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October 5th, 2019 – Two Wineries. Two Regions. Similkameen & Lillooet.

October 4, 2019 Tasting Room Radio 00:53:15

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Two Wineries. Two Regions…Similkameen and Lillooet

 

The SHOW

 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.

 John Weber – Orofino

 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 Vineyards 

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.

http://www.fortberens.ca

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

 Next week – The Cowichan Wine Festival

And soon the 7th annual

Food. Fishing. Friends. Fluids field trip

 

September 28th, 2019 – The 5th Annual Garagiste North – Kelowna  

September 28, 2019 Tasting Room Radio 00:59:10

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Coverage of the 5th Annual Garagiste North – Kelowna

THE SHOW

 What is a garagiste? (gar-ah-jeest)?  

It started out in France (of course) where it was a derogatory phrase for those avante garde and crazy mavericks making wine in their garage and outside the highly regulated system. Gradually and grudgingly came the acknowledgement that something really interesting was happening with these small case lot artisan wines, and a movement was born.

Garagiste North  brings together the small guys. Wines produced from 100% Canadian grapes and under 2000 cases total production annually.  

We’ve been covering this gathering of small BC producers from the beginning. We like the people, the wines and the no BS approach to farming, creating and selling.

This year Sperling Vineyards was once again  the site for a gathering of the Garagiste.  Many of the favourites are returning, but with the growth of the wine industry we are excited to see new small wineries popping up.

Sperling Vineyards

The likes of Lightning Rock, Scorched Earth and Burnt Timer all seem to have a theme!  Added to this year’s event will be a wine pairing of Sperling Vineyards and cheese, music by Glendale Avenue,  food truck service from CrAsian, a cool booth by Taste Advisor and a pop up wine store by Fairview Cellars.

 

tdm and Ann Sperling

 

This event gives you an insight into the passion, commitment, craziness and excellence that is the hallmark of a small producer.  We love that for many this is their first time showing off their wines to the public. Others have been attending for awhile, carefully crafting their wines and growing their business and reputation. Others have grown up and graduated.

Former Garagiste are:

  • Daydreamer
  • Synchromesh
  • Sage Hills
  • Tight Rope
  • Bella Wines
  • River Stone
  • Roche Wines
  • Kitsch Wines
  • Forbidden Fruit
  • Marichel
  • Deep Roots
  • Van Westen
  • Kraze Legs
  • vinAmite

 

This year’s Garagiste guests are :

  •  Schell Wines – Jennifer Schell
  • Mayhem Wines – Terry Meyer Stone
  • Dames Wines – Mireille Sauve
  • Sperling Vineyards –  Ann Sperling
  • Rigor and Whimsy – Costa Gavaris
  • Nagging Doubt – Rob  Westbury
  • Birch Block Vineyard – Sarah and Murray Bancroft
  • Anthony Buchanan Wines – Anthony Buchanan
  • Red Bird Estate – Remi Cardinal
  • Giant head – John Glavina
  • BC Wine Studio – Mark Simpson
  • Scorched Earth – Anita and Peter Pasdernick

 Enjoy the stories and histories!

 STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Fort Berens

Passion Pitt Vineyard – John Weber/Orofino

Year 7 –  Food, Friends, Fishing and Fluids.

Cowichan Valley Wine Festival

Fall Wines

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 21st, 2019 – The 5th Pinot Noir Celebration in Kelowna

September 20, 2019 Tasting Room Radio 00:59:10

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The 5th Pinot Noir Celebration in Kelowna

 

 THE SHOW

The 2019 BC Pinot Noir Celebration brings together BC’s top 35 Pinot Noir producers for an unforgettable festival-style tasting experience. The event kicked off with a reception and keynote address by Madeline Puckette, certified sommelier and author of New York Times Bestseller, Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine.

Kurtis Kolt

To put this gathering in proper perspective, here’s an overview from writer/judge Kurtis Kolt:

My big take-away is how local Pinot Noir reflects its terroir of origin, rather than its producers trying to emulate other iconic Pinot regions around the world, from Burgundy in France to the Russian River Valley in California.

No matter which B.C. region it hailed from, each one had a freshness and purity of fruit, along with juicy acidity—a common trait in B.C. wine. I was quite impressed that compared to other reds—from Bordeaux-inspired blends to Syrah—the B.C. Pinot Noirs were all tasty and approachable, whether we were looking at current, more fruit-forward releases, or bottlings as far back as a 2006 from Averill Creek on Vancouver Island. It had started to exhibit those more savoury, tertiary notes like sarsaparilla and sun-dried tomato, but still had great structure and was buoyant on the palate.

 Kurtis, who guests on this special,  makes the comment that Pinot Noir is the one wine that can be grown from coast-to-coast in Canada.

