Nov 2, 2019
Canadian musician and actress Loreena McKennitt talks to Terry about her role as The Voice of God in the film Road to the Lemon Grove. Plus, the Grammy Award-nominated artist talks about putting her music career on hold to fight climate change and the negative consequences of technology.
New Zealand is recognised as one of the world’s premium wine regions,
mainly due to the success of their Marlborough region Sauvignon Blanc
This explosive varietal introduced the world to New Zealand Wine.
In 2019 they would like to celebrate the success of their famous white
through sub-regional expressions as well as showcase the lesser known
varieties such as Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Rose.
Several weeks ago I was offered the opportunity to “speed date” a handful of
New Zealand Winemakers as they passed through Vancouver. I sat at a desk and
they showed up one at a time..each with a wine in hand.
Frankly, it was a blur.
In listening back to the discussions several things became clear.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is World Class but now it’s time to check out
sub regions of the North and South islands.
Simon Toneycliffe GM Whitehaven. (Marlborough’s Golden Mile)
Simon Toneycliffe WhiteHaven
Whitehaven wines are grown, crafted and bottled in Marlborough. Each wine is
a powerful, elegant and consistent expression of Marlborough’s classical
wine styles. The white label is the flagship. Their growth has been nothing
short of fantastic.
Whitehaven has been successfully exporting to the United States since 2004
when its first shipment totaled just 5,000 cases. In 2015 Whitehaven
celebrated the export of its millionth case of wine to the US.
Canada is showing the same kind of growth.
The reason is simple. Affordable World class wines.
Wayne Leadbetter – VP Sales Te Awanga Wines (Hawkes Bay)
Wayne Leadbetter Te Awanga
Planted 25 years ago by a group of friends in one of Hawke’s Bay’s oldest
wine growing areas, they dreamt of making the region’s greatest wines.
They say they’re still working on it but believe their vineyard, right by
the coast truly captures something unique.
Sitting on an elevated site in the Te Awanga foot hills, the cellar door has views down through our vines,
across the Te Awanga basin and out to the Pacific Ocean. Spectacular.
Syrah and Chardonnay are exceptional.
Jim Robertson Global Wine Ambassador NZ Brands – Stoneleigh/Pernod Ricard
(Marlborough)
Jim Robertson – Stoneleigh
Stoneleigh Vineyard is situated in the heart of the Rapaura area on the
northern side of the Wairau valley in Marlborough, New Zealand. The ‘Golden
Mile’ of vineyards.
Stoneleigh takes its name from the stones that cover the
vineyard – land that’s now home to some of the oldest grafted Sauvignon
Blanc blocks in Marlborough.
The stones store and reflect the sun’s heat up into the vines, enhancing the ripening process and contributing to the
unique taste of Stoneleigh wines.
Jim travels the World – a natural storyteller and what a story. NZ wines
are recognized the World over.
http://www.stoneleigh.com <http://www.stoneleigh.com/>
Joel Watson – Winemaker at Luna (Martinborough)
Joel Watson – Luna
Luna Estate has been lovingly renovated and transformed into one of
Martinborough’s premier wineries.
While their main love is Pinot Noir, they also produce elegant Pinot Meunier Rose, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot
Gris, Chardonnay, and Syrah. It’s almost impossible to capture how
passionate Joel Watson is about NZ winemaking and Luna. It shows in his
wines.
A fierce believer in Martinborough.
Rory Crawford – Loveblock (Wellington)
Loveblock is the home of Erika and Kim Crawford. Yup, the same Kim Crawford
who sold his namesake winery and Loveblock is what they did with the money,
honey.
This 180 acre (72 hectare) vineyard is perched on top of the hills
overlooking the Awatere Valley above Wellington..
The site is perfect for growing premium aromatic white varietals. Due to the
strong winds, the vine growth is slow and they tend to get very small
berries giving high aromatic concentration in the wine.
The main vineyard area produces Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris
predominantly, as well as Pinot Blanc, Tempranillo, Gewurztraminer, Chenin
Blanc and of course, Riesling.
Hamish McRae – Forrest and The Doctors (Marlborough)
Hamish McRae – Forrest & The Doctors
The vineyard of Doctors John and Brigid Forrest.
Forrest Wines – The first vintage for Forrest Wines came in 1990 when an
over-filled red wine fermenter “accident” resulted in a trophy-winning
Merlot Rosé.
