Top Drop Vancouver

August 11th 2018-Top Drop Vancouver Part Two & and EZRA CIPES CEO SUMMERHILL WINERY & LEADER OF THE OOTN’OOTS!

hello

 

THE SHOW

How much do I like the Top Drop wine series?

Well, I really only needed half a dozen interviews to make a one-hour special.

However, Kurtis Kolt and Jeff Curry always bring together some of the very best winemakers and owners in the World.  How they manage that, year after year, is amazing.

Of course, I ended up doing almost twice as many as I needed but when you see the guest list below I think it’s clear why I got carried away.

The wineries are in all cases organic, sustainable, terroir driven, just pure fruit and the work of time.

No additives, no tricks. Honest wines and winemakers.

Today’s guests are:

David Amadia – President of Ridge Vineyards  (Sonoma)

Since 1885 one of California’s leading wineries.  Paul tells a great story about how  Ridge came to be poured at The Judgement of Paris and what they’re pouring at Top Drop.

www.ridgewine.com

Beth Novak Milliken – President of Spottswoode  (Napa)

“Spottswoode Vineyard is one of Napa’s most well-known landmarks, and its winemaking team, owner Beth Novak, and assistants Rosemary Cakebread and Jennifer Williams, represents a trifecta of talented young women. When the history of Napa’s great vineyards is written, the 40-acre Spottswoode Vineyard, tucked behind the quaint town of St. Helena, will be counted among the finest grand cru vineyards of the region.”

Robert Parker

www.spottswoode.com

Emil Mehdin – Marketing Director Stina Wines. (Dalmatia, Croatia)

Croatia has been making wines for some 2500 years. If you listen to the pride on Emil’s voice I think you may understand how they became one of the World’s true wine countries.

www.stina-vino.hr/en

Wendy Vallester –  pouring Wines of Spain.

  The last time I saw Wendy we were sitting on a sidewalk in Ribera del Duero Spain.  She was living in Spain with her husband, a Spanish wine educator.  They were guiding myself and Jason Priestley through the region’s vineyards for Hollywood and Vines TV.   Who better to tell the Spanish wine story than Wendy?

http://www.foodswinesfromspain.com/spanishfoodwine/index.html

Mark Vlossak – Owner and Winemaker at St. Innocent Winery.  (Willamette Valley, Oregon)

The interview with this utterly charming man was 9 minutes.  I think I asked 3-4 questions..and he told 10 stories and walked me through his portfolio.

Once again I ask – if the winemaker is this interesting, surely the wines will be equally interesting and fine?  Well, they are!

www.stinnocentwine.com

www.topdrop.ca

We welcome back to Tasting Room radio Ezra Cipes CEO of Summerhill Pyramid Winery  Kelowna

Ezra Cipes

Summerhill is quite simply one of the busiest wineries in Canada. Three tasting rooms going full pull.

The visitors are a mix of wine fans, foodies, the curious, and tourists who have heard of this winery, its bio-dynamic/ organic wines and its pyramid.

 

The Cipes Family have always been dedicated to making  wines in a sustainable and caring manner.

Caring for the Earth is prime.

But, as Ezra explains, they have also been totally involved in playing music.

The latest project is the family band The Ootn’Oots and their latest album Electric Jellyfish Boogaloo.

The band is fronted by 11year old singer Ruth Cipes  with her Dad Ezra and Uncles Ari, Gabe and Mathew .

Ruth is such a surprise as a singer… real  promise in those vocals.

Songs are strong too.

 

FYI – If you’d like to see them live, they’ll be playing the Salmon Arms Roots and Blues Festival next weekend

Aug 16-19

 

www.theootnoots.com

facebook.com/ootnoots

 

www.summerhill.bc.ca

 

https://www.rootsandblues.ca

June 9th 2018-Top Drop Vancouver Part Two & Chateau Wolff is alive and well

hello

 

THE SHOW

How much do I like the Top Drop wine series?

Well, I really only needed half a dozen interviews to make a one-hour special.

However, Kurtis Kolt and Jeff Curry always bring together some of the very best winemakers and owners in the World.  How they manage that, year after year, is amazing.

Of course, I ended up doing almost twice as many as I needed but when you see the guest list below I think it’s clear why I got carried away.

The wineries are in all cases organic, sustainable, terroir driven, just pure fruit and the work of time.

No additives, no tricks. Honest wines and winemakers.

