Audio

EP 112 | Jim Cuddy and Barney Bentall on Fathers Day

June 20, 2020 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

Hello all.

I hope you are safe and well and happy.

Welcome to The Mulligan Stew Podcast. We’re over 100 shows now…

OK. Its Fathers Day weekend.

It’s also Summer Solstice

I always hear a phrase…. “I’m in the family business”

Now, that works if your family are Store Owners, or Office Workers, Doctors. Nurses. Teachers. Farmers etc.

We have two guests today who are friends and fathers.

Jim Cuddy from Blue Rodeo and The Jim Cuddy Band.

Barney Bentall. Leader of Cariboo Express. High Bar Gang. BYU and his own solo career.

 

How has the family dynamic changed when their sons and daughters follow them in the music business.

Share the stage. Maybe even write songs together. (maybe being the keyword)

And how do family members like being the subject of songs they hear on the radio?

I was excited to get these two pals together and exchange life experiences.

We connected on Zoom and you can find the complete conversation below:

June 20th, 2020 – CELEBRATING OUR WINE PARTNERS –  PART TWO

June 20, 2020 Tasting Room Radio 00:51:33

hello

CELEBRATING OUR WINE PARTNERS –  PART TWO

(Row 14 at Klippers and Unsworth)

  

THE SHOW

 The Tour de 2020 was an idea that came as 2019 turned into 2020.

“let’s go visit all the sponsors, taste and do interviews”

I loved the idea. You can only do so much over the phone or Zoom.

Nothing beats sitting down with your partners and friends to talk wine, foods and plans for the year.

Then Corona Virus struck and everything changed. It’s still changed. However, the wine business kept on going..from shut down to drive through.

Free delivery to on line tastings.

So back to the phones we went. (except for Unsworth)

It’s almost impossible to explain how much we appreciate those who support us. They have a lot of choices and we’re just happy they chose us.

Last week we featured

Jason Parkes and Grayson Riordan from The Hatch

John Weber from Orofino

Joseph Luckhurst  from Road 13

In the spotlight this week it’s

Anne- Marie and Kevin Klippenstein  from Row 14 at Klippers Organic Acres and Untangled Cider  (Cawston, Similkameen Valley)

Anne-Marie and Kevin Klippenstein

And Derek Grey – co-partner and chef at Row 14 at Klippers (from Savio Volpe)

 

We’ve all heard the phrase “farm to table”.  Row 14 is the Real Deal.

They  take produce that surrounds  Row 14  at Klippers Organics and cook it simply. The wood fire is the heart of the room. Diners waiting for their food  can watch it cooking on the open hearth.

 

As Kevin explains they use  olive oil from Salt Spring Island and balsamic vinegar from Verturi Schulze in the Cowichan, for example. They also gets their eggs and meats from local farmers in the Similkameen Valley.

The region has some of the best produce in B.C.  Most of it organic .

Its the perfect pairing. Similkameen wine and Similkameen produce all grown in the same soils.

In the coming weeks we’ll tell you more about their untangled cider and The Suites at Klippers.

The fine people  and everything they’re committed to are well worth your time to follow.

Chef takes us through the absolute delight of having almost everything he needs right outside the kitchen doors.  Fresh. Organic. Cooked on an open fire. Perfect!!!

The Similkameen Valley has officially run up the ”follow us” flag.

http://www.klippersorganics.com/

Chris Turyk – Family Member, Marketing Director, Sommelier.  Unsworth Vineyards (Cowichan)

Long time partners and one of the best success stories in BC Wine.

They proudly showcase their Pinot Noir, Rose and bubble programs in addition to an ever expanding portfolio.

Sweet tasting room and patio… throw in a lake just for fun and a restaurant that makes the best meals and  pizza for miles.

Chris and I sat 6 feet apart and talked about “the new normal” and what the rest of the year may look like.

Chris Turyk – Unsworth

They continue to release new wines and blends including

Rose Charme

Cuvee De L’ile

Gamay Noir

Symphony Red Blend

Pinot Noir

And that glorious Rose.

And best of all we talk about the new Sub GI for the Cowichan.  Labels can now be site specific and its one more step for  this region in its quest to  become  of major interest to wine fans and investors.

Just watch.

www.unsworthvineyards.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Hillside

The story behind Winemakers Cut

Mt Boucherie

Vanessa and Howard Soon

Anthony Buchanan

Noble Ridge

Lock and Worth

Nichol Vineyards

Bartier Bros.

Cedar Creek

And much more

 

 

EP 111 | Dan Magnan Co-Founder Side Door Access

June 12, 2020 Mulligan Stew Podcast

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Has the Side Door become the Front Door?

