February 16th, 2019 – The Stars of the Vancouver Wine Festival

February 14, 2019 00:52:27

hello

We have four stories for you. A primer of the next VanWineFest, also advance notice on the 3^rd BC Cider festival and a check in on the wildly popular Oyama Sausage at Granville Market. Joanne Sasvari editor of Vitis will pair wines with Oyama’s legendary offerings.

And we finish with Bob Blue, Winemaker at Bonterra plus winemaker of a Bourbon aged Zin called 1000 stories. He’s one of the stars at this year’s Wine Festival.

The SHOW

Harry Hertscheg – (Executive Director of 41st Vancouver International Wine Festival)

Harry Hertscheg VanWineFest

Vancouver International Wine Festival has been described as “the largest wine festival in the Americas” with 25,000+ admissions. It is Canada’s premier wine show and widely considered to be one of the best wine events in the world. At age 41, it is also among the oldest. Its slogan is “The Wine World is Here”. For the past six years, VIWF has been voted the #1 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event in Canada by New York’s BizBash.

This is Harry’s second visit in row. It’s because he can now talk about The Stars who will be appearing and pouring.
From Gina Gallo and Jean- Charles Boisset to Joel Peterson (Ravenswood) Genevieve Janssens (Winemaker Mondavi) Randy Ullom (Kendall Jackson) Christine Coletta(Haywire) John Skinner (Painted Rock), the first pouring on Aquilini Red Mountain Wines and many more.
Harry has the goods.

By-The-Numbers

41st annual (founded 1979)

8 days, Feb 23-Mar 3 (Bacchanalia Gala, Feb 23)

25,000+ admissions

16 countries

160 wineries; including 53 from featured region California

54 events (20 are California events)

1,500 wines projected, including an estimated:

42,000 bottles poured and/or purchased.

https://vanwinefest.ca

Shawn Pisio – (Organizer/Co-Founder of BC Cider Week)

Shawn Pisio

When he’s not organizing BC Cider Week, Shawn and his team run TXOTX – (pronounced Choech) which is Basque for “to drink cider from a barrel”

One of the highlights of 2018 was attending, tasting and doing interviews at The Pipe Shop, foot of Lonsdale in North Vancouver.

It’s one of the few shipbuilding rooms still standing.

30 plus cider makers all pouring their very best. So many stories and tales.

Cider has just exploded in popularity. One of the people responsible is Shawn Pisio (and Rich Massey) who has a passion for cider than knows no bounds.

So, just like the VanWineFest, the BC Cider Week is fast approaching from April 26^th to May 5. The last day, May 5^th, is the third gathering of cider makers at The Pipe Shop

300 Vancouver early bird tickets sold out in 45 minutes.

Shawn is here to tell you all about it.

http://bcciderfest.ca/

Jerome Dudicourt (Manager of Oyama Sausage. Granville Market\

jerome dudicourt – oyama

Joanne Sasvari (Editor of Vitis and Vancouver Eats cookbook)

Most line-ups are a pain but at Oyama you need the wait time to check out every square inch of food displayed in the coolers..glorious cheeses, amazing sausages, pate to-die-for, smoked wild Boar, Porcini Mushroom pate, Toulouse Sausages, sweet ham, game everywhere. The signage is fun and informative.

Our first guest is Jerome Dudicourt, the manager & trained chef who speaks of his store like it’s priceless, which it is.

And then Joanne Sasvari the editor of Vitis comes into the picture with her wine choices to go with Jerome’s specials.

Joanne Sasvari, Nuvo magazine

From Vancouver Island to the Okanagan Valley, B.C. wine is rapidly gaining global attention for its quality, diversity and innovation.

Vitis aims to capture the excitement by telling the stories of wineries and the passionate people that own and operate them, as well as offering accessible insights into the finer points of wine and current trends.

Keep a notepad handy..there’s something here for everyone.

http://oyamasausage.ca

https://vitis.ca/

Bob Blue – Founding Winemaker at Bonterra and 1000 Stories

Bob Blue. Bonterra – 1000 StoriesIconic winemaker Bob Blue on the phone from Mendocino. Bob is showcasing his most recent project – 1000 Stories Bourbon Barrel-aged Zinfandel

A graduate from UC-Davis, Bob is considered a pioneer in the organic wine arena and is the founding winemaker for Bonterra, America’s #1 Organic wine. Bob was mentored by Paul Dolan and Dennis Martin and traveled to Bordeaux, Burgundy, Australia and the Rhone to broaden his sense of style. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Drinks Business Green Awards in 2014, recognizing him for his 25-year commitment to the highest standards of organic viticulture.

Bonterra

Bonterra

1000 stories opens with vanilla and cherries, hints of barnyard. A sweet attack followed quickly by pepper, cooking spices, vanilla? AND Twizzler. (Liquorice)

By the time you taste that first mouthful you are engaged. Welcome back to BC Bob!! http://www.1000storieswines.com/

The second half of the interview is all about Organic wines..their growth and rise in popularity.

Because Bob has been an industry leader in organic wines for almost 30 years he’s the guy to talk to about how organic wines won all of us over.

Winery of the Year in 2014 from Wine Enthusiast.

http://www.bonterra.com/

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Van Wine Fest

The Californians, the Canadians

A Gaggle of Sommeliers

OK Falls pours

Unplugged and Uncorked

February 9th, 2019 -The debut of Aquilini Red Mountain Wines

February 8, 2019 00:52:27

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The debut of Aquilini Red Mountain Wines.

THE SHOW

We start with Harry Hertscheg Executive Director of the 41^st Vancouver International Wine Festival.

