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July 22nd, 2023 John Schreiner-Good Grog: A life in wine and journalism!

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THE SHOW

 “ I was a friend to the BC wine industry before they had any friends.”

 

John Schreiner is the Dean of Wine Writers in Canada.

Good Grog: A life in wine and journalism is John’s 22nd book.

The journalism chapters of Good Grog take us from  newsrooms such as The Regina Leader Post all the way  The Financial Post.

John travelled the World filing stories on the economies of nations and their industries.

When wine took over his interest and passions, John went back to some of  those  same countries to taste and report on their wines.

 

Profile: John Schreiner - Wine Adventures Magazine

John Schreiner

The Jack Webster award for Excellence in Business Reporting  and the 2017 “the national winner for Canada”  Gourmand World Cookbook Award in the category of New World Wine Book.

John’s research into World Wines took him from BC to the US, Europe, South America, Australia and New Zealand.

Best of all, John was the right guy, in the right place,  at the right time.  He  not only watched the BC wine industry grow and get much better with each harvest but through his reporting  he was also very much a part of building the industry.

I was fascinated by the parade of “characters” John engaged with over the years.

From the business side,  a mix of BS  and Billionaires. On the wine side,  the builders, the grifters and the legends.

TDM, John Schreiner, Brent Gushowaty after a day of  blind tasting Pinots.

 

Characters such as:

Sam Baptiste

Joe Busnardo

Ben Ginter vs Anthony von Mandle

Harry McWatters

Jim Pattison

And many more.

 

Enjoy this special edition of Tasting Room Radio. Saluting the life and triumphs of John Schreiner.

 

www.friesenpress.ca

                                                                                                                              

STORIES WERE WORKING ON

Fort Berens

The Sipster 2

Meyer/Mayhem

Hester Creek

Etna/Pietradolce

Painted Rock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 8th, 2023 Michael Bartier – Tasting The BB portfolio and Rowan Stewart Cellared Chardonnay from Quails Gate

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Michael Bartier – Tasting The Brothers  classic portfolio and Rowan Stewart Cellared Chardonnay from QG.

 

THE SHOW

Michael Bartier: Bartier Brothers  – GM. Co-Owner and Chief Winemaker (South Okanagan)

(Don and Michael Bartier)

For a guy who literally fell into the wine business many years ago, he has become,  through his own drive, will and talent,  one of the very best winemakers and visionaries in Canada.

Michael learned his craft as a tradesman at Hawthorne Mountain Vineyards, Township 7 and Road 13, among others. Currently, he acts as a  consulting winemaker and by his leadership, in and out of the bottle, he makes them even  better wineries.

Michael has been on Tasting Room Radio for many years now. He brings smarts, compassion and no BS.

Perhaps once a year we exchange questions and answers, insights and food fights.

This time we’re  talking about  the new releases of his classic wines,  and big things like Wieners and Wine Wednesdays, Burgers and Blues, and Bubbles and Brunch.

Plus one really fascinating addition to his resume. Partnering with Boutinot , the biggest negotiant in French winemaking. They love the wines that Michael makes and its now finding its way to many other countries in the wine world.

The wine is called Project B.  We have a very interesting chat about those wines and Michaels role in the process.

 www.bartierbrothers.com

 

The newest releases of some BB  classics:

  • Brut N/V
  • Chardonnay 2022
  • Semillon 2022
  • Rose 2022

 

  • Merlot 2021
  • Cabernet Franc 2021
  • Grenache Syrah 2021
  • The Orchard Row 2020  a field blend . Pinot Noir/Cab Franc/Merlot

The latest additions to portfolio:

  • Pinot Noir Rose 2022
  • Riesling Gruner Veltliner 2021
  • Pinot Noir 2021
  • The Goal 2021 Coming in August.
  • Piquette and Piquette Rose (in four pack cans)

Piquette - Bartier Bros. Vineyard & Winery | Oliver, BC

Rowan Stewart – Quails Gate Winemaker: New Developments

Even though Rowan’s title suggests new developments, he’s really with us this week to take us through cellaring Chardonnay in the Okanagan Valley.

Its always a very interesting experience when new Okanagan white wines are tasted  next to their previous vintages. The tasting takes on a  more serious tone when the wine being tasted is Quails Gate Chardonnay.

Thats because they have gained wine fame with their portfolio of cool climate Chardonnays.

Quails’ Gate are true wine pioneers in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia with more than sixty years of experience in viticulture. The Stewart family settled in the area in 1908. Five decades later, Dick Stewart started to grow grapes in 1961. The winery, Quails’ Gate was founded in 1989. Over the next two decades, the entire family became involved in making the company one of the leading producers of premium BC VQA wines.