Fast forward almost 30 years; many awards and accolades, 5 labels and
vineyards across the country. Forrest is set for generations.
Forrest is all Marlborough.
The Doctors – The Doctors’ range is about innovation and excellence.
New grape varieties, alternative winemaking techniques and select parcels of
fruit all qualify to create very special wines under this unique label.
https://www.forrest.co.nz <https://www.forrest.co.nz/>
https://www.forrest.co.nz/collections/doctors
2019 Judgment of BC – The Final One
The spectacular Phantom Creek Winery
Checking out Cedar Creek Winery
The Italians pour in Vancouver – Michaela Morris co-hosts
Oct 26, 2019
It’s been said that lawyer Roy Cohn was the architect of ultra right-wing government in America. In other words, when you see Donald Trump, you’re seeing Roy Cohn. In his documentary ‘Where’s My Roy Cohen,’ director Matt Tyrnauer examines the life of a man he calls “one of the most controversial and influential men of the 20th century.” Terry talks to Matt about the life of Roy Cohn, and his role in mentoring the 45th President of the United States.
Charles Smith ‘s Third Jet City Rose Experience in Seattle.
( Ann Sperling stays home and makes New Direction wines)
Charles Smith – Founder Wines of Substance
Charlie is the founder of Washington’s largest winemaker owned winery and the 4th largest wine producer in Washington State.
Charles Smith
He created and then sold Charles Smith Wines, and five other wines to Constellation.
His new company, Wines of Substance made 53 different wines last year in their Seattle Jet City facility. 51 were single varietal.
Today he has a portfolio that includes
K Vintners – The original. Royal City. The Creator. The Boy.
SIXTO – High Elevation Chards. Uncovered, Moxee Vineyard, Frenchman Hills
CasaSmith – Italian inspired. CasaSmith Sangiovese, Barbera, Primitivo
Substance – Cabernet Sauvignon is the star.
B Leighton – By winemaker Brennon Leighton. From Olsen Hills in Yakima.
Wines of Substance showcases Charles Smith’s dedication to producing the very best wines. From vineyard to glass.
Charles built and opened Jet City in Seattle. It’s the largest urban winery on the West Coast.
When I saw the artists that would take the stage in the cellar..Rev Horton Heat and Har Mar Superstar – I realized none of my questions or their answers would be heard.
Guests from this wild ride include
Charles Smith http://winesofsubstance.com/
Chef Stuart Lane http://www.spinasse.com/about/chef-bio/
Andrew Latta – Latta Wines http://www.lattawines.com/
Ann Sperling – Winemaker Sperling Vineyards
Sperling Vineyards (Tourism Kelowna)
Note – Sperling Vineyards 2015 Old Vines Riesling Estate Bottled. 95 Points Decanter Wine Awards. The only Gold medal winning still wine from BC
A true original.
Ann Sperling creates wines in Ontario, Nova Scotia and most importantly in her family’s home vineyard in Kelowna at a special piece of land called Pioneer Ranch.
It was established and planted in 1929.
Ann grew up in those vineyards but found herself pulled away as more and more vineyards sought her expertise.
She spent several years at Cedar Creek. Then headed back East to the organic and biodynamic vines of Southbrook Vineyards in Niagara.
Ann Sperling
Finally in 2008 Ann and her immediate family members decided to launch Sperling Vineyards at Pioneer Ranch.
So..here we are 11 years later and the wines are pushing the outer edges of what we know BC wine to be. Wines to keep an eye on.
Their portfolio has specific series called Heritage, Market and Late Harvest/Icewine.
The one series that is really game breaking is The Vision Series of wines.
That’s what Ann and I are going to be talking about .
Organic Natural Amber Pinot Gris 2017 – Like no other Pinot Gris you’ve tasted. Orange and made from 40% whole cluster, 40% whole berry and 20% pressed juice. Nothing added. Nothing taken away.
Vision Chardonnay 2016 (BC Left Gov Award) . Large French Oak barrels. Minerality and structure.
Organic Pinot Noir 2014 – Hand harvested Dijon clones 144. 777. 828
And the star of the show Speritz Pet Nat 2018. (Love and Labour)
Perle of Csaba grapes planted in 1934 – Honouring the Past.
8.3% alcohol. No fining, No filtration. Wild ferment. Bottled with lees.
Seek and enjoy!!
Many thanks to our great pal Tim Meeks, who suggested this event and ferried us around Seattle!
