May 9th, 2026- Tony Holler & Poplar Grove/Jordan Kubek Bottleneck in Bloom and Pamplemousse

May 10, 2026 0:42:21

hello

Poplar Grove

Discovering Spring Wines Everywhere. This Week Polar Grove & Summerland/Pamplemousse.

The SHOW

Tony Holler is the co-owner and driving force behind the very successful Poplar Grove Winery on the Naramata Bench.

Tony Holler

He made his yearly visit to Victoria and Vancouver Island. Polar Grove has a lot of wine fans and club members all over the Island.

I convinced him to stop by for a chat on his way “up island’ and the conversation took place at our kitchen table.

Tasting Room Radio began in a studio on the Naramata Bench in 2006. Out of my French barn doors I could see the tile roof of Poplar Grove. Many of my first wine lessons took place under that roof with the original owners Ian Sutherland and Valeria Tait.

When Tony and his family purchased Polar Grove, I was lucky to watch the amazing growth right in front of me. Combined with a solid new restaurant, the winery became a “must visit” destination. Over 3 decades PG has become widely known for expressive whites, elegant rose and beautifully balanced Bordeaux blends

On this visit , Tony was telling tales of the new 2025 Spring Releases.

2025 Pinot Gris. Pale straw in colour. Flavours of stone fruit, tropical fruit and strong finish.

93% Pinot Gris 3% Muscat, 3% Viognier, 1% Chardonnay.

2025 Rose – what a field blend. 36% Malbec, 24% Cab Franc, 4% Chard, 3% Muscat, 3% Pinot Gris. Now that is a Rose.

Rosé 2025

2022 – CSM. 39% Merlot, 27 % Cab Franc, 17% Cab, 13 Syrah, 4% Malbec. Can you imagine?

Notes of cranberry, blackberry and a jammy mix. Delightful! Complexity and texture add to blend. Wine Align – Gold, SF Wine Awards – Gold!

www.poplargrove.ca

Second Guest – Jordan Kubek is Chair of the Bottleneck Drive Winery Assn. (Summerland) and a partner/winemaker at the astonishingly original winery Pamplemousse.

Summerland comes alive with Bottleneck in Bloom on the May long weekend.

The 19 wineries and several ciders have partnered with local florists and greenhouses.

Each winery is working on baking with floral elements or wreath making. The Grand Sommelier Express train is back for its 10^th year. The headline message is Bottle Neck Drive is open for the season!!!

The second half of the interview with Jordan is about her passion project Pamplemousse Jus Wines.

Jordan Kubek

For example:

Table White – a blend of chardonnay, riesling and gewurztraminer. Unfined and unfiltered.

Foch Nouveau – Marachel Foch. Wild, juicy. Think blueberry bubblegum.

2020 St. Kats

Leon Millot – Pet Nat. One of a kind sparkling wine. Fresh and crisp. Dr. pepper flavours.

St Kats – 100% traditional method Pinot Noir sparkling wine. Made from their home block with some of the oldest pinot noir plantings in BC. 1000 bottles made.

Map + Wine Routes — Bottleneck Drive

www.bottleneckdrive.com

www.pamplemoussejus.ca

STORIES WERE WORKING ON:

Bartier Brothers

Naramata Bench annual pour in Vancouver

Township 7

Clos du Soleil

Barnyard natural wines (Victoria)

Quails Gate

Ep 389 | Chris Wood – The Wood Brothers. New album Puff of Smoke

May 10, 2026 0:38:41

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Chris Wood – The Wood Brothers. New album Puff of Smoke

The complete interview

Big fan of Medeski. Martin and Wood.
Then followed the Wood Brothers through 9 albums.
The media and music fans painted the brothers as a Jam Band. They are anything but.
Jazz and roots/ blues driven with themes and lyrics that dive into human behaviour.
Almost all songs are wrapped in a sensual groove.
All songs written and created by an amazing trio. Chris’s brother Oliver and Jano Rix, who’ll play any instrument put in front of him.
New album – Puff of Smoke is the best yet.
The Brothers are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their debut album Ways not to Love.