Rowan is  the latest Stewart to commit to the family business.

Quails' Gate

Rowan Stewart

The vineyard and the climate are unique: the Okanagan experiences cooler temperatures yet high heat and long periods of sun exposure in the Summer, which provides the ability to grow a multitude of varietals. Due to its latitudinal location, the Okanagan has, more sunlight exposure than most regions in the world. West Kelowna in particular, also sits over an extinct volcano with soil rich in volcanic rock, clay, gravel and glacial till, providing minerals that give wines depth, strength and character.  Vessel Liquor,  Victoria.

Currently Quails Gate is doing a program of specialty tasting  for wine fans and right now it’s Chardonnay. The event is called  Right Place, Right Time.  Well made chardonnays age beautifully. Quails Gate are exploring how their chardonnays  will age. You can as well.

Changing in the bottle from freshness on the nose and palate to aged characteristics like spice and complexity.

Lots to talk about. Which is why Rowan and Quails Gate are guesting on the last two segments.

Here are the wines we tasted.

2013 Estate Chardonnay

2021 Estate Chardonnay 

2015 SFR Chardonnay  (Stewart Family Reserve )

2020 SFR Chardonnay 

www.quailsgate.com

 

Stories we are working on:

Painted Rock

Fort Berens

Meyer/Mayhem

Cowichan Wine festival

John Schreiner – Good Grog, the book.

The Sipster 2

 

 

Canada Day July 1st, 2023 Another “walk in the neighborhood”

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For over 17 years we’ve had a feature on TRR called A walk in the neighbourhood.

We’ve made some fine friends along the way.

The “neighbourhood“ for Tasting Room Radio  are the segment sponsors of this weekly salute to the  craft of winemaking and culinary arts.

When we started the show we vowed  “if we are committed to talking  about someone for 52 weeks,  we better like them  and  admire what they do or it  just doesn’t work!”

In one hour, we’ll  talk about the wines they’ve released, the awards they’ve won and their plans  for the Summer and Fall.  Fresh new talk friends.

 

This year in the  neighborhood are:

 

Hillside Winery (Naramata)

Unsworth Vineyards (Cowichan – Vancouver island)

Moon Curser (Osoyoos)

Mt Boucherie  (West Kelowna)

Okanagan Wine Festivals (West Kelowna)

  

HILLSIDE ESTATE WINERY

GM and Winemaker Kathy Malone and Chef Evan Robertson

Kathy Malone

Kathy delightfully takes us through the new Hillside releases.

The 2022 Gewürztraminer, 2022 Pinot Gris and a wine club exclusive Below the Road Rose. Also the 2020 Pinot Noir,  2020 Merlot, 2018 Dickinson (single vineyard) Merlot.

They’re prepping for a Best of the Bench Dinner event July 18th

In our interview Chef Evan pairs each wine with items from his new menu at The Bistro at Hillside. It is….a beautiful thing!!

www.hillsidewinery.ca

 

UNSWORTH VINEYARDS

To quote Barney Bentall  “putting this band together is like a goat rodeo”.  

In our day to day life in Mill Bay our real neighbours are the Cowichan Wineries and the closest in heart and mind  is Unsworth. We drive by every morning on our way for a Cobble Hill walk.

 Representing Unsworth in our  neighbourhood special are:

Dan Wright -Winemaker,   Felix Egerer – Viticulturist,  Chef Dan Bain – Restaurant at Unsworth, Karen Newington – Hospitality and Tasting Room Manager.

 

“The Dans” bring really good food and wine pairings. Dan Bain has a new menu to walk us through as well.

Dan Wright and Felix take us through new releases and their growing season and a new vineyard we should all keep an eye on.

Dan Wright

2022 Pinot Gris, 2022 Rose, Charme de l’ile and CDL Rose,  a mention of the coming  2018 Cuvee de l’ile and a 2022 Saison Vineyard Pinot Noir.

I heard someone mention Mags.

Chef likes the new garden in place. Especially the tomatoes for their local legendary pizza on the patio.

(Chef Dan Bain)

Karen brings us tasting room hours, new summer music every Sunday, August wine passport and everyone had a comments about those new vineyards,  with the promise of increased availability of pinot noir and chardonnay. Dan Wright and I both swooned over the possibilities of the new Charmat Tank.

Here’s a local heads up!  If you’re in the Cowichan on a Monday or Tuesday check out the pizza on the patio between 12 noon and 6pm.  It’s just such a good for the soul  experience.

