Tasting Room Radio

Mark Hopley WM  Hester Creek/Elan Morris GM Okanagan Wine Festivals   THE SHOW  Every Spring is a like a gift. If you’re any kind of a wine fan, this Spring is going to be something special. You can expect wineries all over BC to be proudly releasing their Spring wines. For the wine fan, after  two years of lockdown,  we can’t wait to get out, visit the wineries, go to wine festivals and discover our next new wine. With that in mind our two guests are primed and ready. Mark Hopley Winemaker at Hester Creek (Golden Mile) Elan Morris GM of The Okanagan Wine Festival Society (Kelowna)   Welcome to Tasting Room Radio – Spring 2022 Mark Hopley  – Winemaker Hester Creek (Golden Mile) Hester Creek Estates is celebrating its 54th year of winemaking.  One of the originals. Winemaker Mark Hopley has been waiting almost 6 months to release many of his Spring releases. That takes us back to harvest last Fall and 6 months in tank, barrel and bottle.  What a wonderful line-up. 2021 Pinot Blanc – as predicted, it’s finding its place in our hearts and fridge. $17.99 2021 Pinot Gris – at the BC LDB, online, select grocery stores and private liquor stores, as well as in Alberta; $17.99 plus tax 2021 Pinot Gris Viognier – at Save-On-Foods; $19.99 plus tax   2021 Old Vine Trebbiano – at the Winery and online; $23.99  (Hello Joe) The 2019 vintage  of The Judge will be available this summer.  We passionately discuss. $45.99 –  6 pack available.   Also some  discussion about the fine red blend Garland. Also of note, with most of the COVID-19 restrictions now lifted Hester Creek Estate is back to offering many of their guest experiences: Tasting Room is open daily for tours and tastings. As well,  the  Terrafina Restaurant and Villa accommodations are available for bookings. And they have resumed their  popular cooking classes at the winery. www.hestercreek.com Elan Morris – General Manager Okanagan Wine Festival Society  Elan returns with welcome news of the 26th Spring Okanagan Wine Festival.  May 5-15 70 events in 10 days. Highlights include Valley First Spring Wine Tastings – 130 wines from 35 wineries. (May 7) From Cellars to Classics – classic wines and music (May 12) Blush and Bubbles – A new event featuring  a happy choice of Rose and Sparkling Wines. (May 15) Elan brings lots of information and stories. Have a listen and make your plans before the tickets are gone, gone, gone!     www.thewinefestivals.com   STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON Top Drop 2022 Spring Releases Monte Creek Sponsor Fest -Unsworth -Hillside -JPCustoms (Hatch) -Moon Curser    

Exec Director Harry Hertscheg on 43rd Van Wine Fest plus A visit with  Winemakers Cut   THE SHOW  The last time VanWineFest gathered it was early  March of 2020. Days  after they closed the doors,  the World would be dealt a monumental blow by a global pandemic. So, here we are two years later. Our lives have been changed in so many ways. Covid 19 has been controlled to such an extent that masks are optional and the 43rd Van Wine Fest will be allowed to open their doors once again.  May 16-22. 101 wineries from 14 countries. 41 of those wineries will be from British Columbia.   Happy to say 18 producers from Italy and 14 from the USA. View the winery list here. . The festival has been named the #1 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event in Canada by New York’s BizBash for seven years running and was named the Best International Wine Festival – North America by LUX Life Magazine The festival is headquartered at the Vancouver Convention Centre; in addition, restaurants and venues around the city will host winery dinners, lunches, seminars, and wine minglers. The sumptuous Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, presented by National Bank Private Banking 1859, and benefiting Bard on the Beach, will take place on Tuesday, May 17 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. The heart of the festival is the Tasting Room, where all 101 wineries will gather for four International Festival Tastings and two Trade Tastings. Tickets for the International Festival Tastings are now on sale. Ticket prices range from $109-$129 all in. Festival-goers looking to enjoy a vacation or staycation in Vancouver over the Victoria Day long weekend can get a free Tasting Room ticket if they book a downtown hotel via StayVancouverHotels.com. The promotion is available until May 6, or while supplies last. For more information about the Vancouver International Wine Festival go to VanWineFest.ca.   As always, when we need the complete story on all things Vancouver Wine Festival we find the Executive Director Harry Hertscheg. Harry and I did this interview days before the line up was announced. It’s one big Tease. @vanwinefest #VIWF   VanWineFest.ca.    Michal Mosny.  Co-founder /Winemaker at Winemakers Cut (Oliver) Several years ago Jason Priestley and I were sitting in the back of a pick-up truck shooting Hollywood and Vines TV on our way to Nik’Mip Winery. Watching in Slovakia were winemaker Michal Mosny and his wife Martina. They liked the vineyards going by and the varietals being grown. Michal was a cool climate winemaker and he felt at home here. They moved to the Okanagan, found a vineyard at Deadman Lake south of Oliver and the rest is history. Now, you can find Winemakers Cut all over the West. Michal’s been on the show before but I thought it was time to get caught up.. Talking about which of his wines are currently on our shelves and what’s coming this Spring. Here is their current selection: FIDELIA – Charmat sparkling Sauvignon Blanc 2020 Gruner Veltliner 2020 Muscat Canelli  