Tofino Food and Wine
A special feature on “field blends”
Fire Season in The Okanagan
The Wickaninnish Inn opens a spectacular cellar
Tofino mid-week experience. Chefs and more chefs
BC Shellfish Festival / Courtenay-Comox
Cowichan Valley Wine Festival
Chefs speak out on their/our role in saving fishery
Oct 20, 2019
On the eve of the 2nd anniversary of the passing of Gord Downie, Terry David Mulligan talks with Kevin Hearn and Tom Wilson about ‘Secret Path Live’. In the last few months of his life, The Tragically Hip’s leader gathered his friends in studio and recorded his last solo album, ‘Secret Path’ as a tribute to Chanie (Charlie) Wenjack, a 12-year old Ojibwa boy who died trying to escape a residential school.
This weekend at Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto, The Secret Path band will reassemble for a benefit – featuring Kevin Drew, Kevin Hearn, Buffy Sainte Marie, July Talk, Sam Roberts Band, Tanya Tagaq, Whitehorse, William Prince, Serena Ryder, Tom Wilson of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings and many others.
For 7 years I have had the pleasure of gathering once a year with 3 food and wine friends to fish, eat a great meal and pour tastes of interesting wines.
What’s not to like about that.
Along for the fun again are:
John Weber – Our host this year as we all gathered at John’s Orofino Winery in the Similkameen Valley in the South Okanagan. John’s wife Virginia was kind enough to let us stay overnight in her outstanding Orofino Winery Suites, right beside the crush pad.
beautiful suites at Orofino!
John is the real true fisherman here. He arranged a pontoon boat drift down a stretch of the Similkameen River, from just outside Hedley and almost to Keremeos. 6 hours in total.
John Weber
Our second day was spent just outside Cawston on a farming lake that can be seen from the highway. Its stocked, locked and loaded.
Executive Chef Mark Filatow from came along again with his spinning rod..the one with no tip.
Didn’t stop him in the least. Caught more fish than me, that’s for sure.
TDM and fish!
Mark also prepared a sensational breakfast and a dinner that I’m still telling people about.
Oh, and then he created pizza’s from all the leftovers. Pies that could win awards.
Mark Filatow
It’s the kind of cooking you come to expect from his Waterfront Bistro and his Catering café in Kelowna.
One other thing, because he’s a certified Somm, his wine choices for all of us are from all over the Planet!
And finally Rhys Pender – Master of Wine and co-partner in Cawston’s Little Farm Winery, just around the corner from Orofino.
Rhys Pender
In the two days that we’re together it’s Rhys that starts most group laughs. Plus he comments about the wines we’ve brought to no one one in particular..I think he just shouts out tasting comments to the ceiling.
Occasionally I feel like I’m in one of his Wine Plus Classes.
Enjoy the food, the wines, the fishing and what friends do when they gather.
The Four F’s Gang
(all fish were catch and release.)
Just a heads up – to all those many people who drive through Keremeos , Cawston and The Similkameen Valley on their way to “wine country”, STOP and check out The Similkameen, Its where many of the other wineries wish they had vineyards. This IS wine country!!
And the fishing is outstanding!!
Special thanks to:
Virginia Weber
Similkameen Ernie
Row 14 Restaurant
Lft Governors Awards
Harvest 2019
Oct 11, 2019
Cara Luft and J.D. Edwards talk to Terry about their latest release ‘Assiniboine & the Red’, and the process of writing the songs on the record. The pair reflect on working with producer Neil Osborne of 54-40, the story behind their protest song “Don’t Back Down,” and the breakthrough moment when they completed the album’s heartbreaking single “Oh My Love.”
The Cowichan Valley Wine Festival came and went. I missed it due to a road trip.
However, it’s an ongoing story that I just couldn’t pass up. Many thanks for photos to: Corey & Heather Wood
By all accounts, it was a huge success, with many comments about the “new faces” showing up.
A whole new wine fan has discovered this region just North of Victoria on Vancouver Island!
Let’s face it, if you’re not The Okanagan Valley, you just have to try harder to get people’s attention.
That’s exactly what Cowichan Valley is doing.
I sent a message to Mike Nierychlo at Emandare to ask if he could wrangle a gaggle of winemakers all in one spot to get caught up on 2019.
Wrangle he did. On the crush pad at Emandare. (And he even brought the sandwiches)
I will admit that during the last interview with Joe Busnardo I had real trouble understanding what he was saying..his accent was thick and he really rambled. I just kept nodding and smiling. I hope you do better with Joe. He’s a real treat!