All-in-all the place is buzzing. Reservations highly rcommended.

www.unsworthvineyards.com

 

Moon Curser Vineyards

The 2019 Best Small Winery in Canada. (just thought I’d throw that in there)

A true family winery  Beata and Chris Tolley created Moon Curser 20 years ago and made it  one of the most interesting wineries in the Okanagan.

Moon Curser Vineyards uses unconventional grapes | Georgia Straight Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly

 

Best of all, their wines reflect their character. Upbeat, strong and welcoming. Such great people.

On the Osoyoos East Bench, they grow and make an amazing range of singular wines. A portfolio measured in heartbeats.

2022 Heist Rose (Syrah driven. Neutral oak presents texture – in a rose)

2022 Dolcetto (loaded with notes of pomegranate and dark berries.  Can be cellared to 2030)

2021 Syrah  (Dark rich fruit. Black Current. Floral notes and juicy)

2021 Contraband Syrah  (dark ripe cherry with  earthy notes,  stewed berries, anise, black pepper. Cellar to 2033)

2021 Malbec  (single vineyard from east bench, spice, dark fruit, medium to full, mint, fig.  Cellar to 2030)

We also talked Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris and several others.

Highly recommend checking out their wine clubs. Members get first dibs on hard to find releases.

Fall releases include 2019 Tannat, 2021 Petit Verdot.

www.mooncurser.com

 

Mt Boucherie Estate Winery

Jeff Hundertmark came to the Okanagan from Niagara. That’s where we first met. After we had talked wine he asked about BC and how the Okanagan was doing. I raved about the land, the wines and  the people. A year later he and his love Kimberly  announced that they  were heading West.  Both  have become a strong part of their new home., the Okanagan.

Jeff worked jobs at several wineries until he found his destiny at Mt Boucherie in West Kelowna.

Jeff Hundertmark

Family owned, with a lot of acres planted to vines –  a LOT.

So much fruit,  that in advance of chatting with Jeff he kindly sent a spread sheet outlining talking points.

We talked about two of his three labels – Mt Boucherie and Modest Wines. Next time we’ll talk Rust Wine Co.

Interesting point. Even though Jeff has huge amounts of juice at his disposal, his approach reminds me of Garigiste!

Attention to detail. In everything he does.

Best of all, Jeff is matched step for step by the winery restaurant The Modest Butcher. (Dining with Reckless Abandon)

 

A partial list of everything we talked about:

Mt Boucherie

2018/2019/2020  Summit.  Classic Bordeaux Blend. Merlot driven but with increasing amounts of Malbec.

2020 Contessa – Top of the line release. Merlot/Syrah/Malbec. Only made in great growing years. Large format available.

2021 OV Semillon/2021 OV Chard/2021 Reserve Chard.

 

Modest Wines:

2022 Modest Graves Robber (Sem/Sauv Blanc)

2022 Modest Les Cinq Sink (merlot, Cab, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec. Saignee method using all 5 Bordeaux reds)

2022 Modest Wines Rose. ( Zweigelt, Pinot Noir, Gew. All grown together. A true Field Blend)

www.mtboucherie.com

 

Okanagan Wine Festivals   Kimberly Hundertmark.  GM

 

 

Kimberly brought her Niagara smarts to the Okanagan and slowly moved through the ranks until she too found her destiny.

(Kimberly Hundertmark)

As GM on the Okanagan Wine Fests. Kimberly immediately started revising the focus and formats and a noticeable uptick showed itself.

Kimberly gives us the immediate schedule of events between now and Fall Wine Fest (Oct 27-31 and Nov 1-5)

Three of the highlights include Silver Star Wine Fest and Rock the Lake Music Fest plus the Ambleside Music Festival.

www.thewinefestivals.com

 

Thank you all for your support and friendship.

 

STORIES WERE WORKING ON

Quails Gate

Painted Rock

Michael Bartier – Bartier Bros

Fort Berens

Meyer/Mayhem

Cowichan Wine Festival

John Schreiner – Good Grog, the book

The Sipster 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 27th, 2023- The 2023 Lt Governor’s Wine Awards – TerraLux Pour & Ned Bell does Shellfish Festival

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THE SHOW

2023 Lt Governor’s Wine Awards. TerraLux Estate First Pours & Ned Bell on BC Shellfish Festival

 

 

Overview | Okanagan Wine Festivals

2023 BC Lt. Governor’s Wine Awards (Penticton)

The intense competition recognizes the top varietals produced in BC across 21 distinct categories and was held over 2 ½ days in early April at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.