THE NARAMATA SHUFFLE (Foxtrot. Moraine. Four Shadows)   THE SHOW We hope you enjoyed our five week, 25 interview road trip through the Okanagan. Along the way we ran into our pal Tina Baird from the Naramata Bench Wineries Association. We’ve known each other a long time. Through film sets, festivals and movie premiers. During our day on the Naramata Bench Tina somehow got us a table at the Naramata Inn for dinner. As we departed an incredible meal, Tina  let me know that if I had any extra time she had three stories she thought wine fans  would appreciate. Her suggestions became this show. Thank you Tina!   This weeks guests are: Dwight Sick.   Chief Winemaker Moraine Winery (Naramata Bench) www.morainewinery.com   Really fine winemaker. 10 years at Stag’s Hollow. Now the Chief winemaker at Moraine on the Bench. Pouring 2018 Reserve Riesling. Clone 49 (elegant. beautiful long finish)  2019  Pinot Noir Clone 777. (Classic Bench Pinot. Bliss) “this bench is like Goldilocks. Not too hot. Not too cold. Just right”  Dwight Sick   Nathan Todd  President and GM  Foxtrot Winery (Naramata Bench) www.foxtrotwine.com Even though he made his name working in very serious wine sales out of  New York City he did have a early connection to the Okanagan Valley.  Harvesting  fruit to make ends meet. Years later  he blind tasted a Foxtrot Pinot. It may have changed his life. He never forgot that wine and years later convinced his wine friend Douglas Barzelay to eventually buy the winery from the Allander family.  Barzelay is one of the  World’s leading authorities on Burgundian wines. Their wine consultant is Veronique Drouhin from Domaine Joseph Drouhin. Torsten Allander’s son Gustav was retained as winemaker. Quite a team. Nathan poured: 2 versions of Foxly Rose 2019/2020 (both instantly likeable. $24) An Estate Vineyard 2019 Pinot Noir.  (everything a great Pinot should be. texture. balance. Defines a long finish.)   Wilbert and Joka Borren – Co-founders/Co-owners of Four Shadows. (Upper Bench . Naramata) www.fourshadowsvineyard.com What a great story. Joka and Wilbert were pig farmers in Lacombe Alberta with four growing sons. They dreamed of moving to the Okanagan and being farmers there. That’s exactly what they did. They bought a forgotten vineyard on Upper Bench and decided to bring back the vineyards and plant their own vines to then sell the fruit to wineries. Along the way it made much more sense to become a winery and Four Shadows was born. The name is from a photo of their four sons. Did I mention they had no wine knowledge but they knew how to farm pigs. I mean, how tough can it be to grow grapes? They had amazing mentoring from Lindsay and Graham O’Rourke at Tightrope and consultant Pascal Madevon.  It paid off. They learned well. You say “Pigs to Pinot”  They say “Swine to Wine.” They poured 20o20 Rose 2020  Riesling Classic, 2020 Riesling Dry, 2020 Riesling sparkling, 2018 Pinot Noir  and 2018 Merlot.   Thank you Tina Baird, Naramata Bench. Thank you Barry and Carol Beecroft for “the swim”.     STORIES WERE WORKING ON:  

The 5th and final week of Okanagan Reconnect Presented by The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association   THE SHOW We come to the last show in a series that started August 21st (you remember August, right?) The master plan was to reconnect with the people,  wineries and food of the Okanagan after a two-year hiatus. So many changes, many Covid related.   Thankfully we found an excellent  supporting partner in TOTA – The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. They sure know their territory. Top shelf management. To my delight, I also got to re-connect with long-time friend  CEO Ellen Walker-Mathews and discovered the invaluable assistance of Rob Grifone. My thanks to both.   For week five we find ourselves back at our home base at Moon Curser Vineyards in Osoyoos. Got to stay and do the interviews at their fabulous Hideaway. The whole thing is on Corey Wood’s video. (see below)      Our final guests are:  Beata and Chris Tolley – Our hosts at their gorgeous winery and the co-founders of Moon Curser Vineyards  www.mooncurser.com   Pouring  2020 Arneis (the little rascal of Piedmont. A flinty white)  and 2019  Dead of Night (a spectacular blend of Tannat and Syrah. Spicy/Opulent)   Paula Cooper – It was Paula’s  last day as winemaker at CC Jentsch (Golden Mile). Now she’s at  Lakeside.  (Osoyoos)  www.lakesidecellars.ca   www.CCJentschcellars.com   Just a note that Paula came by at my request,  as I wanted to salute her work at CC Jentsch and to honor her mentor Chris Jentsch who passed away recently. The vineyards are up for sale now and likely the new owners will rebrand. This week’s Tasting Room Radio is dedicated to Chris and CC Jentsch. Things got  emotional on both sides of the microphone.  We thank Paula for hanging in. Thanks also to Michael J McCoy for keeping CC Jentsch open until the end. Dan and Carol Scott – Co-founders of Lariana Cellars (Osoyoos)  www.larianacellars.com At first taste, I knew these were special wines. When I discovered their mentors were Richard Cleave and Senka Tennant, that explained everything. Dan and Carol listened and learned well. They brought and poured 2020 Viognier (one of the very best expressions in all of Canada) and 2018 Carmenere (glorious pepper heaven. 70% French Oak 27% new)   And that’s it –  25 interviews captured in one week and spread out over five weeks of shows. Now it’s time for you to do your own reconnect. When it’s safe to do so please consider making plans to do your own week in the Okanagan Valley. Remember to check out www.totabc.org  All the safety and planning info is there.   Thank you TOTA.  Thank you, guests, Corey Wood and Meg.   STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON: A visit to Four Shadows Dwight Sick at Moraine Nathan Todd at  Foxtrot  

