Audio

EP 307 | BC Top 50 wines with 2 judges Rhys Pender & DJ Kearney

June 7, 2024 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

For years, there have been multiple wine competitions no matter what country or region.

The BC wine industry is no exception.

The latest wine awards are The BC Top 50 wines and Wine of the Year as part of the 2024 Okanagan Spring Wine Festival, which is on now.

Friday night the results were announced at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre and then hundreds descended on the trade floor to do their own judging.

Kimberly Hundertmark, the GM of The Wine Fests said on Tasting Room Radio last week that wineries were asked to send their very best releases.

We have two guests and dear friends on this Podcast. Both are wine stars and both were  judges at  this event

DJ Kearney.  A Global wine authority, educator and Director of Wine at Terminal City Club. Black Belt.

Rhys Pender – Master of Wine. Co-owner of Little Farm Wine in Cawston and owner of Wine Plus. World’s greatest fisherman.

We can now include here who made the Top 50 wines list and which winery won  Wine of the Year

WINE OF THE YEAR

Dirty Laundry Vineyard

Cellar Series Gamay

2022
BC TOP 50
Winery Name Brand Name Vintage
3Benches Estate Winery Hillside White 2022
Bench 1775 Winery Blanc de Blanc 2020
Black Swift Vineyards Hans Estate Malbec 2018
Bordertown Vineyard & Estate Winery Merlot 2019
Chaberton Estate Winery Cabernet Franc Reserve 2019
Chaberton Estate Winery La Fleur de Chaberton 2023
Crown & Thieves Chenin Blanc 2022
Culmina Family Estate Winery Unicus 2022
Culmina Family Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Deep Roots Winery Syrah 2021
Evolve Cellars Brut Rose 2018
Four Shadows Winery Riesling Classic 2023
French Door Estate Winery Malbec 2022
Gidda Family Estates One Block Zweigelt 2020
Gneiss Wines The Chief Reserve 2020
Hester Creek Estate Winery GSM 2022
Hester Creek Estate Winery Viognier 2023
Hillside Winery & Bistro Cabernet Franc 2020
Hillside Winery & Bistro Chef’s Whites 2023
Inniskillin Okanagan Estate Winery Estate Riesling Icewine 2022
JoieFarm Winery Secrest Mountain Pinot Noir 2022
Kismet Estate Winery Syrah Family Select 2021
Lakeside Cellars Rose 2022
Moon Curser Vineyards Touriga Nacional 2022
Moraine Estate Winery Estate Pinot Noir 2022
Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery Reserve Syrah 2020
Noble Ridge Vineyard and Winery The One 2017
Peak Cellars Terraces Dry Riesling 2022
Phantom Creek Estates Phantom Creek Vineyard Cuvee No.29 2020
Poplar Grove Winery Three Roses 2022
River Stone Estate Winery Corner Stone 2019
Sandhill Wines Sandhill Small Lots One 2019
SpearHead Winery Pinot Noir Pommard 2022
Stag’s Hollow Winery Renaissance Merlot 2020
Stag’s Hollow Winery Renaissance Chardonnay 2022
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Organic Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Tantalus Vineyards Old Vines Riesling 2021
Terravista Syrah 2022
Terravista Fandango 2023
Terravista Albariño 2023
Three Sisters Winery Bench Red 2022
Tightrope Winery Pinot Noir Fleet Road 2022
Tinhorn Creek Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Franc 2021
Township 7 Vineyards & Winery Seven Stars Sirius 2016
Upper Bench Estate Winery & Creamery Chardonnay 2021
Vanessa Vineyard Estate Winery Inc. Syrah 2019
Vanessa Vineyard Estate Winery Inc. Goltz Legacy 2019
Volcanic Hills Estate Winery Gidda Family Estate Royale II (Blanc de Blanc) 2020
Wild Goose Winery Gewurztraminer 2023

 

EP 306 | Kimberly Hundertmark. Okanagan Spring Wine Fest and John Skinner. BC Wine view Painted Rock

June 1, 2024 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

I’ve had the distinct pleasure to host and produce Tasting Room Radio for 17 years.

Most weeks we consider featuring some of those stories on the podcast but music, arts and music history seem to carry the day.