After 3 days of tasting and spitting we couldn’t wait to get out of the building for a burger and a beer.

All-star Somm Team

I setup my trusty microphone, recorder and talked to several of the judges about their thoughts on the competition.

Brad Royale, Rhys Pender, DJ Kearney, Kurtis Kolt, Emily Walker, Mathew Landry, Sid Cross, Tim Pawsey, etc.

 

Some very interesting comments along the way.

We also include comments from Kimberly  Hundertmark GM of Okanagan Wine festivals and event organizer Alana Dickson.

Kimberly Hundertmark

 

 

Next –  an invitation came from Jennifer Tocher at Terralux  Estate Winery to taste the new releases from a winery still being built. 

  1. 2019 Reserve Viognier – retail $35
  2. 2020 Reserve Chardonnay – retail $40
  3. 2018 Syrah – retail $35
  4. 2019 Meritage – retail $35
  5. 2019 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – retail $59

 

The tasting was moderated by BC’s Best Sommelier 2023 Kelcie Jones alongside Geoffrey Moss, MW and representing Terralux will be the Vineyard and General Manager Kevin Rossion.

Wine Issue Preview: 11 Questions With Kelcie Jones - Vancouver Magazine

Kelcie Jones

As for case production, they are currently sitting at about 3,000 cases per year and have planted a few additional acres over the past few years so this number will continue to grow. The new winery build in West Kelowna will comfortably handle 16,000 cases plus.

 

The winery is currently under construction with the production facility due to operate for Harvest 2024. The design of the winery pays tribute to the name “Terra” meaning earth and “Lux” meaning light. Gravity Fed winemaking facility.

Chef  Ambassador Ned Bell

And to close the show – Executive Chef Ned Bell once again joins the leadership team at the BC Shellfish Festival. This year at Mt Washington 

NED BELL

 

The 15th annual BC Seafood Festival returns with a new home atop Mount Washington from June 23 to 25, 2023. The three day festival boasts over twenty sea-foodie events with an all star line up of chefs. Attendees are invited to taste the bounty of the West Coast through a variety of events, happy hours, MasterClasses and friendly competitions.

 

Festival highlights are the elaborate Gala DinnerShucked! Canada’s largest oyster bar happy hour led by a World Champion Oyster Shucker, Kitchen Party with the Junior Culinary Team Canada, Clam it up! Happy hour and more. This year the Festival is led by Chef Ambassador Ned Bell. 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

Top Drop Vancouver and Calgary

The Ones

Bartier Brothers

Moon Curser

Mt Boucherie

Unsworth

Cowichan Wine Festival

BC Cider festival

Hester Creek

Sipster’s Two

 

 

May 20th, 2023- The Third and final VanWineFest Feature – Masters and All-Stars!!

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The Third and Final VanWineFest Feature – Masters and All-Stars!!

 

THE SHOW

Welcome to the third series of interviews from the 44th annual Vancouver Wine Festival.

One of the Wine World’s outstanding events.

 

These interviews mixed Masters of Wine/Master Sommeliers  with winemakers, owners &  founders! A field blend of Napa, Sonoma, Okanagan Valley and  Mendoza Argentina.

Guests include –

 

DJ Kearney – (co-host) Wine Director Terminal City Club. Wine Authority/Educator.

Mark de Vere – Master of Wine. Robert Mondavi Winery. Napa

Garron Elmes – Winemaker and President of Lake Breeze Naramata Bench

Ray Signorello – Owner. Signorello, Edge/Trim/S  Napa Valley

Ray Signorello

Ray Signorello

Ben Pon – Co-Owner Bodegas Salentein, Mendoza Arg.

Evan Goldstein – Keynote Speaker. Master Sommelier. Full Circle Wine Solutions. Master Sommelier for SF Giants.

 

Evan Goldstein

 

Harry Hertscheg – Executive Director of Vancouver Wine Festival.

 

Thank you to DJ Kearney for the brilliance and support. She’s the Wine Director at Terminal City Club and a leading wine educator & judge.

DJ Kearney

Thanks also to Ruby Gillett  Milk Creative Communications

 

STORIES WERE WORKING ON

 

Hillside Estate

Moon Curser

Mt Boucherie

Okanagan Wine Festivals

Unsworth Vineyards

Sipster’s Two

Noble Ridge

Bartier Brothers

Justin Vineyards – Napa

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 13th, 2023- The 44th annual Vancouver Wine Festival. Part 2

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Winemakers from Aquilini/Beringer/Laughing Stock/Michael David/Nk’mip/Osoyoos LaRose/Vina Carmen/Santa Rita

 

THE SHOW

 

Welcome back to the 44th annual Vancouver Wine Festival.