Week Four of our Okanagan Reconnect (OK Falls) Presented by The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association The SHOW   Because… Tasting Room Radio started its audio life in a studio in a barn on the Naramata Bench and… Hadn’t been back to the Okanagan since  Fall 2019 and the pandemic kept us from returning,  it was time to Reconnect to the Okanagan. (The Vista in OK Falls) Week Four finds us with a  home base at the very popular Noble Ridge in Okanagan Falls. All the interviews are on video. On our website and our YouTube Channel. Our guests this week include: John Skinner – co-founder of Painted Rock www.paintedrock.ca (OK Falls) John poured the aptly named 2018 Red Icon and truly wonderful 2020 Chardonnay. Both are world-class. Terry Meyer Stone – co-founder of Mayhem Wines and family member of Meyer Family Wines. (OK Falls) www.mayhemwines.com www.mfvwines.com For Meyer Family Terry pours: 2019 Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay (again World Class) and 2019  McClain Creek Pinot Noir (simply marvelous) For Mayhem Wines Terry pours 2019 Pinot Gris (better? – you bet)  and 2019 Anarchy (Wow. Huge Merlot with a touch of Cab Franc. Oak heaven) Leslie D’Andrea – co-owner of Noble Ridge (OK Falls) Benoit Gauthier – Winemaker Noble Ridge (My apologies to Benoit for calling him Bernard.  A Senior moment!) www.nobleridge.com Leslie/Benoit pour 2016 The One Sparkling (sublime)   and 2017 Kings Ransom Pinot Noir (what a beauty) Thank you Noble Ridge for hosting and putting on A SHOW. Thank you, Okanagan Falls! And Thank you to Ellen, Rob, and all at The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. www.TOTABC.org   STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON: Okanagan Reconnect Week Five Beata and Chris Tolley  – Moon Curser Paula Cooper – CC Jentsch Dan and Carol Scott – Lariana Cellars      

The Okanagan Reconnect Week Two – at Hillside,  Naramata Bench. (Presented by Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association) THE SHOW It’s week two of our Okanagan Reconnect! This week we are gathering at Hillside Winery and Bistro  on the Naramata Bench FYI – Tasting Room Radio was conceived in a studio in a barn on The Bench in 2007. So we’ve come full circle. Our winery and food guests were asked to bring two wines to profile.   Rickard and Jill Richardson Branby – Sperling Vineyards  (East Bench Kelowna) (Final interview from last weeks show) Sperlingvineyards.com  Sperling Organic 2018 Pinot Noir & Sperling Pet Nat Jay Drysdale –  co-founder and winemaker Bella Wines Celebrating 10 years of making fine wines. Bellawines.ca Estate Chardonnay made ancestral method and 2016 Reserve Eastside Trad Method Master of Wine Marcus Ansems – co-founder and winemaker Daydreamer Wines Daydreamerwines.ca 2019 Amelia (Syrah/Viognier) & 2019 Orange Wine (100% Viognier) Exec Chef Ned Bell and Sommelier Emily Walker – Naramatainn.ca Emily brought L-ST Projects Ambient Chardonnay (Alyssa Hubert) & 2020 jocko a light Cab Franc (Kelsey Rufiange Echo Bay) BRAVO to both.  Thanks Emily. Penelope and Dylan Roche –  co-founders/winemakers of Roche Wines www.rterroir.ca    2020 Pinot Gris Texture & Nuances (Bordeaux Blend) (such promise) Kathy Malone – Chief Winemaker Hillside Winery  hillsidewinery.ca 2020 Muscat Ottonel & 2015 Mosaic (Bordeaux Blend) History in a bottle Evan Robertson – Exec Chef  Hillside Bistro/Shelann Sleegers – Wine Club Manager     Associate Producer Corey Wood has edited video versions of the interviews with Jay Drysdale, Marcus Ansems, Ned Bell, and Emily Walker. They can be found on YouTube https://youtu.be/uralP29wDOE THANK YOU TOTA! https://www.totabc.org STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON NEXT WEEK At Moon Curser John Weber – Orofino Bill Eggert – Fairview Cellars Justin Hall – Nk’Mip Cellars Chef Jeff van Geest – Miradoro  

