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It’s one of the best wine festivals anywhere. The 38^th annual Vancouver International Wine Festival  Held at the Vancouver Convention Centre from  Feb 20- March 1

For eight years TRR has set up a studio on the floor of the Trade Tasting on the Thursday and invited the World to sit in.

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THE SHOW

The Vancouver International Wine Festival is one of the biggest and oldest wine events in the world, offering something for every level of wine drinker, collector and trade professional. Winery principals (winemaker, proprietor, senior executive) representing 156 wineries from 14 countries will be in attendance to pour and discuss their wines. In 2016, the theme country will be Italy.

The heart of the festival is the International Festival Tastings at the Vancouver Convention Centre, where 776 wines are available for sampling, with an additional 164 wines available at two trade tastings. More than 625 additional wines will be served at special events orbiting the tasting room, including a gala dinner + auction, wine seminars, trade events, and food and wine pairing affairs such as winery dinners, lunches and brunches at top Vancouver restaurants and hotels.

The Italian table will represent an all-star moment.  Tedeschi/Ricasoli/Dogliani

Hour One:

• Michaela Morris – House Wine
• Stevie Kim – VinItaly
• Gurvinder Bhatia – Quench Wine Editor – Edmonton
• Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva
• Harry Hertscheg – Executive director of Festival
• Riccardo Tedeschi – Tedeschi Amarone (family owner/winemaker) Veneto/Valpolicella –
• Barone Francesco Ricasoli (32nd generation Ricasoli) Tuscany/Chianti Classico –
• Fiorenzo Dogliani – Batasiolo.  Piedmont  CEO   (Richardo March.. Export Director)
• Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva
• Michael Bartier – Bartier Bros  BC
• Chris Wyse – Burrowing Owl  BC
• Harry McWatters – Time  BC
• Ezra Cypes – Summerhill  BC
• Thomas Perrin – Famille Perrin  France

• Jim Robertson – Stoneleigh  NZ
• Eduardo Montresor  – Montessor .  Veneto Italy
• Loren Gil – Gil Family Estates  Spain

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NEXT WEEK HOUR TWO

•  Daenna van Mulligen
• DJ Kearney
• Kurtis Kolt
• Rhys Pender
•  Matt Dumayne –  WM  Haywire
• Andrew Winsor –  WM  Tinhorn Creek
• John Freeman – WM Waterbrook (Washington)
• Kirk Brewer – Gruet Winery (New Mexico)
• Poplar Grove – Stefan Arnason, Winemaker
•  
• David Phillips – Michael David Winery (Cali)
• Mark DeVere – Mondavi (Cali)
• Ted Seghesio – Seghesio  (Abigail Smith
•   
• Marilisa Allegrini  – Owner-CEO – Allegrini
• Ermenegildo Giusti – Owner – Giusti
• David Scholefield – Haywire  Advisor
• Stefano Benini – Int Export Director/Family member Marchesi De’Frescobaldi 
• Gabriele Tacconi – WM –  Ruffino (1^st visit to Canada)

hello

What’s with STONE’D  – the new red and white from Stoneboat?

The Three Amigos .  Three Chilean wines pour at Wildebeest..Carmen. Casa Silva. Montes.

Food and wine writer Michael White battles illness. His friends meet at Medina March 9

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THE SHOW

 Jay Martiniuk /  Stone’d Wines

The press release that came with the review wines said: Our Stoneboat vineyard has a stubbornly rocky terrain. By necessity, we enlist the help of “Stoners” to help clear the rockery. It’s a tough job and by the end of the day one is, well, “stone’d”.  Stone’d wine is a fine reward for a genuinely hard day’s work.

The name Stone’d is well suited beneath the images of two blissfully relaxed individuals with glassy gems in their eyes. With a uniquely rugged, stony landscape, Stone’d takes on a whole new meaning. It becomes the ambiguously playful tier of the Stoneboat family of wines, with a whimsical, modern twist on Stoneboat Vineyard’s history and a celebration of their stubborn landscape.

 Get your rocks off!!

Soon as the bottles hit the trade Facebookers and tweeters were having at it.

Good..Bad..Interesting!  what do you think?    @tdmulligan

The Red is Pinotage and Pinot Noir

The White a blend of 6 whites.