Cutting through the clutter with world class wine smarts is our co-host DJ Kearney (Wine Director Terminal City Club. Speaker, writer, wine judge, noted authority)

dj kearney

This is our 17th year of covering this wildly successful wine gathering.

As always, we make a wish list of who we’d like to talk to and try to shape a tale of climate, regions, wines, winemakers and what’s ahead for an ever changing business. At some point the wish list gets thrown out and it’s a sprint to the finish line.

Exhausting but memorable.

This week’s guests are:

 Justin Hall – Winemaker Nk’Mip Cellars Osoyoos, BC

Michael Kullmann – Winemaker and GM Osoyoos LaRose Osoyoos, BC

Sandy Leier – Winemaker Laughing Stock Vineyards  Naramata Bench, BC

Sandy Leier

Sandy Leier

Ryan Rech – GM and Winemaker Beringer Vineyards  Napa Valley, Ca.

Tyler Tennyson – Consulting Winemaker Aquilini Wines Red Mountain, Washington

Dave Phillips – Co-owner and President Michael David Wines Lodi, Ca.

Oscar Salas – Winemaker  Santa Rita Maipo Valley/Limari Valley  Chile

Pablo Prieto – Winemaker Vina Carmen  Various Locations Chile

 

NEXT WEEK – PART THREE

DJ Kearney – Co-Host with the Most

Ray Signorello – Signorello, Edge, Trim  Napa/Alexander valley

Garron Elmes – Winemaker/Pres. Lake Breeze Naramata, BC

Ben Pon – Co-owner Salentein   Mendoza, Arg.

Joe Spellman – Master Sommelier  Justin Vineyards and Winery Paso Robles, Ca

Evan Goldstein – Keynote Speaker

Harry Hertscheg – Executive Director VanWineFest

Mark deVere – Master of Wine Robert Mondavi  Napa

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

Township 7

Lt Governors Awards

New Releases

Moon  Curser

Hillside

Unsworth

Mt Boucherie

Okanagan Wine festivals

Noble Ridge

Cowichan Valley Wine Festival

 

May 6th, 2023- 44th Vancouver International Wine Festival (Part One)

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2023 QUICK FACTS  (Ever Changing)

44th annual (founded 1979)

8 days, April 22-30

18,000 admissions

17 countries

147 wineries » 44 wineries from South America

36 events at 19 venues » 26 public events; 10 trade-only events

25 participating restaurants, hotels, caterers

1135 wines, including:  800 wines in the Tasting Room –  335 wines at special events (dinners, seminars, etc)

15,000 bottles poured and/or purchased

THE SHOW

 This is our 17th year of covering the  adventure  of The Van Wine Fest!

For the Executive Director Harry Hertscheg and his top flight team of organizers,  it’s their 44th annual.

(Harry and keynote speaker Evan Goldstein will close our series in a couple of weeks)

harry hertscheg

Although it’s still a amazing “blur” I think we did at least 20 interviews in just under four hours.

A mix of winemakers and founders from Chile, Argentina, BC, Lodi, Napa, Sonoma and  Washington!

We could not have made this journey without the help of media/marketing support from Ruby Gillett (Milk Creative Communications) and Danielle Giroux (Director- California Wines Canada)

Thank you both.

Vancouver International Wine Festival

 

Here’s Part One of this years Festival

 We begin with the most amazing friend – Wine Director at Terminal City Club and much admired wine educator, speaker and wine judge,  DJ Kearney.

DJ and I were judging the Lt Governor awards last month and between flights I whispered “will you join me at VanWineFest for a couple of interviews. I love your questions and observations?”

She nodded OK!  How lucky I was to know her?

As promised,  DJ sat down for the first two interviews and to my complete surprise and delight,  she stayed for almost the entire series of chats. A small grouping of chairs – knee to knee –  because the crowd noise gets louder as the minutes click by. A lot of collective chatter.  In the chairs, we all found ourselves leaning in to listen and comment. Tasted many outstanding wines the guests brought.

Loved it.  Best of all, this is just Part One of 3 weeks of interviews.

This weeks guests are:

 DJ Kearney – Wine Director  (Terminal City Club) Wine Educator, Judge, Writer,  Speaker and great friend.