Harry Hertscheg

Harry brings the first of two updates on this years event. (Feb 23- March 3)

https://vanwinefest.ca/

Barry Olivier – President/Brands Aquilini Wines

Barry Olivier – Aquilini

Backbreaking days laying bricks and hauling mortar up rickety scaffolds; young Luigi Aquilini knew he had to find a better means of supporting his family. In 1957, Luigi left his hometown of Brescia, Italy and travelled to North America seeking a new life.

Through strong relationships, saving his wages, and a legendary work ethic, the bricklayer struggled up the ladder – wooden and corporate – doing whatever it took to provide for his wife and three young sons. As his children came of age Luigi brought Francesco, Roberto, and Paolo into his now-thriving construction company.

For three decades they grew the business as a family; diversifying from building skyscrapers, to farming blueberries, to purchasing NHL Hockey Team, the Vancouver Canucks in 2006.

Francesco and Luigi

For these four entrepreneurs, fine wine was a lifelong passion and a natural unity of the pillars on which they’d built their empire: construction, farming, and entertainment

Francesco Aquilini sought out Barry Olivier, a fine wine importer notorious for scouting up-and-coming producers.

Francesco and his brothers had trusted Olivier to build their own cellars for years, and now they recruited him for the ultimate task: create the World’s Next Great Wine.

The opportunity suddenly emerged in November 2013 with the most high-stakes land auction in Washington Wine History.

670 acres of completely unplanted former Government Land on Red Mountain was on the block, and competition was fierce.

Over 40 wineries from across America came to Washington looking for a piece of the Mountain.

Though this was the last virgin acreage on Red Mountain, to acquire and develop that much vineyard all at once was risky.

Luigi and his sons made the call. The Aquilinis outbid the room for the entire 670 acres.

In just 24 hours, the family had become the largest landowner in the AVA.

An overnight turn that left the Pacific Northwest wine community wondering “Who is Aquilini”?

Philippe Melka joined as Consulting Winemaker. Heralded as one of the most influential wine consultants in the world. Bordeaux-born, Melka apprenticed at Chateau Haut-Brion and Chateau Petrus, then crossed the Atlantic to electrify the Napa Valley, working with icons like Quintessa, Bryant, Fairchild and Hundred Acre.

Philippe Melka – Winemaker

Aquilini Wines are headed to the Vancouver Wine Festival to introduce themselves to Canada.

They’ll be pouring

Aquilini Horse Heaven Hills Syrah Rose 2017

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

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

Here’s a first taste with Barry Olivier.

www.aquiliniredmountain.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Vancouver Wine Festival

The Californians

BC showcases at Wine fest

BC Sommeliers speak out

Okanagan Falls wineries pour new releases

Unplugged/Uncorked

February 2nd, 2019 – Super Bowl Weekend!

February 1, 2019 00:50:48

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THE SHOW

It’s Super Bowl Weekend!

Jay Onrait and Dan O’Toole from Sports Centre at TSN are paying their annual visit to The Tasting Room.

They began as a humble sports pairing at TSN and we heard from them 7 years ago before yet another Super Bowl.

Then they headed for Fox Sports One in LA only to be shown the door several years later but not before guesting on yet another Super Bowl Tasting Room Radio.

There are some saying that it was their appearance on TRR that hastened their exit. Not True.

It was Jan and Dan’s appearance on Hollywood&Vines TV with Jason Priestley and myself that did them in.

Upon returning to TSN, we were told by their “people” that J&D would never again guest on Tasting Room or H&V.

Several weeks ago I reached out to Onrait and O’Toole in the hopes they would relent.

They didn’t exactly relent but they simply forgot ever having been on either show. So we’re good.

Jay and Dan will take us through:

The Game

The Food

The Swill

The Odds

Their Podcast

The Jannies

Jay and Dan Direct.

I was going to ask them for some of their favorite music tracks but when Dan said “Play Dean Martin” I shut that down Right Away.

https://www.tsn.ca/jay-and-dan/podcast

Mira Tusz and Daniel Dragert– Co-owners/Winemakers at Kutatas (Salt Spring Island)

This is the first in a series of features on new wineries around the Province that we think you may want to know about.

(working title The Chase)

Mira and Dan realized a dream when they recently bought Mistaken Identity Vineyards on Salt Spring Island.

Mira and Dan

Dan had been the winemaker at Averill Creek in the Cowichan Valley and Mira had been working in the vineyards at Unsworth, also in the Cowichan.

I discovered their wines at last year’s Locals Only event that Rich Massey throws at Edible Canada, Granville Island.

The wines were outstanding.

I mumbled something like “who ARE these guys and how did they pull this off”?

Currently, a majority of their small production comes from 3 acres of Pinot Noir and Ortega in Deep Cove/North Saanich, on Vancouver Island. These blocks are managed sustainably.

Most of the vineyard is dry farmed to limit yields, restrict berry size and express terroir. They personally hand tend the vineyard to ensure they achieve the highest possible quality.

Now they have their own vineyard and we’re the lucky ones who’ll be tasting their wines in years to come.

Mira and Dan are redesigning their new Tasting Room … so we huddled in the cellar and tasted the whites and reds.

Pinot Noir Rose

Ortega

Pinot Gris

Plus 2 different Pinot Noirs (Clone #114)

(whole cluster and de-stemmed)

Also, a Bubble program is in the works.