The Okanagan Reconnect –  (The Repeat) Week One (A 5-week series repeat presented by Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association)  See Full Video below! The SHOW  It’s been close to two years since Tasting Room Radio toured the vineyards and restaurants of the Okanagan. TRR started its 14-year existence on the Naramata Bench in 2007.  Since leaving the valley we’ve stayed in touch through Zoom, Phone, Text, What’s app, Skype, email, and in person. The in-person was usually in Vancouver or Victoria when wineries poured for the media and public. I truly missed traveling through the Okanagan, walking the vineyards, seeing and smelling the cellars, and listening to the winemakers and winery principals tell great stories of bud break, harvest, and release days. The past year and a half also included a heat dome, wildfires, and Covid19. With the assistance and support of TOTA –  The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association – On Aug 3 we headed back to the Okanagan. Rather than drive around to 20 plus wineries and losing valuable interview time to the driving, we decided to try and base ourselves at our sponsor locations. The Hatch in West Kelowna, Hillside Winery and Bistro on Naramata Bench, Moon Curser in Osoyoos, and Noble Ridge in OK Falls. This first week we called The Hatch our home. Winery Guests were asked to bring a red and white to feature.  They included:   Mark Filatow – Executive chef and Sommelier Waterfront Wines Restaurant (Kelowna) waterfrontrestaurant.ca David Patterson – GM and Winemaker at Tantalus Vineyards (East Kelowna) Tantalus.ca 2018 Chardonnay and 2019 Pinot Noir Jason Parkes – Founder of The Hatch Wines  (West Kelowna) (also Black Swift/Crown and Thieves/Screaming Frenzy) The HatchWines.com Grayson Riordan, Mikayla Jones, Graham Dell – (Manager Black Swift/Manager The Hatch/CFO) blackswiftvineyards.com 2017  Crown and Thieves Arch Doxy Cab Franc   2020  Black Swift Pinot Blanc Ellen Walker-Mathews – new CEO of TOTA (Kelowna) Jeff Hundertmark – Chef Winemaker of Mt Boucherie and Rust Wine Co mtboucherie.com/rustwine.com   Rust Wine 2020 Chardonnay  &  2019 Solus Christine Coletta, Matt Dumayne and (standing) Duncan Billing  – Founder of Okanagan Crush Pad and Haywire Wines/OCP Winemaker and Director of Viticulture 2019 Narrative Chenin Blanc  Haywire 2019 Gamay Rose  okanagancrushpad.com   STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON Okanagan Reconnect Week Two ( at Hillside Naramata Bench) Rickard & Jill Branby – Sperling Vineyards Jay Drysdale – Bella Wines (Naramata) Marcus Ansems – co-founder/winemaker/master of wine  Daydreamer Wines (Naramata) Chef Ned Bell and Sommelier Emily Walker – Naramata Inn Penelope and Dylan Roche – Roche Wines (Naramata) Kathy Malone and Evan Robertson – Winemaker Hillside Winery and Bistro Executive Chef   Okanagan Reconnect  5 week series  presented by Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association  

The Wine Diva’s Top 50 Over $20 & Best Bubbles Plus Fitz Wines  THE SHOW Even though it’s been a completely eventful year we still arrive at perhaps the best season of the year.  Hanukah,  Christmas,  the Holidays, and New Year’s Eve. If ever there was a great time to heal and recommit to family and friends this is the one. If you’re considering those important last-minute gifts – the ones that say “Thank You” – great wine and sparkling wines can’t be beaten. Daenna van Mulligen through her websites, winediva.ca, and winescores.ca has tasted 100’s of wines every month of 2021 and her year-end lists are a fantastic resource. This week it’s the Top 50 over 90 points and over $20.00   To start The Show we head to Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards just south of Peachland.  You can’t miss the gateway sign at the entrance of Greata Ranch. Our guest is Gordon Fitzpatrick, the president of the winery. Grew up in Vancouver.  Father Ross became a Senator.  Gordon worked for a future Prime Minister. Spent 10 years in mining (gold!). Came to the Okanagan in 1996 to run CedarCreek Estate Winery.  Helped shape the BC wine industry as the Former Chair of the BC Wine Institute. The family sold Cedar Creek with their eyes firmly on the almost forgotten Greata Ranch Estate above Okanagan Lake.   It was a  former peach-producing estate that had been left to wither but Gordon had a dream to reclaim the land and rebuild the home base as a producer of bubble and still wines.  Voila!  Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards.  They have a quickly expanding portfolio. Here are the latest releases from Gordon and the team at Fitzpatrick. 2017 Fitz Brut  Their signature Cuvee (Pinot Noir. Chard. Meunier)  Bottle aged. 24 months on lees. $32.50 2019 Fitz Cremant soft and yummy.  $24.50 2020 Big Leap Chardonnay.  Ripe stone fruit.  Caramel.  Texture.  50% Stainless steel and 50% Neutral French oak.  $24.50 2018 Sudden Inversion Meritage “we turned the valley upside down” 70% Merlot. 20% Cab Franc 10% Cab. 14 months on Oak  (some new) $28.50 Also, keep an eye out for the Fitz Reserve Sparkling wines. The glorious Blanc de blanc – Blanc de Noir – and Blanc de Noir Special Rose   www.fitzwine.com   Wine Divas Top 50 Wine List for 2021  (Year 15) All more than 90 points and over $20.00.. ALL tasted and reviewed by Daenna van Mulligen.  The full list can be found at  www.winediva.ca  and www.winescores.ca   Belle Glos Pinot Noir ‘Clark & Telephone’, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara, Calif. $62.99 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel, Sonoma California $36.99 Meyer Family Vineyards ‘Micro Cuvee’ Pinot Noir, Okanagan Falls, BC N/A Pentage Winery Syrah, Okanagan Valley BC N/A Lake Sonoma Winery Dry Creek Zinfandel, Sonoma County California $25.99 Philipponnat ‘Royale Reserve Rose Brut’, Champagne, France $109.99 Robin Ridge ‘Falcon’ Merlot, Similkameen Valley BC N/A Monte del Fra Amarone della Valpolicella Classico ‘Lena di Mezzo’, Valpolicella, Veneto $57.99 Carmel Road Pinot Noir, Monterey, California $30.00 Township 7 Vineyards and Winery ‘Seven Stars Sirius’, British Columbia N/A CedarCreek ‘Platinum’ Home Block Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley BC $55.00 Stag’s Hollow Pinot Noir, Shuttleworth Creek Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, BC N/A Chateau de Rauzan~Gassiers ‘L’Orme’, Haut~Medoc, Bordeaux, France $45.00 Cambria Estate Winery ‘Julia’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley, California $38.99 Da Silva Vineyards and Winery Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley N/A

