EP 348 | Kurtis Kolt on new “Crafted in BC” wines and Launches 2025 Top Drop in Van/Calgary

May 10, 2025

hello

We’re featuring Wine Educator and Event Creator Kurtis Kolt.

Top Drop 2025, his sensational small wine fest, runs next week in Vancouver and Calgary.

Wine Educator, judge and Event Co-Ordinator Kurtis Kolt.

His thoughts on 2025 Washington Grown/Crafted in BC Wines

His impressive Top Drop Events this coming week in Vancouver and Calgary.

Kurtis Kolt is a Vancouver-based wine & hospitality consultant who writes about wine, presents seminars, hosts events, judges competitions, works with restaurants on their wine programs, and so on.

Kurtis has been running restaurants around Vancouver, eventually receiving the ‘Sommelier of the Year’ award at the 2010 Vancouver International Wine Festival.

KK is also the co-founder of Top Drop, a series of terroir-focused trade and consumer festival-style events, dubbed

“the nerdiest, most awesome wine festival in Canada.”

TOP DROP In Vancouver, May 13 and Calgary, May 15.

Kurtis books very select wineries (and their winemakers)

Check out the participants – https://vancouver.topdrop.ca/en/exhibitors

Dubbed “The One Wine Tasting of the Year You Shouldn’t Miss,” by Western Living magazine, Top Drop Vancouver and Top Drop Calgary‘s Main Events return with continued focus on sustainably-farmed, handcrafted wines offering a distinct sense of place, without heavy-handed winemaking trickery to get in the way.

His latest project is Free Spirit!, a celebration of the world of non-alc wine, beer, and spirits!

Kurtis joins us on Tasting Room Radio to also talk about the Grown in Washington – Crafted in BC 2025 Wines, now being seen on BC shelves.

February 4th, 2023- Angus An/Kurtis Kolt. Creative pairings at New Fat Mao/Fort Berens Releases

February 3, 2023 00:59:45

hello

Angus An/Kurtis Kolt. Creative pairings at New Fat Mao/Fort Berens Releases

THE SHOW

Fat Mao—meaning “prosperous cat” in Cantonese—is a casual open-kitchen concept by Chef Angus An, dishing up Thai-style noodle soups plus southeast Asian sides and drinks.

Flavourful made-from-scratch broths and locally sourced noodles are accompanied by smaller dishes of B.C. seafood, house-made tofu, and seasonal vegetable salads. Chef Angus recommends customizing your noodles with your choice of spicy sauces, oils, and tangy vinegars to personalize your own fun, comforting, and interactive meal.

“Fat Mao is an ode to the small storefronts handed down through several family generations that specialize in making one single dish over and over,” explains An. “I want our guests to pull up a stool and enjoy a bowl of their favourite noodle soup with a good novel for years to come.”

While the small and focused downtown menu features many fan favourites from the original Fat Mao, it will also offer a handful of tempting dishes from ceviche to rotating flavours of shaved ice that are exclusive to the new location.

Debut highlights include braised brisket noodles served with Asian celery and fried garlic; Nam Ngaio—a Northern-style tender pork-rib noodle dish with pork-blood cake, red cotton tree flowers, and fermented soybean; Albacore tuna ceviche with aromatic herb dressing and crispy taro; and Thai-tea shaved ice for a sweet finish, served with grass jelly and condensed milk with Thai iced-tea panna cotta.

(Fat Mao Noodles – Downtown Vancouver)

Angus An – Chef. Author. Restaurant founder.

The list of award-winning restaurants created and launched by Angus and his wife Kate is truly impressive.

Gastropod (Top 200 in the World – Zagat) Rebranded to Maenam (best Thai 8 years running- Top 25 in Canada & 2016 VanMag Restaurant of the Year)

Now, Angus and Kate have created Longtail Kitchen/Fat Mao/Freebird Chickenshack/Sen Pad Thai/Popina Canteen and Fat Mao Noodles.

AngusAn KurtisKolt

Kurtis Kolt – Has enjoyed consulting on the wine program at Maenam in Vancouver along with leaping into random adventures with chef/proprietor Angus An through various pursuits, from James Beard House dinners to pop-up Sherry bars. Now Angus has opened a second Fat Mao location in downtown Vancouver and he’s fully on board.

It’s a tricky food and wine room in that customers are in and out quickly. There’s simply not time to choose, open and pour wines so Kurtis gathered together fine wines in cans and MagBags. This is like the food and wine version of a high-wire circus act. Every dish is an orchestra of flavors and textures. The challenge for Kurtis is – which of the many flavors and spices do you want to pair your wines with?

As for the wines…

Sharply priced wines ($6-$21) are available at Fat Mao Downtown in a wide variety of serving sizes: by-the-glass in three, six, or nine ounces; and by the can in 250 mL (5 oz) single-servings, 375mL (12+ oz) ‘half bottles’, and 473 mL (16 oz) equal to a couple of glasses. Notable wines featured on the current list include selections from British Columbia’s JoieFarm, Orofino, Birch Block, and Averill Creek, plus contemporary Californian gems like Ferdinand Albariño and Matthiasson’s Barbera-driven ‘Tendu’ Rosé.