Keep an eye and nose on Kutatas (Koo Tah Tash)

They hope to be open on Valentine’s Day Feb 14^th

https://www.masseywines.com/kutatas-wines/

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

The Californians

Vancouver Wine festival

OK Falls pours in Vancouver

Aquilini. Red Mountain Wines

January 26th, 2019 -Victoria Whisky Festival and Awards

January 25, 2019 01:00:41

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2019 Victoria Whisky Festival and Awards – Year 14

“This year’s Victoria Whisky Festival occurred just as Canadian officials were conducting prohibition-style raids, confiscating whisky bottles in bars in Vancouver and Victoria.

Beyond this, however, the festival features top-level whiskeys and master classes, and serves as a focal point for the latest revival of Canadian whiskies from large and smaller independent operations alike now gaining momentum.”

Forbes Magazine ( 10 Whisky Festivals that you have to go to if you love whisky)

This special is another journey of discovery for me.

Growing up I had no idea that whisky even existed and now I’m trying to discover what makes whisky such a favorite to millions of people worldwide.

It helps that there are no dog whiskeys in Victoria. Quite simply they showcase some of the very best whiskeys ever made.

Canada is right in the middle of the whisky boom. They have retaken their place in the whisky world after years of so-so releases.

A number of our guests are directly responsible for bringing back Canadian Whisky to World-class levels.

My thanks to Heather Leary for her support with this project.

: Tish Harcus

: Iain Hooey

: Dr Don Livermore

: John Hall

: Allisa Henley

Our pal Corey Wood recorded all of the interviews and bottle shots As seen below:

Iain Hooey

Iain Hooey is a founder and organizer of the Victoria Whisky Festival.

Davin de Kergommeaux

Davin is Chairman of the Judges for the Canadian Whisky Awards and author of Canadian Whisky: The New Portable Expert. A certified Malt Maniac he has been writing and talking about whisky for over two decades.

Don Livermore

J.P. Wiser’s Master Blender Don Livermore has an MS and Ph.D in Brewing and Distilling from Edinburgh’s Heriot Watt University. Don’s whiskies received numerous medals at the Canadian Whisky Awards and J.P. Wiser’s was awarded Distillery of the Year

John Hall

Master Distiller John Hall founded Forty Creek Distillery, pioneered Canadian Whisky’s return to prominence in the United States and Canada. Hall was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Canadian Whisky Awards in 2015.

Tish Harcus

Tish Harcus is brand ambassador for Canadian Club, marking 30 years of bringing this whisky to the world. Canadian Club was a finalist for Canadian Whisky of the Year – their 41-year-old received the award for best Connoisseur Whisky Domestic at Canadian Whisky Awards. They also took home several medals.

Allisa Henley Distiller – Sazerac Tennessee

Sazerac owns Buffalo Trace and Barton 1792 in Kentucky

Just a few years ago Henley was employed as distiller at the George Dickel Distillery in Tullahoma, Tennessee, a facility still capable of making more than two million proof gallons of whiskey each year.

But in 2015, Allisa accepted a position at a new distillery in northeastern Tennessee, built to make Popcorn Sutton’s whiskey.

There, Henley and partner John Lunn made distillate according to a recipe developed by legendary moonshiner Popcorn Sutton, essentially a bourbon mash bill (corn, rye, malt) augmented with sugar.

No name yet for this new label but expectations are high.

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Vancouver Wine Festival
Kutastas Vineyards – Salt Spring Island
Aquilini Wines – Red Mountain, Washington
The Californians

Winter Whites!-Tasting Room Radio-January 19th 2019

January 18, 2019 00:53:53

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Winter White Wines – If they exist, what are they?

THE SHOW

It was a comment about a year ago. Almost blew by me. A winemaker used the phrase “I’m making Winter Whites”.

I’m sorry – what?

“A Winter White – what is that?

Well, it’s a white wine that has enough texture and mouth feel to pair with Winter roasts, stews, soups, root vegetables etc.

OK..what whites have that ability?”

That’s where the whole idea got started. This hour is dedicated to focusing in on white wines than can carry their weight through the Winter.

I sought out winemakers and wine experts who could explain Winter Whites and then recommend wines we could get our hands on.

Our guests include:

Chris Rielly – Head Sommelier at (David Hawksworth’s) Nightingale Restaurant in Vancouver

https://hawknightingale.com/

Nightingale Restaurant

Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson – Drinks Editor Winnipeg Free Press https://www.winealign.com/profile/43820-Ben-MacPhee-Sigurdson

Kurtis Kolt – Georgia Straight Wine Writer http://www.kurtiskolt.com/

Rhys Pender – Master of Wine https://www.mastersofwine.org/en/meet-the-masters/profile/index.cfm/id/dfb8a043-5e4b-e211-a20600155d6d822c

Michaela Morris – Wine writer and judge https://michaelamorris.ca/

Jason Parkes – Winemaker The Hatch https://thehatchwines.com/

Jason Parkes – Winemaker The Hatch

Valeria Tait – GM and Winemaker at Bench 1775 https://www.bench1775.com/

Val Tait

Kathy Malone – Winemaker at Hillside https://www.hillsidewinery.ca/

Kathy Malone

If you join us for the hour you will indeed find out that Winter Whites do exist and we’ll tell you which wines to look for.

Here’s Chris Rielly’s List

Chris Rielly Head Sommelier at Nightingale

2016 Clos du Soleil Capella Sauvignon Blanc/Semillion Similkameen Valley

2013 Haywire Vintage Bubb Okanagan Valley

2016 Gustave Lorentz Pinot Gris Alsace France

2016 Pietradolce Carricante Etna Bianco Sicily Italy

2017 Yalumba “Y” Series Viognier South Australia Aus

Here’s Ben’s List:

Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson

d’Arenberg The Hermit Crab Viognier Marsanne (McLaren Vale, Australia)

$23 Everything Wine

Guigal 2016 Cotes du Rhone white (Cotes du Rhone, France)

$29 Everything Wine

60% Viognier, 15% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne, 8 % Clairette, 5% Bourboulenc, 2% Grenache blanc.