The wonderful world of wine with DJ Kearney   THE SHOW    DJ Kearney – Director of Wine/Terminal City Club (Wine Education Specialist, Mentor, Wine Judge, Consultant) DJ Kearney has trained over a thousand sommelier candidates throughout North America for the International Sommelier Guild and the Wine and Spirit Education Trust and has consulted for many global wine marketing bodies — including Wines of Chile, Wines of South Africa, Wines of California, Jura Wines, Sopexa, and Wines of Argentina — while leading educational master-classes for these entities around North America. DJ  judges, moderates, present at wine festivals and competitions around the globe. She brings a truly global perspective to her work. She holds a Bachelor of Arts., the WSET Diploma, and the ISG Sommelier Certification. She has been the Drink Editor for Vancouver Magazine and critic/contributor/judge for Wine Align. As we approach the end of a very different year I hope that everyone is safe and well. It was also time to get a perspective on how the wines turned out. All the wines. BC, Canada, and The World! Who better to ask than DJ Kearney.   Long-time friend and the leading edge of wine knowledge in today’s World.   I asked DJ to comment on the recent 2021 Wine Align final results. She was there – in Penticton – tasting and judging 100’s of Canadian wines. On today’s Tasting Room Radio DJ brings wines that she recommends make great gifts – for friends or yourself. Then her Wines of the Year and what she was going to pour over the Holidays. Tasting Room Radio became The DJ Kearney Show! * PIERRE PAILLARD – LES PARCELLES BOUZY GRAND CRU 750 ml | SKU: 477372 France $67.99 * POL ROGER – RESERVE BRUT 750 ml | SKU: 51953 France  $73.99 * PENEDES CABERNET SAUVIGNON – TORRES MAS LA PLANA 2015 750 ml | SKU: 315838 Spain $67.99 on sale from $72.99 On Sale (until Jan 1) * CHABLIS – WILLIAM FEVRE CHAMPS ROYAUX 2018 750 ml | SKU: 25270 France $36.99 * CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA – MAZZEI SER LAPO 2015 750 ml | SKU: 176842 Italy  $29.99 down from  $32.99 On Sale (until Jan 1)      Our BC conversation: Syrah Riesling Chardonnay Cab Franc Sparklings   DJ and I finish with a question we always ask ourselves. Will BC wines ever be truly available in Ontario and other provinces and will Ontario wines show up  on shelves in BC?  If you’re a wine fan, perhaps you could ask your local member of parliament. @djwines   STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON: * A replay of the five-week Okanagan Reconnect * Fitzpatrick Wines * Fort Berens * Kitsch * Gold Hill * Update on Vancouver Wine Fest * Canadian Whisky Championships (Victoria) * Chain Reaction Winery  

Budget wine gifting for The Holidays with The Wine Diva!     THE SHOW: For 15 years Daenna van Mulligen (The Wine Diva) has created her Top 100 wines.  For 15 years we’ve welcomed the audio version of her choices.  All wines have been tasted and scored – www.winescores.ca  Those receiving 89 points or better and under $20.00 make the list. When I saw her 2021 list get posted – www.winediva.ca – I knew once again it was time for The Wine Diva to make her seasonal appearance on Tasting Room Radio. Daenna is a highly respected wine judge and reviewer who tastes every day of the year. Her tasting notes are always a great read and her instincts about where wine is headed and labels to keep an eye on always find their mark. If you go to the Wine Diva website, you’ll see a heading of WINES. Click on that and on the drop-down list click on wine lists. Just a note,  there’s a link that says print up as a shopping list.  I highly recommend doing this. Keep it handy for easy reference at home or when shopping and you’re facing a wall of wines. Keep in mind when you read her rave reviews,  that all wines mentioned here are under $20.00  Several are steals. On the interview, I divided up her wines into three categories – Roses,  Reds and Whites! The last segment of the show is Daenna taking us through her Wines of the Year. Here are the wines we talked about  From Top 100 under $20 list…  * Jose Maria da Fonseca ‘Periquita’, Portugal $10.99 * Red Rooster Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A * Monte del Fra Bardolino DOC, Custoza, Verona Italy $16.99 * Oops ‘Voluptuous Beauty’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Valley Chile $15.99 * Intrigue Wines ‘I Do’ Sparkling, Okanagan Valley BC $20.00 * Medici Ermete ‘Concerto’ Lambrusco Reggiano Frizzante, Emilia-Romagna, Italy $19.99 * Undurraga ‘Sibaris’ Reserva Especial Pinot Noir, Leyda Valley Chile $17.99 * Murphy-Goode Cabernet Sauvignon, California $20.00 * Robin Ridge Gamay, Similkameen Valley BC N/A * Bodegas Piqueras Castillo de Alamansa Reserva, Alamansa Spain $15.99 * Red Rooster Winery Cabernet~Merlot, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A * Ryder Estate Pinot Noir Rose, Central Coast California $19.99 * Luccarrelli Primitivo, Puglia Italy $15.99 * Luccarrelli Negroamaro, Puglia Italy $15.99 * Errazuriz ‘Max Reserva’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Aconcagua, Chile $19.99 * Cirro Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough New Zealand $20.00 * Vina Chela Reserve Malbec, Mendoza Argentina $15.99 * Bizou + Yukon ‘Savvy~Gris’, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A * Bizou + Yukon ‘Pinkie’ Rose, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A * Fort Berens Estate Winery Pinot Gris, British Columbia $20.00 * Hester Creek Viognier, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A * IMBZZL ‘Ruse’ Rose, Okanagan Valley, BC $19.99 * Soito Wines ‘Taleiga’ Dao Tinto, Dao Portugal $20.00 * Spearhead Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley BC $20.00 * Journey’s End ‘Bees Knees’ Chenin Blanc~Viogner, Mount Rozier, Western Cape South Africa $15.00 * Quails’ Gate Chasselas~Pinot Blanc~Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley $19.99 * Spier ‘Signature Collection’ Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch South Africa $13.99 * Bartier Bros. Rose, Okanagan Valley BC $17.99 * Lake Breeze Winery Pinot Blanc, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A * Township 7 ‘7 Blanc’ Okanagan Valley, BC $18.00 * Sandhill Rose, Okanagan Valley BC $20.00 * Pentage Winery Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley BC N/A * CedarCreek Estate Winery Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley BC $18.99 * Intrigue Wines Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley BC $17.