DJ Kearney

The one and only DJ Kearney with her observations about Van Wine Fest history, the line up of this years wineries and general opinions about the state of today’s winemaking. She brings so many memorable stories and details.

https://www.tcclub.com/

@djwines

 

JJ DowellWinemaker Lake Sonoma, Plume Wines. (Russian River, Sonoma, Alexander Valley, Napa Valley)

Jaime started her career “in the arts” at her family’s art gallery.

The art of wine came calling. Crooked Vine, Stony Ridge. Then off to New Zealand making high end Pinot Noir at Villa Maria.

Back to California in 2011 to join Bonny Doon, Alpha Omega, Round Pond Estate in Napa and finally joined West Coast Wine Partners – which included the Stewart Family at Quails Gate – to oversee Lake Sonoma and Valley of the Moon WinesPlume Wines were soon added to the portfolio.

All that experience shows in her wines.  https://lakesonomawinery.com/

Jaime "JJ" Dowell Named Round Pond Estate Winemaker - Wine Industry Advisor

JJ Dowell

 

Christa-Lee McWatters – McWatters Collection GM/Family (Penticton)

Tony Holler – Co-Owner Poplar Grove (Naramata Bench)

DJ and I knew this was going to be fast, informative and lots of fun.

Christa-Lee and Tony LOVE talking about wine. Theirs and many others.

But they also have new events and growth.

At Time Family of Wines in Penticton Christa-Lee has opened OROLO Restaurant with Damian Cole as Head Chef.  Fine dining friends.

Wine's Most Inspiring People: Christa-Lee and Darrien McWatters, TIME Family of Wines - Wine Industry Advisor

Christa-Lee McWatters

She was also pouring her Father Harry’s last vintage. A  2017 Brut!

Cheers to Harry McWatters.

www.timewines.ca

 

Tony Holler poured his Pinot Gris “it has to be poured at this event.”

Tony Holler

And also revealed his new culinary team at Poplar Grove Restaurant.

Timing says Tony “its all about timing” His executive chef moved on to Canoe in Toronto and at the same time Executive Chef Stacey Johnson and Chef de Cuisine Minette Lotz came available at Naramata Inn. Think about it.  That team in that room with that view? Wow!

Truly loved DJ’s comments.

www.poplargrove.ca

 

On my way into the Convention Centre I bumped into Chris Turyk and his Father Tim from Unsworth in the Cowichan Valley.

I reminded Chris that last year I stood in front of their Unsworth pouring table but the line-up just kept getting bigger and bigger and we never got an interview done.

Secrets and Lives Interview with Chris Turyk - Victoria News

Chris Turyk

So, this year we put two chairs together and had a conversation.

About Unsworth, the Cowichan Valley, the Jackson Family adding Blue Grouse to their Cowichan Portfolio, what he was pouring at the festival (Charme de l’ile NV), his journey to Master of Wine status and an update on the Cowichan Wine Festival the month of August.

My thanks to Chris, Tim and Unsworth.

www.unsworthvineyards.com

 

Next Week –  Winemakers and Principals from

Tyler Tennyson – Aquilini (Red Mtn Washington)

Dave Phillips – Michael David Winery (Lodi, Cal)

Justin Hall – Nk’Mip  (Osoyoos)

Michael Kullman – Osoyoos LaRose

Ryan Rech  – Beringer Vineyards (Napa)

Oscar Salas – Santa Rita (Chile)

Pablo Prieto – Vina Carmen (Chile)

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

Van Wine Fest Parts Two and Three

The Ones

Noble Ridge

Township 7

Lt. Governors Awards

Cowichan Wine festival

 

 

April 29th, 2023 – Our yearly Pinot Noir Geek Out!

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Our yearly Pinot Noir Geek Out – with  15 top experts and a  Pinot  Blind Tasting!

THE SHOW

 Bordeaux is made by man, Pinot Noir by God.

Pinot Noir may not be the most planted grape in the World but no other varietal even comes close to the dialogue that takes place between winemakers and wine fans about the place of Pinot in today’s wine world.

Whether they love Pinot Noir or not, wine people all have an opinion on this grape. Described as the diva of the wine world”, it takes a really focused winemaker and farmer to grow, harvest, and cellar this beauty.

The payoff is spectacular.

Notes and flavors of Clove, Cherry, Mushroom, Floral, Soil, Tea, Vanilla, blackberry, and plum. Lush and lengthy.

High acidity and lower tannin make Pinot Noir perfectly paired with pork, mushrooms, duck, and chicken.

I’ve been doing Pinot Noir interviews for 15 years and I’m still learning from the many stories being told.