Torres 2017 Esmerelda (Catalunya, Spain)

$16.99 BCLDB

Moscatel and Gewurztraminer, spice and stone/tropical fruit with a hint of sweetness.

Testalonga Baby Bandito “Keep on Punching” Chenin Blanc (Swartland, South Africa)

The Winemakers have lots of suggestions. FYI – One name that pops up three times is Ava from Le Vieux Pin.

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

New small wineries to watch.

Van Wine Festival

The Californians

Aquilini Family . Red Mountain wines.

Victoria Whisky Festival

Kutatas- Salt Spring Island

January 12th, 2019- The Four F’s!

January 12, 2019 01:00:02

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Year Seven of The Four F’s

(Food. Fishing. Fluids and Friends)

As all good things sometimes do..it started with a “what if”.

What if I put together some of my food and wine friends who loved fishing – and we all went fishing together but we also brought along wines we wanted to share and food we wanted to cook?

John, Mark, Terry and Rhys

Except for several years when one of them was just too damn busy, the friends line up has been pretty much the same.

Here are some links on “the friends”

Basically, these are gents and artists you would love to hang with.

Chef Mark Filatow Waterfront Bistro (Kelowna) https://waterfrontrestaurant.ca

John Weber – Orofino Wines (Similkameen) https://www.orofinovineyards.com/about-2/

Rhys Pender – Little Farm Wines (Similkameen) and Master of Wine. http://littlefarmwinery.ca/

John Weber, Mark Filatow, Rhys Pender

The really interesting thing with this group is that at times the fishing is EVERYTHING.

Then the Wines become EVERYTHING.

Then the food becomes EVERYTHING.

We dive into all three with a shared passion that seems to know no bounds.

For example –

Fishing – Except for this year we have always fly fished in the interior of BC. Skitchine Lodge, Cathedral Lakes, 7 Half Diamond Ranch , Tunkwa Lake.

This year we head for Campbell River on Vancouver Island and some Salmon Fishing.

Gowlland-Harbour-Resort-Outdoor-Patio

Our home base was the gorgeous Gowlland Harbour Resort on the jewel known as Quadra Island, just off downtown Campbell River.

And most importantly, our guide was one of the very best Mark Stewart from East West Charters in Campbell River.

http://eastwestcharters.com/

TDM & Mark Stewart

So, here’s Mark with a boat build for four..now holding 5. As the rods went off..all four reaching for the now bouncing rod.

Surprisingly, it all went very well thanks to Mark Stewart and his 28 years of experience. We caught and released lots of wild coho..kept one hatchery coho.

John caught a Spring and everyone caught sockeye and pinks.

We were chased by dolphins who surfed in the wake of the boat as we cut through the water. Exhilarating!

We tasted Moscato d ‘Asti for breakfast..memorable.

Wines – We each like to bring wines that we think the group would find interesting.

A grand total of 22-25, depending on who you talk to.

Wines from Croatia that Mark brought back from his summer trip there.

I brought a Viognier from France

John from Italy and Orofino.

Rhys from EVERYWHERE. Palo Portado for one

A Spectacular Education.

Chef Mark Filatow

Food – Chef Mark has always traditionally brought to these trips his gift of making something truly special from an assorted bag of goodies.

We know there will always be two Tomahawk Chops from Two River Meats in North Vancouver.

Tomahawk Chop

He’s usually chosen to cook these on an open campfire but this year we had the luxury of a BBQ. (In the Dark)

The rest of the meal started with a charcuterie board that was outstanding It truly challenged the wines..

Including N’Duja made from #cheamviewranch pork from @tworiversmeats and @medleyorganics espelettes

Salad..exploded on the plates. Lobster mushrooms with toasted corn gnocchi and glazed delicata squash.

I dream about these meals..before and long after.

Let me finish by thanking those who helped make this wonderful trip happen.

The guys for one. They all are busy.

John and Rhys were just starting their vineyard harvest. Mark Filatow may be the busiest chef in the Okanagan.

A minor miracle that they freed up.

Thanks go out to Mark and Anita Stewart. A formidable Team – Son and Mother.

The staff at Tourism VI for the assist and support. https://www.tourismvi.ca/

The staff at Gowlland Harbour Resort/Quadra Island https://twitter.com/GowllandHarbour

Shawna Gardham for support and encouragement right from the start.

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

New wineries to watch for.

Kutatas – Salt Spring Island

Frank Gigliotti changes the name of the game

Vancouver Wine Festival: Hello California!!

The Aquilini Wines from Red Mountain

BC Spring Releases

December 29th, 2018 – The Wine Diva Brings The Lists

December 28, 2018 0:51:22

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The Wine Diva Brings The Lists

VanWineFest & Randy Ullom: Kendall Jackson (Sonoma)

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THE SHOW

Daenna van Mulligen is The Wine Diva.

Daenna tastes over 2000 wines throughout the year and reviews many of them for her website and various publications.

All of the wines we’ll talk about on this episode can be found tasted and rated at www.winediva.ca and www.winescores.ca There are many more to be found there.

(For your convenience we’ve added the wines we talked about below, as well)

Daenna loves her lists. As long as I’ve know her she’s been making sensational wine lists.