Talking with Platinum winners of  The Nationals and  next weeks Will Travel For Food   THE SHOW   The 20th National Wine Awards of Canada wrapped up earlier this month in Penticton. It’s the best such competition in Canada which is why they’re called “The Nationals” It’s been fully 20 years since the first competition in 2001 drew 528 wines from 71 wineries, judged by eight men.  20 years later, 26 judges — 14 men and 12 women — tasted 2,075 entries from more than 260 wineries.  Many of the judges have been guests on Tasting Room Radio and certainly, a great many of the wineries have appeared as well. The Platinum winners were announced this week and I tried to find as many as I could – on the day. “And so to the top drops – the best 1.4% of the 2075 wines entered in the 2021 National Wine Awards of Canada! To reach this rarified level is a major accomplishment of which the 24 different winemakers should be very proud. (Yes, there were four wineries with more than one platinum). The judges thank and congratulate you!” David Lawrason – Mentor, organizer and judge   Platinum winning  guests include:   Jeff Martin – La Frenz  Founding Co-Owner/Lead Winemaker. As I started to type this info I knew Jeff and La Frenz had won double platinum for: 2019 La Frenz Reserve Ensemble  (Naramata Bench) La Frenz Non Vintage Liqueur Muscat (Naramata Bench) and have now been named The  2021 Best Small Winery in Canada.   Here’s why – 6 Gold and 5 Silver La Frenz N/V Liqueur Muscat La Frenz 2019 Reserve Ensemble La Frenz 2019 Reserve Chardonnay La Frenz 2018 Cabernets Rockyfeller Vineyard La Frenz 2020 Riesling Cl. 21B Freedom 75 Vineyard   For the record, the Best Performing Small Winery of the Year is awarded to the top-scoring winery that produces 10,000 cases of wine a year or less. The top 5 wines from each winery are used to calculate the winner. Congratulations to everyone at La Frenz. The above all happened in real-time. Couldn’t be happier. Jeff and Niva Martin.  Great people and really good friends. Fantastic staff! www.lafrenzwinery.com   Jan Nelson  CEO Maverick Estate Winery  (Oliver) 2019 Maverick Bush Vine Syrah  – ironic because that’s what Jan and I talked about in July,  bush fires. Maverick was judged the #3 Best Small Winery in Canada. Here’s why – 1 Platinum, 2 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze Maverick 2019 Bush Vine Syrah Maverick 2020 Amber Pinot Gris Maverick 2019 Rubeus Maverick 2020 Cross Road Chardonnay Maverick 2020 Carbonic Syrah   www.maverickwine.ca   Evan Saunders  – Blasted Church  Winemaker  ( OK Falls)   Blasted Church was honored with double Platinum for:   2019 Blasted Church Big Bang Theory   Merlot driven Bordeaux Blend   2019 Blasted Church Cabernet Franc. Balanced, smooth, and round.  Beauty!   www.blastedchurch.com   

The 8TH Annual 4 F’s & Michelle  Bouffard on Somm. of the Year & Tasting Climate Change    THE SHOW  It started 8 years ago as an idea. Let’s take some great food and wine and go fishing. I made my pitch to: John Weber    co-founder and winemaker at Orofino (Similkameen) Mark Filatow  Award winning Chef, Sommelier and Partner at Waterfront Wines Restaurant (Kelowna) Rhys Pender  Master of Wine,  Little Farm Wines, wine judge  & WSET Educator Wine Plus+ (Similkameen) Over the first 7 years we’ve lake fished, drift fished the Similkameen and Kettle Rivers,  salmon fished in Campbell River and hiked into remote lakes. Best of all, every time we gathered,  we all brought wines that we felt would be appreciated and Mark Filatow would create firepit meals that always featured huge Tomahawk steaks. This year the guys went fishing when they could and I was house bound on Vancouver Island. So… This week we met on Zoom and talked great wines. For year 9  they’re coming to Mill Bay Vancouver Island. Here’s a list of wines we each would have brought this year. Chef Mark Filatow   Waterfront Wines Markus Altenburger, Chardonnay vom Kalk, 2019, Weinland, Austria   Weingut Kruger-Rumpf, Munsterer Kapellenberg Riesling Kabinett 2001, Nahe, Germany   Veronica Ortega, ‘quite’ Mencia 2019, Bierzo, Spain www.waterfrontrestaurant.ca   John Weber  Orofino   Jean Foillard Morgan 2019 Orofino Passion pit cab 2011 La Rioja Alta gran reserva 904 2001 mag www.orofinovineyards.com   Rhys Pender MW  WinePLus+ Vajra Rosso 2019 Wynn’s 2007 Coonawarra Cab Azahar Vinho Verde 2018 https://littlefarmwinery.ca/ www.wineplus.ca   TDMulligan Else Wines – Jocko  (Echo Bay) a light cab franc Modest Wines –  2018 zed’s dead (Zinfandel) Maverick Estate Winery – 2019 Bush Vine Syrah Thomson and Scott – Noughty  Organic Sparkling Chardonnay (alcohol free) Odd Bird – Blanc De Blanc (Liberated from Alcohol) Sparkling Chardonnay Rust Wine Co    Solus (Golden Mile Bench)   MICHELLE BOUFFARD Sommelier, Author, journalist, speaker, educator, consultant. Michelle Bouffard is a “force”.  She leads by example. Caring enough about this planet and its winegrowers that she conceived of and started Tasting Climate Change. The event takes place every two years. This year it will be held on line from Nov 8-30.   (Info below) Tasting Climate Change is an international event organized founded and lead by Michelle, who acts as moderator of the conference. Michelle also offers training and consulting on the impact of climate change in the wine world.  Originally from Quebec, Michelle moved to Vancouver to complete her Bachelor of Music degree in classical trumpet where she unexpectedly ventured into wine while working in a fine dining restaurant. Determined to make her mark in the wine industry, she graduated as a sommelier with the highest honours from the International Sommelier Guild in 2003 and completed the Diploma from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) in 2005. Michelle was the co-owner of House Wine from 2003 to 2015. She also founded and was  president of BC chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers. Michelle now lives and teaches WSET courses in Montreal and gives numerous training sessions including for wine associations such as Inter Rhône and Wine Australia. She works closely with the nursery Lilian Bérillon located in the Rhone Valley acting as a wine educator and ambass...