I’ve gone back into the Tasting Room Radio files to share some of the stories and people who’ve stayed with me over the years.

Check this out:

Nigel Greening – Owner Felton Road Winery (Central Otago NZ)

Nigel Greening Felton Road NZ

Grant Stanley – Spearhead (South East Kelowna)

Grant Stanley

Mike Rathjen – Rathjen Cellars (Saanich)

Daniel Dragert – Kutatas (Salt Spring Island)

Layne Craig – 40 Knots (Comox)

Barb and Ian Phillip – wine educators  (Vancouver)

Christina Coletta –  Okanagan Crush Pad/Haywire (Summerland)

Chris Turyk – Unsworth (Cowichan Valley)

JAK Meyer – Meyer Family Vineyards (OK Falls/Skaha)

David Patterson  – Tantalus Vineyards (South East Kelowna)

Kurtis Kolt – Wine Educator – Judge – Sommelier (Vancouver)

Vikram Vij –  Chef – Author  (Vancouver)

This pinot noir  special concludes with a Blind Tasting of 2018 Pinots

It was organized by John Glavina – the owner of Giant Head Winery in Summerland. John wanted to include several of his pinots to discover how they stood up to the competition. (He didn’t tell anyone that his wines were in the mix)

Tasting on the day were two of the very best wine minds.  Great guys.

John Schreiner – The Dean of Canadian wine writers (15 books in total) Master Blogger.

TDM. John Schreiner. Brent Gushowaty

Brent Gushowaty – A Pinot specialist. Founder of  bcpinotnoir.com

I was delighted to be judging in such fine company.

The discussion went on for several hours and I’ve done my best to edit the prime points down into a segment of the show.

I couldn’t get all the comments on the blind wines when revealed but we did talk about the top two and several others not in the room.

The Pinot Noir poured on the day were…

2018 Giant Head Estate Winery Flagship Pinot Noir

2018 Fox and Archer – Brent G. choice

2019  Canyonview Wines Brand – CVW – Pinot Noir

2018 Spearhead- Saddle Block Vineyard

2018 Lake Breeze Aura

2018 giant head Pinot Noir Reserve

The segment is memorable just to hear the conversation between John Schreiner and Brent Gushowaty.

I thank John Glavina for the invitation for myself and the microphone plus John & Brent for the Pinot Masterclass. I also thank Harbour Air for the beautiful trip over and back.

 

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Next Week

Hillside

The Hatch/Jason Parkes Customs

Moon Curser

Unsworth

 

Clos du Soleil

Aug 4 Cowichan Pour

Sperling Vineyards

Scorched Earth

Robert Belcham /Cooks Camp

Bill Jones – Shrooms

 

 

April 22nd, 2023 Chris Waters (Globe and Mail) interviews  Jason Priestley. Michal Mosny and TDM

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Chris Waters (Globe and Mail) interviews  Jason Priestley. Michal Mosny and TDM

Michael, Jason and Terry

 

 

THE SHOW

What started out as a Zoom interview for a story Christopher Waters was writing on Q&A Wine for his Easter Globe and Mail wine column has now become  a Tasting Room Radio show, a Podcast and video interview for TDM YouTube Channel.

Full Disclosure :

Q&A wine is a new partnership in the South Okanagan between myself, Jason and Winemakers Cut winemaker/owner Michal Mosny.

Michael Mosney

How this came to be is a wonderful story that starts the interview.

tdm and Jason Priestley in Niagara
(globe&mail photo)

Make no mistake…  this interview is lead by Chris Waters.

Chris Waters

As someone who has done countless interviews,  it was such a treat to watch someone else carry the load and just enjoy the conversation. The surprise in the dialogue  were the outflow of words, opinions  and thoughts from Chris,  who was completely open and engaging.

I kept thinking “this would be a really good TRR and podcast”

So.  Here we are. With the help of Olivia Siu and Chris himself,  this weeks Tasting Room Radio is a friendly war of words about the wines of Canada, BC’s place in wine, Michal’s and Martina’s story of moving from Slovakia to Oliver BC and starting Winemakers Cut, Chris’s thoughts on Q&A Red and the just arriving Q&A RMV White , about wines that pleasantly surprise and Pink Floyd.

The Red is a blend of 45/Cab 38/Merlot 13/Cab Franc 4/Petit Verdot

The White  RMV a blend of 58/Rousanne 34/Marsanne 8/Viognier

Christopher was kind enough to award the Q&A Red Blend 91 Points and the Q&A White Blend  92 Points

 

Christopher Waters  is a WSET certified instructor. He is the acclaimed wine and spirits columnist at The Globe and Mail.

