Discover The Similkameen Valley with John Weber and Rhys Pender
THE SHOW
Guests:
Rhys Pender Master of Wine and co-founder of Little Farm Wine and W Set wine educator.
John Weber. Co-founder & Winemaker of Orofino Winery
There are some, wine fans mostly, who have no idea what they’re missing as they blow through the Similkameen Valley on their way to the Okanagan hot spots.
Its the organic farming capitol of BC, the still undiscovered wine region that winemakers everywhere want to grow and harvest in.
It’s a hard experience, as the soil is actually mostly granite that has rolled down steep hillsides. A land so hard, it’s been known to break vineyard planting machines one after the other.
The wine farming community knows that the harder a vine works to stay healthy and survive the growing year, the better the wine will be.
Similkameen vines are highly prized for their aromas and full bodied expressions.
Its the home of Master of Wine recipient Rhys Pender’s Little Farm. Who better to work these lands than Rhys. He teaches top level WSet wine courses
Rhys Pender
all year long. Rhys is also one of the key judges for The Nationals – Canada’s Wine Championship.
His Little Farm Winery is indeed on the tiny side but focused on quality and minimal manipulation.
Small batch, single vineyard wines that aim to make character one of the tasting points.
Glorious 2020 Pied de Cuve Chardonnay,
2o20 Chardonnay
2022 Siliceuse Chardonnay
2021 Pied de Cuve Riesling
N/V Rose (10%)
and as for the Cab Franc. If you see any “grab it” and check out the 6 packs and the Pied de Cuve Chardonnay Vertical 6 pack (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018,2020, 2021)
Do yourself a favor – join the wine club. One of the best ways to get your hands on the small batches.
www.littlefarmwinery.ca
John Weber is his neighbor.
Orofino was created by John and Virginia Weber from skills brought with them from the Canadian prairies. Virginia was a nurse and John taught High school. When they fell in love with the wine and farming community around Cawston, they purchased a vineyard and completed the move from Saskatchewan to the Similkameen.
John and Virginia Weber – Orofino
Their wines stand out because of the seasoned farmers they work with, who are dedicated to producing the best grapes possible from their special vineyard sites. They work closely with each grower and have chosen to partner with them because of their mad skills and their particular terroir.
John and Virginia celebrate this relationship and feel it is a real strength of their business.
While John has been creating award winning wines, Virginia lead the tasting room team and created on-site accommodations. Orofino Vineyard Suites overlooking the vineyards and valley.
Orofino
John, Rhys and I are occasional fishing partners who drift fish the Similkameen River as the vineyards go by. Sounds like paradise? – it is.
In this feature, we talk about saving vineyards from two Winter cold snaps, the resulting “Crafted in BC ” wines, the “wet stone” signature of the wines, heaps of minerality and impressive cellaring possibilities.
We’ll talk about events, spring and fall releases and how other regions of BC are doing more and more sourcing from the Valley. And unlike years previous, actually naming the valley and vineyards they’re partnering with.
Pozza Cab Franc Rose – Love this beauty.
New releases coming very soon.
Gamay, Rieslings, Orange, Semi-Carbo Marechal Foch – (single vineyard)
Upcoming Dinners at Kavita in Vancouver and Ugly Duckling in Victoria (John explains)
www.orofinovineyards.com
Welcome to The Similkameen!!
STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON
Fort Berens
Free Spirit
Top Drop
Okanagan Food Special
Hillside Estate
Hester Creek
Wine BC
