September30th, 2023 BARNYARD (Part One) – BC’s First Natural Wine Festival (Victoria)

September 30, 2023 0:47:01

hello

BARNYARD (Part One) – BC’s First Natural Wine Festival (Victoria)

THE SHOW

NATURAL WINE:

“Wine unplugged. It’s the unfiltered, untamed, unphotoshopped version of what we know wine to be. Hand picked, no additives, little or no sulphites.

It flies against the status quo. Challenges what people think is good wine”

Madeline Puckette /Wine Folly

This first natural wine festival was organized by Matt Cooke .

In 2016 Matt moved to Victoria and joined the management team at OLO Restaurant, where he quickly took over the bar, and then wine programs. The food at OLO screamed natural – which inspired him to create a largely natural wine list, which over his nearly 5 years there, grew to become arguably the most natural list in Victoria.

Matt’s passion was really in finding new and exciting wines/regions/varietals to pair up with the food and encourage OLO guests to try. Then in fall 2021 he became the Food & Beverage General Manager at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.

It was a major career shift, from a 40 seat farm-to-table high end restaurant, to a 7000 person arena, but loved it. Over the course of two hockey seasons now, Matt has become confident in his role – but missed the aspect of educating people on wine, and missed his connection to the wine world. Which is where the idea for Barnyard came from.

In Fall of 2022 Matt started reaching out to his contacts from his buying days at OLO, and suggested this gathering. The response was immediate and highly supportive.

Matt Cooke

For BARNYARD they had 35 wineries/agencies attending, including 18 BC wineries and 1 Ontario winery – all with principals, and 16 import agencies. The import agencies presented a range of products from their portfolio, which allowed the festival to showcase wines from 17 other countries.

The full list of wineries and agencies is up on their website:

https://barnyardwinefest.ca/wineries

The guest line up for Part One:

Matt Cooke – Founder of Barnyard www.barnyardwinefest.ca <http://www.barnyardwinefest.ca>

Rajen Toor – Winemaker Ursa Major (Black Sage Road) https://ursamajorwinery.com <https://ursamajorwinery.com/>

RajenToor

Mathew Vasilev – Co-founder/cidermaker Twin Island Cider (Pender Islands) https://www.twinislandcider.com/ <https://www.twinislandcider.com/>

Jay Drysdale – Bella Vineyards (Naramata Bench) https://www.bellawines.ca/

Bella- Jay Drysdale & Wendy Rose

Louise Fedyk – Massey Wines (Pouring Eastern European Wines) https://www.masseywines.com/ <https://www.masseywines.com/>

David Eiberg – Therianthropy (Ontario) https://therianthropy.wine/ <https://therianthropy.wine/>

Anthony Buchanan – Anthony Buchanan Wines (Kaleden) https://www.anthonybuchananwines.ca/ <https://www.anthonybuchananwines.ca/>

Anthony Buchanan

For a complete rundown of what everyone was pouring please head for

https://barnyardwinefest.ca/wineries

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Natural Wine fest Part Two

Stratus – Amazing Field Blend

Niche – Small Batch/Big Love

Solvero – Welcoming Alison Moyes

New Releases – Everywhere

Okanagan Fall Wine festival

April 8th, 2023 BARNYARD (Part One) – BC’s First Natural Wine Festival (Victoria)

April 8, 2023 00:45:52

hello

BARNYARD (Part One) – BC’s First Natural Wine Festival (Victoria)

THE SHOW

NATURAL WINE:

“Wine unplugged. It’s the unfiltered, untamed, unphotoshopped version of what we know wine to be. Hand picked, no additives, little or no sulphites.

It flies against the status quo. Challenges what people think is good wine”

Madeline Puckette /Wine Folly

This first natural wine festival was organized by Matt Cooke .

In Fall of 2022 Matt started reaching out to his contacts from his buying days at OLO, and suggested this gathering. The response was immediate and highly supportive.

Matt Cooke

The full list of wineries and agencies is up on their website:

https://barnyardwinefest.ca/wineries

The guest line up for Part One:

Matt Cooke – Founder of Barnyard www.barnyardwinefest.ca <http://www.barnyardwinefest.ca>

Rajen Toor – Winemaker Ursa Major (Black Sage Road) https://ursamajorwinery.com <https://ursamajorwinery.com/>

RajenToor

Mathew Vasilev – Co-founder/cidermaker Twin Island Cider (Pender Islands) https://www.twinislandcider.com/ <https://www.twinislandcider.com/>

Jay Drysdale – Bella Vineyards (Naramata Bench) https://www.bellawines.ca/

Bella- Jay Drysdale & Wendy Rose

Louise Fedyk – Massey Wines (Pouring Eastern European Wines) https://www.masseywines.com/ <https://www.masseywines.com/>

David Eiberg – Therianthropy (Ontario) https://therianthropy.wine/ <https://therianthropy.wine/>

Anthony Buchanan – Anthony Buchanan Wines (Kaleden) https://www.anthonybuchananwines.ca/ <https://www.anthonybuchananwines.ca/>

Anthony Buchanan

For a complete rundown of what everyone was pouring please head for

https://barnyardwinefest.ca/wineries

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Natural Wine fest Part Two

VanWineFest

Hillside

Moon Curser

Mt Boucherie

Okanagan Wine festivals

Unsworth

Lt Governors Awards

Hester Creek

New Releases.

District Wine Village

Wards Wine Country Kitchen

The Ones

August 7th, 2021 -Michael Allemeier (SAIT) & Singular Winemaker: Anthony Buchanan

August 5, 2021 00:47:11

hello

“I need a miracle” – Michael Allemeier (SAIT) and the singular wines of Anthony Buchanan.

THE SHOW

In June Exec Chef Jeff van Geest at Miradoro Restaurant /Tinhorn Creek posted an Instagram message that started with

“I need a Miracle”.

He simply couldn’t find enough kitchen staff to begin serving those amazing meals. He wasn’t alone in his search.

We talked to Chef Jeff and The Foodie Chap Liam Mayclem in San Francisco to see if the same thing was happening there. (Yes, it was)

The Kitchen

The second story within this situation was a shout out about the “toxic” nature of some better restaurants. Head chefs screaming at staff. An attitude that’s disappearing but not nearly fast enough.

I wanted to seek one more voice to make sense to this crisis. Michael Allemeier is an instructor in Calgary at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). He spent many years in this culinary world. His last Exec Chef position was The Terrance at Mission Hill Winery. The Terrace was named one of the Top 10 winery restaurants in the World.

Michael Allemeier (SAIT)

Now Michael is instructing students who will become the new kitchen staff in many of our lives.

I thought it was important to know what he was telling them in their classes about these two situations. Lack of staff and toxic environments.

His comments are telling in this two part interview.

www.sait.ca

Anthony Buchanan – Winemaker and co-founder of Anthony Buchanan Wines

“a slightly different approach to winemaking” quote from Anthony.

To anyone looking for wines that speak to you in a different “language”, the winemaker/artist to seek out is Anthony Buchanan.

Anthony Buchanan

I think it started with a Garagiste event several years ago. I had been tasting, spitting and talking most of the afternoon and in the last tent were Anthony Buchanan and his wines. It took me a long time to walk away from that tent.

Not only did I instantly like the man, I was completely won over by his wines.

His Pinot Gris tasted like none of the others that day. Same with his reds. I was gobsmacked.

Anthony Buchanan and family

Then some time later I tasted his Pinot Blanc. It was my favourite BC White of the Year. I don’t mean it as a knock on any other whites but to have a first taste lift your soul is just remarkable. AND he’s just announced that the 2020 Pinot Blanc has just been released. As good as the 2019 was, Anthony is on record as saying the 2020 is more “dynamic and complex.” 100% barrel fermented using low house toasts. Heads up – only 120 cases. And-GO!

So, its time to get caught up with one of the most interesting and independent winemakers in Canada.

Check out the wines we taste and talk about – I think you’ll see a pattern.

2020 GAD – Grape, Apple and Dandelion. The grape is an outstanding Viognier. The dandelion is your inhale. Has the jam to be a game changer

2020 Semi carbonic Malbec Rose. Unfined. Unfiltered. 2 months neutral oak. Self described “funky”

2020 Viognier. 2019 was sold out Not surprising as Anthony says its one of his best. New one coming.

Snafu – Skin fermented white blend. Clean biodynamic wine. (Chard-S Blanc-Muscat-Viognier)

Trois – Orange and Amber wine (Gew. Chardonnay Musque. Sauvignon Blanc)

Fubar – Red Blend (Zwei-Gamay-Pinot Noir-Syrah-Muscat) Beaujolais influenced

Gamay – best yet

Ancestrale Method Sparkling. (wild ferment brut) (whole cluster Chard-Pinot Gris-Gamay)

Pinot Noir (rich black fruit – sage -floral notes- spice)

Whole Cluster Syrah. Featuring foot treading by daughter Ashlyn

Gruner – (coming next year perhaps)

And two named for his children

Ashlyn – wild ferment Pinot Noir 115/667. (Black Sage Gravel Bar) Old World style – New World climate. Some foot crushing.

Some 20% new oak. Lots of neutral.

Lawson – the is the one that got my attention. Pinot Blanc. 70% Neutral French. 30% concrete. Barb Phillip was right!

www.anthonybuchananwines.ca

www.storiedwinesandspirits.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

The Okanagan Re-Connect

Some 15-20 wineries from North to South

Summer Spirits Special

A return to Tightrope

Maverick!!

June 19th, 2021 -Michael Allemeier (SAIT) & Singular Winemaker: Anthony Buchanan

June 18, 2021 00:47:29

hello

“I need a miracle” – Michael Allemeier (SAIT) and the singular wines of Anthony Buchanan.

THE SHOW

In June Exec Chef Jeff van Geest at Miradoro Restaurant /Tinhorn Creek posted an Instagram message that started with

“I need a Miracle”.

He simply couldn’t find enough kitchen staff to begin serving those amazing meals. He wasn’t alone in his search.

We talked to Chef Jeff and The Foodie Chap Liam Mayclem in San Francisco to see if the same thing was happening there. (Yes, it was)

The Kitchen

Michael Allemeier (SAIT)

Now Michael is instructing students who will become the new kitchen staff in many of our lives.

I thought it was important to know what he was telling them in their classes about these two situations. Lack of staff and toxic environments.

His comments are telling in this two part interview.

www.sait.ca

Anthony Buchanan – Winemaker and co-founder of Anthony Buchanan Wines

“a slightly different approach to winemaking” quote from Anthony. For anyone looking for wines that speak to you in a different “language”, the winemaker/artist to seek out is Anthony Buchanan.

Anthony Buchanan

Not only did I instantly like the man, I was completely won over by his wines.

His Pinot Gris tasted like none of the others that day. Same with his reds. I was gobsmacked.

Anthony Buchanan and family

Then some time later I tasted his Pinot Blanc. It was my favourite BC white of the Year. I don’t mean it as a knock on any other whites but to have a first taste lift your soul is just remarkable. AND he’s just announced that the 2020 Pinot Blanc has just been released. As good as the 2019 was, Anthony is on record as saying the 2020 is more “dynamic and complex.” 100% barrel fermented using low house toasts. Heads up – only 120 cases. And-GO!

So, its time to get caught up with one of the most interesting and independent winemakers in Canada.

Check out the wines we taste and talk about – I think you’ll see a pattern.

2020 GAD – Grape, Apple and Dandelion. The grape is an outstanding Viognier. The dandelion is your inhale. Has the jam to be a game changer

2020 Semi carbonic Malbec Rose. Unfined. Unfiltered. 2 months neutral oak. Self described “funky”

2020 Viognier. 2019 was sold out Not surprising as Anthony says its one of his best. New one coming.

Snafu – Skin fermented white blend. Clean biodynamic wine. (Chard-S Blanc-Muscat-Viognier)

Trois – Orange and Amber wine (Gew. Chardonnay Musque. Sauvignon Blanc)

Fubar – Red Blend (Zwei-Gamay-Pinot Noir-Syrah-Muscat) Beaujolais influenced

Gamay – best yet

Ancestrale Method Sparkling. (wild ferment brut) (whole cluster Chard-Pinot Gris-Gamay)

Pinot Noir (rich black fruit – sage -floral notes- spice)

Whole Cluster Syrah. Featuring foot treading by daughter Ashlyn

Gruner – (coming next year perhaps)

And two named for his children

Ashlyn – wild ferment Pinot Noir 115/667. (Black Sage Gravel Bar)Old World style – New World climate. Some foot crushing.

Some 20% new oak. Lots of neutral.

Lawson – the is the one that got my attention. Pinot Blanc. 70% Neutral French. 30% concrete. Barb Phillip was right!

www.anthonybuchananwines.ca

www.storiedwinesandspirits.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Summer Spirits Special

Tour of the Okanagan

Summer Releases

July 4th, 2020 – Sandra Oldfield/Anthony Buchanan and the legend behind Orto – Brigitte Raye!

July 3, 2020 01:04:47

hello

Sandra Oldfield, Anthony Buchanan and the local legend behind Orto Brigitte Raye!

THE SHOW

Sandra Oldfield joins the community of voices and talents who are regularly welcomed to Tasting Room Radio.

I’ve missed talking to her and exchanging “shots over the bow”!

Since Tinhorn Creek was sold she’s been busy as one winery after another was looking for her services.