Chris’s personal journey has taken him to a beautiful Wilder Wood farm on Pender Island, one of the jewels in the Gulf Islands on the West Coast of BC.
He and his biologist wife farm organic vegetables and sell them at the Pender Farm Market on the island.
A percentage of the brothers’ ticket sales goes to helping farmers. On both sides of the border.

I caught up with Chris in an airport heading for an opening tour gig in Scottsdale, Arizona.
In the complete interview on the Mulligan Stew Podcast, he finished the chat walking to the gate.
The Wood Brothers played the Hollywood Theatre in Vancouver on May 9.

www.thewoodbros.com

May 2nd, 2026- The New Blue Grouse with Winemaker Stacy Hornemann

May 1, 2026 0:35:15

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The New Blue Grouse with Winemaker Stacy Hornemann

Photo of property

Two Words – Blue Grouse

Two More – The Cowichan.

Last Two – Stacy Hornemann.

stacy-hornemann-blue-grouse-winery

When the legendary Jackson Family in Santa Rosa, in the heart of Sonoma County, California

decided to add two Canadian wineries to their portfolio, they chose two on Vancouver Island. Unsworth and Blue Grouse. Both, in the Cowichan Valley. (South of Duncan)

Happy to report that both wineries are planting and replanting, ordering and installing new equipment and in the case of Unsworth, building a grand new winery, tasting room and restaurant.

Blue Grouse has a wonderful new winemaker, Stacy Hornemann, who was working for the Jackson Family when she was offered this adventure.

I have had the pleasure of tasting her new wine releases at home and at the winery.

Blue Grouse

Very impressed with the intensity, the balance and aromas of these 2024 wines. There is one 2023 and it’s a very special Pinot Noir. It promises to be popular and award winning. It is, in two more words, wonderfully yummy.

Due to the maritime influence on the Island, it keeps the vineyards warm in the Winter and cool in the Summer. The very slow ripening season develops a natural acidity. These wines will invite very positive change in the Cowichan. The future looks bright.

Here’s our conversation on the patio behind Blue Grouse, with the Cowichan spread out before us. The new releases we’re talking about are –

Charme De L’ile White Blend $29.99

100% Island grapes. Estate grown.

Ortega, Schonberger, Pinot Gris, Bacchus. 12%.

Charme De L’ile Rose $29.99

Estate grown. Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir and Pinot Gris. Grown separately. After blending, wine undergoes a second fermentation in stainless steel. 12% Delicious!!!

2024 Blue Grouse Pinot Gris

Again, all island grapes. Vinified separately. Fermentation and ageing in concrete and neutral French oak. A portion underwent “malo” bringing texture and wonderful balance.

Unlike Chardonnay, the cooler Spring and slow ripening works wonderfully for Pinot Gris. Some of these vines are the oldest in BC.

Wet stone on the nose, palate is citrus and minerality. Impressive.11.5%

2024 Rose $29.99

4 different varietals. 63% Pinot Noir, 15% Pinot Gris, 12% Gamay 10% Chardonnay

Each harvested separately, then a final blend. Aging in Stainless Steel and new French Oak. Some concrete tanks as well. Part malo.

11% Take a bottle for a visit to the neighbors. They’ll be impressed.

2024 Chardonnay. $32.99

Chard loves heat but 2024 wasn’t a hot year for Vancouver Island. Tracy earns full marks for this beauty. New and used French Oak – 13% new. 10 months on lees. Full malo. 11% abv. Chardonnay is in the future of Blue Grouse and The Cowichan.

2023 Pinot Noir $39.99 (Stacy gives us the clones)

Fermentation in amphorae and S. Steel. 18 months in new and used French oak barrels and puncheons. 100% Pinot Noir from the estate and select growers. Great growing conditions despite the famous cold snap inland. Delightful structure, vibrancy, and intriguing aromatics. One of the best from any region. Pinot Noir is in the future of the Cowichan. (And possibly Gamay.)

www.bluegrouse.ca

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Quails Gate

Township 7

Clos du Soliel

Bartier Brothers.

Luke Whittall

Poplar Grove

Naramata Bench pours in Vancouver.

Bottleneck in Bloom

Pamplemousse Jus

April 25th, 2026- Swirl Around BC Wine Expo – Part Two

April 24, 2026 0:37:13

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THE SHOW

It’s the annual BC Wine gathering designed to showcase many of the wines from all the regions in BC.

Wine Growers of BC named it Swirl Around BC Wine Expo 2025.

SWIRL AROUND BC WINE EXPO - Kurtis Kolt

60 wineries from across the province were all set up to welcome everyone attending.

Winemakers, proprietors and industry leaders.

We all came to reconnect with each other and discover the best of what BC’s wine community has to offer.

As always, I couldn’t interview everyone, but thanks to Kelly Josephson from Wine BC, I was able to do 15 in total. Great wrangling. Thank you, Kelly.

There were two walk-around tastings plus timely, intimate and thought-provoking seminars designed for trade and media professionals.

Just a note: The seminar interview that we did last week was so vital to the future of BC wine that we’ve decided to finish this special feature with a replay.

Check out the guests in that segment (below).

Swirl Part Two: Guests are

Grant Stanley

Grant Stanley – Winemaker and GM Spearhead Winery. Winery of the Year – (Kelowna)

Mike Cox – Sales and Marketing The Hatch (West Kelowna)

Adam Woodward – Winemaker/Production Manager Privato (Thompson Valley/Kamloops))

Robbie Hundertmark – Wine BC Ultimate BC Wine Ambassador (Mission Hill)

Ron Kubek – Co-Owner Lightning Rock (Summerland)

Seminar – BC’s Fresh New Wave.

Kelcie Jones – Sommelier/Educator/Panellist – This is Wine School

Kurtis Kolt – Sommelier/Educator – Panel Moderator

Kurtis Kolt

Seminar – An Alternative Approach for BC Wine. Rethinking the changing market

Christine Coletta – co-owner of Haywire, etc.

Christine Coletta

spearheadwinery.com

privato.ca

thehatchwines.com

lightningrockwinery.com

www.winebc.com

Kurtiskolt.com

Thisiswineschool.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

New Spring Releases

Quails Gate – Jeff Del Nin

Poplar Grove – Tony Holler

Bartier Brothers – Michael Bartier

Blue Grouse – Stacy Hornemann

Township 7 – Mary McDermott

Clos de Soleil – new releases

Hillside – Kathy Malone

Naramata Bench Vancouver pour

April 17th, 2026- Wine Growers of BC – Swirl Around BC Wine Expo Part One

April 16, 2026 0:43:09

hello

It’s been called various names over the years.

It’s the annual BC Wine gathering meant to showcase the wines from all the regions in BC.

Wine Growers of BC named it – Swirl Around BC Wine Expo 2025.

The daylong celebration took place at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver.

60 wineries from across the province were all set up to welcome everyone attending. Winemakers, proprietors and industry leaders.

We all came to reconnect with each other and discover the best of what BC’s wine community has to offer.

As always, I couldn’t interview everyone but with the all-star wrangling of Kelly Josephson from Wine BC leadership, I was able to do 15 in total. Thank you Kelly.

There were two walkaround tastings plus really timely, intimate and thought-provoking seminars designed for trade and media professionals.

Swirl Part One Guests are :

Seminar – BC’s Fresh New Wave.

Kelcie Jones – Sommelier/Educator/Panelist – This is Wine School

Kurtis Kolt – Sommelier/Educator – Panel Moderator

Seminar – An Alternative Approach for BC Wine

Christine Coletta – co/founder Haywire, etc.