 

Singer/Songwriter Dan Mangan shared a “movement – an idea” with me on Mulligan Stew Radio.   Jan 6, the first show of  2018.

 

“We are building a platform where artists can earn a living by trimming the overhead of touring. We help you find magical small spaces with dedicated hosts and attentive audiences.

We want to help create human, tactile experiences offline. Music, Speakers, Dance, Theatre, Comedy – you name it.”

 

It was called Side Door Access.   www.sidedooraccess.com

Two years later and thanks, in part to a worldwide pandemic,  it has become a sensation.

Yes, artists can still play barns, basements, backyards, stores, coffee shops, libraries, etc

But now they can broadcast from HOME…and feel/see the audience

And best of all make a living

Here’s the latest from Dan Mangan…on the Side Door Story, his career, family, COVID 19, and the moment when he realized that his life was about to change.

Encore!!!!

June 13th, 2020 Celebrating National Rosé Day and our wine partners 

June 12, 2020 Tasting Room Radio 01:05:18

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Celebrating National Rosé Day and our wine partners 

 

THE SHOW. 

 

June 13 is National Rosé Day.  Celebrating all that’s  great about drinking Pink. 

Who better to lead the celebration than Master of Wine  Elizabeth Gabay?

Wine Master  and author Elizabeth Gabay joins us.

She’s written a book called Rose!  Understanding The Pink Wine Revolution.

Terry and Elizabeth  discuss her book and all that went into it. For example,  Elizabeth  tasted 10 Rosé a day. A total of 1500 over 6 months from across the globe. Hear everything you need to know about one of the world’s oldest known types of wine.

June 13 is National  Rose Day –Rose was always considered the Ugly Duckling..Now  THE SWAN Emerges!!

She knows what she talks about.

Elizabeth is a Master of Wine who lives North of Nice!

Provence is right around the corner. And in France, 30% of all wine consumed is Rose.

One thing we do understand – there is no hotter wine right now than Rose.

In Canada for example, Imported Rose sales grew by 116% between 2012-2016.

Canadian production grew 9%.

Rose winemaking has become complex, making it perfect for food pairing.

Yes, you can find lots of light Summer Sippers..somebody is even making a stronger Rose..for all you fans who want ice in the glass.

There are natural Rose in cement tanks, eggs and even terracotta amphorae.

… and it’s NOT just a Summer drink anymore.

Even though stores and restaurants back off after Thanksgiving..many wine fans (me included) carry on through the Winter..finding new ways to pair Rose and hearty winter meals.

There’s Rose in Oak. Aged Rose.

What colour Rose you choose is totally open for discussion.

Many fully grown men (if there is such a thing) will not be caught with a “pink drink”

I still find that bizarre.

Elizabeth joins us  from her house in a small French village Saint- Martin- Vesubie “just North of Nice”

Elizabeth Gabay

You can find her at www.pink.wine

Liquid Partnerships

Tasting Room Radio has always been made up of Four Segments. In the beginning we decided to partner with four sponsors, one for each segment. We’ve made some great friends along the way. Okanagan Crush Pad, New District, Okanagan Falls Winery Association, Naramata Bench Wineries, CC Jentsch, Marquee Wine Cellars, Four Seasons Vancouver, Bench 1775, Cowboy Coffee and many more.

We had planned to do a driving tour of our current sponsors..starting at Unsworth on Vancouver Island then taking the Crowsnest Pass to Cawston in the Similkameen Valley and visit Orofino and the new Row 14 Restaurant at Klippers organics. On to Road 13 on the Golden Mile and finally ending up at

The Hatch on Mount Boucherie.

As you well know, all plans were put on hold as the Pandemic swept the World.

So, we’ve done our  best Plan B.

A socially distanced one-on-one at Unsworth and then phone/zoom interviews with the rest of the sponsors.  Talking about the headlines, surviving the loss of customers, growing on line sales and free shipping. Drive through windows and on line tastings. New releases and future plans.

We’re going to talk to all the sponsors –  alphabetically

This week we start with:

The Hatch –  Grayson Riordan (Prince of Tides)  and Jason Parkes. (Founder. Winemaker)

Orofino – John Weber (Co-owner. Winemaker)

Road 13 – Joseph Luckhurst. General Manager

 

www.thehatchwines.com

www.orofinovineyards.com

www.road13.com

 

NEXT WEEK:

Row 14 and Unsworth

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Jennifer Schell – BC Wine lovers Cookbook

Twin Island Cider

Lock and Worth

Nichol Vineyards

Anthony Buchanan

BC Wineries and Restaurants – The New Normal

Hillside Wines – New Releases

Kitsch

Vanessa

Winemakers Cut

Mt Boucherie and Modest Wines

Lots more

 

EP 110 | Dawn Pemberton

June 6, 2020 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

 

It’s like the storyline out of a bestselling book.