Daenna Van MulligenFor this week’s show she’s ready to talk about

Top 100 (under $20)
Top 50 (Over $20)
Bubbles

Top 100 ($20 and under)

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery Gewurztraminer, British Columbia
Harper’s Trail ‘Thadd Springs Vineyard’ Rose, British Columbia
Santa Carolina ‘Carolina’ Reserva Pinot Noir, Calsablanca Valley, Chile
Township 7 Vineyards & Winery Muscat ‘Rock Pocket Vineyard’, Okanagan Valley BC
Masi Passo Doble, Tupungato Argentina

Top 50 (Over $20 & 91 pts)

Rust Wine Co. Syrah, Okanagan Valley, BC
Vanessa Vineyard Meritage, Similkameen Valley BC
Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California
Tantalus Vineyards Old Vines Riesling, Okanagan Valley BC
Bartier Bros. Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley BC

Bubbles (From The Queen of The Bubbles)

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars Blanc de Blancs, Okanagan Valley $40
Meyer Family Vineyards Method Traditionnelle Extra Brut, Okanagan Valley $40
Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards ‘Fitz’ Brut, Okanagan Valley BC $33
Chandon Rose Brut, California $32.99
Vaporetto Brut Prosecco DOC, Veneto Italy $18.99
Bride Valley Vineyard Brut Reserve, Dorset, UK $47.00

www.winediva.ca

www.winescores.ca

Harry Hertscheg – (Executive Director 41st Vancouver International Wine Festival)

Harry Hertscheg

Its slogan is “The Wine World is Here”. For the past six years, VIWF has been voted the #1 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event in Canada by New York’s BizBash.

41st annual (founded 1979)

8 days, Feb 23-Mar 3 (Bacchanalia Gala, Feb 23)

25,000+ admissions

16 countries

160 wineries; including 53 from featured region California

54 events (20 are California events)

1,500 wines projected, including an estimated:

42,000 bottles poured and/or purchased.

vanwinefest The Goods

Harry Hertscheg is the perfect guy to guest here as he loves his VanWineFest numbers plus he’s been on TRR many times and we seem to have developed a “shorthand” in getting through all the information the festival contains.

Most importantly, California is the featured wine region this year. After all the fires, droughts then floods they could use all the love we have to offer.

They were the first ever featured region via Robert Mondavi Wines and Vancouver is the closest international market to California.

Remember, one of the ways we can help them recover from the disasters is to buy their wines and send our support. California is the single most popular wine region in BC. Now is when they need us most.

But first, you have to have a ticket to get in. Harry has some ideas for you. How to get in and how to work the room.

https://vanwinefest.ca

Kendall-Jackson/Winemaker Randy Ullom

Randy Ullom Kendall-Jackson

“I look at all of the vineyards we own, and all of the individual lots of wines that we make, and the thousands of barrels we have sitting in our cellar and sometimes I think, you gotta be kidding me! After I’ve sufficiently recovered from my daily panic attack, I take off my coat, dig in my heels and take it one barrel at a time. It’s a rewarding job that I love.”

Randy Ullom

Hired by Jess Jackson in 1992 as Winemaker for some of their smaller and international vineyards, Randy was handed his most prestigious assignment in 1997 – Winemaster for Kendall-Jackson Winery.

A native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Randy became interested in wine during a three-year stay in Chile, while on sabbatical from college in the early 1970s. His stay inspired a cross-country trek through Chile’s vast wine-growing regions. On his return to the United States, he entered Ohio State University to study crop production with a specialty in Viticulture and Enology and received his degree in 1975.

After six years as a vineyard manager and Winemaker in Ohio and upstate New York, Randy moved to California to become associate Winemaker at De Loach Vineyards in Sonoma County. He was promoted to Winemaker and Vice President in 1991. The wines produced during his tenure were consistent gold medal winners at wine competitions.

Dude looks like a Sherriff from Dodge City..Oversees the growing and creating of 5 Million cases of wine from 35 labels. (check their website below)

His job includes working with wines grown in Sonoma, Chile, Bordeaux, Australia and Italy.

This is a fun interview..with lots of information on their wines. We love these wines..and why not? They take such great care in their craft!!

See for yourself as Randy will be heading for this years VanWineFest

www.kj.com

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

New Wineries to keep an eye on

Kutatas – Salt Spring Island

Best of BC’s Field Blends

December 8th, 2018 -Two Amazing Women Jane Ferrari and Jann Arden

December 7, 2018 00:51:11

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Two of BC’s best Fitz Family & Tantalus plus Two Women who should run the World Jane Ferrari and Jann Arden

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THE SHOW

Jane Ferrari – The voice of Yalumba (Barossa, Australia)

Jane Ferrari – Yalumba

Jane is one of the World’s great storytellers and Yalumba is one great story. Yalumba is Australia’s oldest family owned winery.

Right off the top, Jane tells the gripping story of how the family and staff saved the winery many years ago.

The very best part of this story is that Yalumba make sensational wines – for the world.

Canada’s has been a Yalumba fan for years. The other story to watch for is when its founder Samuel Smith left Dorset England in 1847 and found himself in Victoria, BC. He fell in love with the location but felt he had to move on to find a land for his vines.

In 2010, Wine Enthusiast named Yalumba ‘New World Winery of the Year.’

“The world of wine is a big family and I like it for many reasons.

It’s hellishly competitive in a commercial sense, but the Antinoris, Dujacs, Faiveleys, of the world and the Pol Rogers, Browns, Tyrells, Felton Roads, – they are all inspirations.” Robert Hill Smith – Yalumba – Fifth Generation Owner

The world of wine is a big family and I like it for many reasons.

https://www.yalumba.com/

Gordon Fitzpatrick – Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards (Summerland/Peachland. Take your pick)

Gordon Fitzpatrick is well known to Canadian wine fans.