Loved this conversation – It Rocked, just like Fat Mao.

Visit fatmaonoodles.com and follow @fatmaonoodles on Instagram for more information and up-to-date specials.

www.kurtiskolt.com

Rolf De Bruin Co-Founder & Co-Owner Fort Berens Estate Winery (Lillooet)

#3 Best Small Winery in Canada

Heleen and Rolf / Fort Berens

It’s a routine I’ve been engaging in for many years now. Checking in with Fort Berens Estate Winery in Lillooet.

As I drove through the Lillooet area one year on a trout fishing trip, I could hear Harry McWatters distinctive voice in my ears…

”keep an eye out on that rangeland, could be a fine place for vineyards” Harry was right.

For 12 years now Rolf De Bruin and his wonderful wife Heleen have been leading a hard-working vineyard and wine-making team out on Highway 99 between Whistler and Cache Creek/Kamloops. High Country. Cold in the Winter. Usually the hottest place in Canada in the Summer. They have winemaking essentials. Lots of land, heat, and water.

Rolf has been planting additional vineyards and we’re now starting to see more Reserve Estate wines in Spring and Fall. One day, all the wines will come from the estate. That’s the plan, Stan.

Right in the middle of the pandemic, they managed to find, hire and transport a new winemaker/viticulturist Alex Nel. All the way from South Africa.

Alex Nel Winemaker

Keep in mind that the 2021 growing season included “the heat dome”. In Lillooet, they dealt with the highest temperature ever recorded in June, then came the wildfires. The vineyards managed to avoid the fires but they essentially shut down to survive The Sun and rebounded when the heat normalized.

When the town of Lytton was ravaged by wild fires, Fort Berens created a Pinot Gris release from one of the vineyards that the fires didn’t damage.

100% of the monies raised went to support industry partners through Lytton Strong When a silent auction and corporate sponsorship dollars were added, a total of $164,000 had been raised.

They immediately started rebuilding the Lytton outdoor pool, where the community always gathered. (did I mention it’s the hottest place in Canada?) Good people!! Congratulations all.

Here are the latest releases from Fort Berens

Meritage 2020 (available now)
Cabernet Franc 2020 (available now)
Pinot Noir 2021 (available now )
Riesling Reserve 2021 (will be released in March 2023)
White Gold 2021 (will be released in March 2023)

www.fortberens.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Van Wine Fest 2023

Haywire releases

The Mezcal of Oaxaca

Okanagan Wine Festivals

Lt Governors Awards

May 7th, 2021-“ TOP DROP: THE ONE WINE TASTING OF THE YEAR YOU SHOULDN’T MISS.”

May 6, 2022 00:36:34

hello

“ TOP DROP: THE ONE WINE TASTING OF THE YEAR YOU SHOULDN’T MISS.”

– WESTERN LIVING MAGAZINE

THE SHOW

This weeks guest is Kurtis Kolt co-founder of Top Drop.

The co-founder of Top Drop, dubbed “the nerdiest, most awesome wine festival in Canada.”

Received the ‘Sommelier of the Year’ award at the 2010 Vancouver International Wine Festival. Kurtis has run the wine program for a couple evenings at James Beard House, had bylines in local and international publications, such as Decanter and Maclean’s, plus I occasionally sit in on tasting panels at Wine & Spirits Magazine on semi-regular visits New York.

KK has various certifications and credits through London’s Wine & Spirit Education Trust, the Court of Master Sommeliers & the Winemaking Program at UC Davis.

On May 10th and 11th, Top Drop Vancouver returns, with a continued focus on sustainably-farmed, handcrafted wines offering a distinct sense of place, without heavy-handed winemaking trickery to get in the way.

Top Drop is now in its seventh year.

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Over two days, Top Drop offers Vancouver’s wine professionals and enthusiasts unique events and opportunities. As Top Drop’s flagship experience, The Main Event is a walk-around, grazing-style tasting where attendees can enjoy sips and stories from the principals of 40 participating international wineries.

The Main Event will take place from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 10 and 11, at Yaletown’s Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre (181 Roundhouse Mews). A full list of event participants follows, and can be found at TopDrop.ca. Tickets are $125 until they’re sold out, and available online at TopDrop.ca.

Event proceeds go to the BC Hospitality foundation, an organization providing financial support to individuals from the hospitality industry facing a major medical crisis.

Top Drop’s annual grand tasting features dozens of international, terroir-focused wineries and the people behind the wines.

