THE SHOW
Kathy Malone – Winemaker Hillside Winery
If you haven’t already heard, April is BC Wine Month.
Its also the month that we thank the four sponsors of Tasting Room Radio.
When we started TRR the Summer of 2007, we made a pledge about the segment sponsors.
If I’m going to talk about their winery or restaurant for a year, let’s please make sure we really like them and admire what they create.
Kathy Malone – the winemaker at Hillside Estate on the Naramata Bench has been part of our show for many years now. When we moved to Naramata in 2007, I realized if I was to launch a wine show, I’d better find a mentor who had all the answers to my many questions.
That teacher and friend was right down the road from me. Winemaker Kathy Malone.
(I would also like to thank Ian Sutherland and Valeria Tait for their friendship and support.)
Kathy has just returned from a Winter vacation in Europe, that ended in Paris. No vineyards for this traveler. Instead, it was days and days of museums, art galleries, historic churches and opera houses. Impressive.
Kathy and I hooked up on Zoom and she walked and talked me through her latest releases.
Including
2023 Below the Road Rose – Unbelievable Rose. Kathy explains the glacial history behind the name and the wild blend driving the savoury notes of this winner.
Merlot, Cab Sauvignon, Cab Franc and Viognier all came together from a field blend. A world class rose, currently available only to wine club members.
Yes, its the perfect reason to join.
Kathy and I talked about their Hillside Rose but it may be sold out soon, an absolutely delicious 2020 Cab Franc. 18 months in French oak. 23% new!
And the 2018 Mosaic. A classic blend of Bordeaux grapes – Cab Franc, Merlot, Cab Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot. All grown on the Naramata Bench.
Kathy talked about one of her favorite wines. The 2018 Dickinson Vineyard Merlot and how that varietal is sometimes taken for granted these days.
We’ll be back to talk to Kathy about her Crafted in BC wines. Created using Yakima and Columbia Valley grapes. A new chef’s white is here.
Speaking of The Chef, Bistro Chef Evan Robertson opens the doors Wednesday April 30! We’ll be back to talk to chef as well.
Oh..one more thing.
Kathy mentions the Naramata Bench event, bringing it all back home. A Spring tasting for locals Saturday April 26 from 11am to 5PM.
Details at discovernaramata.com (events calendar)
Paul Sawler – Chair of Wine Growers of BC/Wine BC & VP Sales & Marketing Dirty Laundry Wines
Paul Sawler
We’re so pleased to introduce our latest sponsor, Wine Growers of BC and Wine BC. (Thank you Wine BC)
Paul Sawler is Chair of the Board and part of the leadership team at Summerland’s Dirty Laundry Winery.
Wine BC represents the BC wine community. It’s a big job in any growing year. However this year is historical.
People will reference this year for many years to come.
Two vine killer winters, sales conflicts with Alberta, out of province wines being crafted in BC, trade barriers possibly dropping across Canada and ugly tariffs from the USA.
Paul takes us through the headlines..
April is BC Wine Month. How can consumers support BC Wine?
How the Crafted in BC wines are proceeding? Where to find them and what to expect?
( I think they’ll be a smash hit)
Thoughts on the tourism season ahead. Why Canadians hopefully are planning a visit to BC wine country?
What about those dropping trade barriers and what does it mean? Will BC wines be available across Canada?
In the time we had left Paul takes us through some of the releases coming from Dirty Laundry.
Winemaker Mason Spink spent a great deal of the year down in Washington State choosing vineyards, growing, harvesting the crops, crushing within hours of harvest and getting the juice overnight to The Okanagan.
They’re releasing their whites now and the reds 2 years from now.
Watch for the
2024 Hush White (Yakima)
2024 Pinot Gris (Yakima)
2024 Sauvignon Blanc (Yakima)
2024 Unoaked Chardonnay (Yakima)
It’s an amazing year. Right in front of us.
BC wines are changing. Just how much we don’t know yet but we’ll follow this story from week to week and find out!
HAPPY EASTER ALL!
STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON
Crafted in BC wines from
Orofino
Noble Ridge
Clos Du Soleil
Bartier Brothers.
Dirty Laundry
Winemaker’s Cut
The Opera
Le Vieux Pin