Both for $19.00

We talk to Jay Martiniuk..winemaker and family member.

Stone’d Wines

www.stonedwines.com

The Three Amigos/ Chile pours in Vancouver

Canada loves Chilean wines..and Chile values Canada as a best customer.

It’s a great fit..

6 wineries poured this week at Wildebeest on Hastings.  They were here as part of the TED conference.

Before the room became a sea of humanity and a wine spitting contest..i was able to sit down and talk to

Sebastian Labbe. Winemaker from Carmen  www.carmen.com/en

Ignacio Vial. From Casa Silva  www.casasilva.cl

Sebastian Alvial from Montes  www.monteswines.com

Each has 2 wines to talk about and special releases coming this year.

 www.winesofchile.org

 Michael White Benefit – Medina –  March 9, 2016

Michael White

Luminaries from the hospitality and media industries are banding together to support one of their own at Café Medina on Wednesday, Mar. 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. as they host Writer, Blocked: A Benefit for Michael White.

This past August, White — a former senior editor overseeing food and drink coverage at Vancouver Magazine and award-winning author of music biography Popkiss: The Life and Afterlife of Sarah Records — was days away from departing from the magazine to embark on a series of special projects when he began suffering painful and constant spasms in his neck muscles that caused his head to pull backward and convulse involuntarily. He was soon diagnosed with a form of cervical dystonia, or spasmodic torticollis, a rare and debilitating chronic neurological movement disorder.

With no medical coverage and faced with the sudden loss of his livelihood and independence, a number of supporters — including the BC Hospitality Foundation — stepped forward and donated much-needed funds for White to travel to clinics in both Toronto and New Mexico, where he sought specialized treatments for the incurable condition.

In keeping with that spirit, friends, associates and former colleagues are continuing the goodwill groundswell for White by organizing Writer, Blocked: A Benefit for Michael White, a reception-style fundraising event featuring canapés provided by Café Medina, cheese and charcuterie by La Grotta Del Formaggio and dessert by Bella Gelateria.

Guests will sip on wine donated from See Ya Later Ranch and bid on silent auction items from a number of supporters, including: ARC Restaurant, Bel Café, Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar, Café Medina, Fairmont Empress, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont Pacific Rim, Fairmont Vancouver Airport, Helijet, Frilly Lilly, Joe Fortes, L’Abattoir, Le Creuset, Minami, Odd Society Spirits, Railtown Cafe, Royal Dinette, Sai Woo, Tacofino, The Westin Bayshore, Thomas Haas Chocolates & Pâtisserie, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Vancouver Brewery Tours and many more.

This week Michael White sat down with me in a very busy Medina to talk about how he has  battled his rare affliction. How it’s completely changed his life. How his friends and people he has never met have helped him along the way..and what his future plans are.

And then a follow up with Medina owner Robbie Kane.

Robbie Kane – Medina

Tickets to Writer, Blocked: A Benefit for Michael White cost $49 per person plus tax, and may be purchased via Eventbrite: writerblocked.eventbrite.ca. Cash donations via Eventbrite are also appreciated.

All proceeds from ticket sales and silent auction items will be donated to Michael White as he continues to seek specialized treatment, and to supplement living costs while he is unable to generate income through employment.

http://www.medinacafe.com/news/

Thank YOU!!

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Next two weeks…

Two One hour Specials from the 38^th annual Vancouver International Wine Festival

We’ll post the guest list early next week

hello

It’s Valentine’s Day Weekend.

Thus we’re spending time with people we love.   Like Colin Linden..the man who wrote and sang No more cheap wine.

We love the people behind the hugely popular and much awarded L’Abattoir Restaurant in Gastown.

We love actor Victor Garbor.  We talk Titanic. Alias. Flash. Legends of Tomorrow. Argo. Wine.

And you just have love the story of The McWatters. The first family of BC wine.

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THE SHOW

Colin Linden

Colin Linden

Singer. Songwriter. Superb guitarist, Producer. Actor.

A Canadian who now lives in Nashville. An integral member of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, his own solo career, toured with Bob Dylan, is the music director of the TV series Nashville. Played The White House as a member of an all-star band saluting Gospel music in America. AND a guy who knows his wines. I just had to ask what they poured at the White House.

Colin and the Blackie Boys

His latest album is Rich in Love which features the track no more cheap wine.