Kurtis will be talking about the wines that are starred ***

Aldegheri, Valpolicella, Italy
w/ Jane Glees, Export Director

Anselmi, Soave, Veneto, Italy
w/ Lisa Anselmi, Family Proprietor

***Ashes & Diamonds, Napa Valley, California, USA
w/ Kashy Khaledi, Proprietor + Owner

Averill Creek Vineyard, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
w/ Brent Rowland, Winemaker

***Azienda Agricola Bruna Grimaldi , Piedmont, Italy
w/ Martina Fiorino, Family Proprietor + Sales Manager

***Bella Wines, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
w/ Jay Drysdale, Owner + Winemaker

***Benjamin Bridge, Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada
w/ Jean-Benoit Deslauriers, Winemaker

Bisol Desiderio & Figli Societa’ Agricola, Valdobbiadene, Italy
w/ Stefano Marangon, Export Manager

Bruno Paillard, Champagne, France
w/ Pierre-Jules Peyrat, Export Manager

Champagne Gardet, Champagne, France
w/ Maude Autran, Export Manager

Chappellet Vineyard, Napa Valley, California, USA
w/ Mitch Boyd, National Sales Manager

Chateau De Pommard, Pommard, Burgundy, France
w/ Victor Goichon, Export Manager

Chateau Dereszla, Tokaji, Hungary
w/ Gábor Weiner, Sales & Export Manager

***Chiorri Perugia, Umbria, Italy
w/ Francesco Strangis, Proprietor + Winemaker

***Creek & Gully Cider, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
w/ Annelise Simonsen, Proprietor + Director

Elk Cove, Gaston, Oregon, USA
w/ Cam Christie, Director Of Distribution & Sales

***Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
w/ Gordon Fitzpatrick, President

***Free Form by Okanagan Crush Pad, Okanagan Valley, Canada
w/ Matt Dumayne, Chief Winemaker

***Gekkeikan, Folsom, California, USA
w/ Koichi Murakami, VP of Sales & Marketing

***Hedges Family Estate, Red Mountain, Washington, USA
w/ Christophe Hedges, General Manager

***Lightning Rock Winery, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
w/ Jordan Kubek, Winegrower

***Long Shadows, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA
w/ Dane Narbaitz, Director of Sales & Marketing

***Marchesi Di Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
w/ Valentina Abbona, Family Member + Ambassador

***Martin’s Lane Winery, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
w/ Shane Munn, Winemaker

Medici Ermete, Reggio Emilia, Italy
w/ Ermes Scardova, Export Director

Mirafiore, Piedmont, Italy
w/ Chiara Destefanis, Export Area Manager

Montes, Colchagua, Chile
w/ Bryan Steinsapir, Export Manager

***Orofino, Similkameen Valley, BC Canada
w/ John Weber, Proprietor + Winemaker

Pere Ventura, Penedès, Spain
w/ Hortense Capelle, Export Sales Manager

Salcheto, Tuscany, Italy
w/ Michele Manelli, Winemaker

Susana Balbo Wines, Mendoza, Argentina
w/ German Pungitore, General Manager

***Synchromesh Wines, Okanagan Falls, BC, Canada
w/ Alan Dickinson, Proprietor + Winemaker + Farmer

Tenuta Di Trinoro + Passopisciaro, Tuscany + Sicily, Italy
w/ Letizia Patane, Export Manager

Tenuta Valdipiatta, Montepulciano, Italy

***Terravista Vineyards, Naramata Bench, BC, Canada
w/ Nadine Allander, Winemaker

Troupis Winery, Mantinia, Greece

***Ursa Major Winery Okanagan, Canada
w/ Rajen Toor, Winemaker + Grower + Proprietor

***Weingut Thörle, Rheinhessen, Germany
w/ Christoph Thörle, Proprietor

***Xanadu Winery, Margaret River, Australia
w/ Douglas Elliott, North American Manager

For Main Event tickets, along with more information and news, visit TopDrop.ca

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Meet the Makers – Victoria

Michael Bartier – Project B

VanWineFest

Sponsor Fest

Cowichan June Winefest

December 19th, 2020- Kurtis Kolt & The Wine Diva with Outstanding Bottles and Bubbles

December 18, 2020 00:49:56

hello

Kurtis Kolt & The Wine Diva with Outstanding Bottles and Bubbles

THE SHOW

As the Holidays get closer I’ve always found myself drawing closer to friends. It’s never planned, it just happens.

It may be because of shared experiences and moments or flat out long time friendships.

Whateverrrrr!

I sent out two invites this week. One to Kurtis Kolt.

Kurtis-Kolt

Vancouver based wine consultant, occasional writer for VanMag, a wine educator and top tier Wine Judge.

And a friend.

I asked if he would bring with him a list of wines that impressed him over the year and that could be found at most BC Liquor Stores.

Kurtis said Yes. He Suggested 4 Whites – One Pink – 4 Reds. Something for everyone. Please find the list below..

I also wanted to ask Kurtis about the state of BC Restaurants and Wineries in 2020 and how we can help both in 2021.

Domaine Martin Jund Edelzwicker – Alsace, France, $31.99

https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/15782

Pewsey Vale Eden Valley 2018 Riesling – Eden Valley, Australia, $19.99 LTO til January 2, $21.99

https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/617126

Anthonij Rupert Wines Protea Chenin Blanc – Western Cape, South Africa, $14.99

https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/777953

Bartier Bros. 2019 Semillon, Okanagan Valley, B.C., $16.97 LTO til January 2, $19.99

https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/245910

Domaine Lafond Roc Epine 2018 Tavel, Rhône Valley, France, $27.99

https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/110411

Tenuta Castellaro Ypsilon Rosso, Sicily, Italy, $35.99

https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/143498

Robin Ridge 2018 Gamay, Similkameen Valley, BC, $22.99

https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/484907

Marchesi Di Barolo 2014 Barolo, Piedmont, Italy, $59.99

https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/378729

Langmeil Valley Floor 2017 Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia, $30.99 LTO til January 2, $34.99

https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/564450

Thank You Kurtis

@Kurtis Kolt

The second friend I reached out to was Daenna Van Mulligen – The Wine Diva

Daenna Van Mulligen

If you’ve heard Daenna on TRR over the years you’ll know that she LOVES her Bubble.

