Ep 394 | -Discover Honeybear, the Band. Heading West

June 13, 2026 0:44:20

hello

OK. These guys are the real deal. Even though they are from Canada’s West Coast, they sound and play like they grew up in Memphis or Muscle Shoals.

Great grooves, hot horns, just a solid laid back soul. Like Otis and Al Green used to lay down.

They have an album out called I was Wrong. It’s taken the better part of a year for “the word” to get around. It’s a big country, but take a look at their Summer Tour. Not all of the info, but stuff you can use.

Summer Tour 2026

Honeybear, the band on the Mulligan Stew Podcast

June 11th, Hugh Room, Toronto

June 13 NXNE Toronto

June 20 Barns to Beaches Delta BC

June 25 Victoria Upstairs

June 26 Vancouver Jazz Fest

June 27 Brackendale Squamish BC

July 30 & 31 Double Dragon Edmonton

Aug 1 Calgary Blues Fest

Aug 2 Bo’s Red Deer

Aug 9 West Vancouver Harmony Arts Fest

and On and On

Ian Beatty

Colin Brumelle

Mike Kenny

Timothy S Watson

Honeybear, the Band. New album: I Was Wrong.

See and hear it for yourself:

www.honeybear.band

June 13th, 2026- Clos du Soleil is celebrating their 20th Anniversary this year!

June 13, 2026 0:28:50

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Clos du Soleil, an Artisan Winery and Estate Vineyard, is celebrating their 20th Anniversary this year. Specifically, the 2025 harvest was their 20th harvest, and so these new releases were going to be talking about are all 20th anniversary!

Michael Clark

Michael Clark is the Winemaker, GM and co-owner of Clos du Soleil. Originally trained in Theoretical Physics. Michael became an investment manager in Canada, USA and Europe. It was during those years in Europe that Michael decided to turn his life-long obsession with wine into his day-job.

Not just learning winemaking but learning winemaking in Bordeaux. It became invaluable tutelage as Clos du Soleil is as close to a French winery as we have in the Similkameen Valley. All their vineyards are planted with Bordeaux grape varieties.

Clos Du Soleil Winery - Wines of British Columbia

Fume Blanc 2025 – 71% Sauvignon 29% Semillon. Stainless steel and French Puncheons. Fabulous at $26.90

2025 Fumé Blanc

Pinot Gris 2025 – from Whispered Secrets Vineyard. 4 months on lees. In a word – Yummy!!

Rose 2025 – wait for it. 41% Marquette 33% Cab Franc 22% Pinot Noir 4% Malbec THIS is a Rose my friends.

CLOS DU SOLEIL - ROSE 2023 Canadian Rose Wine

Estate Reserve 2020 – the pinnacle of the portfolio, 49% Cab, 21% Merlot, 15% Cab Franc, 9% Malbec and 6% Petit Verdot.

Clos du Soleil Estate Reserve Red Blend

Aromas of floral petals and spice. In the mouth, full and fresh. Ripe dark berries and a minerality on the finish. And What a Finish.

A fabulous adventure. $69.90

Check out the fully composed events page on the Clos du Soleil website. closdusoleil.ca

It includes the 20^th anniversary celebration dinner at Waterfront Restaurant and Wine Bar , Kelowna. June 14 (6-10PM)

Here’s the bottom line – By adhering to the philosophies on minimal – intervention winemaking and biodynamic viticulture, Clos du Soleil produce wines that are complex and classic, able to age well and elegant.

Stories we are working on…

Fort Berens

Little Engine

Hillside

Hester Creek

June 6th, 2026 Jeff Del Nin – Senior Winemaker at Quails’ Gate Estate

June 6, 2026 0:41:18

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We welcome back Jeff Del Nin. Chief Winemaker Quails Gate (West Kelowna)

For those of you perhaps just discovering the name Quails Gate Winery, please know, they are 4 generations into shaping and leading the BC wine community. Grassroots farming. Showing the way for all who followed.

They won 11 medals at the 2025 Wine Align National Wine Awards.

Here’s another honour below:

“The Stewart Family has been named the 2026 recipients of the Wine Growers Canada Award of Distinction — the preeminent award in the Canadian wine industry and its highest form of peer recognition.”

This honour reflects decades of leadership, stewardship, and commitment to the advancement of Canadian wine. ”

Senior Winemaker, Jeff Del Nin, joins us this week and proudly presents his new releases for Spring into early Summer 2026.

Jeff Del Nin- Senior Winemaker at Quails’ Gate

He’s found his way through the worlds of winemaking.