The song idea came from a friend of his..fighting medical issues..that “Life`s too short, so no more cheap wine”.

Great thought!!

www.colinlinden.com

L’ABATTOIR

Consistently one of the best restaurants in Vancouver. Solid National profile. Dead Centre of Gastown.

Through hard work, great kitchen, top level service, creative staff, the very best of wines and a bar that just kills..l`abattoir consistently ranks Top of critical  and popular lists.

My question is Why?

With so many restaurants opening and closing..what is it they are doing that keeps them well ahead of the pack and always popular.  From the same people who just opened Savio Volpe.

L’Abbatoir

They must be doing something right because both locations are booming and gaining critical acclaim.

Guests include:

Paul Grunberg – co-owner

Lee Cooper – co-owner and Executive chef

Lisa Haley – Asst. General manager and Wine Director

Thor Paulson – Bar Manager

www.labattoir.ca

@LABATTOIR_VAN 

 Victor Garber

Victor Garber

He’s an acclaimed actor, You’ve seen him in Alias, Titanic, Argo, Milk, Flash and Legends of Tomorrow and many  more films and tv roles.

Victor  has also created an impressive list of credits on and off Broadway. Wonderful singer. Outstanding actor.

And he’s a Canadian. Lives very well in New York.

I first met him in Toronto when he was creating the role of Jesus in the very first production of Godspell. That took him to New York and his life changed forever.

Flash and Legends roles bring him to Vancouver 2-3 months of the year. Big fan of BC wines.

Fabulous human being. Did I mention he’s Canadian?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Garber

https://www.instagram.com/therealvictorgarber/

Team McWatters

Lawrence Buhler – Winemaker at Encore Vineyards/Evolve Cellars

Christa- Lee McWatters-Bond –  Encore/Evolve

Harry McWatters – Time Vineyards

Harry McWatters is a leader in the British Columbia wine industry, and has been involved in it for more than 45 years. In 1980, he founded BC’s first estate winery, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, and later started See Ya Later Ranch Estate Winery in 1995. By spring of 2000, the Sumac Ridge Estate Wine Group was sold to Vincor Canada and Harry continued as the winery president as well as Vice-President of Vincor Canada.

Harry “retired” in April 2008, and on May 1 established Vintage Consulting Group Inc. and the Okanagan Wine Academy.

Harry is the founding chair of the British Columbia Wine Institute & the British Columbia Wine Information Society. He is also a Director of the Canadian Vintners Association, founding Chairman of VQA Canada and is the founding Chairman of the British Columbia Hospitality Foundation.

Harry was also instrumental in founding VQA Canada.    That’s what you call a career in the wine business my friends.

Harry McWatters

In his role as director of winemaking for the ENCORE Vineyards wine brands, Lawrence Buhler  is responsible for setting the winemaking direction of TIME Estate Winery as well as for McWatters Collection and Evolve Cellars. He brings with him more than 15 years experience in the wine industry, most recently from Ontario where he worked in wineries large and small.

After growing up in her family’s winery, Sumac Ridge  Christa-Lee went on to open a restaurant with her husband Cameron Bond which is now one of the most popular restaurants in the Okanagan Valley, Local Lounge and Grill.

Christa-lee McWatters

And if that isn’t enough, her hands are very full of these days as she is the marketing manager for Encore Vineyards, which is the parent company to TIME Estate Winery under construction in Oliver BC, her family’s legacy label the McWatters Collection, and the brand-new Evolve Cellars in Summerland BC.

We welcome on of the first families of Okanagan winemaking The McWatters and a guy named BUHLER!!!

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

The 38^th Annual Vancouver International Wine festival.

Two one hour specials with  guests from around the Wine World.

www.vanwinefest.ca

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It’s Super Bowl Weekend..

We visit Savio Volpe and talk Vancouver Italian!!

Then  for your Super Bowl Sunday it’s food, wine and laughs   from

Jay Onrait and Dan O’Toole from Fox Sports 1 in LA

Park and George from Memphis Blues BBQ  House

And Dino and Nessa from The Bon Vivant Group..

They’re all loaded with suggestions for your day… Are you IN?