New releases from SummerHill and Clos Du Soleil. (Ezra Cipes & Michael Clark )   THE SHOW  Ezra Cipes  – CEO   Summerhill Pyramid Winery (South Kelowna Slopes) Ezra Cipes was 5 years old when his family moved from New York in 1968! Since that epic move, he has grown up in the wine industry and feels blessed to now lead a company dedicated to creating beauty in collaboration with nature. After working in the wine production cellar while attending public school in Kelowna, Ezra embarked on a career in music. He worked as a touring and session musician and became a published songwriter. He and his daughter Ruth along with his brothers Ari, Gabe, and Mathew have created a band called The Oot ‘n Oots.   Making music for all ages.  For children, that can be appreciated and even liked by adults. The music they make is labeled Kindie and it’s growing every year. Despite his love for music, Cipes has always felt called back to the vineyard. Home on the family farm, Ezra initiated a half-acre permaculture garden, selling vegetables and herbs to Summerhill’s onsite Sunset Organic Bistro. After reconnecting with the winery and the land, Cipes knew he needed to assume a greater role at the winery. He became Chief Operations Officer in 2008 and CEO in 2012. Recently Ezra has taken a leadership role in the Canadian wine industry as a director of the Canadian Vintners Association, Vice-Chair of the British Columbia Wine Institute, and Chair of the BC Wine Appellation Task Group! Summerhill is the first biodynamic winery in Canada and shortly will become part of the wine-growing area known as South Kelowna Slopes. (along with Cedar Creek and St Hubertus) We welcome back Ezra Cipes.  CEO of Summerhill and co-founder of The Oot ‘n Oots.  The new Oot’nOots album is Ponderosa Bunchgrass and The Golden Rule.  Ezra brings new releases – 2020 Estate Grown Biodynamic Chardonnay $40 25%  in 500 liter oak barrels – 75% in stainless steel.  100% delicious! 2020 Estate Grown Biodynamic Riesling $29 Naturally fermented temperature-controlled stainless steel. These Riesling clone 21B vines were planted in – 1978!! 2020 Estate Grown Biodynamic Gruner Veltliner $28  Naturally fermented with ambient farm yeasts.  10-year-old vines. 2020 Estate Grown Biodynamic Pinot Noir $40  Fermented 10,000 litre oak tank. 3 months in Neutral oak barrels. Unfined/unfiltered Cellar to 2030. www.summerhill.bc.ca https://www.theootnoots.com/  Michael Clark – GM and Winemaker at Clos Du Soleil  (Similkameen)  Clos Du Soleil is a small artisan winery and estate vineyard on the Upper Bench of the South Similkameen Valley. They produce ultra-premium quality wines, borrowing an aesthetic derived from the great wines of Bordeaux, but stamped with the flavors and aromas of their particular piece of hard and rocky Similkameen land. Through traditional winemaking techniques, informed by research, but adhering to the philosophies of minimal-interventionist winemaking and biodynamic viticulture, they produce wines that are complex and classic, age-able, and truly elegant. Winemaker Michael Clark presents two amazing releases. 2020 Capella – 80% Sauvignon Blanc 20% Semillon $28 (le Cote Vineyard) Light gold in the glass. Aromas of grass and lemon/lime..grapefruit? Flavors of peach & ripe apricot, pineapple, lemon & lime. Beautiful acidity. Fermented in French Oak Puncheons. Barrel-aged 9 months. Blending together best barrel lots. Wow. Can be cellared. Released end of November.  410 cases. Did I say wow – I meant WOW! 2020 Winemaker’s Series  100% Chardonnay – $24.90 Apple, lemon, floral notes.  Flavors of ripe melon, apple & pineapple.

