April 9th, 2022 Leslie d’Andrea: OK Falls pours in Vancouver/The Wine Diva: Budget Bottles under $17

April 8, 2022 00:38:53

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Leslie d’Andrea: OK Falls pour in Vancouver-Wednesday/The Wine Diva: Budget Bottles 2022 (under $17)

THE SHOW

It was the first regular Spring Release notice that I’ve seen in a couple of years. Made my heart jump!

“The Heart of Wine Country Okanagan Falls/Skaha Lake Spring Release 2022.

Terminal City Club Wednesday, April 13 6:30-8:30 PM”

www.theheartofwinecountry.ca

So that it doesn’t go unnoticed in a busy week, I’ve invited back to TRR Leslie D’Andrea co-founder of Noble Ridge to go over the final details and a reminder of who’s pouring.

Terry. Leslie D’Andrea Benoit Gauthier. Noble Ridge

Nighthawk

Wild Goose

Liquidity

Stag’s Hollow

Black Market

Blasted Church

Bonamici Cellars

Crescent Hill

Mayhem

Meyer Family

Noble Ridge

Play Estate

FYI – On the day, I’ll be interviewing principals from all 13 wineries for several feature specials in
April. Considering the past two years of pandemic, this feels like a celebration. Come celebrate!!

Details and tickets at the website above.

Budget Bottles 2022 (under $17) Daenna van Mulligen/The Wine Diva

Daenna Van Mulligen

The Wine Diva doesn’t just specialize in Wine Lists, Daenna creates a master class in wine tasting!

All year long she tastes hundreds of bottles of wine and makes copious notes about each release.

Every wine on every list has tasting notes and inside info on the wine.

She has either visited many of the wineries/regions or knows the owners/winemakers.

Then come to the lists.

Top 50 over $20

Best Bubbles

Top 100 under $20

Here’s my favorite – Budget Bottles 2022 (under $17.00)

All tested and found to be delivering wines well beyond the pricing.

As always – if you go to www.winediva.ca – you can follow along on your phone or iPad or computer.

We can’t talk about them all but here’s a large list of what Daenna talked about. (We kept her original list numbers included to help you find them)

Your new favorite wine is in here..at just the right price. (Thank you Daenna)

Longshot Pinot Grigio, California $14.99
Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards ‘Runabout White’, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A
Jose Maria da Fonseca ‘Periquita’, Portugal $10.99
Oops ‘Bodacious Blonde’ Chardonnay, Central Valley Chile $15.99
Monte del Fra Bardolino DOC, Custoza, Verona Italy $16.99
Oops ‘Voluptuous Beauty’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Valley Chile $15.99
Sumac Ridge Estate Winery ‘Private Reserve’ Cabernet~Merlot, Okanagan Valley BC $14.99
Harper’s Trail ‘Field Blend White’, British Columbia N/A
Intrigue Wines ‘I Do’ Sparkling, Okanagan Valley BC $20.00
El Petit Bonhomme, Jumilla Spain $15.99
El Petit Bonhomme Blanco, Rueda Spain $15.99
Mayhem Wines Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley N/A
Hester Creek Pinot Blanc, Okanagan Valley BC $16.00
Scattered Earth Chenin Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa $14.99
Hester Creek Pinot Gris~Viognier, Okanagan Valley BC $17.00
Corcelettes Estate Winery ‘Sante’, British Columbia N/A
Chateau Dereszla Furmint, Tokaji, Hungary $16.99
Chateau Haut Bascla, Bordeaux, France $15.00
Parras Wines ‘Ruelas Reserva’, Lisboa, Portugal N/A
Boutinot Wines ‘Italia’ Sangiovese, Puglia, Italy $15.00
Conte Priuli Pinot Grigio Blush, Venezia, Italy $15.00
Villa Wolf Pinot Blanc, Pfalz Germany $16.00
The Second Act ‘Piquette’, Canada $14.99
Road 13 Honest John’s Rose, Okanagan Valley BC $18.00
Intrigue Wines ‘Semper, Sitiens Drought’ Rotberger, Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A
Journey’s End ‘Bees Knees’ Chenin Blanc~Viogner, Mount Rozier, Western Cape South Africa $15.00
The Grinder Pinotage, Western Cape South Africa $13.99
Spier ‘Signature Collection’ Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch South Africa $13.99
Nederburg ‘The Winemasters’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Western Cape South Africa $13.99
Spier ‘Signature’ Pinotage, Stellenbosch Western Cape, South Africa $16.00

www.winediva.ca

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Top Drop 2022
Van Wine Fest
OK Falls/Skaha Lake Spring Wine Pour
Top Foodies
Segment Sponsor Specials
Locals Only
Portugal Pour
Meet the Makers

April 2nd, 2022 -Okanagan Crush Pad. Christine Coletta & Darryl Brooker/ Modest Wines releases with Jeff Hundertmark

April 2, 2022 00:57:03

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Okanagan Crush Pad. Christine Coletta & Darryl Brooker/ Modest Wines releases with Jeff Hundertmark

THE SHOW

A press release arrived this week:

Seasoned veteran Darryl Brooker returns to the industry he is passionate about to lead dynamic growth plans set in motion by Okanagan Crush Pad founders Christine Coletta and Steve Lornie who view the appointment of Darryl Brooker as an important piece of their succession planning.