These two interviews deserve to be featured because they tell the story of the current state of the BC wine industry.

The Okanagan has been burned by summer fires and choked by summer smoke, blocked by road closures at the peak of the summer season, deep frozen by two successive winters and disappointingly shunned by liquor governing bodies in Alberta.

All the while the BC wine industry is making better and better wines. So it all feels like three steps forward and two back

Kimberly Hundertmark, the GM of Okanagan Wine Festivals brings great news. Right now, they are kicking off the Spring Wine Festival all over the Okanagan Valley. It’s an amazing collection of events. Huge gatherings like 2024 BC Top 50 and the Wine of the Year. The TASTE series, carefully curated in locations North and South, the Naramata Bench this Sunday, June 2 and the District Wine Village in Oliver Sat-Sun June 8/9 and Saturday, June 8th at the Summer Sips at Spirit Ridge Osoyoos. Kimberly brings all the news and tips for making plans.

 

The complete list of events can be found at  www.thewinefestivals.com

 

 

John Skinner is the co-owner/co-founder of Painted Rock Estate Winery, on the Skaha Bench in Okanagan Falls.

If you go to their website www.paintedrock.ca have a look at the wines but also the awards those wines have won over the years.

Pages and pages of awards and outstanding reviews.

John’s comments about his wines and two new releases – Rose and Chardonnay can be found on Tasting Room Radio. www.tastingroomradio.com

These comments by John are about the state of the BC wine industry – the good and not-so-good.

Above all, it’s John’s belief in BC Wine. He shows leadership and well-thought-out decision-making.

If you’re interested in supporting the BC wine industry – and I truly hope you are – then John brings clarity and commitment to all of us.

John Skinner reminds us that most of these wineries are owned by small farming families.

“support the little wineries first. Find your favourites and support them when you can”

 

June 1st, 2024- OK Spring Festival & Spring releases from Painted Rock & Winemaker’s Cut.  

May 31, 2024 Tasting Room Radio

hello

OK Spring Festival has started plus  Spring releases from Painted Rock & Winemaker’s Cut.

 

THE SHOW

 

Kimberly Hundertmark – GM Okanagan Wine Festivals 

Kimberly Hundertmark

 The Okanagan Wine Festival returns this June with three weeks in wine country.  There is no better time to visit BC Wine Country than in June.

Festival of the Grape

Just before the summer season kicks into high gear,  The Okanagan Spring Wine Festival will focus on a TASTE and SIPS series of events throughout the Okanagan Valley – from June 2 through the 23.

The official launch of the  Spring Wine Festival will take place at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre on Friday, June 7, following the British Columbia Wine Awards where the 2024 BC TOP 50 and the Wine of the Year will be announced. The wines were judged by an hand picked  panel of wine experts the previous week, and the BC TOP 50 wines will be making their first public appearance at the  BC TOP 50 Grand Tasting.

The Okanagan Spring Wine Festival sees the return of the TASTE Series, which includes carefully curated events in various locations. The TASTE Series will launch with the Naramata Bench Wineries Association on Sunday, June 2, followed by the District Wine Village on Saturday and Sunday, June 8 and 9.

 

Also new this year are two events in the SIPS Series.  Summer Sips at Spirit Ridge Resort and Destination Silver Star – outside in Vernon.

Best of all – Kimberly takes us through all the events,  big and small, so there’s something for everyone

All events can be found at www.thewinefestivals.com

 

John Skinner    co-founder Painted Rock Winery (Okanagan Falls)

John was a stockbroker in Vancouver for more than 25 years, during which time he became an avid wine enthusiast. John and his wife Trish dreamed of having their own vineyard after spending time exploring wineries in the South of France with their family. In 2004,  they purchased the land in south Penticton known locally as “The Blackhawk.”

Perched high on a bench on the east side of Skaha Lake south of Penticton, backing up against the famed climbing bluffs. Once an apricot farm, it had been fallow for 17 years. He planted in 2005 and 2006 and now has roughly 25 acres under vine, all of it Bordeaux reds or Syrah except for a block of Chardonnay. On the advice of consultants, he has planted multiple clones of every variety, giving his winemaker good blending options.

John was confident that this terroir and its site influences presented “a unique opportunity to create exceptional wines” and that he had “both the opportunity and the obligation to do this property justice.” John and Trish’s vision was and remains to grow exceptional grapes in their estate vineyard to produce ultra-premium wines that reflect the perfect marriage of new world fruit and old world processes, employing the best modern technologies and expertise, while respecting old world traditions.

Best of all, the whole family is involved. This is a very personal life journey for The Skinners.

John brings new information on possible deep freeze damages done to his vineyards and the news is good.

Painted Rock is open for business and pouring very top quality wines, including the two we talk about.

For example there are very few wineries who really attempt to make a rose that stands alone.

The 2023 Painted Rock Rose is a world class blend.

51% Merlot/15% Cabernet Sauvignon/12% Petit Verdot/ 11% Cab Franc/11% Malbec.

A rose completely and fully formed. Delicious and memorable. A real rose.

The second wine John talks about is his 2022 estate grown Skaha Bench Chardonnay.

Very fruit forward. Granny Smith, peaches, vanilla – some spice, Meyer lemon. Long glorious finish.

A blend of four micro-harvests picked over 7 days.  8% aged for 6 months in French Oak. (45 new/55 used)  The last 15% in Stainless Steel

There are 3 clones involved. The third is a trade secret. John explains.

We also talked about the future of wine in BC and the status of the wine war between Alberta and BC.

My thanks to The Skinner Family.

 

Michal Mosny – Co-owner/Winemaker of Winemakers Cut/Q&A Wine

Michal, Terry and Jason

Michal and his wife Martina were involved in the Slovakian wine business. They were regular viewers of a wine show called Hollywood and Vines TV from the travel channel London. Hosted by Jason Priestley and myself. Produced by Chad Oakes in Calgary.

They especially loved the Okanagan stories we did. So much so that they travelled to the Okanagan, checked everything out and then went home and sold everything and moved to Oliver. When they got settled they bought a vineyard at Deadman lake and called their new home Winemakers Cut.  The winery became an instant success. Still is.

When we finally met, Michal suggested we celebrate his new life and home by creating a new wine called Q&A.  A Bordeaux style red blend and a gorgeous white blend of Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier. Both Jason and I are wildly happy for their success.

Soothing music used from vine to wine | Trends Magazine | Thompson Okanagan

Now comes the Spring releases  for Winemakers Cut – and there’s one that will have people talking.

 

They are:

2023 Rose – perfect for the months ahead

Rosé

200 ml Piccolina Frizzante – watch this little bottle get popular.\

2023  Wild Gruner – outstanding. Cloudy. Watch for The Cat on the front. Michal’s Slovakian roots are showing.

Charmat Fidelia – 85% Sauvignon Blanc  10% late harvest Riesling and 5% muscat canelli. All beautifully balanced.

2021 Merlot Franc   Delightful

2021  Cabernet Sauvignon  Real craft here.

2021 Syrah. – a varietal under the deep freeze gun. Grab what may be the last release.

 

www.winemakerscut.ca

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Noble Ridge

Haywire/Narrative/Garnett Valley Ranch/Free Form

The Hatch etc

Mayhem

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP 305 | Dylan Turns 83 and Tofino Wine and Dine

May 25, 2024 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

Wonderful article from Charles P. Pierce   Esquire Magazine May 25

Let’s get the whole gang together: Davey Moore, Hattie Carroll, Hollis Brown, Einstein disguised as Robin Hood, the motorcycle black Madonna two-wheeled gypsy queen, Ma Rainey, and Beethoven, John the Baptist, the Commander In Chief, Louis The King, Napoleon in rags, Lucille, Johanna, Sweet Marie, John Wesley Harding, St. Augustine, the joker, the thief, Big Jim, Lily, Rosemary, and most of all, the Jack of Hearts, Rubin Carter, Isis, Tweedledum and Tweedledee, Blackjack Davey, Charlie Patton. All of them. Play me a song, Mr. Wolfman Jack, because if you want to remember, you better write down the names.