Today’s guests are:

David Amadia – President of Ridge Vineyards  (Sonoma)

Since 1885 one of California’s leading wineries.  Paul tells a great story about how  Ridge came to be poured at The Judgement of Paris and what they’re pouring at Top Drop.

www.ridgewine.com

Beth Novak Milliken – President of Spottswoode  (Napa)

“Spottswoode Vineyard is one of Napa’s most well-known landmarks, and its winemaking team, owner Beth Novak, and assistants Rosemary Cakebread and Jennifer Williams, represents a trifecta of talented young women. When the history of Napa’s great vineyards is written, the 40-acre Spottswoode Vineyard, tucked behind the quaint town of St. Helena, will be counted among the finest grand cru vineyards of the region.”

Robert Parker

www.spottswoode.com

Emil Mehdin – Marketing Director Stina Wines. (Dalmatia, Croatia)

Croatia has been making wines for some 2500 years. If you listen to the pride on Emil’s voice I think you may understand how they became one of the World’s true wine countries.

www.stina-vino.hr/en

Wendy Vallester –  pouring Wines of Spain.

  The last time I saw Wendy we were sitting on a sidewalk in Ribera del Duero Spain.  She was living in Spain with her husband, a Spanish wine educator.  They were guiding myself and Jason Priestley through the region’s vineyards for Hollywood and Vines TV.   Who better to tell the Spanish wine story than Wendy?

http://www.foodswinesfromspain.com/spanishfoodwine/index.html

Mark Vlossak – Owner and Winemaker at St. Innocent Winery.  (Willamette Valley, Oregon)

The interview with this utterly charming man was 9 minutes.  I think I asked 3-4 questions..and he told 10 stories and walked me through his portfolio.

Once again I ask – if the winemaker is this interesting, surely the wines will be equally interesting and fine?  Well, they are!

www.stinnocentwine.com

www.topdrop.ca

Matt and Natalie Riga  – Chateau Wolff (Nanaimo)

That’s not a typo.  This small winery is tucked into the south facing hills above Nanaimo, Vancouver Island.

If you listen, you’ll hear how this winery was planted by Harry von Wolff in the early 90’s.

When Harry passed away..his vineyard was left to fend for itself but somehow survived over the years.

It now means that Matt and Natt (and daughter Sienna) are now the proud owners of 25 year old vines. Some of the oldest on Vancouver Island. Very small lots but very interesting wines. The Pinot Noir is sublime..if you can get your hands on it.

http://www.chateauwolff.com/

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

The Wickinninish Cook Book

Saanich in an hour, featuring

  • deVine
  • Sea Cider
  • Deep Cove (with Pascal Madevon)
  • Church and State.

March 26th, 2016 … Top Drop!

hello

Tasting Room Radio Post Banner B

TOP DROP Vancouver..Year 2.

THE SHOW

TopDropVancouver

It’s the return of Top Drop Vancouver, a unique, two-day event bringing together international, terroir-focused wineries, craft breweries, cideries, gastronomy & more.

 

Top Drop Vancouver continues its focus on sustainably-farmed, handcrafted wines offering a distinct sense of place, without heavy-handed winemaking trickery to get in the way.

Now in its second year, Top Drop Vancouver is a two day trade and consumer event being held at the Roundhouse in Yaletown and various Vancouver restaurants  bringing together a collection of small, hands on wineries, craft breweries, cideries and food purveyors who are passionate about their craft.

We quote Our Host Kurtis Kolt:   (from his column in the Georgia Straight)
“Our focus is terroir-influenced, handcrafted wines, and the people behind them.

 

Kurtis Kolt

Kurtis Kolt

“We believe in the importance in farming one’s own fruit and/or being constantly engaged with grape-growers to ensure sustainability and a high standard of viticultural practices.

We believe in wines that reflect their vintage, and wines that aren’t suffocated by vinicultural trickery.

We believe in winemaking decisions that are made by a winemaker, and not by a board of directors or marketing team.

We believe in those who take chances.

We believe these kinds of wines, honest wines of integrity, need a time and place to have their story told.
We also believe craft beer, cider, along with authentic and sustainable produce, dairy, meat and seafood are part of the same conversation, which is why we’re proud to showcase some of our best in those areas.”

 

The event took place at the Roundhouse in downtown Vancouver.