In 1986 his family started Cedar Creek Estate Winery and 8 years later they bought Greata Ranch located on the main highway between Peachland and Summerland.

In 2014 Cedar Creek was sold to the Von Mandl Family and Gordon made serious plans for Greata Ranch, which had been somewhat forgotten over the years.

A mere 4 years later Fitzpatrick Family Wines have become a destination for fresh whites and a serious house of bubble.

I found Gordon on the back deck overlooking the Chardonnay and Pinot Vineyards and Okanagan Lake.

Congratulations again to the complete team that helped to create a rising star in Canadian Wine.

Gordon Fitspatrick- Peachland

At the 2018 national Wine Awards Fitz won 5 Gold Medals

Gold – 2014 Fitz Brut Sparkling Wine, $32.99

Gold – 2015 Fitz Brut Sparkling Wine, $32.99

Gold – 2014 Fitz Sparkling Rosé, $42.50

Gold – 2014 Fitz Blanc de Blancs, $42.50

Gold – 2017 Pink Mile Rosé, $19.50

www.fitzwine.com

Jann Arden – Feeding My Mother: Comfort and Laughter in The Kitchen as my Mother lives with Memory Loss

“Jann Arden is one of the most honest and talented women I’ve ever met, and her love for her mother is so rich.” —Chef Lynn Crawford

Even though Jann and I have known each other for 30 years it didn’t make the book any easier to read.

The pain of watching her Mother fade away commands each and every page of this cookbook and then you turn the page and it’s

a recipe for split pea soup.

We talk about dealing with the slow loss of her Mother and Candy Grams for Mongo.

That’s exactly what a Jann Arden concert is like..crazy fun one moment and heart wrenching the next.

As each day steals more and more of her Mother’s memory, it’s her kitchen and the food in it that connects her Jann and her Mother.

Amazing book.

Fascinating performer.

Wonderful friend.

www.jannarden.com

https://penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/562454/feeding-my-mother#9780735273924

David Paterson – GM and Winemaker at Tantalus (Kelowna)

Tantalus is situated on the eastern slopes of the Okanagan Valley, overlooking the shores of Lake Okanagan and Kelowna.

Originally known as Pioneer Vineyards, the site was first planted to table grapes in 1927 and today is known as the oldest continuously producing vineyard in British Columbia

David Paterson is a Kiwi and a Canadian, having been born in Vancouver. He received his winemaking degree from Lincoln University NZ & following time spent working in the local NZ industry he travelled the wine world gaining experience at premium wineries in Oregon, France & Australia.

David Paterson Tantalus Winemaker & GM

He landed at Tantalus in 2009 and with many successful vintages under his belt with the winery he took on the role of GM as well in 2016. Prior to joining Tantalus, David was working with celebrated South Australian producer Henschke Cellars.

As such he got to work the vineyards at the world famous Hill of Grace. Riesling has always been the leader at Tantalus however, through David’s guidance Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Blanc de Noir have caught our attention.

Outstanding wines and leadership. That’s David Paterson at Tantalus.

www.tantalus.ca

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STORIES WERE WORKING ON

Gotham and Hy’s announce a wine partnership

Joseph Luckhurst Road 13

3 Questions

-What wine as a gift

-Best wine of 2018

-Trends for 2019

Dan Wright – Winemaker at Unsworth

Best interviews of the year

December 1st, 2018 – Heads UP/VanWineFest/BC Cider Week/Wine & Oyama Sausage/1000 stories

December 1, 2018 00:54:11

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Heads UP/VanWineFest/BC Cider Week/Wine & Oyama Sausage/1000 stories

Making plans for the run-up to Holidays or for early 2019?

We have three stories for you. A primer of the next VanWineFest, also advance notice on the 3^rd BC Cider festival and a check in on the amazing December to be had at the wildly popular Oyama Sausage at Granville Market. Joanne Sasvari editor of Vitis will pair wines with Oyama’s legendary offerings.

And we finish with Bob Blue, maker of a Bourbon aged Zin called 1000 stories. Ready?

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The SHOW

Harry Hertscheg – (Executive Director of 41st Vancouver International Wine Festival)

Vancouver International Wine Festival has been described as “the largest wine festival in the Americas” with 25,000+ admissions. It is Canada’s premier wine show and widely considered to be one of the best wine events in the world. At age 41, it is also among the oldest. Its slogan is “The Wine World is Here”. For the past six years, VIWF has been voted the #1 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event in Canada by New York’s BizBash.

Harry Hertscheg

41st annual (founded 1979)

8 days, Feb 23-Mar 3 (Bacchanalia Gala, Feb 23)

25,000+ admissions

16 countries

160 wineries; including 53 from featured region California

54 events (20 are California events)

1,500 wines projected, including an estimated:

42,000 bottles poured and/or purchased.

Harry Hertscheg is the perfect guy to guest here as he loves his WineFest numbers plus he’s been on TRR many times and we seem to have developed a “shorthand” in getting through all the information the festival contains.

Most importantly, California is the featured wine region this year. After all the fires, droughts then floods they could use all the love we have to offer.

But first, you have to have a ticket to get in. Harry has some ideas for you.

https://vanwinefest.ca

Shawn Pisio – (Organizer/Co-Founder of BC Cider Week)

When he’s not organizing BC Cider Week, Shawn and his team run TXOTX – (pronounced Choech) which is Basque for “to drink cider from a barrel”

One of my highlights of 2018 waas attending, tasting and doing interviews at The Pipe Shop, foot of onsdale in North Vancouver.