Bob Dylan turned 83 on Friday. All of him did. All of them did. All the personae, the entire kaleidoscope of masks, the false fronts and head fakes, and, finally, the last, and in many ways, best of them all. The travelling storyteller, the seanchai as the people in the old country would call him. Out on the endless tour, up the endless highway. I think of him and I think of Turlough O’Carolan, the legendary blind Irish harper who would travel the countryside, composing his songs on the spot for whomever would give him food and drink. Go back further. Go back to Homer. Sing to him, O muse. When Dylan dropped “Murder Most Foul,” virtually out of a clear blue sky, blessing us with it as consolation for the years when America had gone so terribly wrong, it was Homer of whom I thought, poet and historian both, protector of the shadowland between myth and reality, chronicler of what Greil Marcus called “the old, weird America,” a phrase I wish I’d written.

He’ll be around all summer, travelling with Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp and a whole clutch of other artists in something called the Outlaw Music Festival Tour. It’s a high-priced extravaganza but, in a very real way, he’s just on the road, heading for another joint. Move along, brother Bob. The highway, as you taught us, is for gamblers, and we take what we have gathered from coincidence.

Here’s a collection of comments and reflections from Dylan’s artistic partners and others just sharing the same spaces with Bob. Interviews I’ve done over the years to be added to when Dylan turns 85.

Interviews with

David Bowie

Robbie Robertson

Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks

The Avett Brothers

Barney Bentall and Steve Dawson

Greg Keelor (Blue Rodeo)

And Colin Linden (Blackie and the Rodeo Kings)

Wine and Dine – Tofino June 1-2.

The second story takes place next weekend June 1 and 2 in one of Earth’s most beautiful places –  Tofino,  British Columbia. The western edge of Canada on Vancouver Island. The community includes surfing, golfing, fishing, underwater adventures and an unusual gathering of chefs. It is where they come to learn how to create seafood dishes and cook with what the forest and oceans give them – and surf their minds out.

 

It’s the second annual Wine and Dine gathering on the front lawns of Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort.

All of the details can be found at  www.tofinowinedine.com 

 

Our guests are the organizers and founders  of Tofino Wine & dine

 

 

Ronnie Lee and Ryan Orr.

May 25th, 2024- Spring releases from Orofino and Poplar Grove’s 1st Pinot Noir

May 24, 2024 Tasting Room Radio 0:48:44

hello

Spring releases from Orofino and Poplar Grove’s 1st Pinot Noir

 

THE SHOW

John Weber – co-founder/winemaker Orofino Vineyards (Similkameen)

John Weber

Welcome to our series of specials on BC Spring Wine Releases.

We return to the Similkameen Valley to  John & Virginia Weber’s Orofino Vineyards.

Orofino

The whole valley, situated right on the US Border, was caught in 2 winter deep freezes over the last couple of years. Vines and vineyards do not do well in temperatures at -25 below or worse.  For the next couple of weeks every farmer, grower and winemaker will be walking the vineyard rows looking for signs of life.

Are the buds breaking?   Are the stalks green?  Have we lost our vines and grapes?

At the same time, previous great growing seasons have found themselves harvested crushed and cellared in bottles now being released.

It’s good news amid bad.

Orofino is an outstanding, award-winning winery in Cawston. Whatever John and Virginia send to taste and talk about is well worth my time.

This Spring I was delighted to try only two wines. Both were outstanding.

The first was

2023 Rose MagBag.  1.5 L Rose in a terrific carry bag.

Two things!  One, it’s great for camping, fishing, hiking, the beach, picnics and backyards.

Two, the rose is the same highly acclaimed rose they’ve been putting in bottles for years.  It’s not made with Cab Franc. This rose is made with pinot noir.

It’s just so yummy.  They also make a Pinot Gris Mag Bag

$43.30 on their website.

Rosé MagBag 2023

The other Spring release is Orofino 2022  Hendsbee Vineyard  Riesling Clone 239.  A German clone developed in the 1950s. This Riesling loves the Similkameen Valley.

Hendsbee Vineyard Riesling 2022 Clone 239

Riverstone wet rock, lime,  tropical citrus, acidity and minerality. A Silver medal winner at the 2023 All-Canadian Wine Championships.  $26.95 at winery. Can cellar to 2033. Bone dry.

 

FYI – Virginia Weber has created three fabulous guest suites on the property. All surrounded by vines. Wonderfully comfortable.  Highly recommended by yours truly.