So when Daenna said Yes, I focused on an end of the year/gift giving Best Bubble List. I’ve posted the list below.

(The complete list can be found at winediva.ca)

Okanagan Crush Pad ‘Narrative XC Method’ Sparkling, Okanagan Valley BC N/A

See Ya Later Ranch Sparkling Brut, Okanagan Valley, BC $23.99

Freixenet ‘Cordon Negro’ Gran Seleccion Cava, Spain $16.49

Freixenet Prosecco, Veneto Italy $20.00

Segura Viudas Brut Reserva, Penedes Spain, NV $16.99

Valdo Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore “Marco Oro”, Veneto Italy $23.99

Play Estate Winery ‘Teatro’ Moscato Frizzante, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Township 7 Vineyards and Winery ‘Seven Stars Equinox’, Okanagan Valley N/A

Steller’s Jay ‘Mountain Jay’ Brut, Okanagan Valley BC $22.99

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars Brut Rose, Okanagan Valley $40.00

L’Acadie Vineyards Vintage Cuvee Rose, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia $35.00

L’Acadie Vineyards Vintage Cuvee, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia $35.00

Mission Hill Family Estate Winery Reserve Brut, Okanagan Valley, BC $25.00

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars Gold Label Brut, Okanagan Valley BC $30.00

L’Acadie Vineyards Prestige Brut Estate, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia $55.00

Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards ‘Fitz’ Brut, Okanagan Valley BC N/A

Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards ‘Fitz Reserve’ Sparkling Rose, Okanagan Valley BC N/A

You can find all of her Wine Lists at www.winediva.ca and www.winescores.ca

Click on Wine Lists

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

The Hawksworth Cookbook

Sperling Vineyards

Best of the Year

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL… STAY SAFE!

EP 133 | Sandra Oldfield, Kurtis Kolt, Rhys Pender. Helping Restaurants and Wineries in the year ahead

November 29, 2020

hello

You may have noticed that our Podcast has a subtitle

Music. Film. Food. Wine. Those are the subjects I keep coming back to.

We do lots of music and film and some food but the wine pods have been few and far between. That’s going to change.

The stories and interviews that stand out for me are the interviews affecting people everywhere.

This week it’s how we – the food and wine fan – can support our local restaurants and wineries, cideries, breweries, distillers.

The pandemic has caused many restaurants to close or hold on for dear life.

Wineries will disappear over the next year. The same with brewers, cider makers, and distillers.

I really wanted to hear from three voices that deal with this community every day. The question – what can we do. How can we help?

Sandra Oldfield – 20 years a winemaker and X-CEO of Tinhorn Creek Winery. Now head of Elysian Projects, assisting and guiding wineries and restaurants.

Kurtis Kolt – Wine writer, judge, and educator. Many years in the restaurant business in downtown Vancouver.

Rhys Pender – Master of Wine, Winemaker at Little Farm Wines. Educator via WinePlus. A calm voice inside all the noise.

February 29th, 2020- Top Drop 2019- Victoria

February 28, 2020 01:05:37

hello

TOP DROP / FIRST TIME IN VICTORIA

The press release came in loud and clear.

For the very first time Top Drop was coming to Victoria.

Frankly, that’s all I needed to know.

I’ve been happily covering this small wildly successful wine gathering for
Six Years but Top Drop in Victoria is a whole other event. Why? Because
Victoria is a great wine town.

TOP DROP is Vancouver based so they needed a Victoria Host. Turns out the
Vessel crew have been watching this independent, craft wine festival seed
and grow in Vancouver, and spread to Calgary in 2018. This was their year to
launch it in Victoria for ONE DAY .

Victoria International Marina

Top Drop is an opportunity to celebrate authenticity in farming, terroir
and wine, with winery principals from around the globe.

Mirroring Top Drop Vancouver and Calgary’s flagship experience, the public
event is a walk around, grazing-style tasting where attendees enjoy sips
and stories from the principals of international and local wineries. There
has never before been a wine tasting of this scope and caliber in Victoria.

For me and TRR, the voice and face of Top Drop has always been Kurtis Kolt.
Wine educator and Wine writer for the Georgia Straight.

Kurtis and TD

Because of the foul weather, Kurtis and his partners were delayed in
Vancouver and could not attend while I was there.

Once again Kurtis Kolt and his partner Jeff Curry and a sensational team
have convinced some of the very best winemakers to pour at Top Drop.

What they have in common is craft and care!

In Kurtis’ column in the Georgia Straight he said this:

“Each year, our process begins the same. Our team casts out a wide net to
British Columbia-based importers and wineries, asking for winery
applications to participate in the event. First and foremost, Top Drop
wineries must fit with our general philosophy: that wines, indeed, express
terroir or offer a sense of place.