In the middle of a political battle for the life of a nation and a virus that takes the lives of 1000’s of its citizens,  a  black man dies at the hands of a police offer while his squad looks on.

The truth is caught on a phone camera and shown to The World.

Days later..citizens all over America and The World are walking, shouting and rioting in protest and a slogan from 2013 reappears,  Black Lives Matter and THIS TIME

It appears the message is actually getting through.

Dawn Pemberton is a wonderful singer, songwriter, and educator who shows up on albums all the time plus her own release  “Sayin’ Something”

She leads The Roots and Wings choir..tours with The Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer, sits in with the Good Noise Choir, and tries to lead by example.

Her father was born in St Kitts.  Her Mother in Barbados.

They moved to Canada and restarted their lives. Dawn has lived in Canada all her life and still has to deal with racism.

Who better to share her feelings on Black Lives Matter and the movement on the streets than Dawn Pemberton.

My thanks to The Shouting Hour last Sunday who showed the way.

June 6th, 2020- Winemaking Couples  –   Birch Block and 2House  

June 5, 2020 Tasting Room Radio 01:02:00

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Winemaking Couples  –   Birch Block and 2House

 

THE SHOW

 Block Party with Sarah and Murray Bancroft  (a series)

This whole show is about new school and old school winemaking.

Ian Sutherland and Valeria Tait have been a couple for years in the Okanagan but now have decided to make wine together. Finally.  After all those years. That’s the second half of TRR.

We start with one of the newest, coolest couples to ever become winemakers and farmers.

Just a couple of years ago Sarah and Murray Bancroft were living the life in Paris.

 

Murray is a trained chef but works in food and menu design/styling.

Sarah is an editor and is skilled at crafting digital sites and campaigns.

Now they’re farmers in Kaleden, just south of Penticton. Their winery is called Birch Block

www.birchblockvineyard.com

What we have in common is a love for a documentary called The Biggest Little Farm

“The Biggest Little Farm is about a young couple who decide to leave their old lives behind and buy a farm. The movie especially points out how hard it is to keep a farm running and all of the hardships, sadness and anger they face, but also the happy, beautiful moments and the relationships they build.”

https://www.biggestlittlefarmmovie.com/

I like these two and their story so much, we’re going to do a series of interviews..chronicling their growing season and the up and downs of being a new school winemaking team.

Sarah says the series is called Block Party.

Birch Block has released a Rose and a small lot chardonnay. The future sounds like Pinot Noir is in the plans. They have a guest house with French linen, Moroccan plates and Spanish hats.

If the wines are as stylish as these two..you’ll want to get your hands on some.

Valeria Tait and Ian Sutherland – Old School

When Meg and I first moved to the Naramata Bench in 2007, the very first winemaking locals we became friends with were Ian Sutherland and Val Tait.

Ian had founded Poplar Grove. A small vineyard with huge potential. Ian was a really good winemaker and always fun to be around.

Val was a viticulturist. Basically hired to design vineyards and consult in the planting and growing.  Painted Rock, Poplar Grove, Bench 1775.

Years went by.

Ian sold Poplar Grove and headed for Panama. Valeria became GM and winemaker at Bench 1775 and joined Ian in the off season. They built a beautiful home in Panama.

Now. FINALLY. They have decided to make wines together but not the same wine.

For example, they’ll both make a Cab Franc but one will be Ian’s take and the other Val’s.

Love that.

The wines will be called 2House..with a second label called Charisma.

They have a Tempranillo coming. Plus Bubble and  Semillon/Sauvignon.

Val has agreed to become the winemaker at Gold Hill, the label that the farming Gill family has built. Her partner is those wines is the not yet 30 year old Navi Gill. Definitely new school.

Navi joins us in the last  segment.

Instagram: @2housewine

https://www.goldhillwinery.com/

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

 

NEXT

The Hatch

Unsworth

Row 14 at Klippers Organics

Orofino

Road 13

May 30th, 2020- David Farran Pres.  Eau Claire Distillery, Turner Valley & A Revisit to Tofino Food and Wine

May 30, 2020 Tasting Room Radio 01:06:35

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David Farran Pres.  Eau Claire Distillery, Turner Valley & A Revisit to Tofino Food and Wine

  

THE SHOW

 For years, a huge percentage of the grains that were grown by farmers in Alberta were shipped to The UK to make Scotch. 80% of all that Scotch was made with Alberta Barley.