Bourassa Valley, Burrowing Owl, Church and State, Road 13.

Our conversation could be described as “comfortably rambling,” but it gets the job done. Information and background you can use in your wine gathering.

We’ll go over Jeff’s winemaking philosophy and what his heart likes to create.

2025 Chenin Blanc. $26.99

Jeff has an interesting history with Chenin that came alive during his time at Road 13. Chenin has been grown and flourishing at Quails Gate Estate for more than 20 years. One of the few vineyards growing it in the Okanagan. Which is surprising because it’s simply outstanding in the Valley.

Quails' Gate Chenin Blanc

Pressed, cold-settled and fermented in 100% stainless steel. Notes of lime, lemongrass and ripe white peach. Displays our famous Okanagan acidity plus tropical fruit, citrus and honey dew.

Yummy to the Max!!

2025 Rose $23.99

A simply wonderful blend of Pinot Noir and Gammy Noir. You’re welcomed by the notes and flavors of strawberry, melon, and ripe cherries. Perfect with spot prawns, tuna, summer salad or pizza. The very best feature of this blend is – its affordable.

Quails' Gate Okanagan Valley

2025 Heirloom White $23.99

Driven by a heirloom white grape varietal called Chasselas. First planted on the estate in 1961.

When combined with newer grapes such as Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc, the blend rewards with scents of lemon and pear. Flavours of apple& citrus. Followed by a balanced long finish.

Great with prawns and salmon. Frankly, almost everything. Thank you to whoever planted the Chasselas.

www.quailsgate.com

winebc.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Clos u Soleil

Township 7

Little Engine

Hester Creek

May 30th, 2026-Michael Bartier – Co-founder, GM & Chief Winemaker of Bartier Brothers Vineyards.

May 30, 2026 0:35:56

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Michael Bartier – Co-founder, GM and Chief Winemaker of Bartier Brothers Vineyards.

Bartier Bros’

Co-founder, GM and Chief Winemaker Michael Bartier, known far and wide for his wines, his wonderful laugh and good heart, was deadly serious.

Then came the Winter cold snaps of 2023 and 2024. We lost 60% of our vineyards”

“The first wiped out 75% of our crops and the second 100% of our crop in the valley. We ended up pulling out and replanting 60 percent of our vineyards.

It was a massive hit but here I am!

The Syrah is gone but the Merlot we replanted, but we replanted it smartly. We used our own root stock. In the future , if we have cold snaps again, we may lose the crop but we won’t lose the vines.”

2023 Reisling – 91% Reisling, 9%Alberino $22.99

Bright, clean with aroma of Granny Smith apples, lemon and lime. Impressive.

2025 Sauvignon Blanc . Many of the same notes as the Reisling. Including minerality. Positively delicious. Inviting balance. $24.99

Sauvignon Blanc 2025

2025 Chardonnay No oak. Stainless steel. Peach, Pear, lemon, again with the Granny Smith.

Chardonnay 2025

2025 Pinot Rose $24.99. Discovered the expected strawberry notes. Great finish. Perfect with summer salads.

Rosé 2025

2025 Rose 74 % Cab Franc, 9 % Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, beautiful Viognier lift. Perfect with salmon and spot prawns. A bargain at $19.95

Bartier Brut NV 100% Chardonnay. Initial vintage was 2019. Grown in Penticton and Peachland. Traditional Method. 4 months Stainless steel and 2 months in bottle.

Notes of Freshly baked Brioche. Fine Mousse. $34.99.

An out of the park homerun. 12.5%

www.bartierbros.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Clos du Soleil

Township 7

Little Engine

Quails Gate

May 23rd, 2026- Naramata pour in Vancouver Part 2 & update on Kascadia story!

May 23, 2026 0:27:34

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Wonderful response for last weeks Naramata pour in Vancouver Part One.

If the feedback is any indication, they are going to have a banner year.

Our last two guests from the Naramata Bench Vancouver Spring Wines pour are

Matt Mikulic – President and Winemaker – Three Sisters Winery

Matthew and his wife Rebecca both have three sisters…thus the name of the winery and wines.

Matthew, Rebecca and family

No huffing and puffing about vineyards and clones – just really well grown and balanced, approachable wines.

That’s part of the reason why they are so popular. Their wines are as nice as they are!

3sisterswinery.ca

Hayley Fisher – Kettle Valley Wines

The oldest single owner winery on Naramata Bench in their 35^th year. Legendary wines.

kettlevalley.com

naramatabench.com

Kettle Valley Vineyards

VJ Gandhi – Kascadia Wine Merchants.