Christa-Lee McWatters (Time) – Christine Coletta (Narrative) – Jay Drysdale (Bella)  THE SHOW   Three BC wine leaders in the Okanagan and releases you’re going to want to find,  try and buy.   Christa-Lee McWatters – GM of  5 Vines Cellars. (TIME Winery/Kitchen. Evolve. McWatters Collection) Christa-Lee McWatters TIME-CabFranc2018-TechSheet   TIME-CabSauv2018-TechSheet Being the daughter of Harry McWatters, British Columbia wine pioneer, Christa-Lee has had a rich understanding and love for BC wine since birth. She was involved in planting vineyards with her father and sister Darrien on the Black Sage Bench in the early 1990s. Since 2000, Christa-Lee held key roles in sales, marketing, and hospitality for several successful Okanagan wineries, until stepping in as director of marketing and sales for her family’s enterprise ENCORE Vineyards in 2014.   After her father’s passing in 2019, Christa-lee assumed the position as CEO until the parent company was purchased by Five Vines Cellars. Christa-Lee continues to manage the three wine labels and downtown winery in Penticton but still finds time to give back to her industry through the British Columbia Wine Institute, Summerland’s Bottleneck Drive Winery Association, Canadian Vintner’s Association, the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society, BC Hospitality Foundation and Les Dames d’Escoffier, BC Chapter. Getting caught up with CL includes 2021 releases from TIME Winery. The Whites. 2018  Brut  Method Cuvee Clos  (34.99) It engages with notes of toast and lime and a wonderful tiny bubble texture in the mouth invites you to let it linger around your tongue.  Love this.                         2018 Meritage White  (25.00) – An perfect equal split between Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. I  found melon and mandarin on the nose but the texture had such a lovely tropical fruit entry that lead to a nice texture and finish. A true barrel-aged  Winter White that can only get better with cellaring for a couple of years. The Reds 2017  Fourth Dimension (35.00)  When you blend well-made Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc many things can happen. They can end up fighting each other for dominance or with the careful blending exhibited in this blend the varietals reward with Cherry and Raspberry on the nose and cracked black pepper and spice. Long slow finish.  Again. Let it Linger. “Time is the Fourth Dimension”   Al Einstein   2018 Syrah (39.99) Greeted by bold ripe blackberry and hints of mint on the nose.  Rich flavors of fresh black currant and ripe plum cracked black pepper and a taste of cinnamon on the way out. This could be your next favorite red. Cellaring for a couple of years will reward big time.   2018 Cabernet Sauvignon  (39.99) Everything you want and expect in a classic Cab. Cassis, blackberry, vanilla, pepper!  Boom. This well-structured big red wine compliments beautifully with BBQ  and engaging pasta.  I’d advise to get it while you can.  If you find this one – buy it.   2018 Cabernet Franc (34.99)  So good it just takes four words – Find-Buy-Taste – Repeat.  If you need more words,  how about this –  aromas of raspberries, ripe cherry, and pepper on the nose,  taste includes, plum, black fruit, with soft tannins and finish. Think pairing food with the same bang. Love this Cab Franc. I knew I would because the guy who planted it – Harry McWatters – was crazy for good Cab Franc. Just like me.

812 Wines.  20 Platinum. Here’s 5 of the very best 2021 BC Lt. Gov Winners.   THE SHOW  The press release said.. “A panel of judges from Canada and the US tasted more than 800 wines, and awarded gold, silver, and platinum medals to 90 British Columbian wineries” I know most of these judges. They cannot be fooled or influenced. They take great pride in getting the winners right. 12 of the 14 judges have been guests on Tasting Room Radio. I pay attention to what they have to say. On and off the air. Congratulations to all the wineries and to Tim Pawsey – Winner of the Harry McWatters Award. There simply wasn’t time to talk to all 20 Platinum winners but we were able to stalk and corner…     Wine of the Year winner David Patterson – GM & Winemaker of Tantalus 2018 Old Vines Riesling (East Kelowna)   Grant Stanley – Winemaker at Spearhead Winery. . (East Kelowna) 3 Platinum Pinot Noirs   Lorin Inglis – GM at ENRICO Winery (Cowichan Valley) 2020 Shining Armour Pinot Gris   Jeff Hundertmark – Head Winemaker Mt Boucherie  (West Kelowna) 2020 Original Vine Semillon/2018 Reserve Syrah   Gaurev Maan – Maan Farms Estate Winery – 2020 Raspberry Table Wine (Frazer Valley)   Elan Morris – GM OK Wine Festivals. (Kelowna) Here is the complete 2021 Platinum List – Congratulations All. * Arrowleaf Cellars – 2019 Riesling * Burrowing Owl Estate Winery – 2019 Syrah * CedarCreek Estate Winery – 2020 Platinum Home Block Rosé * Chain Reaction Winery – 2019 Tailwind Pinot Gris * ENRICO WINERY – 2020 Shining Armour Pinot Gris * Inniskillin Okanagan Estate Winery – 2018 Estate Riesling Icewine * Kismet Estate Winery – 2018 Cabernet Franc Reserve * Liquidity Wines – 2020 Rosé * Maan Farms Estate Winery – 2020 Raspberry Table Wine * Mission Hill Family Estate – 2019 Terroir Collection Vista’s Edge Cabernet Franc * Mission Hill Family Estate – 2019 Perpetua * Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery – 2020 Original Vines Sémillon * Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery – 2018 Reserve Syrah * Silhouette Estate Winery – N/V Boyd Classic Cuveé * Silkscarf Winery – 2017 Syrah-Viognier * SpearHead Winery – 2019 Pinot Noir Saddle Block * SpearHead Winery – 2019 Pinot Noir Cuveé * SpearHead Winery – 2019 Pinot Noir Golden Retreat * Tantalus Vineyards – 2018 Chardonnay * Three Sisters Winery – 2019 Rebecca The full list of medal winners can be found on the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society website. Tantalus.ca Enricowinery.com Spearhead.ca mtboucherie.com maanfarms.com thewinefestivals.com     STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON Summerhill Revisit Walking the Tightrope Hester Creek Church and State