Virginia Weber Owner Orofino Winery

Virginia Weber

www.orofinovineyards,com

 

Tony Holler – Co-owner of Poplar Grove Winery (Naramata Bench)

Tony and Barb Holler

Joined by Poplar Grove Asst. Winemaker Dan Marshall, Exec Winemaker Stefan Arnason and Exec Chef Stacy Johnston

June 21st Poplar Grove releases it’s first-ever Pinot Noir.  The 2022 Pinot Noir. An impressive blend of 6 clones that has already won Double Gold at the Great North West Wine Competition and several more awards. (FYI  Clones are 091/114/115/667/777/828

Pinot Noir 2022

The vines and fruit survived the deep freeze of 2022, in part due to the “lake effect” at the 13-acre Hudson Vineyard on the Naramata Bench.

Each clone was hand-picked and sorted in the vineyard prior to moving to their Pinot House, a separate winemaking facility specifically designed for Pinot Noir.

Poplar Grove Winery | MONTECRISTO

Poplar Grove. Naramata Bench

The nose is earthy and ripe red fruit and spice. The palate is round cherry, ripe plum and raspberry. Tannins are such a delight with a mile-long finish. This first Pinot from Poplar Grove has the skill, style, craft and future promise  of an instant classic. To the team – well done!!

The wonderful Poplar Grove Exec Chef Stacy Johnston steps in with pairing suggestions.  Truly enjoyed talking to everyone involved.

Seek, taste and enjoy!!

 

www.poplargrove.ca

 

 

Stories we are working on:

Painted Rock

Mayhem

The Hatch etc

Winemaker’s Cut

Anthony Buchannan

French Door

Noble Ridge

 

 

 

EP 304 | Sue Foley Interview New Album ‘One Guitar Woman’

May 18, 2024 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

We know Ottawa-born Sue Foley from the blues albums she’s created and released. Plus Multiple blues awards on both sides of the border.
Her new album is One Guitar Woman. A tribute to the female pioneers of guitar.

This was/is a very personal journey for Sue. She’s studied the many women who played guitar before her and left their legacy to study and pass on.
Female singers and players like Memphis Minnie, Elizabeth Cotten, Maybelle Carter, Sister Rosetta Tharp, Geeshe Wiley,  Lydia Mendoza etc.
Many tales and tunes are connected to the album.

Four-time Blues Foundation Traditional Female Artist award winner, Sue Foley’s new album One Guitar Woman is a heartfelt tribute to the female pioneers of the guitar – including Memphis Minnie, Lydia Mendoza, Maybelle Carter, Ida Presti, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. The album showcases the dexterity of Foley’s acoustic nylon string guitar skills as she expands on her blues playing into other genres like Piedmont fingerpicking, traditional country, the Carter Scratch,  flamenco and classical.

“From the time I decided to be a professional guitar player, I’ve always looked for female role models. These are the women who were expressing themselves through the instrument as far back as the 1920’s, at the inception of radio and recorded music. They are the trailblazers and visionaries whose footsteps I walk in,” 

Sue  Foley.

May 18th 2024-Spring wine releases from the Naramata Bench

May 17, 2024 Tasting Room Radio 0:54:08

hello

THE SHOW

Last week we featured Part Two of the Cowichan Spring Wine Releases.  10 interviews in total.

This week, we’re again set up in a very busy room. This time there are even more wineries pouring their Spring releases and all telling the stories that go with each.

This week  we reconnect with the wineries of the Naramata Bench.

Like many others in the BC wine community, The Naramata Bench was also hit with heartbreaking losses of their prime vineyards due to a killer Winter deep freeze.

Even as they pour the wines this year, we’re still talking about the growing season last year and how each and all with survive.

The pouring and presenting of Spring wine releases is an annual traditional event.  Talking about failed bud breaks, the loss of complete vineyards and the big question – what to do next?

Many changes coming to BC Wine farming.

What to plant?  Where to plant? How to survive the crisis?

New Varietals, new Blends and new owners/makers/farmers.

As tough as the next couple of years may be,  none of that showed itself in the Spring pour at Vancouver Community College on West Pender.

The Bench is a very tight community. Even though they are all hyper-competitive, when it comes to showcasing their individual wines  The Naramations pull together as a team. Impressive,  to say the least.