Kascadia Wine Merchants is the first wine club and online shop in the U.S. to offer wines from Canada, the United States, and Mexico—a curated celebration of North American terroir, culture, and connection.

VJ Gandhi

Founded by VJ Gandhi, a passionate wine merchant and proud Asian-Canadian entrepreneur, Kascadia was born from a desire to share the wines that shaped her sense of place and belonging. After moving to California in 2014, VJ saw the need for something different in the U.S. wine space—something slower, more intentional. Something that invites people to gather, unplug, and taste what truly matters.

This is, I believe, the third time we’ve talked to VJ.

She lives outside of San Francisco and passionately offers and sells Canadian wines to US customers.

We’ll take honest over polished.
Small producers over mass production.
Character over perfection.

Kascadia’s portfolio has continued to expand with wines from:

Ontario

Quebec

Nova Scotia

California

Washington

Oregon

Guadalupe Valley, Mexico

BC Wines available include:

Meyer Family

Poplar Grove

Q&A Red and White

Spearhead

Painted Rock

Clos Du Soleil

This interview deals with just getting caught up on her amazing story. Kascadia is making waves on both sides of the border.

I’m wondering why and by what standards?

Congratulations to VJ.

kascadiawinemerchants.com

Stories We’re Working On:

Quails Gate

Bartier Brothers

Township 7

Little Engine

Painted Rock

EP 390 | Randy Bachman Master Storyteller on The Guess Who & BTO

May 16, 2026 0:48:32

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We welcome a long time friend – Canadian music legend Randy Bachman (The Guess Who & BTO)

Once again, I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time and got to experience the lift off of the first Canadian artist to hit #1 in the USA.

Before they became world famous, they were another prairie band trying to get the bosses in Toronto to notice them.

I was at CJME and CKCK in Regina, and over one early 60’s summer, they spent the hot months playing at beach parties and small halls.

One after the other.

Then the hits started to roll, and I ended up going to London, UK, with them, to cover the story.

Except the story was a bust.

Poorly planned on the London end, they played a couple of tv shows and came home.

Then came These Eyes, American Woman and fame.

After the Guess Who split up, another set of musicians decided to take the name and run with it, for 13 years.

Legalities carried on for many years, but eventually Randy and Burrton Cummings..the two original guys, got the name back and that’s why the upcoming Guess Who Tour is called the ” taking it back tour.”

Taking it back tour dates

June 8 – Saddledome Calgary

June 10 – Rogers Place, Edmonton

Aug 23 PNE Freedom Mobile Arch

August 25 Memorial Arena Victoria

May 16th, 2026- Naramata Bench Pours Spring Wines

May 16, 2026 0:32:44

hello

Naramata Bench Pours Spring Wines in Vancouver. (Part One)

For almost 20 years the wineries of the Naramata Bench above Penticton have

showcased their Spring releases for the food and wine trade and general public in Vancouver.

The 2026 gathering was May 7 at the Vancouver Community College near Gastown.

16 Naramata Bench Wineries came to pour – they were…

Bench 1775 Winery, Black Widow Winery, Deep Roots Winery,

Four Shadows Vineyard & Winery, Hillside Winery, Howling Bluff Estate Winery,

Joie Farm Winery, Kettle Valley Winery, Little Engine Wines,

Modesta Winery, Moraine Estate Winery, Poplar Grove Winery,

Red Rooster Winery, Roche Wines, Terravista Vineyards,

Three Sisters Winery, Tightrope Winery, Township 7 Vineyard

Naramata Bench has a well-earned reputation within Canadian wine circles, from fellow growers and wine fans.

Laughing Stock just won Wine (2023 Syrah) and Winery of the Year at the annual Okanagan Spring Wine Festival in Kelowna.

The Bench collectively won close to 10 other awards.

This is part one of a two part feature on the Bench wineries I was able to sit down with and ask some questions.

Part One includes:

Kathy Malone – Hillside Estate

Cameron Laverock – Red Rooster

Wilbert Borren Four Shadows-

Penelope Roche – Roche Wines

Mark Morrison – Modesta Wines

Roche Winery

James Lancaster – Black Widow

Lyndsay O’Rourke – Tightrope Winery

fourshadowsvineyard.com

hillsidewinery.ca

Hillside Winery

Redroosterwinery.com

Tightropewinery.ca

Tightrope Winery entryway and sign

Rterroir.ca

Blackwidowwinery.com

modestawinery.ca

naramatabench.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Naramata Part Two

Clos du Soleil

Bartier Brothers

Quails Gate

Township 7

Little Engine

]

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

hello

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