In the limited time and resources we had at hand..I was able to talk to and get stories from the following guests:

 

Kurtis Kolt – Organizer,  fearless leader and Wine Expert  http://www.kurtiskolt.com/

Kate Durisek – Co-Owner Howling Moon Cider House   Oliver BC www.howlingmoon.ca

David Lancelot – Wine Buyer Cask and Barrel  Kelowna BC   www.thecaskandbarrel.ca

Shawn Bachynski – Red Truck Beer – Vancouver, B.C.  www.redtruckbeer.com

Mark Davidson – Global Education Director  Wine Australia  www.wineaustralia.com

Tyler Harlton – Owner/Winemaker TH Wines  – Okanagan Valley, B.C.   www.thwines.com

José Lovaglio Balbo    Winemaker   Vaglio Wines – Salta Argentina   http://www.joselovaglio.com/

Anthony Truchard – Truchard Vineyard – Carneros, California  www.truchardvineyards.com

Jean Benoit DesLauriers – Wine Maker Benjamin Bridge   Gaspereau Valley Nova Scotia   https://www.benjaminbridge.com

Shirley Brooks – Elk Cove  Willamette Valley Oregon  www.elkcove.com

Paul  M  Brunner   Owner Blue Grouse Estate Winery  Duncan BC  www.bluegrouse.ca

 

 

http://www.topdropvancouver.com/

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

WINES OF NAVARRA SPAIN

LOCALS ONLY – Wines, Ciders and Spirits from Vancouver and the Gulf islands

CHEF ANGUS AN – changing Vancouver?

MICHAEL BARTIER – Bartier bros.  Winemaker and master pruner!!

NATHAN FONG – BC’s  Food Voice around the World

 

 

October 31st, 2015 … Top Drop!

hello

Tasting Room Radio Post Banner

TOP DROP Vancouver..Year 2.

THE SHOW

It’s the return of Top Drop Vancouver, a unique, two-day event bringing together international, terroir-focused wineries, craft breweries, cideries, gastronomy & more.

Top Drop 2

Top Drop Vancouver continues its focus on sustainably-farmed, handcrafted wines offering a distinct sense of place, without heavy-handed winemaking trickery to get in the way.

Now in its second year, Top Drop Vancouver is a two day trade and consumer event being held at the Roundhouse in Yaletown and various Vancouver restaurants  bringing together a collection of small, hands on wineries, craft breweries, cideries and food purveyors who are passionate about their craft.

We quote Our Host Kurtis Kolt:   (from his column in the Georgia Straight)
“Our focus is terroir-influenced, handcrafted wines, and the people behind them.

 

Kurtis Kolt

Kurtis Kolt

“We believe in the importance in farming one’s own fruit and/or being constantly engaged with grape-growers to ensure sustainability and a high standard of viticultural practices.

We believe in wines that reflect their vintage, and wines that aren’t suffocated by vinicultural trickery.

We believe in winemaking decisions that are made by a winemaker, and not by a board of directors or marketing team.

We believe in those who take chances.

We believe these kinds of wines, honest wines of integrity, need a time and place to have their story told.
We also believe craft beer, cider, along with authentic and sustainable produce, dairy, meat and seafood are part of the same conversation, which is why we’re proud to showcase some of our best in those areas.”

 

The event took place at the Roundhouse in downtown Vancouver.

In the limited time and resources we had at hand..I was able to talk to and get stories from the following guests:

 

Kurtis Kolt – Organizer,  fearless leader and Wine Expert  http://www.kurtiskolt.com/

Kate Durisek – Co-Owner Howling Moon Cider House   Oliver BC www.howlingmoon.ca

David Lancelot – Wine Buyer Cask and Barrel  Kelowna BC   www.thecaskandbarrel.ca

Shawn Bachynski – Red Truck Beer – Vancouver, B.C.  www.redtruckbeer.com

Mark Davidson – Global Education Director  Wine Australia  www.wineaustralia.com

Tyler Harlton – Owner/Winemaker TH Wines  – Okanagan Valley, B.C.   www.thwines.com

José Lovaglio Balbo    Winemaker   Vaglio Wines – Salta Argentina   http://www.joselovaglio.com/

Anthony Truchard – Truchard Vineyard – Carneros, California  www.truchardvineyards.com

Jean Benoit DesLauriers – Wine Maker Benjamin Bridge   Gaspereau Valley Nova Scotia   https://www.benjaminbridge.com

Shirley Brooks – Elk Cove  Willamette Valley Oregon  www.elkcove.com

Paul  M  Brunner   Owner Blue Grouse Estate Winery  Duncan BC  www.bluegrouse.ca

 

 

http://www.topdropvancouver.com/

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

 

The wines of the Cowichan Valley

Harry McWatters – What Next?

Garth Eichel  – A new book on the Naramata Bench

Colin Linden

Royal Wood

Jim Cuddy

Garagiste Wines in BC