The distillers who did make spirits in Alberta , made  whisky in bulk.

Then David Farran  left his management position at Big Rock Brewing and began the dream of starting Alberta’s  first ever craft distillery. Eau Claire was born in Turner Valley South of Calgary.

David Farran

David partnered with brewer and distiller Larry Kerwin in 2014 to launch the first micro distillery in Alberta,  Eau Claire Distillery.

The spirit maker?  Caitlin Quinn, Glaswegian and very talented.

Eau Claire can be found in beautiful Turner Valley..on Sunset Blvd.  Yup.  The old movie theatre and dance hall building built in 1929.

eau claire single malt

I love the fact that they harvest with Percheron horse teams, trained by The Amish. The only people still harvesting by horse.

Does it make for better spirits?  You tell me.

Parlour Gin. Ploughman’s Rye, Cherry Gin, Saskatoon Honey Gin, Dill Pickle Vodka,  Three Point Vodka and Alberta’s first single malt whisky.

Prickly Pear equinOx and many more.

They open their Tasting Room first week in June.

Local farmers. Local grains.

“from farm to glass”

www.eauclairedistillery.ca

 

Remembering The Tofino Food and Wine Festival  (2019)

The Tofino Food and Wine fest was always one of the outstanding events on the calendar.

The Gardens

Sure there were lots of other food and wine gatherings,  in ballrooms, basements and  convention centres. None of them could match holding a wine festival in a beautiful community garden and a RAINFOREST.

Welcome to Tofino

It was organized by Kira Rogers and a wonderful team of volunteers.

We covered the event as part of our Tofino food and craft special.

The Music

Months later a press release arrived from Kira cancelling future events.

“For the past 16 years, our experience in working with the British Columbia LCRB has been positive, constructive, helpful and supportive. In 2019, our 17th year producing this well-loved event, our experience was the opposite: obstructive, hostile, intimidating and rude. We felt like an opponent.”  

Way to go LCRB.

 While we wait for the possible return of this wonderful gathering, I thought I’d offer the interviews we did last year.

Kira Rogers – organizer

Sara Triggs – Culmina Sales and Marketing Manager  Culmina.ca

Rob Hammersley – Owner Black Market Wines  BlackMarketwine.ca

Chris Smith – Island rep for Way West Wines  waywestwines.com

David Gouge – Owner Sea Star Wines. Pender Island  seastarvineyards.ca

Paul Gardner –  Co-Owner Pentage    pentage.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Block Party at The Birth Block Vineyard – a series.

Unsworth

Orofino

Row 14 at Klippers

The Hatch

Road 13

Valeria Tait and Ian Sutherland – 2Houses

BC Wine Lovers Cookbook

Ned Bell

EP 109 | Susana Trilling-Chef. Educator. Oaxaca, Mexico

May 29, 2020 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

Susana Trilling is a chef, teacher, caterer, author, TV hostess, food consultant, and director of Seasons of My Heart Cooking School and Sazon de Mi Corazon S.A. de C.V., producing gourmet Mexican products.  She’s from Philly.

She owned 2 NYC restaurants, a restaurant in Fremantle, Western Australia, and has lived in Oaxaca since 1988, where her two sons were born and raised on her ranch outside of the city.

She wrote My Search for the Seventh Mole and Seasons of My Heart; A Culinary Journey through Oaxaca, Mexico to accompany her 13 part PBS series, that ran for 6 years.

 Susana was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Oaxacan International Food and Wine Festival in 2002 and in 2012 was presented with the Espiga de Oro Award for her work promoting Oaxacan cuisine internationally. She has been featured at many Food and Wine and Cacao Festivals and been a celebrity chef at CIA San Antonio’s annual Paella Challenge.

 Please enjoy this mid-afternoon chat with Susana Trilling. If you get a chance Google her complete history. It’s fascinating.

http://seasonsofmyheart.com/

EP 108 | Julius Makarewicz-Nude Beverages Founder

May 23, 2020 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

It’s 2013.
In Vancouver, 23-year-old Julius Markarewicz is at a trade show featuring entrepreneurs who have “new ideas”. He’s one of many.
His idea is putting vodka and soda TOGETHER in a can so all we have to do is pour it.
Nude Beverages are now approaching 44 Million cans sold.
This is the story we tell today.