THE SHOW

 Savio Volpe

 Co-Owner / Chef Mark Perrier

Co-Owner / Interior Designer Craig Stanghetta

Head Sommelier Mark McNeil

co-owner Paul Grunberg

Savio Volpe, 615 Kingsway at Frazer,  is a restaurant styled after the classic osteria–rustic fare in the Italian tradition of freshness and using local ingredients. Pasta is handmade fresh every day–fatto a mano in casa–and meat, poultry and fish are cooked by smoke over the wood-fired grill and rotisserie.  Italian wines and old world coffee  inspire conversation and good cheer among friends, family and strangers alike. Above all else, Savio celebrates liveliness, warmth and hospitality. Viva la convivialità!

The Savio Volpe menu features plenty of fresh, handmade pastas and heavy use of the wood fire grill and spit. Never fussy or complicated; always tasty. Inevitably, their version of Italian will be flavoured by as much of what is grown and sourced right here in the lower mainland and its environs: this is Italian by way of the local materia prima.

Talking, tasting, laughing, pouring wine, passing platters loaded with food and soaking up sauce with bread–this is how Italians do it at home and that’s how the food at Savio Volpe is meant to be enjoyed: wholeheartedly.

For parties up to 6, they offer a family style fixed price menu.

No fussy cocktails at Savio Volpe: simply a spritz, a negroni and some nice house-made Italian sodas with no/low alcohol. Their  beer list is a celebration of local; from easy drinking lagers to flavourful pale ales, selections will change with the season. The  wine list is, naturally, all Italian.

More than anything, Savio Volpe is warm and inviting—a place you’d want to walk into out of the rain with a unique layout affording plenty of space for cozying up to the bar, nestling into booths with a view, tucking away into nooks or sharing a long table with family & friends.

I asked the partners to gather over by the centre bar..from left to right

Savio Volpe: Paul, Mark, Craig.

Paul Grundberg (also well known for, L’abattoir, Chambar)

Craig Stanghetta (designed Just ask Luigi, Meat and Bread, Homer St Café)

Mark McNeil  (just ask Luigi, Provence. Chambar)

Mark Perrier – Co-owner and Executive Chef  (West, Le Gavroche)

This is a romping rolling conversation about “everything”..

The room,  which is really fun  when it fills, up is a reflection of these guys..

Smart and casual, yet when you look closer you’ll see very high levels of attention to detail and service.

Here’s a review from Open Table

Finding a restaurant that values authenticity and pure quality over profit is a rarity. Everything served was made from scratch including all the pasta noodles. Undoubtedly buying ready made pasta would be easier but this restaurant is passionate about the real thing. Modern style meets old school Italian cooking. If you always wished for an Italian Nonna’s Sunday dinner in a hip atmosphere, get yourself over there. Hands down the best Italian in the city. A rare example of pure passion for food. The service was as outstanding as our meal. We loved every second and every mouthful.

www.saviovolpe.com

It’s Super Bowl Weekend..a readymade excuse to eat, drink and gather with friends and family.

Even if you could care less who’s playing..there’s always a nice buzz around the day.

So, I’ve asked 3 pairs of friends – who know this area of expertise very well – to talk about their food and wine plans..where they’re watching the game itself and if they have any suggestions for us.

Jay and Dan

Jay and Dan

We know them as Jay and Dan..first with TSN and now with Fox Sports One in LA.

Jay Onrait and Dan O’Toole are friends on the air and off. They know their sports and their comedy.

Let’s see what they know about Super Sunday dining and drinks..and where will they be. We found them in their cars heading for work at Fox studios.

These boys bring the laughs… always have, always will.  They also have your betting line nailed down..  www.jayanddan.com

Park and George

Park Heffelfinger and George Siu are the owners of Memphis Blues BBQ House..

You’ll usually find then at their Broadway location or the one on /Commercial..there are lots of others but these two shops have a special “lived in” feel.

Super Sunday will find them crazy busy before first light..people just keep coming for Elvis platters and mounds of ribs and pulled pork..it’s a wild place to be around Super Bowl.

I asked Park and George about what people are looking for in their food and especially their drinks.. Don’t let the down home smoke house fool you… these guys are all over their drink lists..always changing wines and beers and bourbons..they’re serious about getting things right.