Including –

Lauren Skinner Buksevics – Sales & Family Painted Rock (OK Falls)

Robbie Hundertmark – Ultimate BC Wine Ambassador (Mission Hill)

Valeria Tait – Winemaker & General Manager Gold Hill Winery (Oliver)

Chris Turyk – Sommelier & Leadership at Unsworth Winery (Cowichan Valley)

Josie Tyabji – Managing Partner Gneiss Wines District Wine Village (Oliver)

Paul Sawler – VP Dirty Laundry Winery (Summerland)

www.winebc.com

Dirtylaundry.ca

Gneisswines.com

Unsworthvineyards.com

GoldHillWinery.com

Paintedrock.ca

Haywirewinery.com

Kurtiskolt.com

Thisiswineschool.com

missionhill.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

NEXT WEEK -Swirl BC Wine Expo Part Two

New Releases from:

Quails’ Gate

Poplar Grove

Bartier Brothers

Township 7

Clos de Soliel

Blue Grouse

Barnyard Festival – Victoria

Top Drop 2026

Naramata Bench Wineries pour in Vancouver

April 11th, 2026- Hester Creek, back to VQA!

April 11, 2026 0:35:39

hello

After a couple of “Challenging Years:”, the team at Hester Creek Estate Winery announce they’re back in the VQA with a very engaging line up of wines.

Perfectly timed for your Spring celebrations and Summer events.

Presenting six 2025 wines for your consideration are Mark Hopley, Winemaker and Mark Sheridan President and Viticulturist.

The 2025 vintage will go down as one of the very best vintages the Okanagan Valley has ever seen.

These 6 Spring wines are balanced, complex and bring with them aromas and palates that make them singular.

The wines will be released over the next couple of months.

My thanks to “The Marks” for finding the time to talk about what made these wines so welcomed and welcoming.

Wine column: First taste of the Okanagan's 2022 vintage

Mark Hopley

Just a note:

Some will call these whites, patio sippers. May I suggest they are far more than that. These gems will find food pairings that will lift dinners, brunches and picnics.

Got spices on your mind? These are exactly the wines you want to consider.

After two cold snaps and replacement game savers, Its back to VQA!! (Mark Sheridan gives the price points in our interview)

Mark Sheridan

2025 Pinot Gris – a true expression of the Okanagan Valley. Very Popular.

You’ll see a lot of this wine during Summer.

2025 Old Vine Pinot Blanc – a true expression of the home estate vineyard. I ask the question. What is that expression?

2025 Sauvignon Blanc Fragrant nose and citrus palette. Scallops please!

2025 Character White is 40% Pinot Gris. 30% Gew. 30% Chardonnay

Quince, orange, and nuts. Followed by honeydew. Pad Thai anyone?

2025 Pinot Gris Viognier. As much as you may like this wine, it was a big hit at the house, you may only find it at Save-on Foods, online and at the winery.

2025 Old Vine Trebblanno. It’s been grown since the Romans. Called many names

But it survived the cold snaps and came through with flying colors. Well worth the search.

“Our roots run deep“

Hester Creek – Back to VQA!!

Thank you to Mark Hopley and Mark Sheridan and Susan Burns!

Wine Shop – Terra Fina and The Villa are all now open!!

Details at:

www.hestercreek.com

Stories we are working on:

more spring releases:

Poplar Grove

Fort Berens

Township 7

Bartier Bros

Quails Gate

April 3rd, 2026-Free Spirit ,Victoria’s biggest Non-Alc Wine, Cider, Beer and Cocktail tasting !

April 4, 2026 0:38:07

hello

Free Spirit is Victoria’s biggest Non-Alc Wine, Cider, Beer and Cocktail tasting !

May be a graphic of wine and text

It’s curated and organized by noted wine specialist Kurtis Kolt. Yup, the same guy who is getting ready to open the doors of one of the very best small wine events in Vancouver and Calgary, Top Drop 2026.

Terry and Kurtis Kolt-Free Spirit

Kurtis explains that he has all the wines he needs to stay in touch with the wineries but he’s also interested in not having to sip for a living and Free Spirit appeals to his future life style.