She and her husband Ken opened Elysian Projects to consult and mentor new wineries and start ups looking for advice.

We don’t have enough space for the awards she’s been presented with, however, include

Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100. BC Restaurant Hall of Fame.

She has always been a strong advocate for the wine and tourism industries from founding Oliver’s Festival of the Grape in 1997 to joining the board of the Tourism Industry Association of BC.

She helped lead the movement to create the sub-appellation The Golden Mile.

A Founder of the very popular #BCWineChat.. 20 plus years at Tinhorn Creek and organizer of the yearly Fortify Conference.

And what I like most about Sandra is – when needed, she’s a gifted troublemaker.

I’m hoping this is the first of many chats we’ll have.

She’ll cover the state of BC wine right now, missed opportunities during COVID-19, what changes are coming in the future.

For wine fans you’ll find this essential and for wineries – imperative!

www.Elysianprojects.com

#bcwinechat

Anthony Buchanan – (Anthony Buchanan Wines and Desert Hills Winery)

Anthony Buchannan (Western Living)

When I’m asked to recommend winemakers to keep an eye on, one of my answers in the last couple of years has been Anthony Buchanan.

The wines he poured at last year’s garagiste were some of the very best I tasted that day.

Anthony Buchanan wines

His first classroom was at Church And State in Saanich.

Then the Okanagan with Professor Mike Bartier.

Anthony Buchanan has dedicated his entire life to revealing beauty, first with people and now with wine. With two decades in hairdressing, his story appeared set in stone. However, on becoming an Opimian Society member, he fell hard for an extraordinary Pinot Noir, and a new path emerged. Now, Anthony Buchanan’s winery offers focused low intervention Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Orange and sparkling wine from the Okanagan Valley.

Highly recommended.

Start with the fantastic Pinot Blanc Lawson (The best I’ve tasted in Canada)

2018 Trios Orange and 2018 Semillon

2018 Pinot Noir Ashlyn Clone 777. Similkameen Valley.

2018 Syrah Whole Cluster Ferment Black Sage Road. Syrah Clone 99 and Viognier clone 642.

Unfined. Unfiltered. Amazing bacon and spice flavours.

2918 Syrah “William Dean”

FUBAR – crazy blend . Zweigelt, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Muscat.

SNAFU – Chardonnay, Sauv Blanc, Muscat, Viognier

Rose – If you see it, BUY IT! The 2019 was made with Malbec and sold out like it was Christmas!

The Viognier by itself is a keeper.

The Wild Ferment Brut “Méthode Ancestrale” is like no other.

FYI Ashlyn and Lawson are the Buchanan kids. The next generation!!

https://anthonybuchananwines.ca/

ORTO Artisan Pasta – Brigitte Raye, Owner.

Orto is now open – please check website below for times and conditions.

Brigitte Raye

If the name Brigitte Raye doesn’t immediately connect with your memory bank please let me make an deposit.

For me it starts at La Regalade in West Vancouver. A Wonderful French Bistro with Brigitte front of house and Ex-Husband Alain in kitchen.

After a shut down and a divorce, the parents worked with their sons in various bistros.

Son Kevin has been cooking at Langara Fishing Lodge in Haida Gwaii; and son Steve joined his mom at Orto Artisan Pasta in North Vancouver. Brigitte as usual, charms everyone who walks through the door.

Orto means Garden in Italian. After all the French cooking, why Italy? Well, partly because Brigitte married an Italian. That helps.

It’s an old building just off Marine Drive in North Vancouver.

It used to be called Ethical Kitchen.

Everything Wine is half a block away. Its well worth the search.

What a find.

Orto shares space with Vadim Mugerman’s Bad Dog Bread. A very good bakery. Exceptional really. Bad Dog Bread offers breakfast until 11am. Next door, the former Ethical Kitchen operator makes kombucha.

You can get the bread and Kombucha all while dining at Orto as well.

The pasta is everything you could want.

There’s a very popular share dish of Burrata & Prosciutto with Bad Dog Bread. Fresh and delish!

What a great room.

As Brigitte explains, all the plates are from thrift stores… only adds to the cool.

Looking for a great personal space to just hang and love the food – here it is.

Orto Artisan Pasta

1600 MacKay North Vancouver.

http://ortoartisanpasta.com/

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Randy Ullom – Kendall Jackson/Jackson Family Wines

Kitsch – Graham Pierce Winemaker

Rathjen Cellars – Mike Rathjen

Hillside

Creek and Gully Cider

Winemakers Cut