And as always…funny as hell.  www.memphisbluesbbq.com

Dino and Nessa

Dino Renaerts

Partner and Executive Chef, Bon Vivant Group

Dino Renaerts has firmly established himself as one of the west coast’s culinary leaders. A Kitsilano boy, Renaerts completed his education and training in Vancouver and has built a prolific career spanning over two decades that has seen him cook in a clutch of the city’s finest restaurants. Today, Renaerts applies his talent, passion and vision to his role as partner in The Bon Vivant Group, serving discerning clientele across the province.

In 1999, he was the first Red Seal Chef in Canada to become a Certified Sommelier through the International Sommelier Guild. Renaerts’s expertise in oenology earned him the runner-up Sommelier of the Year award at the Vancouver International Playhouse Wine Festival in 2006 and 2010.

Nessa van Bergen.  Partner The Bon Vivant Group.  Sommelier.

Nessa’s first foray into high-end dining was with Umberto Menghi as part of the opening team for Mangiamo Ristorante in Yaletown in 1994, long before it became the ‘in’ neighbourhood it is now. Nessa earned her International Sommelier Guild certification (ISG) in 1999, the first year it was available in Vancouver.

From Mangiamo, Nessa moved to Le Crocodile to become the youngest Maitre d’ chef/owner Michel Jacob had worked with at his award winning restaurant.

Three years later, Nessa would see her first foray into the hotel business with position of Outlet Manager at the four-star Delta Pinnacle Hotel.

A big move was to follow when Nessa was headhunted to join the team at Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House to run the beverage program and study under the tutelage of famed restaurateur, Bud Kanke.

Then came her best role ever..Mom..

She and Dino now have the world they always dreamed about.  A career in the culinary and wine arts..AND a real life.

It’s because they started The Bon Vivant Group..and have taken their skills to the catering business.

They know their Super Bowl weekends..both from the food and wine side and what their house is going to be like..Dino gives us lots of food suggestions and Nessa has the perfect pairings..  Enjoy!!  http://www.bonvivantgroup.ca/

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

38^th Annual Vancouver International Wine festival

L’Abattoir   

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

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Now an Officer of the Order of Canada along with his co-founding partner Greg Keelor, Jim Cuddy checks in from the road.

Blue Rodeo has released their Live at Massey Hall LP and Jim is on the CP Holiday train from Calgary to Vancouver – all the while on crutches.

Lots to talk about including what wine he’s travelling with.

John Clerides (Marquis Wine Cellars) knows his wines and speaks his mind. If he recommends a wine, you know it’s good.

And we re-visit a great Texas BBQ  truck on Vancouver island near  Parksville!!

 THE SHOW

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Jim Cuddy

Jim Cuddy

It’s been quite a year for Jim Cuddy.

First Blue Rodeo released Live from Massey Hall, a landmark recording for one of Canada’s best loved bands.

Then Jim and his partner Greg Keelor were made Officers of the Order of Canada.

The Order of Canada

There’s no higher award.  Jim talks about how he felt on the night.

He also reveals that the Massey Hall recording wasn’t going to be used until it was compared to the one what was to be used and everyone agreed that Massey Hall was the best.

And right now the 17^th year of the CP Holiday Train is on its way across the USA and Canada.

It sees two trains travel across Canada and the U.S. bringing entertainment and helping local food banks along the way.

This year, Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo will be on board, along with his musician son Devon and the CP Holiday Train band which is made uo on members of The Odds.

Also travelling along for the Western leg of the Canadian tour will be Kelly Prescott.

The Local Food Banks  will be on hand to collect donations and to pass out hot chocolate etc.

Believe  or not Blue Rodeo then tours Canada in January

We welcome back Jim Cuddy.

www.cpr.ca/en/community/holiday–train 

John Clerides  – Marquis Wine Cellars

John Clerides

There’s a certain pattern to my week..somewhere near mid-day Wednesday I start to get stopped by someone wanting  a recommendation on a wine and wine store then it gets crazier  as the weekend approaches.

The wine recommendations change from week to week but as far as the STORE is concerned that’s a no-brainer..Marquis Wine Cellars on Davie in Vancouver.

Great staff, remarkable selection and a solid leader in  John Clerides.

Some of the regulars simply walk in, the staff know their tastes so well they just put certain bottles together with the customer and they’re  out the door.