All 35 wineries pouring at the event were accepted through a high profile sommelier tasting panel.  They were determined to be the best of the best.

Our owner/winemaker guests are:

 Jak Meyer – Meyer Family Vineyards/Organizer

Grant Biggs – Kitsch/ Organizer

David Paterson – Tantalus/ Organizer

Jason Parkes – The Hatch

Madeline Puckette – Keynote speech and Wine Folly Author

Grant Stanley – Spearhead

Ben Bryant – Mission Hill

Jenn and Kent Molgat – The View

Chris Carson – Meyer Family and Carson

Dan Wright – Unsworth

Paul Pender – Tawse and Hidden Bench

Rhys Pender – Master of Wine and Panelist

Kurtis Kolt – Wine Educator and Panelist

Paul M Bruner – owner of Blue Grouse

Andy Johnson – Owner of Averill Creek

Tyler Knight – Co-owner of Lightning Rock

http://www.bcpinotnoir.ca

https://winebc.com/

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

 

Garagiste North – Next Week

Fort Berens

Passion Pit Vineyard at Orofino

Cowichan Valley Winemakers

Fishing, Food, Wine and Fishing  Year 7

 

 

 

 

September 14th, 2019 – Untapped and Uncorked Craft Beer and Wine Festival in Parksville

September 14, 2019 Tasting Room Radio 01:00:22

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Severine Pinte  Winemaker at La Stella/le Vieux Pin

Ross Wise – New Winemaker at Black Hills

Plus Pouring in Parksville

  

THE SHOW

It’s the annual Untapped and Uncorked Craft Beer and Wine Festival in Parksville, Vancouver Island.

The featured winemakers are the charming Severine Pintewho was pouring La Stella for a winemakers dinner at Beach Club Resort and for his first ever interview Ross Wise, the brand new winemaker at Black Hills.  Home of Note Bene.

Before we get to those prime feature interviews..let’s head to the “untapped” part of the weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dave Paul – Head Brewer/Owner Love Shack Libations

We start with the craft beer makers at Tigh-Na-Mara and a guy I’ve been waiting a whole year to reconnect with.  When I interviewed Dave Paul from his Love Shack Libations, just up island from Qualicum Beach, he was about to pour his first beer at his first event EVER.  Like an opening night.

Love Shack is a very popular small brewery that the locals all love and tourists are starting to discover. Dave makes a new beer every month..so depending on when you walk in,  your choices may be different from month to month.

Dave was pouring his latest brew, with the zeal of a mad scientist. It’s called Juicy Juice – Northeast style hazy IPA.   Love Beer. Love Shack.

www.loveshacklibations.com

Dave Woodward –  Head Brewer Mount Arrowsmith Brewing

 A local Dave headed to the UK to start his brewing education.  His career took him through the UK, 5 years at Whistler Brewing,  then Tofino Brewing and  Axe & Barrel Victoria.

Dave Woodward Mt Arrowsmith

Mount Arrowsmith brings him full circle.  Back to where it all began.

All that craftwork resulted in Mount Arrowsmith winning Best Amber Ale in the World, at the 2018 World Beer Awards.

 https://arrowsmithbrewing.com/

Kev Ward – Wolf Brewing Nanaimo

wolf brewing

Kev Ward, a  Liverpool lad,   has been brew master  for about 6  years. First thing he did was change all the recipes. Wolf Brewing still uses old-school techniques in its brewing. Check out the line up.

Golden Honey Ale, Porter, Scotch Ale, Black and Tan, IPA!

He says “hey” to all his buds back in Liverpool listening on The Net!

 http://www.wolfbrewingcompany.com/

 Clay Potter –   Brew Master Moon Under Water

Clay Potter


Clay’s brewing career started at  University of Victoria for Biology & Chemistry and Heriot Watt University in Scotland for the Brewing & Distilling Master’s Program. He was lucky enough to work with and be mentored byPaul Hoyne.

With his family, he took over the Moon Under Water Brewery in 2012.

In 2014, Moon Brewery introduced two new programs: a sour series featuring the beloved Copper Kettle Sour, and line of limited-release barrel-aged beers, such as The Crow’s Nest. These highly-sought after beers are small-batched and aged for 18 month

In December 2017, Clay opened a distillery within the brewery. The Moon Distillery has recently launched their first wave of products, featuring Citrus Gin, Orange Vodka and Espresso Vodka, all made with local malts, fruits and botanicals.

http://ww.moonunderwater.ca/about.php

 Ross Wise – Winemaker  Black Hills

Ross Wise Black Hills

Eric Edwards – Executive Chef    Cedars @ Tigh-Na-Mara

Black Hills is the home of one of Canada’s greatest wines Note Bene. A huge Bordeaux blend and a spectacular portfolio. It includes one of my three favourite BC wines, their Carmenere!   The sale of the winery to Peller sent the Canadian wine industry sideways. The new winemaker has to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Senka Tennant and Graham Pierce.  Ross has the chops to more than do the job.