Whether we’re talking vines grown in mineral-rich soils or under
cool-climate growing conditions bringing bright acidity or in sun-drenched
regions offering generous, opulent fruit and so on, we want those elements
to be notable in the glass and for them to have arrived there authentically,
rather than via heavy-handed additions in the winery.

Sustainable farming is also key. There is a high priority on those who
employ these methods while farming their own fruit or who work with growers
who fit the mold.”

Winemaking Guests in Victoria:

(Check them out – Winners All!!)

Ross Borland Managing Partner/Vessel Liquor Victoria www.vesselliquor.com

Mitch Renaud Asst manager Vessel Liquor Victoria www.vesselliquor.com

Rhys Pender (MW) Little Farm/Similkameen Valley
http://www.littlefarmwinery.ca/

Angus Thomson Urlar/ Gladstone NZ http://www.urlar.co.nz/

Kelsey Rufiange – Echo Bay/OK Falls www.echobayvineyard.ca

Grant Biggs – Kitsch wines/Kelowna www.kitschwines.ca

Tyler Knight = Lightening Rock/Summerland www.lightningrockwinery.com

Larry Gerelus – Stags Hollow/OK Falls www.stagshollowwinery.com

Michael Shindler – A Sunday in August/Similkameen Valley
www.asundayinaugust.com

Dan Wright – Unsworth/Cowichan Valley www.unsworthvineyards.com

https://topdrop.ca/

: Angus Thomson and Urlar Cows

: Dan Wright Unsworth

: Grant Biggs – Kitsch

: Kelsey Rufiange – Echo Bay (photo silk and coupe)

: Larry Gerelus – Stags Hollow

: Michael Shindler – A Sunday in August

: Rhys Pender Little Farm

: Tyler Knight – Lightening Rock (yyc tasting)

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Mescal Master in Oaxaca

Orofino. Row Fourteen. Road 13, The Hatch. Unsworth.

Locals Only

Parksville Uncorked and Untapped.

What’s up with Ned Bell

Discovering Sheringham and Lumette Distilled

January 18th, 2019 – The 5th Pinot Noir Celebration in Kelowna

January 17, 2020 00:59:46

hello

The 5^th Pinot Noir Celebration in Kelowna

THE SHOW

The 2019 BC Pinot Noir Celebration brings together BC’s top 35 Pinot Noir producers for an unforgettable festival-style tasting experience. The event kicked off with a reception and keynote address by Madeline Puckette, certified sommelier and author of New York Times Bestseller, Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine.

Kurtis Kolt

To put this gathering in proper perspective, here’s an overview from writer/judge Kurtis Kolt:

My big take-away is how local Pinot Noir reflects its terroir of origin, rather than its producers trying to emulate other iconic Pinot regions around the world, from Burgundy in France to the Russian River Valley in California.

No matter which B.C. region it hailed from, each one had a freshness and purity of fruit, along with juicy acidity—a common trait in B.C. wine. I was quite impressed that compared to other reds—from Bordeaux-inspired blends to Syrah—the B.C. Pinot Noirs were all tasty and approachable, whether we were looking at current, more fruit-forward releases, or bottlings as far back as a 2006 from Averill Creek on Vancouver Island. It had started to exhibit those more savoury, tertiary notes like sarsaparilla and sun-dried tomato, but still had great structure and was buoyant on the palate.

Kurtis, who guests on this special, makes the comment that Pinot Noir is the one wine that can be grown from coast-to-coast in Canada.

All 35 wineries pouring at the event were accepted through a high profile sommelier tasting panel. They were determined to be the best of the best.

Our owner/winemaker guests are:

Jak Meyer – Meyer Family Vineyards/Organizer

Grant Biggs – Kitsch/ Organizer

David Paterson – Tantalus/ Organizer

Jason Parkes – The Hatch

Madeline Puckette – Keynote speech and Wine Folly Author

Grant Stanley – Spearhead

Ben Bryant – Mission Hill

Jenn and Kent Molgat – The View

Chris Carson – Meyer Family and Carson

Dan Wright – Unsworth

Paul Pender – Tawse and Hidden Bench

Rhys Pender – Master of Wine and Panelist

Kurtis Kolt – Wine Educator and Panelist

Paul M Bruner – owner of Blue Grouse

Andy Johnson – Owner of Averill Creek

Tyler Knight – Co-owner of Lightning Rock

: Paul Pender

: Jenn Molgat

: Jason Parkes

: Grant Stanley

: Dan Wright

: Jak Meyer

: Andy Johnson

: Rhys Pender

: Madeline Puckette

http://www.bcpinotnoir.ca

https://winebc.com/

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

The 2019 Garagiste at Sperling Vineyards

The 2020 Victoria Whisky Festival

Food, Wine & A Mescal Master in Oaxaca

Field Blends – Are we in or out

January 4th, 2019 – Kurtis Kolt: Wines of the Year & We Remember Harry McWatters.