A little over a year ago Kurtis organized Free Spirit in Vancouver. Twice in one year. He attracted 30 participants to pour at the first one and 60 brands for the second gathering – in the same year. That’s called growth.

Kurtis says over 50 brands were pouring in Victoria.

Countries and regions include :

California, Denmark, Italy, Great Britain, France, Australia, Sweden, Dubai, Germany and many from BC and all across Canada.

It’s impossible to talk to everyone. Once the doors open they are “fully engaged” with the many fans.

We start with Kurtis Kolt.

He’s part sommelier, part educator and all promoter.

If you need background on the changing world of No/Low, Kurtis Kolt is your guy.

www.kurtiskolt.com

Feature interview guests include:

Janet Helou (Penticton) – one of the co-founders of Glimmer Wine. Makers of premium

de-alcoholized Sparkling Wine. Wonderful success story.

www.drinkglimmerwine.com

A woman standing in a vineyard holding a glass of champagne with mountains in the background.

Janet Helou

Bobby Faurot – co-founder and sommelier Somm Zero (okanagan). Bobby and his partners are in the distribution business and because all three founders are also sommeliers, you know they’re delivering the goods.

Bobby Faurot

Bobby poured a delicious DIVIN ‘Vigneron’ Sparkling Chenin Blanc de Blancs.

www.sommzero.com

Louise Fedyk-Massey Wines and Terry David MulliganLouise Fedyk – Massey Wines (Vancouver) Key team member for one of the most driven wine distributors. Lots of brands to talk about with Louise.

Massey Wines-Free Spirit Victoria

www.masseywines.com

Louise Fedyk-Massey Wines and Terry David Mulligan

Cassandra Anderton – Sea Cider (Saanichton) One of the best wine/free spirit storytellers. Sea Cider are very successful with both regular ciders and Non.

Which means you’ll see some of them in corner stores. Always makes my heart jump.

www.seacider.ca

Cassandra Anderton-Sea Cider

www.freespiritprojects.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

More spring releases

Poplar Grove

Fort Berens

Hester Creek

Bartier Brothers

Quails Gate

Top Drop 2026

April 3rd, 2026-Free Spirit ,Victoria’s biggest Non-Alc Wine, Cider, Beer and Cocktail tasting !

April 4, 2026 0:38:07

hello

Free Spirit is Victoria’s biggest Non-Alc Wine, Cider, Beer and Cocktail tasting !

May be a graphic of wine and text

Kurtis Kolt

Kurtis explains that he has all the wines he needs to stay in touch with the wineries but he’s also interested in not having to sip for a living and Free Spirit appeals to his future life style.

Kurtis says over 50 brands were pouring in Victoria.

Terry and Kurtis

Countries and regions include :

California, Denmark, Italy, Great Britain, France, Australia, Sweden, Dubai, Germany and many from BC and all across Canada.

It’s impossible to talk to everyone. Once the doors open they are “fully engaged” with the many fans.

We start with Kurtis Kolt.

He’s part sommelier, part educator and all promoter.

If you need background on the changing world of No/Low, Kurtis Kolt is your guy.

www.kurtiskolt.com

Feature interview guests include:

Janet Helou (Penticton) – one of the co-founders of Glimmer Wine. Makers of premium

de-alcoholized Sparkling Wine. Wonderful success story.

www.drinkglimmerwine.com

Janet Helou

Bobby Faurot

Bobby poured a delicious DIVIN ‘Vigneron’ Sparkling Chenin Blanc de Blancs.

www.sommzero.com

Louise Fedyk – Massey Wines (Vancouver) Key team member for one of the most driven wine distributors. Lots of brands to talk about with Louise.

www.masseywines.com

Cassandra Anderton – Sea Cider (Saanichton) One of the best wine/free spirit storytellers. Sea Cider are very successful with both regular ciders and Non.