New Zealand-born Ross Wise joined Phantom Creek Winery  in September, 2016, as the fulltime winemaker. A 2005 enology graduate of Australia’s Charles Sturt University, he started his career as a vineyard supervisor at Felton Road Winery in Central Otago, and moved on to the cellar at the Grove Mill Winery in Marlborough before coming to Canada in 2006.

 He became an assistant winemaker at Flat Rock Cellars in Ontario, becoming the winemaker there in 2009

 In 2012, he launched his own consulting firm, making wines with several Ontario wineries, including Rosewood Estates, Keinte-He Winery, The Organized Crime Winery, Icellars Estate Winery and The Good Earth Winery. The opportunity to make ultra-premium wines in the Okanagan drew him to Phantom Creek, and now, to Black Hills.

 In addition to all that, he is well into his studies to become a Master of Wine.

(from John Schreiner)

This is the first verbal interview Ross has done.  He was great!

On the other hand,  Chef Eric Edwards at Tigh-na-Mara loves a microphone.

He’s outgoing and loves to swap verbs.

Chef paired his food with Black Hills wines. You can hear the delight in his voice.

It helps that he’s a very good chef..with a command of his ever expanding kitchen.

http://www.blackhillswinery.com/Current-Vintages

http://www.blackhillswinery.com/

https://tigh-na-mara.com/dine/cedars-restaurant-lounge

 

Severine Pinte   Winemaker at La Stella & Le Vieux Pin

 Severine makes both La Stella and Le Vieux Pin but on the night she was pouring La Stella exclusively!

a native of Montpellier..

Severine Pinte came to Le Vieux Pin in 2010 with 14 harvests of international winemaking experience under her belt along with 8 years of vineyard management. Severine is a graduate of the illustrious ENSAM (Ecole National Superior Agronomic of Montpellier)

Severine Pinte La Stella

She apprenticed at the Cave de Tecou in the AOC Gaillac before coming for the first time to British Columbia to work for Domaine de Chaberton as an assistant winemaker.

In 1999 she returned to France and worked a year in Bordeaux under the direction of Andre Lurton in Pessac-Leognan then returned to the Languedoc. For nine years Severine was head winemaker and viticultural council for ‘Le Vignoble des 2 terres’ in the Terrasse du Larzac terroir.

In the winter of 2003, she took leave for harvest at Frankland Estate winery in Western Australia and enjoyed learning a different take on her beloved Syrah and Viognier. Curiosity and the pursuit of new challenges brought Severine to the Okanagan and she brought with her an astute understanding of wine and terroir. Her favorite quote is from Jean Hugel: “100% of the quality of a true wine is already in the grapes, not in the cellars where you can only lose quality.”

For her, The Okanagan, with its unique terroir and cool climate, has always been intriguing. As such she is the perfect candidate to craft world class Syrah and Viognier in the South Okanagan.

https://levieuxpin.ca/

  

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

2019 Pinot Noir Celebration Kelowna

2019 Garagiste North Kelowna

Fort Berens

The Passion Pit at Orofino Wines

Cowichan Valley Wine Festival

 

 

 

 

 

September 7th, 2019 – BC Field Blend Special.

September 6, 2019 Tasting Room Radio 00:56:54

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This is our first ever BC Field Blend Special.

What is a field blend, who makes it and why don’t they put the words on the label?

Over thirty different opinions in this one hour.

 

THE SHOW

 

A couple of years ago a gaggle of winemakers from Portugal came through Vancouver.

Our interviews always ended up in the same place..their famous field blends.

In the Duoro Valley they plant, grow, harvest and bottle 20-30-40 different varietals. All Together! It’s a true field blend. What’s in the field IS the blend.

I was fascinated by the process and the final results.

These wines were complex, elegant and surprisingly balanced.

True Field Blends are still made in Germany and Australia.

Over the course of a year, the questions I asked over 30 winemakers were..

What is your concept of a field blend?

Do you make a field blend and what’s in it?

If you do make a field blend..do you put the words on your label?

If not, why not?

The answers were passionate, surprising and highly opinionated.

Most wines we drink today are made of grapes harvested from various vineyards throughout a province , state, or even country, fermented in separate lots, and then blended together into a finished wine. Field blends are single-vineyard wines whose grapes are grown, harvested, and vinified together—the blending is done in the vineyard, not in the winery.