January 3, 2020 00:49:14

hello

Kurtis Kolt: Wines of the Year & We Remember Harry McWatters

THE SHOW

Kurtis Kolt – The Dude

Kurtis Kolt

Kurtis is a sommelier, a consultant, educator and the fine wine writer for the Georgia Straight “The Bottle” Column. Along with partner Jeff Curry, Kurtis is also the co-founder of Top Drop, a premier small wine festival with BIG guests.

KK has a really good grasp of the wine World. He studies Local, Regional, National and International wines. Travels the World, walking the vineyards..tasting the cellars.

Thus, Kurtis is the perfect end of the year – start of the year guest.

We’re talking about

The Top 6 best wines of his year. The most memorable ones.

The highlights of his trip to South Africa

The rise of pop-up wine bars in Vancouver

A quick look ahead to 2020 VanWinefest

And a teaser about this year’s Top Drop in Calgary, Vancouver and perhaps Victoria.

When Kurtis Kolt recommends wine it’s a good thing to focus on those wines. It’s time To FOCUS!!

Natte Valleij Cinsault 2017, South Africa, $28-32, Private Wine Stores
Lighting Rock Viognier 2017, B.C., $25, LightningRockWinery.com
Tiberio Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo 2018, $23.99, B.C. Liquor Stores
Mathieu & Camille Lapierre Morgon 2018, France, $46.00
Tantalus Vineyards Blanc de Blancs 2016, B.C., $34.70, VQA Wine Stores
Kitsch Wines Pinot Noir Rose

www.kurtiskolt.com

https://www.nelsontheseagull.com/

@kurtiskolt

#kurtiskolt

@georgiastraight

#thebottle

Remembering Harry McWatters – Founder. Builder. Legend.

May 23 1945 – July 23 2019

Harry McWatters

The December holidays gave me the opportunity to reflect on 2019 and the past decade.

One face and voice stayed in my head and my heart.

The great Harry McWatters.

Her Highness and a guy named Harry

Harry was a major force in the British Columbia and Canadian wine industry for more than 50 years. In 1980, Harry became the founder of British Columbia’s first estate winery, Sumac Ridge and followed with See Ya Later Ranch. He was a pioneer in establishing the Okanagan Wine Festival Society. In 1990, Harry chaired the new British Columbia Wine Institute. He was the founding Chair of the British Columbia Wine Information Society, founding Chair of VQA of Canada spearheading national wine standards, founding Chair of the British Columbia Hospitality Foundation, and a long term Director on the Canadian Vintners Association. Most recently, he was the President and CEO of ENCORE Vineyards.

A member of the Order of British Columbia, inductee to the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame, two-time Jubilee Medal winner. the recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree, and the recipient of the Vancouver Wine Festival Spirited Industry Professional Award. He was the Marketer of the Year for North America..

As impressive as that amazing record is, the lasting legacy of Harry McWatters will be his character.

Ready to help, available for advice, a mentor for 50 years and a wonderful friend and father. His laughter will never leave my soul.

I discovered this interview with Harry just as he was launching his Time label. We met at the wonderful Local Lounge and Grill in Summerland. A room he was familiar with as he helped launch the restaurant.

Harry and I covered a lot of ground but what I really liked about this chat was his honesty and drive.

Here’s to you Harry.

The history of the Okanagan will now be written by your children, your friends and students.

http://www.winesofcanada.com/harryMcwatters.html

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Van Wine Fest

Mescal Tasting in Oaxaca Mexico

With Sosima Olivera

September 21st, 2019 – The 5th Pinot Noir Celebration in Kelowna

September 20, 2019 00:59:10

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The 5^th Pinot Noir Celebration in Kelowna

THE SHOW

Kurtis Kolt

To put this gathering in proper perspective, here’s an overview from writer/judge Kurtis Kolt:

Kurtis, who guests on this special, makes the comment that Pinot Noir is the one wine that can be grown from coast-to-coast in Canada.

All 35 wineries pouring at the event were accepted through a high profile sommelier tasting panel. They were determined to be the best of the best.

Our owner/winemaker guests are:

Jak Meyer – Meyer Family Vineyards/Organizer

Grant Biggs – Kitsch/ Organizer

David Paterson – Tantalus/ Organizer

Jason Parkes – The Hatch

Madeline Puckette – Keynote speech and Wine Folly Author

Grant Stanley – Spearhead

Ben Bryant – Mission Hill

Jenn and Kent Molgat – The View

Chris Carson – Meyer Family and Carson

Dan Wright – Unsworth

Paul Pender – Tawse and Hidden Bench

Rhys Pender – Master of Wine and Panelist

Kurtis Kolt – Wine Educator and Panelist

Paul M Bruner – owner of Blue Grouse

Andy Johnson – Owner of Averill Creek

Tyler Knight – Co-owner of Lightning Rock

: Paul Pender

: Jenn Molgat

: Jason Parkes

: Grant Stanley

: Dan Wright

: Jak Meyer

: Andy Johnson

: Rhys Pender

: Madeline Puckette

http://www.bcpinotnoir.ca

https://winebc.com/

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Garagiste North – Next Week

Fort Berens

Passion Pit Vineyard at Orofino

Cowichan Valley Winemakers

Fishing, Food, Wine and Fishing Year 7

December 17th, 2016 – Gift Wines, Wines for Parties, Budget Wines

December 15, 2016 00:50:37

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It’s Wall-to-Wall Wines featuring the reviews and stellar expertise of Master of Wine Rhys Pender, Consultant and teacher DJ Kearney and Georgia Straight Wine Columnist and consultant Kurtis Kolt.