Here are the guests for Part One – talking Spring Wines and Vineyard Survival!!

 

  • Colin Ross – President of Bench Wineries (Tightrope)
  • Tyson Archer –  (co-founder) Fox and Archer
  • Emma Roberts – (GM) Howling Bluff
  • Bob Ferguson – (co-founder/winemaker)  Kettle Valley

Kathy Malone – Hillside Winery

  • Kathy Malone – (Winemaker) Hillside Winery and Bistro

Marcus

(Marcus Ansems/Daydreamer)

  • Marcus Ansems – (Winemaker Co-owner) Daydreamer Wines
  • Richard Da Silva – (Owner-Winemaker)  Da Silva Vineyards and Winery
  • Lyndsay O’Rourke (co-founder/winemaker) Tightrope Winery

Dylan Roche-Roche Wines

  • Dylan Roche – (co-founder/co-winemaker) Roche Wines
  • Graham Pierce – (winemaker) Ruby Blue

Rebecca Mikulic

  • Rebecca Mikulic  – Three Sisters Winery

Robert Van Westen

  • Robert Van Westen – (co-founder/winemaker)  Van Westen Vineyards
  • Lauren Bunckle – (Asst Winemaker) Elephant Island Winery
  • Wilbert Borren – (co-owner/winemaker) Four Shadows Vineyard and Winery
  • Will Hardman – (co-founder/winemaker) Deep Roots Winery

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

  • Haywire/OK Crush Pad
  • The Hatch
  • Mayhem
  • Poplar Grove Pinot
  • Winemakers Cut
  • Okanagan Spring Wine Fest
  • Best Coast Distillery

EP 295 | Corb Lund Interview, New Album ‘ EL VIEJO’ Repeat

May 10, 2024 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

Corby brings new, acoustic, live off off-the-floor music in his new album El Viejo (The Old One) in memory and tribute to his pal Ian Tyson.

Corby says that this album may be his best yet.

He brings memories of Ian and also how his audiences are different depending on where he’s playing,

For El Viejo Corb and the Hurtin’ Albertans played live, letting the songs reveal themselves.

It was all captured by CKUA Alumni Scott Franchuck.

Corby describes it as “organic”.

We talked about his name “is that the name of the band?”

Talked about  his time with The Smalls and how this music connects to those days. “half urban/indy and half cowboys/ranchers”

We touched on Hearts on Fire Michael Barclay’s book on “6 Years That Changed Canadian Music” which in its promo mentioned cowboys who used to play speed metal. 

“the alt-country music in the late ’90s and 2000s was littered with x-punks who suddenly discovered acoustic guitar.”

That’s Corb. The Poet Laureate of the Albertan people.

May 28 Amsterdam

And multiple dates in Europe with The Dead South.

Canada Day – CFB Wainwright

ALL dates – corblund.com

 

 

 

EP 303 | Bassist Ron Carter The living history of modern jazz turns 87

May 4, 2024 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

When Ron Carter’s name comes up, one of the first things people write or say is – he’s played bass and cello on over 2500 albums.

That’s impressive and awe-inspiring. Totally agree.

When I hear the name Ron Carter I think of the bassist who played in Miles Davis’ second band, alongside Herbie Hancock, Tony Williams & George Coleman.

“The List” of bands and recordings would include Wayne Shorter, Blue Note recordings with Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, McCoy Tyner, Horace Silver, and 100’s of others.

I talked to Ron about his recordings in popular music.  Roberta Flack, Eddie Harris, Aretha, Billy Joel, Bette Midler, Erykah Badu, A tribe called Quest, Phoebe Snow, The Rascals, Gil Scott-Heron, Carlos Santana.

Ron has taught music for many years at esteemed colleges and schools, his current documentary is Finding the Right Notes, also the name of his bio book.

Ron Carter turns 87 years old today – Saturday, May 4 !!  we wish him WELL.

Enjoy the conversation – I sure did.

 

May 4th, 2024- Spring releases from Clos Du Soleil and Cowichan Wines

May 4, 2024 Tasting Room Radio 0:54:26

hello

Spring releases from Clos Du Soleil and Cowichan Wines (Part One)

  

THE SHOW

 Michael Clark Winemaker       Clos Du Soleil (Similkameen Valley)   

Michael Clark

Its Spring Time in BC Wine Country!!  (Just writing the line brings me joy!)