John has the singular ability to not only know what he’s talking about when it comes to all things wine,  he shares that view to anyone standing in front of him. Sometimes it’s the actual winemaker.

This conversation covers the odious liquor laws in BC and the manipulation by the BC Government.  John gets on a  classic rant then calms down to talk about BC wines and how the industry must up their game.

We welcome back John Clerides..first class troublemaker.  First Class  Guy!

www.marquis–wines.com

Lynn and Rick Allen  Texas BBQ Parksville

The Texas BBQ Oven

If you take the island Highway North of Nanaimo, Vancouver Island ..one of the first off ramps takes you to Parksville..beautiful town right on the Beach.

If you’re lucky, there’s a truck doing BBQ off to the right…and you have to drive through a cloud of BBQ smoke.  If you turn follow the smoke , this story is  for you.

If you just see it as smoke – keep driving.

The sign on top says Traditional  Texas BBQ and its owned by Lynn and Rick Allen.

Not only is the BBQ bang on but Lynn makes and sells fabulous sauces..available only at the truck.

Loved talking to these guys..my kind of people.

Their twitter handle is BBQ_Texas

FB is Texas-BBQ

Heading to Vancouver Island?   …don’t miss this experience.

https://www.facebook.com/Texas–BBQ-394654067257013

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Gift wines/Party wines from Kurtis Kolt, Rhys Pender and DJ Kearney

Haywire Wines

hello

We visit the winemaker of  Villa Maria NZ, Harry/Christa-Lee McWatters and their winemaker and two wine loving music friends Colin Linden and Royal Wood.

Music and Wine friends for your weekend.

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THE SHOW

 Josh Hammond – Villa Maria

Villa Maria is one of New Zealand’s highest profile wineries and certainly the most awarded.

Their sustainable practices are exemplary and consistent.

So…how are the wines?

Given their commitment to the land and the vineyards it’s not surprising how good they are. What may surprise is that their wines – white, red and bubble – are consistent. From one year to the next which all  wine fans  want from their winery.

Production winemaker Josh Hammond passed through Vancouver and most of Canada,  pouring his latest portfolio.

Josh Hammond – Villa Maria

Josh was born and raised in Marlborough, becoming the 5th generation to grow up on the family sheep farm situated next door to where the Villa Maria Marlborough winery now stands. The land, which was considered too fertile for growing grapes by his grandfather, now produces Sauvignon Blanc for Villa Maria.

An early interest in law led Josh to the University of Otago to study a double degree in Law and Chemistry. During this time he also spent six months in Europe on a law exchange studying at Charles University in the Czech Republic.

Then  to California and Burgundy where he gained valuable experience working with a range of grape varieties.

Returning back to his roots Josh joined the Villa Maria Marlborough team as Assistant Winemaker in 2013 and was promoted to Production Winemaker in December of that year.

With the Marlborough Sounds on his door step he enjoys spending time in the outdoors, diving, water skiing and sailing. He also enjoys recreating local dishes from the countries he has visited and matching these with New Zealand wines, for friends and family.

Yours truly had the pleasure of joining others at a tasting in Gastown that was a pleasure from beginning to end.

I had to wait until Josh got back to Marlborough before he had time to talk and give us the full background on the wines below.

Some you can find now..the others marked as “spec” hopefully in the new year.  Just thought you might like to know what’s possible from this fine company down the road.

http://www.villamaria.co.nz/

•  Private Bin Lightly Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc, spec, $16.99 plus tax+dep
• Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc, listed, $16.99 plus tax+dep
• Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc, spec, $21.49  plus tax+dep
• Private Bin Pinot Gris, listed, $17.79 plus tax+dep
• Private Bin Pinot Noir, spec, $18.79 plus tax+dep
• Cellar Selection Pinot Noir, spec, $30.49 plus tax+dep
• Private Bin Merlot Cab Sauv Hawke’s Bay, spec, $13.99 plus tax+dep

 Harry McWatters – Time/McWatters Wineries

Christa-Lee McWatters-Bond –      Encore Vineyards and Local Lounge and Grill.  Vintage Consulting Group

Lawrence Buhler, Director of Winemaking

Harry McWatters

Harry McWatters is a leader in the British Columbia wine industry, and has been involved in it for more than 40 years. In 1980, he founded BC’s first estate winery, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, and later started See Ya Later Ranch Estate Winery in 1995. By spring of 2000, the Sumac Ridge Estate Wine Group was sold to Vincor Canada and Harry continued as the winery president as well as Vice-President of Vincor Canada. Harry “retired” in April 2008, and on May 1 established Vintage Consulting Group Inc. and the Okanagan Wine Academy.