If you’re looking for Gift Wines, Wines for Parties, Budget Wines for yourself and need to know the best wines of the Year in BC and the world..THIS is your show.

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THE SHOW

Let’s face it, this time of year we’re faced with a lot of decisions.

We can’t help you with most of them BUT we can help you with your wine selections.

The guests reviewers on this show are three of the very best in Canada.

Respected by their peers and the industry itself.

We’ll cover gift wines/Wines to take to parties/Budget wines for Yourself/Outstanding wines of the year from BC and the World.

Enjoy!!! Happy Holidays!

DJ Kearney

DJ Kearney

DJ is a judge, writer, instructor and educator at the highest levels in the wine world.

She has just been made Director of Wine at New District, a very new and distinct wine group. (that story next year)

DJ Kearney’s 15 years in the wine industry embrace teaching, wine writing, wine criticism, and wine presentations for festivals and industry trade organizations. She has trained thousands of sommelier candidates throughout North America for the International Sommelier Guild and the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, and has travelled extensively to the wine regions of the world. Although a global wine expert, she naturally has a special devotion for the wines of her home region. For many years DJ has been an industry advisor and ambassador for B.C. wines, teaching and presenting on behalf of the industry. Recently she toured Decanter’s Steven Spurrier through the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys, and curated the historic Judgment of B.C. tasting in Vancouver. For the past several years she’s been the Drink Editor for Vancouver Magazine, and critic/contributor for WineAlign.

Gifts:

The perfect 2-pack:

Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2014 Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa $44.99 (BCLDB)

Torres Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Penedes, Spain $56 +315838 (BCLDB)

Champagne gifts:

Champagne Roederer Brut Premier N/V $61.99 +268771 (BCLDB)

Champagne Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Brut Premier Cru Cuis N/V $80 (fine private stores)

What I’m taking to the party:

Chateau La Gravelle Muscadet de Sevre et Maine Sur Lie 2014 $16 +411006 (BCLDB)

Pesquié Terrasses Rouge 2013 $17.49 +708750 (BCLDB)

Best of BC:

C.C. Jentsch Syrah 2013 (winery direct or private wine stores)

Le Vieux Pin Ava 2014 $25 $34.90 (winery direct or private wine stores)

Little Farm Chardonnay Mulberry Tree Vineyard 2014 $26 +841783 (winery direct or private wine stores)

Moraine Malbec 2013 $24 (and their Pinot Noir 2013, Syrah 2013 and Viognier 2013) (private stores or winery direct)

Blue Mountain Blanc de Blancs R.D. 2008 $39.90 +402594 (winery direct or private wine stores)

CedarCreek Platinum Riesling Icewine 2014 $53 (winery direct or fine wine stores)

Best Canadian’s to try:

Benjamin Bridge Brut N/V $50 +313106

Thomas Bachelder Niagara Pinot Noir 2012 $60+ (private wine stores)

Best ‘over-deliver’ wine

Emiliana Coyam 2012 Colchagua, Chile $27.49 +845321 (BCLDB)

World Beaters

Domaine Pattes Loup Chablis 2012 $40 (private wine stores)

Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Reserva Valle de Uco 2012 $30.99 +522870 (BCLDB)

Domaine Faiveley Nuits Saint Georges Premier Cru Les Damodes 2012 $112 +809343 (BCLDB)

Pio Cesare Barolo 2010 $65 (private wine stores)

Blandy’s 5 year Old Verdelho Madeira $27 +845818 (BCLDB)

DJ Kearney (@djwines) | Twitter

Newdistrict.ca

Kurtis Kolt

Kurtis Kolt

His background is in running restaurants around Vancouver, most recently managing Gastown’s Salt tasting Room until 2010 when he received the Sommelier of the Year Award at the Vancouver Wine festival.

He’s been profiled by Wine Enthusiast Mag, run the wine program at James Beard House in NY, been a tasting participant at Wine and Spirits Mag and educated through London’s Wine and Spirit Education Trust, The Court of Master Sommeliers and the Winemaking Program at UC Davis.

Kurtis is an in demand consultant and advisor.

Currently he’s the Wine Columnist at The Georgia Straight. His column is called The Bottle.