After a Canadian Winter that included freezing temperatures for a second Winter in a row,  growers, viticulturists and winemakers in BC are walking the vineyards right now.  They’re all  looking for bud break and signs that the vines either survived or need replacing. It’s a 2024 Springtime that has brought crisis, major changes AND renewal.

There’s much to talk about in the coming weeks.  Almost 30 interviews.

We’ll talk to the winemakers in the Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island and Naramata Bench above Penticton.

Everyone has an opinion and Spring wines to talk about.

We start with one of the very best. Michael Clark winemaker at Clos Du Soleil in the Similkameen.

 

The winemaking vision at CDS is “to treat our grapes gently and with respect, in order to produce complex, age worthy wines that showcase the very best expression of the Similkameen Valley Terroir”.

 

The hard soils/shales  of the valley can break planting machines but when roots are grown down into that same land,  the valley can produce sensational wines.

For example, Michael takes us through his  Spring releases:

 

2023  Rose – Pinot Noir grapes grown specifically for this wine  in Kaleden.  Cold fermentation in stainless steel tanks.

As always, handling was kept to a minimum.  No oak. Aromas of ripe fruit, floral notes and what I thought was spice became white pepper.

THIS is a keeper. Find this Rose for your Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Retail $28.90

 

2022  Chardonnay – Wonderful golden glow in the bottle and glass.

Highly recommend  to open and let it breathe for 20 minutes. The rewards are Granny Smith notes, lemon and tropical fruit, floral touch.

2022 Winemaker's Chardonnay

Taste is a magical weave  of the above notes, minerality and spice.  There’s a  delicious oak roundness due to its fermentation in older French puncheons.

From their La Cote Vineyard in Keremeos. Find this beauty.

Retail &29.90

 

2021 Syrah –  Part of the much admired Winemaker’s Series. The Syrah was grown and harvested at Blind Creek Vineyard in downtown Cawston and the 3% Viognier came from their La Cote Vineyard in Keremeos.

Aged for 16 months in French oak barrels – 15% new.

Single Vineyard. Very complex  on the palate. With raspberries, ripe dark fruit, blackberries,  currants, chocolate and a hint of spice.

Bottled a year ago – today!!

Heads up – limited production. Well worth the seek.

Retail – $39.90

 

2020 Signature. Clos Du Soleil’s flagship  blend. Produced by hand. 16 months in French oak barrels. Only the most complex, elegant barrels were used.

Memorable growing season in 2020. The long hang time shows itself.

So you shouldn’t  be surprised by the nose and palate on this complete wine.

Raspberry, blackberry,  wood box plus  cherry, fig, ripe berries abound. Minerality down the middle and on the finish. Think wet river stones, graphite, pencil and forest floor.

Merlot 34%/Cab 33%/Cab Franc 21%/Malbec 9%/PV 3%

 

Impressive, passionate and complete winemaking.  Congratulations to Michael and the Team.

Retail – $55.90

 

www.closdusoleil.ca

 

Cowichan Wineries pour for wine trade in Victoria

 

A Springtime tradition. The Cowichan Wineries drive in to Victoria to pour for the wine trade. Wine and liquor stores, restaurant wine buyers, Sommeliers, etc.

TechIsland

We had much talk about. Freeze in the Okanagan, helping wine friends who had lost crops, how the spotlight is shining on the Cowichan wineries and new owners/winemakers introducing themselves.

These are the first of a dozen interviews done last week. Each pouring multiple wines.

Mike Nierychlo –  co/founder and winemaker at Emandare (celebrating 10 years) www.emandarevineyard.com

Robin and Mike

Dan Wright – winemaker at Unsworth www.unsworthvineyards.com

Dan Wright

Brent Rowland – Winemaker at Averill Creek and Joue   www.averillcreek.ca

Tricia Huebner – New owner of Cobble Hill Wines. www.cobblehillwinery.ca

Tricia Huebner

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

The rest of Cowichan Wine Pour

The Naramata Bench Trade Pour in Vancouver.

Mayhem

Pinot from Polar Grove.