niagara

He wants these Joue wines to have perfume, poise, tension, elegance. Consummate wines.

“for me the field blend spirit is the clearest segue from the vineyard to the glass”

You’ll hear more of Brent’s creative  thoughts when we present The Field Blend Special in a couple of weeks.

In the meantime – check out these field blends from The Cowichan Valley

https://www.averillcreek.ca/

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Jim Cuddy – Cuddy by Tawse Wines

A special feature on “field blends”

Fire Season in The Okanagan

Willie Mitchell & Brendan Morrison  speak out on their/our  role in saving fishery

Chris Tolley Moon Cursor

Fort Berens

Andrea Sartori and 121 years of Italian Winemaking

Jason Priestley – 90210 and his California wine.