In addition to overseeing the senior management team, Brooker’s key focus will be facility expansions and to build out the founders’ vision for Garnet Valley Ranch, a 320-acre organic vineyard and farm.

The players

Christine Coletta: Co-founder of Okanagan Crush Pad.

A visionary leader not only in the Okanagan but the entire BC wine industry,

Christine Coletta

Christine and her husband Steve started a custom crush pad which included their own labels

Haywire, Narrative, The Bub, etc.

Their wine releases are now so successful, the labels are key to the future of OCP.

Darryl Brooker: New CEO of OCP

Darryl Brooker

Darryl Brooker is a graduate of UC Davis. Plus management& science education in Australia

Brooker also served in various capacities from vice president of winemaking to general manager and then president of Mission Hill from 2015 to March 2021. Darryl was also vice president of winemaking and operations at CedarCreek Estate Winery and senior winemaker at Andrew Peller Limited.

It’s great to have him back. With a little staining and wine spitting, he’ll be as good as new.

Enjoy the conversation. Lots of give and take. Opinions abound.

Audio here. Zoom video on our You Tube Channel. (terrydavidmulligan) Its funny at times.

Christine brought with her three really fine Spring releases:

2019 Haywire Gamay Rose. High elevation Gamay acidity. Seacrest Vineyards in Oliver.

80% concrete 20% stainless steel. Fermented dry..pressed to concrete.

On lees for 6 months – 13.5 % – $24.90.

Cellared an extra year this Rose has found its form. Not to be gulped…take your time. It’s well worth waiting for.

If you see it – buy it. Taste the future of BC wine.

2019 Free Form – VinGris. (unfiltered Pinot Noir) 12.6 %. Garnett Valley Ranch. Grown in Limestone and granite Texture, herbal notes. Whole bunch pressed. Compelling in the mouth. Causes you to really think about this wine. I think the word for this wine is “engaged”

Sipping is to believe. The label is made from stone paper. $29.00

If you can’t find it, there may be some at Cactus Club.

2020 Narrative 2 Pinots. 13%

From the North Okanagan, Pinot Gris. From the South, Pinot Blanc.

Bone dry. Rich Texture. From concrete eggs. Delightfully delicious

Seafood, pasta, chicken, soft cheese. Or by itself. $22.90

www.okanagancrushpad.com

www.haywirewinery.com

Jeff Hundertmark – Sommelier and Chief Winemaker Mt Boucherie, Rust Wine Co, Modest Wines.

Jeff Hundertmark

Jeff came to the Okanagan from Niagara several years ago. (That’s where we first met)

Back East Jeff was a well-known sommelier and restaurateur who was convinced to add winemaking to his knowledge.

He worked his way through various wine jobs from cellar rat to winemaker.

The more he tasted the wines of BC the more he knew he had to give the West a shot.

And here he is, once again working his way through cellars in the Okanagan.

However, he has found a home at Mt Boucherie. And Rust Wine Co and Modest Wines.

The family owners hold some 300 acres of prime land all over the valley. During bountiful years, the cellars are overrun with juice. Frankly, it’s a great problem to have.

However, Jeff is bringing with him today Spring releases from Modest Wines.

The idea of experimentation, risk-taking and paying homage to classic wine regions of the World came from the Modest Butcher Restaurant at the winery.

They wanted a fresh take on wines to pour with their distinctive menu.

Have a look:

2021 The Elder Vicar. Lazy River Vineyard. South Cawston. Similkameen Valley

A Noble blend of Riesling. Gew. Muscat. Pinot Gris (apples. peaches. apricots) $24.99

A number of you will go crazy for this blend. I think it’s you people over there..in the corner.

2021 La Graves Robber. 57% Sauvignon Blanc and 43% Semillon. Grown in OK Falls. This has a future.

Ah, my kind of blend. It has weight and texture. Grapefruit on the nose and palate. Spice. Ripe Melon. Herbs.

All are contained in stainless steel. $27.99

2021 Eye of the Partridge. Pinot Noir Rose. I’ll leave the color story to Jeff.

Grown in South Cawston. On skins for somewhere between 2 hours and 5 minutes or 8 hours. 5 minutes and 24 seconds.

Clean. Dry. Minerality. Raspberry. Strawberry. Did i mention Minerality. Herbs! It’s freaking Delicious!! $24.99

2021 Steen Down So Long – Chenin Blanc. Acidity. Fresh. Inspired by the wines of Cape Good Hope. South Africa.

Aged on lees in Acacia Puncheons for 90 days before blending. Just finished the bottle. Go find this wine. $27.99

2020 By Jove. Sangiovese. (with a touch of Merlot & Cab Franc)

Barreled aged 14 months. French, American, and Hungarian Oak.

Well done Ferreira Vineyards. Ripe black fruit. spice. cassis.

Love this wine. Love it. Paired with ribs and BBQ chicken. $29.99

Impressive finish. Seeking more immediately. You should too!

2020 Crimson Crusader – Carmenere from the Black Sage Bench.

Whole clustered. French Neutral Oak. 15% New. 14 months.

There may only be 2-3 Carms in the whole of Canada. This is one of them,.

Love your pepper? Spice ? Full expressive finish? This wine has it all.

$29.99 Buy early. Small batch,.

www.mtboucherie.com

www.modestbutcher.com

@modestbutcher

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Moon Curser

Hillside Winery

Unsworth Vineyards

JP Customs/The Hatch

BC Wine Month

Spring Releases

OK Falls Pour Spring Wines In Vancouver.

March 26th, 2022 – New look to Monte Creek & Remembering The Science of Wine

March 25, 2022 00:42:31

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New look to Monte Creek & Remembering The Science of Wine

THE SHOW

Galen Barnhardt Winemaker Monte Creek (Kamloops)

Galen Barnhardt

Monte Creek Winery is situated just outside Kamloops on a 1,200-acre property, with 75 acres of grapes planted in the Thompson Valley, plus 40 planted acres in the Similkameen Valley.

With a focus on sustainable and regenerative farming, the wines made at Monte Creek Winery are a celebration of the purpose and place.

📷: @MKuhnPhoto

Monte Creek Winery has been open to the public since June 2015. They practice organic farming methods at every opportunity, an important decision that has everything to do with the livestock they raise and their proximity to the river.

Monte Creek Winery is made up of 75 acres of vines planted at two estates vineyards, Monte Creek and Lion’s Head.

The new-look label series include –

Ancient Waters

The Ancient Waters series refers to the historical geological events that formed the land and prized soils. The first release under this new label is the 2019 Ancient Waters Chardonnay, Platinum at the 2021 WineAlign Awards, Double Gold at the 2021 All Canadian Wine Championships, and 90 Points from the 2021 Decanter World Wine Awards.

Monte Creek AWS_Chardonnay

Other wines to look out for in this series are Riesling, Rosé, and Pinot Noir.

Living Land

The 2020 Living Land Rosé and 2020 Living Land Sparkling Rosé are current examples from this series. The Rosé was awarded a Double Gold at the 2021 All Canadian Wine Championships and the Sparkling Rosé Gold at the 2021 BC Lieutenant Governor’s Awards. The Living Land series also features La Crescent, Chardonnay, Sparkling, Rosé, Piquette, Pinot Noir, Foch, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Merlot.

Monte Creek LLS_PinotNoir_Transparent

Pioneer series

The Pioneer series includes the popular Hands Up White and Hands Up Red blends.

Galen takes us through these new releases and more

2019 Ancient Waters Chardonnay ($24.99)Dec 7 2019)

Go for the oak. Stay for the long finish

2020 Living Land Pinot Noir ($24.99)

Herbs. Pepper. Rich ripe berries.

2020 Living Land Riesling ($21.99)

Lime & Green apple notes. Granny Smith in the mouth

www.montecreek.com

The Science of Wine – From the Archives (Dec 7, 2019)

It was such a great idea.

Mission Hill management asked their family of winemakers

to gather at Science World in Vancouver to discuss and debate The Science of Wine. Followed by a pour, of course!

It’s not near as glamorous as talking about nose or palate but for winemakers, it’s the core of what they do. Usually by themselves in a cold unglamorous room.

Getting the science of wine right can make an OK wine come alive and be a judgment winner.

It was a great night. A sold-out Science World with wine fans dressed to impress. Best of all, the night raised much-needed funds for the building.

Three of the winemakers are still with their wineries.

And we’ve invited them to repeat their thoughts.

Taylor Whelan – Cedar Creek (East Kelowna)

Phil McCann – Checkmate (Oliver)

Shane Munn – Martins Lane (East Kelowna)

Have a listen. I swear it will make your wines taste better.

Really enjoyed the dialogue between Taylor and Phil

Phil is the guy with the down-under accent.

www.checkmatewinery.com

www.cedarcreek.bc.ca

www.martinslanewinery.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Sponsorthon

-The Hatch

-Hillside

-MoonCurser

-Unsworth

Modest Wines

Mt Boucherie

March 19th, 2022 Mark Hopley WM Hester Creek/Elan Morris GM Okanagan Wine Festivals

March 19, 2022 00:40:58

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Mark Hopley WM Hester Creek/Elan Morris GM Okanagan Wine Festivals

THE SHOW

Every Spring is a like a gift. If you’re any kind of a wine fan, this Spring is going to be something special.

You can expect wineries all over BC to be proudly releasing their Spring wines.

For the wine fan, after two years of lockdown, we can’t wait to get out, visit the wineries, go to wine festivals and discover our next new wine.

With that in mind our two guests are primed and ready.

Mark Hopley Winemaker at Hester Creek (Golden Mile)

Elan Morris GM of The Okanagan Wine Festival Society (Kelowna)

Welcome to Tasting Room Radio – Spring 2022

Mark Hopley – Winemaker Hester Creek (Golden Mile)

Mark Hopley

Hester Creek Estates is celebrating its 54^th year of winemaking. One of the originals.

Winemaker Mark Hopley has been waiting almost 6 months to release many of his Spring releases. That takes us back to harvest last Fall and 6 months in tank, barrel and bottle. What a wonderful line-up.

Hester Creek

2021 Pinot Blanc – as predicted, it’s finding its place in our hearts and fridge. $17.99

2021 Pinot Gris – at the BC LDB, online, select grocery stores and private liquor stores, as well as in Alberta; $17.99 plus tax

2021 Pinot Gris Viognier – at Save-On-Foods; $19.99 plus tax

2021 Old Vine Trebbiano – at the Winery and online; $23.99 (Hello Joe)

The 2019 vintage of The Judge will be available this summer. We passionately discuss. $45.99 – 6 pack available.

Also some discussion about the fine red blend Garland.

Also of note, with most of the COVID-19 restrictions now lifted Hester Creek Estate is back to offering many of their guest experiences: Tasting Room is open daily for tours and tastings.

As well, the Terrafina Restaurant and Villa accommodations are available for bookings. And they have resumed their popular cooking classes at the winery.

www.hestercreek.com

Elan Morris – General Manager Okanagan Wine Festival Society

Elan Morris

Elan returns with welcome news of the 26th Spring Okanagan Wine Festival. May 5-15

70 events in 10 days.

Highlights include

Valley First Spring Wine Tastings – 130 wines from 35 wineries. (May 7)

From Cellars to Classics – classic wines and music (May 12)

Blush and Bubbles – A new event featuring a happy choice of Rose and Sparkling Wines. (May 15)

Elan brings lots of information and stories. Have a listen and make your plans before the tickets are gone, gone, gone!

www.thewinefestivals.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Top Drop 2022

Spring Releases

Monte Creek

Sponsor Fest

-Unsworth

-Hillside

-JPCustoms (Hatch)

-Moon Curser

March 12th,2022- Exec Director Harry Hertscheg on 43rd Van Wine Fest plus A visit with Winemakers Cut

March 11, 2022 00:46:46

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Exec Director Harry Hertscheg on 43^rd Van Wine Fest plus A visit with Winemakers Cut

THE SHOW

The last time VanWineFest gathered it was early March of 2020.

Days after they closed the doors, the World would be dealt a monumental blow by a global pandemic.

So, here we are two years later. Our lives have been changed in so many ways. Covid 19 has been controlled to such an extent that masks are optional and the 43^rd Van Wine Fest will be allowed to open their doors once again. May 16-22.

101 wineries from 14 countries. 41 of those wineries will be from British Columbia.

Happy to say 18 producers from Italy and 14 from the USA.

View the winery list here.

vanwinefest The Goods

. The festival has been named the #1 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event in Canada by New York’s BizBash for seven years running and was named the Best International Wine Festival – North America by LUX Life Magazine

The festival is headquartered at the Vancouver Convention Centre; in addition, restaurants and venues around the city will host winery dinners, lunches, seminars, and wine minglers. The sumptuous Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, presented by National Bank Private Banking 1859, and benefiting Bard on the Beach, will take place on Tuesday, May 17 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. The heart of the festival is the Tasting Room, where all 101 wineries will gather for four International Festival Tastings and two Trade Tastings.

Tickets for the International Festival Tastings are now on sale. Ticket prices range from $109-$129 all in. Festival-goers looking to enjoy a vacation or staycation in Vancouver over the Victoria Day long weekend can get a free Tasting Room ticket if they book a downtown hotel via StayVancouverHotels.com. The promotion is available until May 6, or while supplies last.

For more information about the Vancouver International Wine Festival go to VanWineFest.ca.

As always, when we need the complete story on all things Vancouver Wine Festival we find the Executive Director Harry Hertscheg.

Harry-Hertscheg-

Harry and I did this interview days before the line up was announced. It’s one big Tease.

@vanwinefest

#VIWF

VanWineFest.ca.

Michal Mosny. Co-founder /Winemaker at Winemakers Cut (Oliver)

michal-mosny-

Several years ago Jason Priestley and I were sitting in the back of a pick-up truck shooting Hollywood and Vines TV on our way to Nik’Mip Winery.

Watching in Slovakia were winemaker Michal Mosny and his wife Martina.

Michal and Martina Mosny – Winemakers Cut

They liked the vineyards going by and the varietals being grown.

Michal was a cool climate winemaker and he felt at home here.

They moved to the Okanagan, found a vineyard at Deadman Lake south of Oliver and the rest is history.

Now, you can find Winemakers Cut all over the West.

Michal’s been on the show before but I thought it was time to get caught up..

Talking about which of his wines are currently on our shelves and what’s coming this Spring.

Here is their current selection:

FIDELIA – Charmat sparkling Sauvignon Blanc

2020 Gruner Veltliner

2020 Muscat Canelli

New Bohemian Wines – released just at the end of 2021

2020 Bohemian Merlot

2020 Bohemian Cabernet Sauvignon

2020 Bohemian Cabernet Franc

2020 Bohemian Petit Verdot – wine club exclusive

2020 Bohemian Tempranillo – wine club exclusive

2020 Bohemian Riesling

Waiting to be released in April:

2021 Sauvignon Blanc

2021 Rose (100% Cabernet Franc)

2021 Gruner Veltliner

2021 Muscat Canelli

www.winemakerscut.ca

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Top Drop 2022

Okanagan Wine Festival

Hester Creek – New Spring Whites

Monte Creek – New releases and labels

March 5th, 2022 – 812 Wines. 20 Platinum. Here’s 5 of the very best 2021 BC Lt. Governors Winners.

March 4, 2022 00:59:38

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812 Wines. 20 Platinum. Here’s 5 of the very best 2021 BC Lt. Gov Winners.

THE SHOW

The press release said..

“A panel of judges from Canada and the US tasted more than 800 wines, and awarded gold, silver, and platinum medals to 90 British Columbian wineries”

I know most of these judges. They cannot be fooled or influenced. They take great pride in getting the winners right.

12 of the 14 judges have been guests on Tasting Room Radio. I pay attention to what they have to say.

On and off the air.

Congratulations to all the wineries and to Tim Pawsey – Winner of the Harry McWatters Award.

There simply wasn’t time to talk to all 20 Platinum winners but we were able to stalk and corner…

Wine of the Year winner David Patterson – GM & Winemaker of Tantalus 2018 Old Vines Riesling (East Kelowna)

David Patterson

Grant Stanley – Winemaker at Spearhead Winery. . (East Kelowna) 3 Platinum Pinot Noirs

Grant Stanley

Lorin Inglis – GM at ENRICO Winery (Cowichan Valley) 2020 Shining Armour Pinot Gris

TDM and Lorin Ingles

Jeff Hundertmark – Head Winemaker Mt Boucherie (West Kelowna) 2020 Original Vine Semillon/2018 Reserve Syrah

Jeff Hundertmark

Gaurev Maan – Maan Farms Estate Winery – 2020 Raspberry Table Wine (Frazer Valley)

The Mann Family

Elan Morris – GM OK Wine Festivals. (Kelowna)

Here is the complete 2021 Platinum List – Congratulations All.

Arrowleaf Cellars – 2019 Riesling
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery – 2019 Syrah
CedarCreek Estate Winery – 2020 Platinum Home Block Rosé
Chain Reaction Winery – 2019 Tailwind Pinot Gris
ENRICO WINERY – 2020 Shining Armour Pinot Gris
Inniskillin Okanagan Estate Winery – 2018 Estate Riesling Icewine
Kismet Estate Winery – 2018 Cabernet Franc Reserve
Liquidity Wines – 2020 Rosé
Maan Farms Estate Winery – 2020 Raspberry Table Wine
Mission Hill Family Estate – 2019 Terroir Collection Vista’s Edge Cabernet Franc
Mission Hill Family Estate – 2019 Perpetua
Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery – 2020 Original Vines Sémillon
Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery – 2018 Reserve Syrah
Silhouette Estate Winery – N/V Boyd Classic Cuveé
Silkscarf Winery – 2017 Syrah-Viognier
SpearHead Winery – 2019 Pinot Noir Saddle Block
SpearHead Winery – 2019 Pinot Noir Cuveé
SpearHead Winery – 2019 Pinot Noir Golden Retreat
Tantalus Vineyards – 2018 Chardonnay
Three Sisters Winery – 2019 Rebecca

The full list of medal winners can be found on the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society website.

Tantalus.ca

Enricowinery.com

Spearhead.ca

mtboucherie.com

maanfarms.com

thewinefestivals.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Checking out Festival Season

Harry Hertscheg – Exec Director Vancouver Wine Fest

Kurtis Kolt – Top Drop Vancouver

February 26th, 2022- 8 of the finest Proseccos in the World with Treve Ring, and the State of BC Restaurants.

February 25, 2022 00:49:46

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8 of the finest Proseccos in the World with Treve Ring and the state of BC Restaurants with Ian Tostenson and Kelly Gordon.

Hello… Hoping you are safe and well!

Loving this show.

The feature guests are Wine Judge and Writer Treve Ring pouring 8 Prosecco’s from the legendary Conegliano Valdobbiadene region of Italy and then a check in on the state of BC’s restaurants following two years of lockdown with Ian Tostenson BC Restaurant and Food Services Assn and Kelly Gordon Romer’s Restaurants.

THE SHOW

Treve Ring – Cru-Consultancy. Speaker, writer, judge, traveler, Sommelier. Self-confessed geek.

The amazing Treve Ring is a wine writer and editor, judge and speaker, and perpetual traveler. A certified sommelier, WSET diploma holder, French wine scholar, instructor, and Sherry instructor, she is based in Victoria, Vancouver Island, though is most often found on a plane or in a vineyard.