Cassandra Anderton

Which means you’ll see some of them in corner stores. Always makes my heart jump.

www.seacider.ca

www.freespiritprojects.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

More spring releases

Poplar Grove

Fort Berens

Hester Creek

Bartier Brothers

Quails Gate

Top Drop 2026

March 28th, 2026- Noble Ridge 2025 Spring Releases with Benoit Gauthier and Libby Nixon

March 29, 2026 0:30:49

hello

When Noble Ridge COO, chief winemaker and viticulturist Benoit Gauthier visited Tasting Room Radio on February 21st, we agreed that with spring releases around the corner we’d see each other soon enough.

This time its seven new 2025 white wines signaling Spring.

Benoit Gauthier Noble Ridge

And best of all, Benoit is joined by Assistant Winemaker/vineyard manager Libby Nixon.

Following the devastating cold snap of 2024, that ended in a complete crop loss, the 2025 comeback season delivered an outstanding rebound, better than many normal years.

So basically, these wines are a celebration of Mother Nature and the resilience of Okanagan wine farming families.

When you taste these wines, you’re tasting triumph.

Benoit will finish the interview with a charming list of events they’ll host during the Spring and Summer Seasons.

Here’s our wine pour this week:

2025 Mingle – 45% Chardonnay, 43% Riesling , 12% Pinot Noir (no skin contact)

Apple blossom, lemon zest on the nose. Palate with Granny Smith Green apples,

Clean and refreshing minerality. $22.99

2025 Classic White – 52% Riesling, 36% Chardonnay, 12% Pinot Gris. Handpicked, whole-cluster pressed. Fermented in Stainless Steel.

Pear/citrus on the nose, Palate assorted fruit, citrus notes & wonderful minerality. $21.00

2025 Classic Pinot Grigio – 100% PG.

Opens with peat and apple noes. Palate is clean and fresh. Nice dry finish. $21.00

2025 Unoaked Chardonnay. 100% Chardonnay. Stainless steel fermentation No oak. No Malo.

Fine lees for texture. Complex and clean. Going to be popular. $25.99

2025 Classic Rose – 62% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Opens with hints of red current and rhubarb. Palate has a clean lightness that lingers. $21.00

2025 Noble Rose – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Red Berries, grapefruit. Palate driven by grapefruit, strawberries, mint and a wonderful minerality on the finish. Yummy. $25.99

2025 Reserve Pinot Grigio – Delightful dry finish. A very comfortable wine.

Easily going to be a Summer Favorite. $25.99

www.nobleridge.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Spring Wines

Poplar Grove

Fort Berens

Hester Creek

Free Spirit Victoria

Kurtis Kolt

Bartier Brothers

Quails Gate

Top Drop 2026

March 21st, 2026- A reconnect interview with Luke Whittall – Author of The Sipster Books

March 21, 2026 0:34:36

hello

THE SHOW

Luke Whittall, author of 3 popular Sipster books on BC wine and 2 on Ontario wines, dropped me an email the other day.

He was watching the new TV series, Age of Attraction, on Netflix.

In the middle of a table during a scene, the cast was pouring and sipping Q&A white and red.

He thought I might be interested, as that’s a wine brought to market by Jason Priestley, Michal Mosny from Winemaker’s Cut and myself.

Needless to say, it was high-five material.

One thing led to another.

I had thought that it was time to get caught up with Luke. It all worked out.

I wanted to know Luke’s take on 2 seasons of Crafted in BC wines, whether he had consumers walking away from possible sales because the grapes came from American vineyards.

Luke Whittall author

What his next book would be about and why, thoughts on no/low releases, hosting his new podcast and – why – was he watching Age of Attraction?

The Sipster's Pocket Guide to 50 More Must-Try BC Wines: Volume 3

Please enjoy Luke Whittall.

His opinions, suggestions and wonderful Sipster books.

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

New Spring Releases

Hester Creek Estate

Hillside Estate

Free Spirit – Victoria

Fort Berens

Poplar Grove

Bartier Brothers

Quails Gate