Harry is the founding chair of the British Columbia Wine Institute. In addition, he is the founding chair of the British Columbia Wine Information Society. He is also a Director of the Canadian Vintners Association, founding Chairman of VQA Canada and is the founding Chairman of the British Columbia Hospitality Foundation.

Harry was also instrumental in founding VQA Canada, a trade association that spearheaded the development of national wine standards for Canadian vintners and served as the first Chairman.

In his role as director of winemaking for the ENCORE Vineyards wine brands, Lawrence Buhler  is responsible for setting the winemaking direction of TIME Estate Winery as well as for McWatters Collection and Evolve Cellars. He brings with him more than 15 years experience in the wine industry, most recently from Ontario where he worked in wineries large and small.

Lawrence Buhler – Winemaker

Christa- Lee McWatters-Bond  been in the BC wine industry ever since she was born.

Christa Lee McWatters-Bond

After growing up in her family’s winery, Sumac Ridge  Christa-Lee went on to open a restaurant with her husband Cameron Bond which is now one of the most popular restaurants in the Okanagan Valley, Local Lounge and Grill.

And if that isn’t enough, her hands are very full of these days as she is the marketing manager for Encore Vineyards, which is the parent company to TIME Estate Winery under construction in Oliver BC, her family’s legacy label the McWatters Collection, and the brand-new Evolve Cellars in Summerland BC.

We welcome on of the first families of Okanagan winemaking The McWatters and a guy named BUHLER!!!

Colin Linden

Colin Linden

 He doesn’t own any wineries, or vineyards or cellars. He does own two 56 bottle capacity wine coolers that are always be filled with wines from his travels.

And because he IS Colin Linden, solo artist, record producer, guitar for hire, one of the driving forces behind Blackie and the Rodeo Kings and the music director of the Nashville Television series his travels take him everywhere.

Even The White House. Even as part of Bob Dylan’s road band.

Colin has just relwased his best solo LP (my opinion) It’s called Rich in Love.

Anyone who has listened to Mulligan Stew, my weekly music show on CKUA Radio in Alberta knows Colin and I always talk music and then switch at some point to wines and what he’s been drinking.

Here’s the latest chat session, which includes his answer to my question..what DID they pour for you at The White House?

http://www.colinlinden.com/

Royal Wood

Love his music. He’s not like everyone else..that’s one of the reasons I like him.

Royal’s latest release is

Royal Wood

“Playing to a full house at the National Arts Centre was so special, so energizing. It was an honour.” Royal’s fan base continues to grow at home and abroad.

“I’m now performing around the world, in part because of the respect there is internationally for the NAC. If you’ve headlined there, you can stand tall.”

Growing up in Peterborough, Ontario, Royal Wood realized early on that music and art and literature weren’t his career choices—they were his calling. “It’s what I wake with every morning and what I think about when I go to bed.” Perhaps that’s the secret to his success.

Royal explains on today’s TRR that he mentioned during an interview that he loved his wines and was taking a sommelier course.

Listening in was Steve Latchford from Therapy wines on the Naramata bench.

It took several years for the project to come together but there are now atiny selection of large format bottles of

The Players are Therapy Winemaker Steve Latchford and the fine  singer/songwriter Royal Wood.

Royal Wood

 Steve has always wanted to do a “special project”. He wanted to pair music and wine and when he heard Royal say on CBC radio that he was taking a sommelier course that he knew he had his musician.

It took two years to design and create that special project. Magnums of Marselan. A cross of Cab and Grenache.

They called the project Vanguard Wines 2013. Old Wounds New Scars. (title of a Royal Wood song)

Only 200 bottles made. Every bottle comes with a special CD of Royals Songs. Songs that relate to the wine and the artists involved, along with a number of photos on the label from Dave Moorman. Available only at the winery..on the Naramata Bench.

www.therapyvineyards.com

www.royalwood.ca

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Randy Ullom – Kendall – Jackson

The battle of the Somms

Jim Cuddy