Field-blended vineyards are interplanted with multiple grape varieties—sometimes all red or all white, and sometimes both red and white—without apparent rhyme or reason. A zinfandel vine might be growing with carignan on one side and petite sirah on the other. The whole field is then picked at once. Timing is crucial and calls into play the winemaker’s skill and artistry. All of the grapes are fermented together.

Some old World winemakers or growers may have no idea what the exact blend is.

I don’t expect everyone is going to have the same interest as I do but the winemakers here all have a very strong opinion (all except my pal Dell Halliday who’s answer was “Meh”).

The responses were really good and just kept getting better and better.

Especially about the question Why do you not put the words Field Blend on your bottles? Are we, the consumer not trusting of the term?

(Several winemakers here actually believe in field blends and some years have put the words on their labels

Michael Schindler from A Sunday in August

Grant Biggs from Kitsch (Block Party)

Brent Rowland from Joue at Averill Creek

Mike Nierychlo from Emandare)

Here’s the Guest List for the Field Blend Special

(Yes, some were asked twice over the course of a Year))

Rhys Pender – Master of Wine

Kurtis Kolt – Wine Writer and Judge. Co-Organizer of Top Drop in the West.

Val Tait (Bench 1775) and Senka Tennant (TerraVista)

Brent Rowland – (Joue and Averill Creek)

Mike Nierychlo – (Emandare)

Stephen Arnason – (Poplar Grove and Monster Wines)

Richard da Silva (Da Silva and Misconduct)

Rhys Pender – (Little Farm Wines)

Ann Sperling – (Sperling Vineyards)

Larry Gerelus (Stags Hollow)

Paul Gardner – (Pentage)

Andrea Sartori – (Sartori Family Vineyards. Verona Italy)

Jeff Hundertmark – (Rust and Mt Boucherie)

Michael Schindler – (A Sunday in August)

Ann Sperling (Sperling Vineyards .many months later)

David Gouge – (Sea Star)

Ike Seaman – (Wine Director at The Wickaninnish Inn)

Grant Biggs – (Kitsch Wines. Makes Block Party as a field blend)

Kelsey Rufiange – (Echo Bay)

Senka Tennant – (TerraVista)

Joe Luckhurst – (Road 13)

Galen Barnhardt – (Monte Creek)

Kathy Malone – (Hillside)

Lindsay O’Rourke – (Tightrope)

Gustav Allander – (Foxtrot)

Garron Elmes – (Lake Breeze)

Jeff Martin (La Frenz)

Nikki Calloway – (Laughing Stock)

Riley Hollenback – (Red Rooster)

Bob Ferguson – (Kettle Valley)

Dell Halliday – (Elephant Island)

Gavin Miller – (Upper Bench Winery)

Gordon Fitzpatrick – (Fitzpatrick Family Wines)

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

 

2019 Pinot Noir Celebration Kelowna

2019 Garagiste North Kelowna

Fort Berens

The Passion Pit at Orofino Wines

The Cowichan Valley Wine Festival

EP 71 – Bobby Rush Podcast

September 1, 2019 Mulligan Stew Podcast

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Meet the King of the Chitlin’ Circuit: Bobby Rush. The Grammy Award winning artist has recorded almost 400 songs in close to 70 years. He’ll be 87 years old this November, and even though he doesn’t do over 200 shows a year any more, you can still find him out there working whatever room he’s in.

This month, Bobby released Sitting on ‘Top of the Blues’, his 26th studio album and 75th career release on Aug 16th. Bobby reflects on his legacy, his last encounter with B.B. King, a meeting with Martin Luther King Jr., and the importance of being himself as a performer.

 

August 31st, 2019 – Jim Cuddy doesn’t like Rosé !  Plus Moon Curser and Mayhem!

August 29, 2019 Tasting Room Radio 0:57:15

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Jim Cuddy doesn’t like Rosé !  Plus Moon Curser and Mayhem!

 

THE SHOW

 

Jim Cuddy – Cuddy Wines by Tawse

Jim Cuddy at Tawse

Jim Cuddy does not like Rosé !

But he basically likes everything else.

As you know, Jim is the co-writer and co-singer with Blue Rodeo, The leader of the Jim Cuddy Band and recipient of The Order of Canada.

When he decided to put his name on a wine bottle he was smart enough to partner with one of the very best names in Canadian wine. Tawse.

They’ve release a Chardonnay, Cab/Merlot and Sparkling Riesling. No Rosé .

We talk about that and other wines. AND we also talk to his winemaker Paul Pender.

Paul Pender – Tawse Winemaker

I’m working on the Rosé  thing. He needs to taste some of the incredible BC Rosés!

https://www.tawsewinery.ca/cuddy-by-tawse/

www.bluerodeo.com

www.jimcuddy.com

Chris Tolley – Co-Owner/Co-Winemaker Wines.

Chris Tolley Moon Curser

 

Moon Curser won the 2019 Wine Align Best Small performing Winery in Canada.

Moon Curser – Best Small Winery in Canada

At the end of the competition, the winery walked away with several medals led by a Platinum for its remarkable ode to the Douro Valley, the 2017 Touriga Nacional. They followed that up with six gold medals for a 2015 Tannat, think Uruguay; 2018 Dolcetto, that’s Italy; a 2017 Malbec, that’s Argentina; a 2017 Tempranillo, a nod to Spain; a 2017 Petit Verdot a classic from Bordeaux; and one final gold for a 2017 Dead of Night, a blend of Syrah and Tannat.

Well, you get the picture, this is one very different producer, and in many ways, a poster child for what we always hoped would be the kind of innovative, family estate winery that would grab the title of the Best Performing Small Winery in Canada. All that is left for you to do is try the wine and eventually visit the winery to experience what the Tolleys did when they first got into the business, something new and intriguing and most of all different.

Anthony Gismondi – Co-Head Judge

Moon Curser’s Medal Winning Wines

Platinum: 

Moon Curser 2017 Touriga Nacional, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Gold:

Moon Curser 2015 Tannat, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Moon Curser 2018 Dolcetto, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Moon Curser 2017 Malbec, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Moon Curser 2017 Dead of Night, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Moon Curser 2017 Tempranillo, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Moon Curser 2017 Petit Verdot, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Silver:

Moon Curser 2017 Carmenere, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Moon Curser 2018 Arneis, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Bronze:

Moon Curser 2017 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Moon Curser 2018 Afraid of the Dark, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

In 2006 they opened the doors to Moon Cursor..except, at the time it was called Twisted Tree.

Rebranding brought the name Moon Cursor.

The location has always been the same..very close to being the last winery in BC..right at the USA  border.

I had already done an interview with Chris when the awards were handed out..so here’s the update from Chris and the whole interview before they won the award.

Congratulations to Chris and Beata Tolley

Moon Cursor Wines

https://www.mooncurser.com

https://www.winealign.com/awards/2019/07/31/2019-nwac-results

Terry Lynn Stone – Co-Partner Mayhem Wines

Mayhem Wines is a fun collaboration between two established wine industry siblings – Terry Meyer Stone of Anarchist Mountain Vineyards and her brother JAK Meyer of Meyer Family Vineyards, along with their respective spouses Andrew Stone and Janice Stevens.

Mayhem Wines

The portfolio consists of aromatic whites  and Bordeaux reds. They source their  grapes from the Meyer Family  home vineyards and established growers of the Okanagan, with an eye for detail in the vineyard and producing quality grapes in a sustainable manner.

Team Mayhem


The Hut at Meyer Family Vineyards

Join Mayhem every Friday & Saturday, 11-4 PM for the Summer of 2019, at their  pop up tasting area at Meyer Family Vineyards.

Be sure to leave yourself extra time for this stop in your wine touring day as you have the opportunity to taste through not only the Mayhem portfolio, but also that of Meyer Family Vineyards. With a smashing  garden, relaxing patio and lawn games, you may just want to stay a while and sip away the afternoon!

Terry Lynn looks  forward to hosting you at 4287 McLean Creek Road, Okanagan Falls,  this summer and during Harvest!

https://www.mayhemwines.com/

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

2019 Pinot Noir Celebration

2019 Garagiste North

Field Blend Special

Fort Berens

The Passion Pit at Orofino Wines

The Cowichan Valley Wine festival

 

 

 

August 24th, 2019 – Third Annual BC Cider fest!

August 22, 2019 Podcast, Tasting Room Radio, Uncategorized 00:55:32

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THE THIRD ANNUAL BC CIDER FEST… BIGGER AND BETTER!

 

The third annual BC Cider Week.

This week long craft cider celebration saw many cider events, tastings and
festivities throughout British Columbia with tasting events from Kelowna to
Vancouver Island, including tap takeovers, cider pairing meals, and much
more throughout the week.

The highlight for me and many others is the final event. The gathering of up
to 40 Cideries at The Pipe Shop foot of Lonsdale in North Vancouver.

It’s one of the buildings my father Pat worked in during WW2.

The first interview had to be with Shawn Pisio, who co-founded the B.C.
Cider Festival three years ago.

Glenn Ennis, Lynn Colliar and the Geo Team

Just how popular is this event? It sells out within minutes.

Cider is going through the very same revolution that craft beers did 10-15
years ago.

The opportunity to grow more cider apples in B.C. is unlimited, but BC is
already home to many excellent craft cideries.

One of the cideries we interviewed was Twin Island Cider on Pender Island.
They were voted most popular Cidery at this event.

Finally, for those of you who still think that ciders are not for you
because they’re too sweet or something…FORGET ABOUT IT..

It’s a whole new world out in the orchard.

Enjoy!!!!

Our guests are:

Shawn Pisio – Txotx/ Co-Founder

Russ Johnson – Owner/Cidermaker Truck 59 Kelowna

Sydney Bottomley – Asst Cidermaker Broken Ladder Kelowna

Nick Farrer – Founder The Bricker Cider Co Sechelt

Mike Lachelt – Co-owner/Cidermaker Salt Spring Wild SS Island

Mathew Vasilev Co-Owner Twin Island Cider Pender Island

David Schneider – Persephone Brewing Gibson’s BC

Kathleen van der Ree – Northyards Cider – Squamish

Mike Petkau – Nomad Handcrafted Cider – Summerland

Glenn Ennis – Owner Geo Cider Co – Squamish

Lynn Colliar – Geo Cider Squamish

Jeff Nairn – Co-Founder Windfall East Van

 

http://bcciderfest.ca/

Photos by Linda C

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Melissa Etheridge and Cannabis infused wine

Bloom in Victoria

Top Drop in Victoria

A special on field blends

Fire Season in The Okanagan

Rose Day June 8th

Charles Smith in Jet City Seattle (Rose all day)

Tofino Food and Wine festival

The Wick reopens a spectacular cellar

Tofino mid-week

August 17th, 2019 – Jason Priestley. Willie Mitchell. Brendan Morrison AND  Andrea Sartori (121 years of Wine)

August 17, 2019 Tasting Room Radio, Uncategorized 00:59:23

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Jason Priestley. Willie Mitchell. Brendan Morrison AND  Andrea Sartori (121 years of Wine)

  

THE SHOW

 Jason Priestley – BH90210. Private Eyes.

Jason

Jason has never really stopped working.

If he’s not acting, he’s directing. Sometimes at the same time.

Right now, he’s doing a lot of everything.

One of the most iconic series ever shot has made a return to TV.

Beverly Hills 90210.  Ran for 10 season on Fox, the whole of the 90’s.

BH 90210-cast-2019

The series and Jason  became  global teen sensations. I saw the full effect of his star power as we travelled Europe and South America shooting Hollywood and Vines TV. Fans hiding in bushes..behind posts..and full-on swarming in city squares.

Jason is a West Coast guy and any chance to get back AND  go fishing is not to be taken lightly.

He flew in with his  fabulous wife Naomi and their kids.

We met up  at Willie Mitchell’s Tofino Resort and Marina.

Willie took us fishing on his glorious boat as part of Brendan Morrison’s  Salt Water Classic  fundraiser.

Willie. JP. Me

During a lull in the action, I grabbed my microphone and recorder and hit record.

We talked 90210. The loss of his friend Luke Perry. The amazing success of Private Eyes on both sides of the border.

The  wines he and Chad Oakes created with Les Behrens at Spring Mountain,  St Helena, California

How much better I was a at fishing than he was.  Enjoy!!

Brendan Morrison and Willie Mitchell – Both X-NHL stars. Both West Coast guys . Both are fishing freaks. Good Friends.

Willie Mitchell and Brendan Morrison

 

 

In its 10th year, the Tofino Saltwater Classic fishing derby was created by former National Hockey League player Brendan Morrison as a fundraiser for a long list of Tofino youth and  community initiatives.

More than $575,000 CAD has been raised thus far.

130 anglers. Catch and release components. Largest was a Chinook weighing 31.2 lbs.

When I did finally get the boys to stop and sit together for 10 minutes  we talked about the Saltwater Classic . However,  what we  really wanted to talk about was, preserving the West Coast fishery.

Now that’s a subject everyone is focusing on. From fishing boats  to sport fishing to chefs and restaurants.  The fundraising silent auction was winding down and the announcer on the dock was squeezing the last dollar out of wet jeans. So at times, there’s a lot of talking going on.

 

 

BUT,  important funds were being raised and so we carried on.

https://www.facebook.com/Tofino-Saltwater-Classic-159522527439806/

Andrea Sartori – 5th generation of Sartori du Verona

Andrea Sartori

For over a century, Sartori, a leading name in fine wines from northeast Italy’s Veneto region, has stood for traditional values and — above all — a boundless passion for quality winemaking.

The family took its first step in 1898, when Pietro Sartori

This marked the advent of Sartori di Verona. A few years later, Pietro’s son, Regolo, built the winery into the family’s core business, and by the 1950s Regolo’s two sons expanded the winery and brought these wines to international recognition, they then bought Villa Maria, a vineyard with a small cellar attached, in the heart of the Veneto region’s Valpolicella district, to assure a source of high quality wine for his hotel.tion, exporting them around the world.

