hello

Talking Oysters, C, Okanagan Food with Chef Roger Planiden

And the new kids in the Cowichan Valley Emandare

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

THE SHOW

Mike and Robin Nierychlo   (Emandare-Cowichan Valley)

Mike and Robin Nierychlo – Emandare

Mike has always been around the wine business..I first met him when he was doing a wine interview show.

Then he and his wife Robin announced that they had purchased a working vineyard in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island

A number of years ago, Mike developed an overwhelming passion for wine. He began to spend every available moment nerding out on all things wine-related! This inevitably led to home wine-making in their garage, and many, many other wine adventures.

As Mike explored the vast world of wine, a desire to one day own a winery was born. Although this dream seemed unrealistic, there was always a sense of possibility.

On Sept. 28, 2013, in the pouring rain, he and Robin  moved onto their  8.5 acre adventure.    They named it  Emandare after their last names. M & R.

 “they’re also pioneers on the all-natural front—no irrigation, no commercial yeasts, organic farming techniques, and the bare minimum of sulfur. So far the results are stunning—the future of Island wine rests here.”  Neal McLennan  Vancouver Magazine

We taste and talk the  portfolio of wines of Emandare at Marquis Wine Cellars in Vancouver.

http://www.emandarevineyard.com/

Oysters – Recipes that Bring Home  the Taste of the Sea

Cynthia Nims – Author

The cover just jumps out to  oyster lovers..but like an oyster itself , it’s the inside that really wins you over. For oyster lovers everywhere, this luscious cookbook features recipes, shucking instructions, and the local farming success story of the many delicious oysters from the Pacific Coast. From Hangtown Hash with Fried Eggs to Half-Shell Oysters with Kimchi-Cucumber Relish, this gorgeous cookbook features 30 recipes, ideas for what to drink with oysters, and tips for buying, storing, and shucking to bring out the “oh!” in oysters.

Since oysters are grown and harvested in some of the most beautiful environments on earth, the book is brimming with scenic as well as food photography. The delectable oysters grown along the West Coast—which include Pacific, Kumamoto, Olympia, and Eastern and European Flat species–are the stars of this beautiful cookbook celebrating oysters.

FYI – I also ask questions for the borderline Oyster eater and the non-eater!!

Cynthia Nims is a cookbook author and culinary consultant focused on food, beverages, and travel. She studied cuisine in France, is the author of 15 cookbooks, and served on the editorial team for Modernist Cuisine.  She lives in Seattle.. Cynthia Nims (@cynnims) | Twitter.

Cynthia Nims

Check out her blog www.monappetit.com

www.sasquatchbooks.com/book

DJ Kearney – Wines of the Jura

DJ-Kearney

French winemaking doesn’t get much more extreme than this.

The Jura, on the French fringes of the Swiss Alps, is hard country. Winters are cold, spring comes late and while summer days are long, the nights are chilly. Fall is vintage time, a scramble to get the grapes ripe and harvested before rains arrive.

Jura Signage

This tiny wine region is 4,400 acres, similar in size to Yountville in Napa Valley. The Jura lies up against the mountains that separate the watersheds of the Rhine, Rhône and Po rivers.

Historically isolated, the Jura has evolved several distinct wine styles that are now being discovered by the rest of the world.

Leading the charge have been fashion-conscious sommeliers, who seem to thrive on springing surprises on unsuspecting diners.

These wines are becoming more widely available in the U.S and Canada  and more consumers can discover them.

“We are a little region with a huge range of wines,” says vigneron Pierre Rolet. “We appeal to drinkers who are happy to experiment.”

The ultimate in oxidative wine is vin jaune (yellow wine). It’s made Jura known throughout the wine world for its extreme concentration and range of flavors, from smoky to yeasty, with intense acidity.

A handful of Jura winemakers/growers/owners are just finishing up a short tour of the US and Canada.

With the help of  the wonderful wine teacher..’DJ Kearney .. they’ve poured their very different wines and made lots of new friends along the way.

Here’s an loving overview of these wines, the region and the people from The Deej!!
https://twitter.com/djwines

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/wine/10863147/Jura-wine-the-grapes-that-took-Manhattan.html

Chef Roger Planiden – Okanagan Culinary Adventures

Roger Planiden

Chef Roger Planiden’s family’s ability to appreciate food and seasonal offerings must have been what inspired Roger  at a young age. Growing up, seeing his mother extract the best of each season left a lasting impression on Planiden. Raised in British Columbia’s Kootenay region, the South Slocan native grew up with a family who preserved and canned the bounty of British Columbia’s offerings.
After completing culinary training at the Okanagan University College in Kelowna in 1987, Planiden got his first job at the Lake Okanagan Resort. This position gave Roger a taste of the industry, and ultimately led him to a career in five star hotels, where he has spent the last 20 years working in both city and resort environments.