Mike Nierychlo – Winemaker/co-owner Emandare https://www.emandarevineyard.com/
Brent Rowland – Winemaker at Averill Creek and joue https://www.averillcreek.ca/
Garrett Deol– The next winemaker at Deolhttp://www.deolestatewinery.com/
Zack Brown – co-owner/winemaker at Alderlea http://www.alderlea.ca/
Mark Holford – co-owner/winemaker at Rocky Creek http://www.rockycreekwinery.ca/
Marilyn Venturi – co-proprietor at Venturi Schulze https://www.venturischulze.com/
Lorin Englis – GM at Enrico https://www.enricowinery.com/
Dan Wright – Winemaker at Unsworth https://www.unsworthvineyards.com/
Michael Abbott – Vineyard Manager/Raisin Rancher at Blue Grouse https://www.bluegrouse.ca/
Joe Busnardo – Winemaker/owner/legend at Divino http://www.divinowine.ca/
https://www.tourismcowichan.com/eat-drink/
https://www.tourismcowichan.com/cowichan-valley-wine-festival/
FFFF – the 7th annual Food. Fishing. Friends. Fluids field trip
This year in the and on the Similkameen Valley/River
Full Italian
Harvest Roundup
Oct 5, 2019
Recorded live at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Mary Gauthier joined Terry David Mulligan for a live session and conversation about her latest album Rifles & Rosary Beads, the process of writing her first book, and how the book writing differs from songwriting. She also performs “Soldiering On”, co-written with a veteran, that addresses the prevalence of suicide amongst veterans.
Every day 100’s of wine fans get in their cars and drive into the Okanagan to discover wine country. Good on you.
Many of them drive right through the Similkameen Valley and past some of the best vineyards in the country. Orofino, for example.
Some of those same well meaning wine fans head East through the Frazer Canyon and may have no idea that if they hang a left at Lytton they can head North into BC’s most promising new wine region and Fort Berens Estate Wines.
This week we drive around with , sit down with and talk to John Weber, the co-owner and driving force behind Orofino in the Similkameen Valley.
John at Harvest 2019
John will take us to his latest planted vineyard, The Passion Pit. It was a gravel pit that Cawston teens hung out in.
He tastes us through his blend White Bridge, his Cab, Syrah, Gamay and his award winning Bordeaux blend Beleza!
Also a word about Row 14 the new restaurant in the neighbourhood.
ROW 14
It’s been launched to great success by Clippers Organics.
Here’s a tip: Orofino have two of the sweetest suites anywhere. Best of all you are right in the vineyard and looking down on the crush pad.
Highly recommended.
https://www.orofinovineyards.com
Rolf de Bruin
Fort Berens Estate Winery is a culmination of the dreams, vision and pioneering spirit of several entrepreneurs. It was founded with a pioneering spirit and forged on the road less traveled. The winery is owned by a team of eight individuals who share a common belief in the incredible winemaking potential of British Columbia’s Fraser Canyon and a shared vision to make Fort Berens into one of Canada’s leading producers of fine wine.
The voices and faces wine fans see and hear most are Rolf de Bruin and
Partner Heleen Pannekoek.
Just in case you missed the news and as if you needed another reason to drive up to Fort Berens…have a look at this
As voted on by the public, the Best of BC Wine Country 2018 included the following regional awards for Fort Berens:
Fort Berens Estate Winery Riesling – Best BC White Wine
Fort Berens Estate Winery Rosé – Best BC Rosé Wine
Fort Berens Estate Winery – Best BC Winery Tasting Room
The Kitchen at Fort Berens – Best BC Winery Restaurant Showcasing Local Food
That’s what you call a sweep!
Rolf and I will talk about his Rose, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and a white blend Camels White. The new estate vineyards they’ve planted and their partnership with vineyard Cliff and Gorge
Rolf shares plans for a 10th anniversary bubble. Created by winemaker Jim Cambridge who crafted it with a combination of fruit from Fort Berens and their neighbours.
Watch for releases now labeled Lillooet VQA
Fort Berens wines are well worth the drive and everything in their portfolio is priced under $20.00 at the winery.
You just might want to join the wine club.
Next week – The Cowichan Wine Festival
And soon the 7th annual
Food. Fishing. Friends. Fluids field trip