It’s one of the few shipbuilding rooms still standing.

30 plus cider makers all pouring their very best. So many stories and tales.

Cider has just exploded in popularity. One of the people responsible is Shawn Pisio (and Rich Massey) who has a passion for cider than knows no bounds.

So, just like the VanWineFest, the BC Cider Week is fast approaching from April 26^th to May 5. The last day, May 5^th, is the third gathering of cider makers at The Pipe Shop but Shawn also has info on two cider events in Kelowna and two on Vancouver Island at Tod Creek and Sea Cider.

300 Vancouver early bird tickets sold out in 45 minutes. BUT there’s more coming in January.

Shawn is here to tell you all about it.

http://bcciderfest.ca/

Christmas in Oyama

Jerome Dudicourt (Manager of Oyama Sausage. Granville Market)

jerome dudicourt – oyama

Joanne Sasvari (Editor of Vitis and Vancouver Eats cookbook)

For many of us, Christmas really doesn’t start until we stand in line at the Oyama Sausage Counter at Granville Market.

Our first guest is Jerome Dudicourt, the manager & trained chef who speaks of his store like it’s priceless, which it is.

And then Joanne Sasvari the editor of Vitis comes into the picture with her wine choices to go with Jerome’s December specials.

From Vancouver Island to the Okanagan Valley, B.C. wine is rapidly gaining global attention for its quality, diversity and innovation.

Keep a notepad handy..there’s something here for everyone.

http://oyamasausage.ca

https://vitis.ca/

FYI –

Many meat and cheese lovers from across the Lower Mainland make an annual pilgrimage to the Granville Island shop before celebrating the holidays with family and friends. Here are some of the highlights of the coming month.

Swedish Ham Tasting – Friday, Nov, 30^th and Saturday, Dec. 1^st

For two days only, Oyama will offer complimentary samples of its legendary Swedish Hams. The hams are perfect for holiday tables and often sell out, but customers can reserve theirs in advance to avoid disappointment.

Game Weekend – Thursday, Dec. 6^th to Sunday, Dec. 9^th

On this weekend the shop will offer dozens of handmade game specialties – everything from Lapin Maison Terrine to Goose Prosciutto to Wild Boar Prosciutto. The unique flavours and textures make show stopping charcuterie boards for festive entertaining, as well as providing easy and convenient lunches and snacks during the busy holiday season.

Christmas and New Year’s 2018

Oyama will again make a range of special creations for the holidays, including Pate en Croute, Sec Ardennes, and Wild Boar Galantine. The shop’s full list of offerings may be found at www.oyamasausage.ca from December 1^st onward.

Starting December 15^th, the shop will open its Fast Lane service, allowing customers who placed their entire order in advance to bypass the regular counter.

Bob Blue – Founding Winemaker at Bonterra and 1000 Stories

Iconic winemaker Bob Blue on the phone from Mendocino. Bob is showcasing his most recent project – 1000 Stories Bourbon Barrel-aged Zinfandel

A graduate from UC-Davis, Bob is considered a pioneer in the organic wine arena and is the founding winemaker for Bonterra, America’s #1 Organic wine. Bob was mentored by Paul Dolan and Dennis Martin and traveled to Bordeaux, Burgundy, Australia and the Rhone to broaden his sense of style. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Drinks Business Green Awards in 2014, recognizing him for his 25-year commitment to the highest standards of organic viticulture.

Bonterra

1000 stories opens with vanilla and cherries, hints of barnyard. A sweet attack followed quickly by pepper, cooking spices, vanilla? AND Twizzler. (Liquorice)

By the time you taste that first mouthful you are engaged. Welcome to BC Bob!! http://www.1000storieswines.com/

The second half of the interview is all about Organic wines..their growth and rise in popularity.

Because Bob has been an industry leader in organic wines for almost 30 years he’s the guy to talk to about how organic wines won all of us over.

Winery of the Year in 2014 from Wine Enthusiast.

http://www.bonterra.com/

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

The Forks food and wine program in Winnipeg

Holiday Wines and Gifts.

November 24th 2018- A Church. A Fort. A Chef and One of NZ’s Best, Felton Road.

November 20, 2018 00:54:11

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A Church. A Fort. A Chef and One of NZ’s Best, Felton Road.

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OK. Let’s take them one at a time.

Evan Saunders – Winemaker at Blasted Church (Okanagan Falls)

Evan Saunders

Evan grew up on the Canadian prairies.

Became a Micro-Biologist at UVic.

Which led to the wine course at Brock in Ontario and finally his first
winery at Osoyoos La Rose and a 3-year mentorship with their winemaker
Pascal Madevon.

Now Evan’s talent has been fully recognized at Blasted Church, south of
Penticton, overlooking Skaha Lake and part of the Okanagan Falls Winery
Assn.

Blasted Church is unlike any other winery in Canada.

They make over 30 different wines, even though they keep changing, their
labels are totally one-of-a-kind and very likely bother some wine fans who
happen to be religious.

Best of all, they make wine fun and funny AND they come through with solid
wines in the bottle.

Evan has created several new wines. The revered series featuring Answered
Prayers AND Nectar of the Gods (in partnership with pal Pascal Madevon)

Plus Bible Thumper.

Down the road watch for Evan’s influence on the Blasted Church reds That’s
his specialty.

Heads UP – we didn’t have room for all of Evan’s recommendations for last
week’s Winter Whites.

Here’s his list of Winter Whites which he talks us through on today’s show
.