Planiden was executive chef at The Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel.  Other notable experience on Chef’s resume include the Four Seasons Hotels, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Westin Resorts and Delta Hotels and Resorts.  I first met him at the kitchens at  Sumac Ridge.

Roger also has  been teaching in the Culinary Arts program at Okanagan College in Kelowna.

Chef’s Culinary Adventures includes a travelling kitchen that rocks the valley..plus a catering company that never stops from March to Christmas.

Besides talking about his company..I wanted to know from Chef about the status of culinary programs  and restaurants in the Okanagan..Improved..interesting..active??

Getting harried in the Okanagan this year..better call Chef – Now!!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Angus An – Fat Mao

Vancouver Island artisan pour at Edible Canada

Michael Bartier – Bartier Bros

hello

Last comments on the VanWineFest from Master wine expert Tony Aspler, Pascal Madevon at Culmina, Will Flatt pours Cannonball,  Christine Coletta at Okanagan Crush Pad , The Stag’s Hollow story and the guys behind the hugely successful Railtown Café.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

THE SHOW

Wine fest Follow Up

After spending two jammed packed hours interviewing winemakers and principals  at the 38^th Vancouver International Wine festival I took the opportunity to return the next day with my trusty hand held microphone and sought our people I’d missed..

In a very active and invigorating room I had a chance to slow down and talk to:

My buddy Will Flatt. He’s moved around quite a bit but every time he shows up he’s always pouring the  most interesting wines.

He’s currently representing Dream Wines.  The home of Screaming Eagle, Harlan, Peter Michael, Colgin Cellars etc.

Wicked Willie Flatt

This time he’s pouring Cannonball and from that label a sensational blended rose called Angels and Cowboys. Sonoma fruit..some Estate growing.

A field blend of Grenache, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo.

Alexander Valley/Dry Creek area. WoW.

The  Cannonball Chardonnay – 70% Russian River. It’s a 50/50  Stainless Steele and new Oak.  Lovely..delicious wine.

Willy takes us through the reds as well.. Great start to the show.

www.drinkcannonball.com

www.dreamwines.ca

Tony Aspler – Master wine expert

Tony Aspler

We finally found Tony Aspler with a spare 5 minutes. He was surrounded by people who wanted his opinion on the 100’s of wines in the room.

They had to wait for a second because I only get to see Tony once every TEN YEARS.

Tony Aspler has been writing about wine for over 35 years.

He was the wine columnist for The Toronto Star for 21 years and has authored 15 books on wine and food, including The Wine Atlas of Canada, Vintage Canada, The Wine Lover’s Companion, The Wine Lover Cooks, Travels With My Corkscrew, and Tony Aspler’s Cellar Book. Tony’s latest book is The Five Minute Wine Book.

In December 2007, Tony was awarded the Order of Canada.

In 2012 Tony was the first Canadian to be inducted into the New York Media Wine Writers Hall of Fame. In that year Tony was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal.

Wine royalty my friends.

http://www.tonyaspler.com/

Christine Coletta – Haywire

Christine Colletta

I found Christine Coletta from Okanagan Crush pad surrounded by her peers as she was talking to a well-placed politician and there was a serious back and forth going on.

So, I started a conversation with Julian Scholefield about the wines he was pouring from Haywire and OCP, then just barged into Christine’s posse and fired off some questions about um- wine!

And a pinot planting above the winery that could be a World Class site.

We talked wine laws and heading to New York for a “natural” wine symposium.( She was invited by the organizers after they tasted  her “natural” wines.)

She’s there right Now.

www.haywirewinery.com

Pascal Madevon – Winemaker at Culmina

Pascal Madevon – Culmina

Turn the audio up a bit because Pascal’s French accent seems to get thicker when he talks about his vineyards.

That’s because he gets excited and speedy.

We all got to appreciate his winemaking skills as the winemaker and blender at Osoyoos Larose.

Now he’s working with Donald Triggs at Culmina.  What a pair. With so many winemaking skills between them it’s no wonder the wines are so good.

www.culmina.ca 

Stag’s Hollow/OK Falls  Larry Gerelus and Linda Pruegger

Established in 1995, Stag’s Hollow is a family-owned winery in Okanagan Falls. Stag’s Hollow includes two vineyards…the Estate Vineyard and Shuttleworth Creek Vineyard….that are within 2 kms of each other.

The team at Stag’s Hollow has researched and sought out grapes, both new and old, suited to the area soils and microclimate. Hands-on owners, Larry Gerelus & Linda Pruegger, along with Winemaker, Dwight Sick, believe their passion and involvement in every aspect of the vineyard and winemaking process has created wines that express the terroir of Stag’s Hollow Vineyard and their Grower Partner.