Villa-Maria Sartori

 

Today, Andrea Sartori, Pietro’s great-grandson, is at the helm. Like his forefathers, he has taken steps to broaden the reputation of Sartori di Verona and to guarantee the quality behind it.

In 2002, the company joined with Cantina Colognola, giving the family rare guaranteed access to more than 6,200 acres of high-quality grapes in the Soave and Valpolicella zones, where few wine houses control their own vineyards.

 

In 2003, Sartori hired the renowned Franco Bernabei as consulting winemaker. His work with the winery marks a return to Bernabei’s roots:

…although he has lived in Tuscany for over 25 years, he is, in fact, a native son of the Veneto.

 

Sartori has always fought for Verona, focusing exclusively on the classic Veronese wines: Valpolicella, Soave, Bardolino, Bardolino Chiaretto. The labels on which the company is now focusing on are Regolo Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso DOC and Marani Bianco Veronese IGT.

Nowadays Sartori’s success is in large part due to its international efforts, which represent over 80% of its sales in over 70 countries all around the world: throughout Europe, in North and South America, in Russia, in South East Asia. To honor this story full of challenges and satisfactions, the 120th Anniversary special edition wines  have now reached across Canada.

 We’re tasting and talking about:

Sartori’s Pinot Grigio,

Veronese Marani Bianco,

L’Appassione 2015,

Amarone Della Valpolicella  2012.

Plus the limited release 120th anniversary wines

 Valpolicella Superiore Doc 2016

Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore Doc 2015

Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico DOCG  2012

https://www.banfiwines.com/winery/sartori-di-verona/

Thank You to:

Colleen Wilkinson

Lynda Kaye

Willie Mitchell

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

 

Cowichan Wine festival

The 2019 Pinot Noir  Celebration – Kelowna

Garagiste North – Kelowna

Jim Cuddy – Cuddy by Tawse Wines

A special feature on “field blends”

Chris Tolley Moon Cursor

Fort Berens

Parking in The Passion Pit with John Weber at Orofino!

 

 

 

August 10th, 2019 – The 41st VanWineFest Part Two

August 7, 2019 Tasting Room Radio 00:56:11

hello

The 41st VanWineFest Part Two

(Wine Royalty & The Canadians)

 

THE SHOW  

It’s part two of this year’s VanWineFest.

Last week we profiled “The Californians”.

Except for the first two interviews here,   the rest of this Tasting Room is with The Canadians.

 

Our Guests are:

 Gina Gallo – Gallo Family Wines

Jean Charles Boisset –  Boisset Collection.  Raymond Wines.

 Separately they are iconic/driven personalities.

Together as husband and wife  they are one of the best known  families in the Wine World.

Gina is a member of the Gallo family, pioneers of wine-making in California. Jean-Charles is a French vintner and owner of Boisset Collection, which operates two dozen wineries in California, France and Canada.  Has created a wine with John Legend called LVE.

Jean, Gina and Terry

Gina and Jean-Charles!

Met. Married. Created Twins. Ran their Empires. All the while Gina Battled and Beat Back Cancer.

Honoured to welcome them both.

https://www.gallofamily.com

https://www.boissetcollection.com/

Chris Wyse –   President. Burrowing Owl Estate Winery

Wyse-family

Chris is the oldest son of founders Jim and Midge Wyse.

Today, with its dramatic vantage point in the middle of the vineyard, Burrowing Owl Estate Winery is a winemaking facility that combines state-of-the-art technologies with proven, classic winemaking traditions. A gravity-flow system handles ripe grapes delicately, preserving their rich fruit character.

https://www.burrowingowlwine.ca

Barry Olivier – President/Brands  Aquilini Red Mountain Wines

Barry Olivier – Aquilini

Aquilini Wines   headed to the Vancouver Wine Festival to introduce themselves to Canada for the very first time.

They were  pouring

Aquilini Horse Heaven Hills Syrah Rose 2017

Aquilini Red Mountain’s Grand Vin is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

The Second Wine, Aquilini Red Mountain Family Blend,. The Family Blend is constructed of varying levels of Cabernet, Syrah, Merlot and occasionally Petit Verdot.

(If you follow Barry and Aquilini, you’ll see the birth of a  wine icon.  This is a story that will be fun to watch unfold)

https://aquiliniredmountain.com

 

John Skinner       Proprietor/ Painted Rock

Matt Dumayne  Winemaker/Okanagan Crush Pad

John Skinner

John Skinner is a leader in and out of the vineyards.