For 21 years, Christopher was the editor/co-founder of Canada’s largest circulation wine publication, VINES, and author of the nationally syndicated column, Waters & Wine. An internationally recognized wine judge, Christopher represents Canada for the Globe Fine Wine Challenge in Sydney, Australia and served as head judge and organizer of the InterVin International Wine Awards from 2009-2019.

Michal Mosny is the co-owner and winemaker at Winemakers Cut in Oliver, BC

He and his wife/winemaker Martina moved from Slovakia to BC in 2004 after seeing the Okanagan featured on Hollywood and Vines TV. The hosts were Jason Priestley and TDMulligan.

Producer was Chad Oakes... he has his own wine.

 

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/

www.qa.wine

www.winemakerscut.ca

@jasonpriestley

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Van Wine Fest

Moon Curser

Hillside Wines

Mt Boucherie

Okanagan Wine Festivals

Unsworth Vineyards

Lt. Governor’s Awards 2023

The Ones

Township 7

Lake Breeze

Cowichan Wine Festival

 

 

Chris Waters awarded:

Q&A Red (Bordeaux Blend) 91 Points

Q&A RMV White (Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier) 92 Points

 

 

April 8th, 2023 BARNYARD  (Part One)  –  BC’s First Natural Wine Festival (Victoria)

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BARNYARD  (Part One)  –  BC’s First Natural Wine Festival (Victoria)

THE SHOW

NATURAL WINE:

“Wine unplugged. It’s the unfiltered, untamed, unphotoshopped version of what we know wine to be. Hand picked, no additives, little or no sulphites.

It flies against the status quo. Challenges what people think is good wine”

Madeline Puckette /Wine Folly

 

This first natural wine festival was organized by Matt Cooke .

In 2016 Matt moved to Victoria and joined the management team at OLO Restaurant, where he quickly took over the bar, and then wine programs. The food at OLO screamed natural – which inspired him to create a largely natural wine list, which over his nearly 5 years there, grew to become arguably the most natural list in Victoria.

Matt’s passion was really in finding new and exciting wines/regions/varietals to pair up with the food and encourage OLO guests to try. Then in fall 2021 he became the Food & Beverage General Manager at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.

It was a major career shift, from a 40 seat farm-to-table high end restaurant, to a 7000 person arena, but loved it. Over the course of two hockey seasons now, Matt has become confident in his role – but missed the aspect of educating people on wine, and  missed his connection to the wine world. Which is where the idea for Barnyard came from.

 

In Fall of 2022 Matt started reaching out to his contacts from his  buying days at OLO, and suggested this gathering. The response was immediate and highly supportive.

Matt Cooke

For BARNYARD they had 35 wineries/agencies attending, including 18 BC wineries and 1 Ontario winery – all with principals, and 16 import agencies. The import agencies presented  a range of products from their portfolio, which allowed the festival  to showcase wines from 17 other countries.

 

The full list of wineries and agencies is up on their website:

https://barnyardwinefest.ca/wineries

 

The guest line up for Part One:

 

Matt Cooke – Founder of Barnyard www.barnyardwinefest.ca <http://www.barnyardwinefest.ca>

 

Rajen Toor –  Winemaker Ursa Major (Black Sage Road)  https://ursamajorwinery.com <https://ursamajorwinery.com/>

RajenToor

Mathew Vasilev – Co-founder/cidermaker Twin Island Cider (Pender Islands) https://www.twinislandcider.com/ <https://www.twinislandcider.com/>

 

Jay Drysdale – Bella Vineyards (Naramata Bench)  https://www.bellawines.ca/

Bella- Jay Drysdale & Wendy Rose

Louise Fedyk – Massey Wines (Pouring Eastern European Wines) https://www.masseywines.com/ <https://www.masseywines.com/>

 

David Eiberg – Therianthropy (Ontario) https://therianthropy.wine/ <https://therianthropy.wine/>

 

Anthony Buchanan – Anthony Buchanan Wines (Kaleden) https://www.anthonybuchananwines.ca/ <https://www.anthonybuchananwines.ca/>

Anthony Buchanan

 

For a complete rundown of what everyone was pouring please head for

https://barnyardwinefest.ca/wineries

 

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Natural Wine fest Part Two

VanWineFest

Hillside

Moon Curser

Mt Boucherie

Okanagan Wine festivals

Unsworth

Lt Governors Awards

Hester Creek

New Releases.

District Wine Village

Wards Wine Country Kitchen

The Ones