May 23rd, 2020- OUR RESTAURANTS ARE OPEN – NOW WHAT?/ NUDE BEVERAGES- THE STORY/FORT BERENS

May 21, 2020 Tasting Room Radio 00:56:51

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OUR RESTAURANTS ARE OPEN – NOW WHAT?/ NUDE BEVERAGES- THE STORY/FORT BERENS

THE SHOW

First things first – we hope this finds you safe and well.

I’m sure you heard that BC’s restaurants are being allowed to re-open.  Be forewarned – they won’t look or feel like what you’re used to.

 

(the BC Governments document here)

Here are  the words that keep popping up under General Considerations:

Consider

Modify

Eliminate

Maintain

Provide

Create

Manage

Support

Ensure

Encourage

…and for the restaurants..directions such as

Remove, used multiple times

Provide

Consider

Limit

Encourage

Here’s a link from Scout Magazine that breaks down the original document and gives you the info you need to know.  https://scoutmagazine.ca/2020/05/15/new-table-service-protocols-for-bc-restaurants/

Tasting Room Radio reached out to three leaders in the Food and Beverage industry to get their opinions and reactions.

Andrew Morrison – Editor in Chief  www.ScoutMagazine.Ca

andrew morrison

Scott Ward – President/COO Brown’s Restaurant Group https://brownssocialhouse.com/

Scott Ward

Ian Tostenson – President and CEO of BC Restaurant & Food

ian-tostenson

Services Assn  https://www.bcrfa.com/about-us

We‘ll keep going back to this story  as it unfolds.

Julius Markarewicz  – Founder of Nude Beverages

julius-makarewicz- in the beginning…

 

The press release was one of many that day. It said something like “ Nude Beverages is shipping more product to Ontario because in their debut they:

“SOLD OUT”

Nude is Canada’s original sugar free Vodka Soda Brand.

It all started in 2013 when Julius thought he saw a gap in the adult beverage market. Right then he  started his plan to launch an RTD (ready to drink) beverage.

But first, he had to convince the BC Liquor Board to sell his discovery in their stores.

Nude was sugar, sweetener, gluten and carb free.

48 hours before the window of opportunity was closed, he sat opposite their headquarters in a Starbucks and drank a lifetime of coffee and let the decision makers across the street know  that he was “right there:” if they had a questions.

At the last minute they called and he/they were in.

Nude sold 1Million cans in 2019 with a 30% market share.

It’s been a blur every since.  They have now sold 44 Million cans across Canada and in a growing number of US States.

Nude comes seven flavours now with more to follow.  Besides the original vodka soda, there’s gin soda, iced tea, tequila soda etc.

Nude feels it’s important to give back to the community and are developing relationships with animal rescue groups as part of their company expansion plans with more charities and movements added every month.

They have also committed to the covid relief efforts.

https://nudebeverages.com/covid-relief-fund/

Julius will bring us up to speed with this two part interview.

www.nudebeverages.com

@nudebeverages

Rolf de Bruin  – co-founder of Fort Berens Wines

Rolf-de-Bruin-Fort-Berens-Lillooetnews

With his wife Heleen, they moved from Holland to BC, eventually choosing Lillooet to plant and grow their own dreams, in the form of a vineyard and winery. On a day-to-day basis, Rolf helps lead the Fort Berens team by example and by inspiration. He also manages the sales and marketing for the business. Eleven owners show great teamwork.

Rolf takes us through tasting notes and price points of their new releases

2019 Pinot Gris – 10% barrel age.  Yummy! Apples, lemon, vanilla

2019 Riesling – blend of 3 vineyards. Classic honey- grass notes. Apple, pear ,citrus

2019 Rose – 5 clones all from estate. floral nose & strawberries in the mouth

                      (828-667-777-115-47)

2018 Pinot Noir – from estate, Similkameen & West Kelowna. French Oak. Cherries. berries. Pepper around the edges. (perfect with salmon)

2017 White Gold Chardonnay. Dry Creek Vineyard, Fort Berens Estate.

Aged in French Oak until blending. Texture, acidity, apples and orange. Pasta/chicken

2017  Red Gold– Dry Creek Vineyard.67% Merlot & 33% Cab Franc.(passimento style)

Aromas of blackberries & plums,  sage & liquorice. Flavours of spice, dark fruit, oak.

Great with game, beef, hard cheese and a hammock.

www.fortberens.ca

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Block Party – a series.

Eau Claire Distillery

Noble Ridge

Unsworth. Orofino. Row 14.The Hatch. Road 13

(a virtual road trip)

Lock and Worth

Anthony Buchanan

Mt Boucherie

Bartier Brothers