Gifts

Bella Wines 2013 Sparkling Blanc De Blancs – Oliver West Side – $23.90/750 ml, $14.90/375 ml

Bella Wines 2013 Sparkling Blanc De Blancs – Oliver East Side – $23.90/750 ml, $14.90/375 ml

BellaWines.ca

Parties

Gonzalez Byass Nutty Solera Oloroso Sherry – $15.99 – B.C. Liquor Stores

Budget wines for yourself

Christophe Pacalet 2011 Beaujolais Villages – $20.99 – B.C. Liquor Stores

Outstanding wines of the year, BC and the World

Clos du Tue-Boeuf 2013 Cheverny ‘Rouillon’ – $27-32 – Private Wine Stores

Robert Mondavi Reserve To Kalon Vineyard 2012 Napa Fume Blanc – $41.99 – B.C. Liquor Stores

Lock & Worth Winery 2013 Square One Cabernet Franc V.3 – $30 – LockAndWorth.com

Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2005 Blanc de Blancs – $199.99 – B.C. Liquor Stores

http://www.kurtiskolt.com/

Kurtis Kolt (@KurtisKolt) | Twitter

Rhys Pender

Rhys Pender is Canada’s youngest Master of Wine.

A passionate educator, wine lover, judge, writer, and grape grower/farmer, Rhys has worked in the wine industry since he was a teenager. In 2004 Rhys began taking on the grueling Master of Wine program. This culminated in Rhys becoming Canada’s youngest Master of Wine in 2010, one of only approximately 300 in the world.
Rhys runs a WSET wine school and consultancy through his business Wine Plus+ and between travelling around the world can be found with his boots in the dirt at his small 4 acre vineyard and winery in the Similkameen Valley – Little Farm Winery. He is a regular contributor to Canadian publications such as Montecristo, Taste, Savour, Wine Trend and Good Life Connoisseur. In addition to judging for Wine Align, Rhys judges wine competitions internationally such as the Decanter World Wine Awards, Vancouver Magazine Wine Awards and the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition

BEST INTERNATIONAL OF YEAR:

1 Chateau Haut Brion 2010 ($1599, 766618)

2 Ridge Monte Bello2010 ($283, Marquis)

3 Wynns 2010 John Riddoch CabernetSauvignon (~$100, not sure availability)

BEST BC:

4 Orofino 2014 Wild Ferment Syrah – Scout Vineyard ($29, sold out)

5 Van Westen Vineyards 2013 Voluptuous ($30, winery) (current vintage is 2011)

GIFT:
6 Château Dereszla 2008 Tokaji Aszú – 5 Puttonyos (500ml) ($44, 285643)

7 Taylor Fladgate 1985 Vintage Port($229.99, 149377)

8 Croft Vintage Port 1994 ($144.99, 686550)

9 Château Carles 2005 Haut-Carles Fronsac, Bordeaux, France ($79, 399253)

10 Mount Pleasant 2007 Elizabeth Semillon ($21, 664862)

11 Wynns Coonawarra Estate 2012 Black LabelCabernet Sauvignon ($21.99 til Jan 2, 502039)

HAVE AROUND HOUSE FOR HOLIDAYS:

12 Perrin 2012 Vacqueyras – Les Christins ($23, 585315)

13 Domaine de Babio 2011 Minervois ($17.49, 928531)

14 Château Bonnet 2013 Chénas Beaujolais, France ($21, 821769)

15 Régis Boucabeille 2013 Les Terrasses Côtes du Roussillon Villages, France ($20.49, 464883)

16 José Pariente 2011 Rueda (Verdejo) Rueda, Spain ($28.99, 884502)

17 Grao Vasco 2011 Dao, Portugal ($7.49 special, 14977)

18 Haywire 2013 The Bub ($29.90, winery)

www.wineplus.ca

Rhys Pender MW (@WinePlus) | Twitter

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

NEXT WEEK Christmas Eve

A look back at the 38^th annual Vancouver International Wine Festival – with feature region Italy!!

Guests include

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

Dec 31 New Years EVE show

Hour Two of the 38^th Annual VanWineFest.

Guests include

Daenna van Mulligen – WineDiva.ca
DJ Kearney – NewDistrict.ca
Kurtis Kolt – Georgia Straight
Rhys Pender – Master of Wine
Matt Dumayne – WM Haywire
Andrew Winsor – WM Tinhorn Creek
John Freeman – WM Waterbrook (Washington)
Poplar Grove – Stefan Arnason, Winemaker
David Phillips – Michael David Winery (Cali)
Mark DeVere – Mondavi (Cali)
Ted Seghesio – Seghesio
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)

kurtis kolt

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THE SHOW

Angus An – Chef. Author. Restaurant founder.

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

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“ TOP DROP: THE ONE WINE TASTING OF THE YEAR YOU SHOULDN’T MISS.”

– WESTERN LIVING MAGAZINE

THE SHOW

This weeks guest is Kurtis Kolt co-founder of Top Drop.

Kurtis will be talking about the wines that are starred ***

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

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Kurtis Kolt & The Wine Diva with Outstanding Bottles and Bubbles

THE SHOW

The second friend I reached out to was Daenna Van Mulligen – The Wine Diva

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

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TOP DROP / FIRST TIME IN VICTORIA

The press release came in loud and clear.

Winemaking Guests in Victoria:

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

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The 5th Pinot Noir Celebration in Kelowna

THE SHOW

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

hello

THE SHOW

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

hello

The 5th Pinot Noir Celebration in Kelowna

THE SHOW

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

hello

THE SHOW

Enjoy!!! Happy Holidays!

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

The 5^th Pinot Noir Celebration in Kelowna

The 5^th Pinot Noir Celebration in Kelowna