2017 Sauvignon blanc – 25% barrel fermentation, about 6% Semillon, estate
Sauvignon blanc

2017 Small Blessings Semillon – about 45 cases, barrel fermentation, 11
months on lees, Semillon from the North shore of Osoyoos Lake

2016 Bible Thumper – barrel fermentation, Viognier, Roussanne blend

2016 Nectar of the Gods – Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot noir blend,
22 months in barrel, about 50% new French oak ( It’s not White. Evan will
explain)

https://blastedchurch.com

<https://www.ofwa.ca/> https://www.ofwa.ca/

Rolf de Bruin – Fort Berens co-founder. (Lillooet BC)

Rolf de Bruin Fort Berens

Rolf and his wonderful wife/partner Heleen Pannekoek share the management
duties at Fort Berens in Lillooet, BC

They were the first winery in the area but Rolf tells us about the four
growers now operating in the area plus yet another winery Cliff and Gorge
will open at Texas Creek Ranch, Spring 2019. Plus a new GI has been
approved for Lillooet and so beginning with their next vintage they will be
able to use Lillooet VQA on their labels.

Fort Berens Winery

Rolf was also happy to announce the release of their exceptional Reserve
Wines

Riesling

Cab Franc

Meritage

Plus their Classics

Pinot Noir

Cab Franc

Meritage

In May they planted their new Red Rock Vineyard with 4 acres of Merlot and 5
acres of Cab Franc.

Early in 2019, they plan to plant more Riesling, Cab, Gruner, and Merlot.

Things are looking good in Lillooet. Have a listen to Rolf and then make
plans to give them a visit in 2019.

http://www.fortberens.ca

Nigel Greening – Felton Road (NZ)

Nigel-Greening-and-his-neighbour-Sam-Neill.jpg

Maker of one of the world’s finest Pinot Noirs. No Question.

This Central Otago icon produces stunning biodynamic wines year after year.
These guys really know their stuff.

In 2010 Felton Road was designated a Grand Cru winery of New Zealand. This
Grand Cru status, currently only held by two other wineries (including Ata
Rangi), recognizes the premier producers of Pinot Noir in New Zealand.

Felton-Road-Vineyard-Central-Otago-Tourism

Winemaker Blair Walter is a master of less is more, Pinots are unfined and
unfiltered and challenge the very best the world has to offer.

Felton Road is situated on warm, north facing slopes of glacial loess soils
in Bannockburn, in the heart of Central Otago. The modern gravity fed winery
receives 100% estate grown fruit from its three vineyards that are all
farmed biodynamically and are fully certified by Demeter. Minimal
intervention in the winemaking with such practices as wild yeast, no fining
or filtration, allow the unique vineyard characters to further express their
considerable personality.

Since the first vintage in 1997, Felton Road has acquired a formidable
worldwide reputation.

Felton Road is one of the legendary names in New Zealand wine. They’re
probably the most famous of the Central Otago wineries, making some highly
regarded Pinot Noirs.

It was my great pleasure to spend a number of hours talking to Owner, part
time chef and team leader Nigel Greening.

Looking for one of the best wineries anywhere in NZ?

You’ve just found it. Felton Road.

https://feltonroad.com/

Chef Andrey Durbach – Il Falcone (Courtney, BC)

Andrey and Sian Durbach moved to the Comox Valley, Vancouver Island over
a year ago from Vancouver. They had been running multiple downtown
Vancouver restaurants. High Tempo Rooms.

Sian and Andrey Durbach

Before he became an outstanding graduate of the CIA, Culinary Institute of
America in NYC, he had first made a name for himself in Vancouver working
with Bishop’s, Il Giardino and Café de Paris. He launched Etoile in 96.
There he learned the hard lessons of running a restaurant. Sold the place
and hit the road re-learning the trade.

When Sian and Andrey returned to Vancouver 2 years later they partnered with
Chris Stewart and opened Parkside, La Buca and Pied-a-Terre. Cafeteria
followed with its $20 or less menu. My favorite was Sardine Can. A tiny
room in Gastown.

No matter what the location I always noticed and liked his cooking.

Well, imagine my delight to discover that Sian and Andrey had opened Il
Falcone in downtown Courtney.

Why Courtney?

Andrey explains in the interview that he and Sian finally wanted to work for
themselves and the best place was a former Mexican restaurant in Courtney.
Surrounded by burnt yellow stucco walls enclosing a courtyard filled with
black cherry, fig, and other fruit trees..you swear the restaurant was
somewhere in Italy. Perfect. We’ve been three times and all three we sat
outside under those trees. Glorious.

And the food?

Italian dishes with no excuses…Nothing but the best. It helps that they’re
surrounded by hundreds of farms, fisheries specialists and foragers working
the land. One of the best cheese makers in Canada is right around the
corner.

Andre says he and Sian pretended to be Italians moving to the Comox Valley
and they did what they’d do back in Italy..source and cook local. Cook like
the Italians would.

The wine menu? Almost exclusively Italian.

For anyone who’s traveled to Italy..no matter what small town you were in,
there would always be one Italian restaurant as its centerpiece. That’s what
they’ve tried to do here. Just off the beaten path..a discovery waiting to
happen.

Is it worth the flight or ferry? Yes and absolutely yes.

As Andrey told Montecristo magazine..

“My kind of diner is one who loves unctuous, delicious food, and is willing
to chance the unfamiliar. It’s a diner who knows and trusts the kitchen and
the servers, a person who wholeheartedly invests in the visceral experience
of a meal. This is what I’m after.”

I guess the question for you is – are you that diner?

https://www.ilfalcone.ca/

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Holiday Wines

Wine Gifting

Best interviews of the Year