TD interviewing Treve Ring

Treve has been writing professionally since 2001. Her work is regularly seen in numerous publications including World of Fine Wine, Meininger’s Wine Business International, Wine & Spirits, Sommelier Magazine, Wine Enthusiast, WineAlign, The Alchemist, Quench Magazine, Vitis, Lonely Planet Travel, and others.

In addition to her role as Correspondent Anorak at WineAnorak, she is the executive editor and senior critic at Gismondi on Wine, and editor at large for SIP Northwest Magazine. She tastes thousands of wines each year, and is an established wine judge in Canada, the UK, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United States. In 2012, she co-founded Cru Consultancy, a boutique wine education, and consultation company. Though her travels take her all over the wine world, Treve has spent the last few years concentrating and researching sparkling wine globally, with a focus on Champagne.

This story began in Conegliano Valdobbiadene, a hilly area in North-East Italy, 50 km from Venice and around 100 from the Dolomites. Here, for over three centuries, people have grown the grapes that produce Prosecco Superiore, whose success began with the founding of Italy’s first School of Winemaking in 1876. The production area covers 15 communes and represents the heart of the world of Prosecco; it is one of Italy’s historic denominations, recognized in 1969. In 2009, with the reorganization of the denominations for Prosecco, the Ministry of Agriculture classified it as a Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin (D.O.C.G.), the highest level of quality for Italian wines.

Treve brings 8 Proseccos from Conegliano Valdobbiadene. The heart of Prosecco Superiore D.O C.G.

Below are the wines we tasted (with Treve’s guidance and storytelling). Surprisingly, few if any are represented in BC.

La Farra Rive di Farra di Soligo 2020 Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Brut
Conte Collalto Ponte Rosso NV Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Brut
Bellenda San Fermo 2021 Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut
Perlage Canah NV Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut
Valdellövo ZeroNove 2021 Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut
Bianca Vigna Rive di Collalto 2020 Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry
Cantina Bernardi Terra De Rù 2021 Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry
Riccardo NV Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Dry

www.cruconsultancy.com

@treve_ring

#ConeglianoValdobbiadene

Ian Tostenson – President and CEO of BC Restaurant and Food Services Assn

Kelly Gordon – President/Partner Extra Mile Services Assn and Romer’s Burger Bars

The 2-year lockdown and Covid Pandemic hit the restaurants of BC really hard. menus were shortened, take out became a great way to pay the bills and staff, online creative helped create new customers and everyone started eating local.

Kelly Gordon & Chef Jim Romer (Nick Procaylo -PNG)

So. Here are on the cusp of Spring 2022 at what feels like the start of a new normal.

I’ve invited two guests whose business is to read the future and guide their associations and restaurants.

From Ian and Kelly I wanted to know:

What’s the state of our restaurants in early 2022?

How did many of the restaurants survive the last two years?

The government’s role in supporting these businesses?

And what can we – the customer – do to help the remaining restaurants not only survive but thrive in the next two years.

www.BCRFA.com

www.romersburgerbar.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

What will Festival Season look like?
New Spring Releases
Monte Creek – Kamloops. Thompson
Checking out Mill Bay

February 19th, 2022 – Discovering outstanding wines at 2House & Gold Hill plus Little Engine on Naramata Bench

February 18, 2022 01:04:46

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Discovering outstanding wines at 2House & Gold Hill plus Little Engine on Naramata Bench

THE SHOW

In 2007, when Tasting Room Radio began in a barn studio on the Naramata Bench, I went looking for the most interesting people making the most interesting wines.

The very first of those guests were Val Tait and Ian Sutherland.

Valeria was consulting a number of wineries/vineyards and Ian was making wine as the founder of Poplar Grove. They took me to wine school every time we talked. They’ve become great friends.

Valli and Ian

Ian sold Poplar Grove but continued to consult. Val recently said goodbye as GM and Head Winemaker at Bench 1775.

Now, 15 years after first meeting them, they return to Tasting Room Radio as their own winery – 2House. Making singular wines but each with its own expression.

For example, they both make a Cab Franc. One in Val’s cool style and another with Ian’s passion.

Here’s the problem. They have yet to SHARE that Franc with me and frankly you as well. I hear it’s coming.

What they did send to taste and talk about were their collaborative efforts with –

2House 2018 Chardonnay (think Montrachet) WOW!

2House 2017 Tempranillo (one of the very best BC reds I’ve tasted.)

Good grief these are good wines.!

Val Tait is also consulting Gold Hill Wines for the Gill Family. That means she has access to the very best vineyards for the Gold Hill label and at the same time can grow the 2House label into the future.

This time we sample –

Gold Hill

2020 Cab Franc Rose

2020 Sauvignon Blanc

2014 Merlot – A 2014 Merlot is one of their releases. It’s huge.

Same with 2015 Cab Franc.

Trust me on this. When Val gets her hands and talent on those vineyards, in the years ahead the wines at Gold Hill will be keepers.

https://www.goldhillwinery.com/

Instagram: @2housewine

Steven French co-founder of Little Engine Wines (with wife Nicole)

Steven and Nicole met at the University of Western Ontario and upon graduation moved to Calgary where they spent twenty years, Nicole in education and real estate development and Steven in oil and gas.

Successful entrepreneurs with an inherent family motto of will and determination it was their desire to create that beckoned them to an industry steeped in creativity.

They purchased their first vineyard site in 2011 with the foresight of combining their love for both wine and the rich tradition and culture of winemaking into a brand that would deliver excellence without compromise, the Little Engine brand.

Their family motto: “Dreams don’t come true, dreams are made true.”

This two-part interview started when I saw a mention of a virtual tasting Little Engine was offering online.

I liked the idea because you could playback Stevens commentary – pause and make notes – then carry on.

Three small piccolo bottles showed up.

2018 Little Engine Chardonnay

2018 Little Engine Pinot Noir

2018 Merlot

I got Steven to turn off his front-end loader and get in touch. No easy task.

I had a bag full of questions about Little Engine and he answered all of them and more.

Because of the commitment by Nicole and Steven, Little Engine Wines are always going to be singular, outstanding, and better each year.

Thoroughly enjoyed this conversation with Steven. I hope it shows. Cheers!!

Congratulations to the winemaking team, led by Scott Robinson. Well Done!

www.littleenginewines.com

#littleenginewines

@littleenginewines

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

New Releases
Restaurant Updates
Festival Updates
A Prosecco Tasting and Seminar.

February 12th, 2022

February 10, 2022 00:53:21

hello

Barclay Robinson Winemaker Road 13 and Graham Pierce Winemaker & GM Kitsch

THE SHOW

Barclay Robinson Road 13 Golden Mile. (Also on video)

Barclay Robinson WM Road 13

Barclay’s been busy. A Calgary based Sommelier who began his wine education at Brock University. (Bsc)

Then came working classrooms at Foreign Affair, Ridgepoint, Vineland, Tawse and Henry of Pelham. All in Ontario.

Barclay now finds himself 2 years into a fine career as head winemaker at the iconic Road 13 on the Golden Mile.

I was interested in finding out his thoughts on Okanagan winemaking and the different elements and varietals he’s working with.

We end the two part conversation with a clever and fun Blind Tasting feature the team at Road 13 has created.

The titles alone should capture your attention – Love is Blind. Featuring Heavyweight Whites/Bold Reds

The Perfect Pair!

A Sea of Red

The Dynamic Duo

Road 13 Love is Blind

but First – we start straight into current releases.

A fabulous 2019 Viognier. Totally yummy. An Instant favourite! $26

A 2019 Jackpot Chardonnay – The iconic Castle Vineyard. Pear Everywhere.$52

A 2018 Syrah – 15.1%. Hot/smoky year. 30% new oak. A beauty blend of Black Sage, Golden Mile and Similkameen vineyards. $35

A 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon. 14.3%. Cawston area in Similkameen Valley. $33 Ripe black fruit and spices. Nice balance and barrel aging.$33

www.road13vineyards.com

Graham Pierce – Winemaker and GM at Kitsch Wines. (also on video)

Graham Pierce

If you’re a fan of BC Wines then you certainly have heard about or enjoyed the wines that Graham has created.

Summerhill, Mount Boucherie, Black Hills, Time Family Wines and now Kitsch Wines in East Kelowna.

Graham proudly walks us through his first vintage of wines at Kitsch. Each wine tastes like a celebration.

Kitsch 2020 5Barrel PinotNoir

Cellar Door pricing..

2020 – Riesling $26 Pair: Curry, Thai anything,

2020 -Esther’s Block Riesling $32. Both from Family Estate. Esther’s has neutral French Oak 4 months. Veggies. Tacos

2020 – Pinot Noir $43 a blend of earth and fruit. Duck. Caprese Salad

2020 – 5 Barrel Pinot Noir. Both a blend of Clones 115 and 777. $69 (releasing later this Spring. FYI 2019 available as well) Berries, spice, fennel! Memorable!! Crab. Blue Cheese, Parma Pasta.

Kitsch 2020 Esthers Block Riesling

www.kitschwines.ca

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

2022 Van Wine fest

Top Drop 2022

New Releases from EVERYBODY

February 5th, 2022- The Hatch becomes Jason Parkes Customs/Emily Walker Wine List/New Emandare pours

February 4, 2022 00:59:38

hello

The Hatch becomes Jason Parkes Customs/Emily Walker Wine List/New Emandare pours

THE SHOW

Jason Parkes is….

A former member of a punk band whose van broke down and he needed money to fix it – so he made wine.
the hub of an ever-expanding wheel.
The dark star at the center of a distant universe
Lead singer of the house band Proper Man
Founder, winemaker, visionary winery owner who surrounds himself with like-minded thinkers and doers.

Actually, his greatest talent is being a husband and father. From that family base comes his strength to start The Hatch, then create, build, open, or buy Hatching Post Brewery, Crown and Thieves, Black Swift Vineyards, Screaming Frenzy, Truck 59 CiderHouse, Smoke Show by JPC, Gobsmacked, and Jason Parkes Customs.

Team JPC

JPCustoms will become the new name of the overall company.

That’s why it was time to slow the man down long enough to talk things through and get a sense of what the road ahead looks like.

There are very few BC wineries expanding at this rate. Not just creating new wines and new destinations but whole new concepts in how to reach people, how to entertain them, and at times speak an entirely different language. Best of all, the wines are as memorable as the man.

“do you feel lucky? Well do ya, punk?”

“Dirty” Harry Callahan

www.jpcfanclub.com

https://www.facebook.com/jasonparkescustoms/

Emily Walker – Wine Director Naramata Inn

(a video of Emily’s interview and her wines can be found below)

Emily Walker – working it

Imagine you’re Emily Walker and you are the Wine Director of the historic Naramata Inn in the village of Naramata.

The Inn is surrounded by 100’s of wineries. As far as the eye can see.

Naramata Heritage Inn

Every one of those wineries would like to be on Emily’s wine list but only a select few are chosen.

It’s those choices I wanted to know more about. Many of the wines she chooses are small lots. Perhaps as few as 25 cases.

But in between those hard-to-find wines, you’ll find gems that we can all search for. They’re all worth the chase.

Emily Walker is up to the task. Running wine programs at The Four Seasons Vancouver, the group Sommelier at all Tap and Barrels, and the opening of the Fairmont Pacific Rim in time for the Winter Olympics. Emily Walker brings all that big room experience into a dining room built-in 1907. You are going to love the experience.

I asked Emily to choose a handful of wines to tell us about.

Lightning Rock – 2021 Rose Pet-Nat $29 (Summerland)

No sugar. No yeast. Whole cluster & double pressed. One night on skins. Fermented in concrete tanks. Cloudy. Lower alcohol. Yummy!

www.lightningrockwinery.com

2020 Lightning Rock Rose Pet-Nat

CoolShanagh 2018 Chardonnay (Naramata Bench)

Pedro Parra, renowned soil expert proclaimed their soil conditions Top 15% in the World. Matured in a combination of new oak, concrete, and stainless steel… Notes of nutmeg and caramel. Mighty texture and finish. Award-winning chardonnay!!

www.coolshanagh.ca

Scout Vineyards Syrah $39 (Similkameen)

Made in Georgian Clay Vessels. Neutral oak. Unfined and unfiltered. A very different wine. Unpolished. Layered and textured.

And gorgeous. Special Syrah from a very special spot.

Nichol Vineyards St Laurent. A medium-dark red. The oldest St Laurent in Canada. Ripe blueberry and cassis on the nose. Tannins, acidity, and pepper in the mouth. Unfined & unfiltered. Cellared in Neutral French Barrique.

www.nicholvineyard.com

Fox and Archer Pinot Noir Around $29 (Naramata Bench)

The home of Diane Fox and Tyson Archer.. They make three Pinot Noirs on one of the highest vineyards on Naramata Bench.

Emily brought The Creekside. Grown in a dry creek bed. They also make a Malbec.

Small batch winemaking. Clones 828 and Pommard 91. Aged for 10 months in 25% new oak, 25% Neutral oak, and 50% stainless steel.

A wine to be proud of.

www.foxandarcherwines.com

Mike Nierychlo Co-founder (with wife Robin) and winemaker of Emandare Wine (Cowichan Valley)

Team Emandare

It was raining ugly when Mike showed up for a quick pour.

I turned on the recorder and Mike took it from there.

He was pouring his new releases from Emandare.

2020 Alice $40 Traditional Method Rose made from 100% Cowichan Pinot Noir. Named after Robin and Mike’s 2^nd daughter.

20ALICE

Strawberry, peach, and citrus scents and flavors abound. It is a great pour but very little was made. If you see it – buy it.

A big congratulations to everyone involved. Especially the label artists.

2020 Estate Pinot Noir – Mike and Robin’s original vines. Some 20 years in the ground now. They present a juicy, cherry, and cranberry-driven experience. Also, a texture that surprises. These are very happy vines.

2020 Estate Marechal-Cabernet Foch. $35 Flavours of ripe blackberries and black current. Cracked pepper delights.

2021 (From the Valley) – Farm Fresh Foch. $25 85% M. Foch and 15% Pinot Noir. It’s Mike’s Beaujolais.

Or because it’s from the Cowichan Valley it’s perhaps Cowjolais. It’s very drinkable. Restaurants are going to love this as a house pour.

Mike explains “from the valley”. It’s a neighborhood thing.

www.emandarevineyard.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Checking in with

Hillside

Unsworth

Jason Parkes Customs

Moon Curser

Graham Pierce Kitsch Wines

Emily Walker – Naramata Inn

Barclay Robinson – Road 13

(heavyweight whites and love is blind)

Hester Creek

Gold Hill

and more..