“It is now 13 years since the planting of Painted Rock’s estate and the property is living up to its potential in every regard. Winning 2014/2015 InterVin International “Winery of the Year” and recent generous reviews in Jancis Robinson’s newsletter validate the progress made by the team and steel its resolve. At Painted Rock there is a firm belief that by aiming highly and working cooperatively, British Columbia wines can compete with the finest in the world.”   Painted Rock Website

http://www.paintedrock.ca/

Matt Dumayne is the winemaking leader at Haywire, Free Form and Narrative. All at Okanagan Crush Pad.

Matt Dumayne Okanagan Crush Pad

As well as making articulate wines from its organically-certified home Switchback Vineyard, Okanagan Crush Pad is designed as a hub for local winemakers. Heritage techniques, modern knowledge and the spirit of collaboration fuse to form a vanguard for the Okanagan’s next generation of winemaking. Okanagan Crush Pad’s labels include the single vineyard Haywire collection, Narrative series and Campus wines.

http://okanagancrushpad.com/

 

Chris Jentsch – Owner/Farmer CC Jentsch Cellars

Valeria Tait –  GM and Winemaker  Bench 1775,

  

Val Tait

 Wines from Bench 1775 are produced with the unique expression of fruit grown in the Okanagan Valley from three vineyard locations: Oxbow Vineyard, on the original Golden Mile in Osoyoos, South Okanagan, and at Paradise Ranch Vineyard and Soaring Eagle Vineyard in the Central Okanagan.

Carefully managed vineyards and beautifully balanced wines could not be produced without an amazing team led by Viticulturist/Winemaker Val Tait and  supported by Alain Sutre, wine consultant extraordinaire from Bordeaux France.

https://www.bench1775.com/

Chris Jentsch is a farmer first, then winemaker and finally, a great guy.

Chris Jentsch

At the first Judgment of BC pitting 12 BC Wines against 12 acknowledged global benchmarks  C.C. Jentsch Syrah 2013 from the Okanagan Valley ranked first among the flight of Syrah.

“Long-time Okanagan farmer Chris Jentsch is the guy behind C.C. Jentsch Cellars, a gentle giant of a man whose strong, enveloping handshake exudes decades of hearty farming experience and makes my own handshake seem downright dainty. A warm, humble gentleman.” Kurtis Kolt – Georgia Straight

http://www.ccjentschcellars.com/

 

Randy Picton  – Senior  Winemaker Nk’Mip

Randy Picton

As an exceptionally talented and innovative winemaker, Randy is totally committed to the challenge of producing world-class, award-winning wines.

Randy has handed the day to day winemaking to Justin Hall.

A proud member of the Osoyoos Indian band, Justin works with Randy  to craft the award-winning wines of Nk’Mip Cellars.

http://www.nkmipcellars.com/

 

Stefan Arnason – Winemaker Poplar Grove

Stefan Arnason

 In 2008, Stefan Arnason took on the position of Winemaker.  Each year, Stefan and his team handcraft the Poplar Grove Wines.

Poplar Grove is focused on six core wines: Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and an Icon blend called The Legacy.

https://www.poplargrove.ca/

 

Bill Eggert – Winemaker (and Troublemaker) at Fairview Cellars

FairviewCellarsWineShop

Outspoken. Gifted. A Mentor. Educator. Closet Musician.

Understands winemaking in the Okanagan like no other.

His labels tell you everything about his wines and his character.

Madcap Red. Two Hoots. Bucket O’ Blood. The Bear.

 http://fairviewcellars.ca/

 

Ross Baker –  Winemaker Quails Gate

Quails gate Winery

Ross has been an integral part of the  winemaking team since 2013 and was the protégé of former Winemaker Nikki Callaway. A native of Kelowna, Ross  previously worked at Villa Maria Estates in Marlborough, New Zealand and also at both Red Rooster Winery and Kettle Valley Winery.

https://www.quailsgate.com/

…and finally Nova Scotia arrives in Vancouver.

Keeping an eye on The Maritimes.

Bruce Ewert –  Owner/Winemaker   L’Acadie Vineyards

Rachel Lightfoot – Winemaker Lightfoot and Wolfville

Gillian Mainguy – Sales/Benjamin Bridge

http://www.lacadievineyards.ca/

https://lightfootandwolfville.com/

https://www.benjaminbridge.com/

 

Thank You to :
James Murray – Tech and production
Kristine Wilkinson (ThinkMilk.ca)
Bailey Jelinski (Milk)
Anna Stuber (Milk)

Meg Mulligan

Corey Wood

John De Vries

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Jim Cuddy – Cuddy by Tawse Wines

A special feature on “field blends”

Willie Mitchell & Brendan Morrison speak out on their/our role in saving
fishery

Chris Tolley Moon Cursor

Fort Berens

Andrea Sartori and 121 years of Italian Winemaking

Jason Priestley – 90210 and his California wine.

Parking in The Passion Pit with John Weber at Orofino!