Linda and Larry – Stags Hollow

2013 Cachet No. 4 – David Lawrason  Wine Align – 90 points

2012 Syrah – Brad Royale  Wine Align – 92 points

2013 Tempranillo – David Lawrason , Wine Align – 91 points

Besides talking about all of their wines..we touch on Okanagan Falls and their plan to get the wine fans attention.

Many just drive through this region on their way “someplace else”.

Trust me..there’s more than Ice Cream in OK Falls.

http://stagshollowwinery.com/

www.ofwa.ca

Railtown Café and Catering / Dan Olson and Tyler Day

Railtown-Cafe

This is yet another edition of “walking the neighbourhood”

The broadcasting home of Tasting Room Radio is Roundhouse Radio at 714 Alexander St..5 blocks East of Gastown in Vancouver.

There are a growing number of great new restaurants taking over what had been decaying or empty spaces in the East End.

Not anymore.

The Mackenzie Room Just ask Luigi, Belgard Kitchen and the truly successful Railtown Café and Catering.

The true sign of success in the hospitality business is when people will wait for their food. The regulars brings books, laptops, newspapers etc..

You don’t ever wait long and the reward is just the best food..

Dan Olson  and Tyler Day are chefs and cop-partners.

Dan explains that when he was cooking in LA..he was watching people try to change the salads etc on the menu to fit their needs..

They decided to make the Railtown menu just like that..put all the ingredients in front of the customer and let them make up their menu.

The finishing touch is,  the culinary talents on display are  top notch. Like, really really good. With passion and focus!

Most of the food is taken out..people with busy lives..eating at their desks..but man it’s fun to just sit there and watch the human flow.

The buzz in the room is catchy..Feeling less than stellar?

Spend 20 minutes inside Railtown café..with a salad or killer pulled pork sandwich and the rest of your day will be a breeze.

Can you imagine how good the catering is?

And that is why the boys will announce on this show when and where the next TWO locations will open in Vancouver.

They are that popular.  Enjoy!!!

www.railtowncafe.ca

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Australian thriller Crush – set in a vineyard.

The wine shipping outlaw

And other stuff.

hello

It’s  Hour TWO of our round table coverage of the 38th Annual Vancouver International Wine festival.

An All-Star cast of winemakers, journalists and principals from all over the Wine World.  Enjoy!!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

THE SHOW

Living the life

Hour Two of this year’s Vancouver International Wine Festival begins with my wine friends around the table.

(Thank You to Technical Producer Julia Graff)

DJ Kearney – World Class wine expert, educator  and judge.  @djwines.

DJ Kearney

Kurtis Kolt – Wine Columnist Georgia Straight. Educator and expert. www.kurtiskolt.com

Kurtis Kolt

Rhys Pender  – Wine Plus Educator. Co-Owner/Winemaker of Little farm Wines www.littlefarmwinery.ca

Rhys Pender

Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva. Columnist for Vines Magazine. Judge and expert.  www.winediva.ca www.winescores.ca

The Wine Diva

Matt Dumayne – Haywire Winemaker.  Summerland BC  www.haywirewinery.com

Andrew Windsor – Tinhorn Creek Winemaker.  Golden Mile BC  www.tinhorn.com

John Freeman – Winemaker  Waterbrook.  Walla Walla, Wash www.waterbrook.com

Elizabeth Douglas-Grant – La Crema Winemaker. Sonoma www.lacrema.com

Elizabeth Douglas-Grant La Crema

Adam Mettler  –   Winemaker  Michael David Winery (Lodi) www.michaeldavidwinery.com

Adam Mettler – Lodi

Mark de Vere –  Master of Wine. Robert Mondavi (Napa)  www.robertmondaviwinery.com

Richard Sowalsky –   Winemaker Clos Pegase  (Calistoga) www.clospegase.com

Richard Sowalsky – Clos Pegase

Marilisa Allegrini –  Allegrini  (Italy) www.allegrini.it

Maralisa Allegrini

Ermenegildo  (Joe)  Giusti  – Giusti (Italy)  www.giustiwine.com/en

Stefano Benini –  Marchesi de’Frescobaldi (Italy) www.frescobaldi.it

Gabriele Tacconi – Ruffino (Italy)  www.ruffino.com

David Scholefield – (Narrative Wines  BC/ Expert) https://okanagancrushpad.com/buy-narrative–wine/

David Scholefield

Leah Bickford – Marquis Wine Cellars. Italian Wine Expert  www.marquis–wines.com

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Tony Aspler – Wine Journalist/Judge

Pascal Madevon – Culmina

Christine Coletta – Okanagan Crush Pad

Will Flatt – Cannonball Wine. Angels and Cowboys (Sonoma)

hello

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

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!!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

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!!!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

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

hello

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

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   

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON: