Tasting Room Radio

GEEKING OUT ON ISLAND PINOT ( with 6 winemakers))   THE SHOW   Somewhere in the middle of last weeks interview with Mike Neirychlo from Emandare Winery I heard him mention he was hosting  a Pinot Noir  panel coming up  at Victoria Wine Festival.   ”I’m sorry, what panel, what pinot, what wine fest?” Turns out it was  a 90 minute panel with 6 winemakers, all pouring and talking about their Island Pinots. The island wineries,  which includes Vancouver island and the Gulf Islands,  have been telling  anyone who would listen that they have the perfect soil, climate and all round terroir to specialize in the creation of   “the heartbreak grape” Not just in The Cowichan Valley but Saanich outside Victoria, Deep Cove close to the Victoria airport, Salt Spring Island and up island in Courtney-Comox Each Pinot is different from the one before it. Even if they are grown side by side. Cherry, raspberry, mushroom, hibiscus and clove. Famous in France, New Zealand, Germany and the USA (lead by California & Oregon) Now comes Vancouver Island and The Gulf Islands. The PANEL Mike Rathjen – Winemaker. Rathjen Cellars (Saanich) Daniel Dragert – Winemaker Kutatas (koo-ta-tass)  (Salt Spring Island) Dan Wright – Winemaker Unsworth  (Cowichan Valley) Layne Craig – Winemaker  40 Knots  (Comox) Brent Rowland  – Winemaker  Averill Creek (Cowichan Valley) Mike Neirychlo – Winemaker  Emandare (Cowichan Valley) and panel host. The first three segments are taken from their panel comments. A total geek out. The last segment features all 6 winemakers exchanging thoughts with me outside in the courtyard. Part of the geek out was the exchange of clonal structure.. So when those number go by 115-667-777 that’s telling pinot lovers what they might expect in the bottle as each clone carries its own flavour signature. When you find your favourite clone, then you can follow its growth and availability all around the World. Links:   rathjencellars.com kutataswines.com unworthvineyards.com 40knotswinery.com averillcreek.ca emandarevineyard.com www.storiedwinesandspirits.com/ vicwf.com   STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON New releases from Sperling Vineyards Bartier Brothers The Hatch Black Swift – new winery and new wines Fort Berens  

FEATURING  SAM ROBERTS, EMANDARE AND TIGHTROPE WINES   The Show   We start with Sam Roberts. Singer, Songwriter, Husband and Father. The leader of The Sam Roberts Band.  They’ve just released their 7th studio album All of Us. Ranks as his best yet. He had the songs written and recorded but decided to follow the voice talking inside his heart and head and re-wrote/re-recorded them all. It paid off. As an aside, when Jason Priestley and I were shooting our TV series Hollywood and Vines we found ourselves in Ribera del Duero in Spain. We were in  a winery known for its house band and concert series.  One of the barrels in the cellar was signed by Sam Roberts. I’ve interviewed Sam a number of times.  Usually about his music and tours  but we inevitably  end up talking about wine. He lives in Montreal and has access to lots of European wines, some Ontario wines and almost none from BC.  That  of course is  what we talked about. I can think of nothing better than a glass of big red wine and listening to The Sam Roberts Band’s new album All of Us.   www.samrobertsband.com   Mike (and Robin) Nierychlo  (near-ich-low)  Emandare Vineyard.  (Cowichan Valley)    “It all starts with the farm, we truly believe that wine is not made, wine is grown. Being blessed with this beautiful piece of land in the Cowichan Valley, it has become our responsibility to steward it to the best of our ability. For that, we look to the old world. They all farmed organically, not for marketing or because it was trendy, but simply because that was how they farmed. Not against nature, but with it. It is our goal through bio-diverse and sustainable farming practices like dry farming, composting, mulching and animal husbandry to breathe abundant life into our land. The beautiful byproduct of farming this way will be a healthy balanced vineyard”.   I’ve known Mike since he interviewed me for his wine video show in 2008 or 9. I’m thinking he went to school on all the information that passed through his microphones.  He and Robin were meant to become what they became – farmers and winemakers. Mike came by the other day to talk about two of their new wine releases. Emandare 2019 Pinot Noir and their 2019 Marechal–Cabernet Foch!   The Pinot features a balance of neutral oak, dark cherry, cranberry etc.  A few years in a cellar will reward the patient wine fan. The Marechal-Cabernet Foch is a field blend.  89% Marechal Foch and 11% Cabernet Foch.  Looking for tannins in your big reds? Tastes of ripe fruit – plum, cherry and blackberry.    One of the reasons why Mike and Robin bought this particular home vineyard was because of the heritage Pinot vines that had been planted and in the ground for a number of years. They have since continued to lovingly watch over and farm those vines and expand in other areas of their acreage. The future looks bright for Emandare! www.emandarevineyard.com   Lyndsay and Graham O’Rourke – Tightrope Vineyards ( Naramata Bench) Lyndsay is the winemaker  and Graham the viticulturist. They arrived on the Naramata Bench the same Summer as my wife Meg and I .  2007. Tightrope is one of the most successful small wineries in Canada. 2019 National Wine Awards. Top 10 Small winery in Canada Top 25 winery in Canada. At the final Judgement of BC in 2019 the Tightrope 2016 Syrah won the entire Syrah tasting against 5 other BC Syrah’s and 6 World class Syrah’s. They also placed 4th in the Riesling and 8th in the Pinot Noir. In the 2019 Intervin awards – they placed 14th in Canada.   In this two part feature we taste and talk our way through...

There was a time when we humans could get on a plane,  fly 14 hours to New Zealand and  travel about the Islands. shake hands with   farmers, growers, winemakers and owners. Dine in wonderful restaurants,  bistros, tasting incredible wines at World famous wineries and fly back to your home with 300 other people – for fourteen hours and still be healthy for the rest of the year. Let us take you back 5 years to 2015 and DO JUST THAT. TRR presents New Zealand in an Hour  THE SHOW  Last March I had the pleasure of touring various outstanding wine regions in NZ. What drove the various stories was New Zealand’s remarkable sustainability record. New Zealand in an Hour!!    94% of all NZ wines are farmed under sustainable practices. It’s not so much a program as a way of life. New Zealanders are all about being green.. We start in Auckland, then Hawkes Bay, Marlborough and finally Central Otago.  Our guests include Auckland: We talk to our “host” Phillip Manson, the man in charge of New Zealand’s Sustainability efforts. He’s proud of New Zealand’s reputation. So he should be. www.nzwine.com           On the Ferry heading for  Waiheke Island..just off the coast from Auckland..we visit Mike Spratt at Destiny Bay, maker of only three wines.  three Bordeaux influenced red blends..one of which,  Magna Praemia,  is the most expensive wine in NZ.  Mike, his scientist wife Ann and winemaking son Sean lead a stellar team.  http://www.destinybaywine.com/ mike-spratt-destiny-bay Before we leave the dormant volcanoes of beautiful Auckland we visit just one more winery. The most awarded winery in all NZ – Villa Maria!!  www.villamaria.co.nz Sir George Fistonich has spent five decades at the forefront of New Zealand’s wine industry that he helped develop. As an icon of the New Zealand wine industry, Villa Maria is known for bold and industry-changing moves such as moving to 100% screw cap through to the emphasis on sustainable practices in every area of the family owned company. Villa Maria Estate was named the supreme winner at the New Zealand Sustainable Business Network awards in November 2012 Here’s  the man himself, Sir George Fistonich.      Pask     Hawkes Bay     On our tour of NZ #1 we talked to Kate Ranburnd the famous winemaker  at Pask. Hawkes Bay is a short flight from Auckland. http://www.hawkesbaynz.com/ Hawke’s Bay’s long, hot summers and cool winters offer the best weather for growing grapes. The climate is dry and temperate. Hawke’s Bay is renowned for its horticulture with large orchards and vineyards on the plains. Hawkes Bay is one of New Zealand’s warmest, driest regions and this has made it one of the country’s leading producers of wine; notably red wines – cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah – but also with some quite stunning whites. They are working on being the Syrah Capitol of NZ.  www.winehawkesbay.co.nz/ Pask Winemaker and Managing Director Kate Radburnd is one of New Zealand’s most acclaimed winemakers. She commands an international reputation for her extensive record of award winning wines and her vision and contribution to the industry. Pask’s 59 hectares of vineyards are located on Gimblett Road where Chris Pask was first to plant in the region now known as the Gimblett Gravels Winegrowing District®. Formed over 100 years ago when the Ngaruroro River changed its course, the light, stony soils of the region are low in nutrients, completely free draining, and create the perfect environment for growing premium quality gr...

In Ok Falls with Noble Ridge and Meyer/Mayhem  Noble Ridge Vineyard Winery  is named for the noble varieties of grapes grown and the ridge that divides the land on which they thrive. This noble name is a statement of values and a reminder of the hard work and dedication on which the winery was built. Jim and Leslie D’Andrea began their winery in 2001. When they purchased the property it had only 3.5 acres of vines. Since then they have planted an additional 20 acres and have grown their dream into an award winning winery. Tending to vineyards and making the wines is all done by hand on site by a team of dedicated workers who strive every day to create exceptional wine that reflects its noble namesake. Guests are always welcome to enjoy the breathtaking views with a picnic overlooking Vaseaux Lake or to spend time exploring the vineyard with a tour. Our guest is co-founder Leslie D’Andrea. The driving force behind the team at Noble Ridge.   As an interviewer I can tell you  she’s the best kind of guest. Ask the right questions and figure out along the way where her  brakes are. She lives for these wines. They reward the seeker.  Leslie is the poster child for passionate wines. She’ll take us through 2019 Stony Knoll Chardonnay * A new vintage of Mingle. (Pinot Grigio, Gewurztraminer, Kerner.) 2017 Reserve Pinot Noir 2015 The One Sparkling   Plus a heads up on the  OK Falls Wine Assn open house. A Holiday Theme. November 14-15. Noble Ridge itself will be open until Dec 31. Tastings on Friday and Saturday 11-4pm Open for sales Tuesday – Saturday   www.nobleridge.com     JAK Meyer and Terry  Meyer  Stone – Meyer Family Vineyards/Mayhem Winery Several years ago Terry Meyer Stone along with her brother JAK Meyer and their spouses, Andrew Stone and Janice Stevens  launched their new custom crush wine project: Mayhem Wines Inc.   JAK is the driving force behind the award winning wines at Meyer Family Vineyards and Meyer Winery.   JAK explains the difference between Meyer Family and Meyer Wines. Terry and JAK have been crisscrossing each other and their own wine businesses over the last decade. JAK and Janice  at Meyer Family Vineyards and  Terry Lynn and Andrew at Anarchist Mountain Vineyards. Both wanted to grow their own brands, but quickly realized that they were becoming each other’s competition with regards to their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir production. The seed for launching Mayhem Wines was planted one evening  over several glasses of wine.  Over wine?  How unusual. Australian born NZ raised  Ajay Chavan is the winemaker at Mayhem. For those of you looking for terrific wines at a great price, remember the name Mayhem.   Terry Lynn and I taste our way through their latest releases. Almost all at $15.95!!   2019 Pinot Blanc (here’s the start to your weekend) 2019 Pint Gris. (Lemon. Honey. Ripe stone fruit) 2019 Riesling (Hello Granny). $18.26 2019 Gewurztraminer. Texture and peach in a glass. Great nose. 2019 Sauvignon Blanc  a beautiful balance of oak and Meyer Lemon. Spices. 2018 Merlot/Cab Franc.  75/25 New and Used Oak for 9 months. Plum. Herbs. Beautiful dark fruit.  OK. Here’s the plan.  Buy several.  Enjoy several now. Hide at least one or two bottles for 2 years. Will get crazy good. $21.74   JAK takes us through his latest releases. Keep in mind MFV has earned the distinction of being judged one of the top wineries in Canada. Acclaimed for sublime Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs. Winemaker is Chris Carson. Small lots. Burgundian in style and manner. 8,000 cases.   2019 Okanagan Valley Chardonnay. Very popular with wine fans.

Winter White Wines – I’m sorry, Winter What? THE SHOW It was a comment about a year ago.  A winemaker used the phrase “I’m making Winter Whites”.     “A Winter White – what is that? Well,  it’s a white wine that has enough texture and mouthfeel to pair with Winter roasts, stews, soups, root vegetables etc. OK. I needed to know what whites have that ability?” This hour is dedicated to focusing in on white wines than can carry their weight through the Winter. I sought out winemakers and wine experts who could explain Winter Whites and then recommend wines that we could get our hands on! Most of us switch from summer whites to increasingly heavier reds when the Winter cool and wet sets in. Fair enough. They go well with stews, soups, confit, Cassoulet and oven birds. A Winter White has to have weight, texture and the ability to pair with all those dishes. Fat Chards come to mind, Chablis, some Pinot Gris and Chenins, specifically Vouvrays Rieslings from Alsace, Soave from Italy, Mondavi Fume. White blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2 Bench White from Tinhorn Creek. (Semillion,Chard, Sauv Blanc, Viognier and Muscat) Yalumba Y Series Viognier.   I could go on. Please don’t forget to include Bubble, Rosé and Roussanne Our guests include: Chris Reilly – Head Sommelier at (David Hawksworth’s)  Nightingale Restaurant in Vancouver https://hawknightingale.com/ Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson – Drinks Editor Winnipeg Free Press https://www.winealign.com/profile/43820-Ben-MacPhee-Sigurdson Kurtis Kolt – Georgia Straight Wine Writer http://www.kurtiskolt.com/ Rhys Pender – Master of Wine  https://www.mastersofwine.org/en/meet-the-masters/profile/index.cfm/id/dfb8a043-5e4b-e211-a20600155d6d822c Michaela Morris – Wine writer and judge  https://michaelamorris.ca/ Jason Parkes – Winemaker The Hatch https://thehatchwines.com/  Valeria Tait –Gold Hill Winery and 2House  www.goldhillwinery.com Kathy Malone – Winemaker at Hillside https://www.hillsidewinery.ca/ Kathy Malone   Here’s Chris Reilly’s List: 2016 Clos du Soleil Capella Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon Similkameen Valley 2013 Haywire Vintage Bubb Okanagan Valley 2016 Gustave Lorentz Pinot Gris Alsace France 2016 Pietradolce Carricante Etna Bianco Sicily Italy 2017 Yalumba “Y” Series Viognier South Australia Aus Here’s   Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson’s List   d’Arenberg The Hermit Crab Viognier Marsanne (McLaren Vale, Australia) $23 Everything Wine Guigal 2016 Cotes du Rhone white (Cotes du Rhone, France) $29 Everything Wine 60% Viognier, 15% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne, 8 % Clairette, 5% Bourboulenc, 2% Grenache blanc. Torres 2017 Esmerelda (Catalunya, Spain) $16.99 BCLDB Moscatel and Gewurztraminer, spice and stone/tropical fruit with a hint of sweetness. Testalonga Baby Bandito “Keep on Punching” Chenin Blanc (Swartland, South Africa) FYI The Winemakers have lots of suggestions.  – One name that pops up 3  times is Ava from Le Vieux Pin. STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON: Zoom tasting at Yalumba Noble Ridge Sandra Oldfield – Back Again!! Mayhem and Meyer – All in the Family Fonseca Zoomathon from Portugal Sam Roberts – Music and Wine Tightrope

Maenam. The Book  with Angus An. Vanessa Vineyards with Howard Soon & The  Amazing Row 14 at Klippers.   THE SHOW  Chef Angus An has been a cutting edge  fixture in West Coast dining for many years now. His profile in Vancouver started with Gastropod on Fourth Ave in Kitsilano. It was 2006. Angus was 26. Even though Gastropod was his  dream restaurant and it won countless awards and rave reviews it couldn’t survive  the downturn in the Worlds economy and closed in  2009. He rebranded as Maenam. A new approach to Thai food with freshness, innovation, new flavours and balance featuring seasonal local ingredients.  It was a combination of Thai family style dining and street food. Maenam became so popular it was named best Restaurant in Vancouver by Van Mag in 2016. Also best Thai in Vancouver many years running. Angus and his wife and partner Kate now run a mini empire on the West Coast. Their brands include * Maenam. * Longtail Kitchen, South East Asian Street Food Concept. * Fat Mao Noodles, Thai-Chinese Noodle Bar in Chinatown Vancouver! * Freebird Chicken Shack, in Chinatown Vancouver! * Sen Pad Thai, on Granville Island! * Popina Canteen – Granville Island Maenam is a  beautiful book..like the food it celebrates – bright, fresh, colourful. I went looking for two elements.. What wines to pair with a family style dinner..which may have as many as 5-6 dishes..each with its own spices and flavours. Happily Angus asked Kurtis Kolt to handle that chapter and Kurtis pulled it off. The other feature I wanted to see was the “how to” suggestion list. How to prepare a crab or lobster , work with delicate  spot prawns  and oysters. And the spices..which ones and where do I find them? Same thing with “ingredients”..its all handled well here. Angus took me through his seasonal  menus  &  cooking in the book..so you get to hear about Fall and Winter menus. NOTE*  My trusty field recorder decided to stop working just as we got started. I pulled out my iphone and hit record … Angus picked up right where we had left off and saved the day.  Apologies for the audio. One last suggestion – Think about birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas down the road.  This book is a perfect gift for chefs and foodies. Or yourself!! Maenam: A fresh approach to Thai Cooking comes in hardcover and EBook. www.maenam.ca Vanessa Vineyards  – Howard Soon Winemaster (Similkameen) The combination of Similkameen farmland  that’s  recommended by vineyard developers Richard Cleave and Robert Goltz  is the first hint that you’re on to something very special. Both of those Okanagan legends are farmers and winegrowers of the highest order. The second hint is that the winemaker working  the vineyards and fruit is none other than Howard Soon. He’s in the middle of his 41st harvest… the longest such streak in Canada, the man who created Sandhill Wines and was awarded the Order of Canada for his devotion to  and leadership in  Canadian Wine.   With his partnership at Vanessa, Howard has come full circle as over the years he sourced many of his wines from this very vineyard.  Even though its been expanded and new plantings are set in the hard soil, they still will only produce 3,000 cases of wine. Just what Howard loves. Small lots. Very well made. This time around we taste 2019 Rose 2016 Syrah 2019 Viognier And then we had a great discussion about the Vanessa Right Bank. Check out the blend * Merlot Clone 181 Bordeaux, France * Cabernet Franc Clone 331 Pyrénées-Atlanliques, France * Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 169 Bordeaux, France Lots to like here..from the outstanding wines, the  leadership,

Fishing, Food, Friends, Fluids – Year 8 (A Chef, Winemaker,  Master of Wine and me)   THE SHOW For 8  years now, Master of Wine Rhys Pender, Winemaker/Owner at Orofino John Weber,  Award winning  Chef at Waterfront Bistro Kelowna Mark Filatow and yours truly have gathered once a year to reconnect through fishing. On oceans, lakes, streams, rivers and sharing campfires, food, wines and stories.   2020 has been such a crazy mess on so many levels,  that getting away – just for two days – was so the right thing to do. It was Mark who suggested drift fishing the Kettle River, one large valley East of the Okanagan. There’s no pristine chain of blue lakes down this valley but the river is gorgeous and home to beautiful trout. Day one we drifted the Kettle River. Fished the rapids and pools for about 5-6 hours..had a spectacular dinner thanks to Mark. It featured the annual Tomahawk Chops cooked on an open fire (this year the fire was a charcoal fueled Weber BBQ) Dinner cooked all on the charcoal fueled Weber. Dry Aged Beef Tomahawk Steaks.Organic Corn. Potatoes and Chive sour cream. Tomato and Cucumber Salad. Homemade BBQ Sauce The wines we poured were like a liquid gift… better and better. I headed for bed while the other three played campfire dj. I happily slept through the noise. I put on a master class in campfire coffee- for an audience of one. Me! When the guys woke up Mark put on his usual healing breakfast – Kale eggs with Rhys’s great bread (photos included) and then off we went. Day two, we drove Highway 33 East and identified 3 dark pools that looked promising and accessible. So, instead of drifting, we spent the day fishing those pools and walking the river. Mark had two great fishing days, so did John. Rhys had his moments and I came up completely skunked. But I still spent two days with these friends, on a river and shared fishing, food and fluids. It’s hard to put into words how wonderful it all felt. The last dinner was spring salmon I had caught in Ucluelet and we BBQ’d on the fire with a wild variety of wines for pairing. Dinner Terry’s salmon with the potato, corn, shishitos and vegetable succotash Wines in no particular order Mark Burge Family Barossa Valley Olive Hill Vineyard Semillon 2006 Clai, Ottocento 2014, Istria Croatia Jean Bourdy, Cotes du Jura Blanc 2008 Eric Texier, St. Julien St. Alban, 2014, Rhône, France Stephenson Cellars, Syrah 2008, Columbia Valley, Washington   John  From Orofino: Gamay bubble 2019 Hendsbee Vineyard Riesling clone 21B 2018 Hendsbee Vineyard Riesling clone 239 2018 Gamay 2019 Plus.. Pozza Vineyard cab franc rosé 2019 SA Natte Valley Cinsault 2017 Domaine de Pothiers “Reference” Loire Gamay   Rhys Pesquera Ribera del Duero 2011, St. Urbans Hof Ockfener Bockstein Kabinett Riesling 2011   Terry Mission Hill  2007 Point Noir Desert Hills 2006 Mirage Inniskillin Dark Horse 1996 Riesling Ice Wine   We talked of Covid19, the state of wineries and restaurants this year and what 2021 may bring, wines we brought, about each of their careers and of course,  fishing. www.orofinovineyards.com www.Waterfrontrestaurant.ca www.littlefarmwinery.ca   Next year?  Let’s just say “It’s under discussion.” Thank you gentlemen..it was an honour and a dream.   STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON Angus An – Maenam Cookbook Zoom tasting at Yalumba Noble Ridge Sandra Oldfield – Back Again!!

THE SHOW For all you wine fans looking to step up the quality of your weekly wines and then cellaring the same,  this week’s Tasting Room has two of the best wineries and wine leaders in one show.   Michael Clark – Clos Du Soleil   Michael Clark is the GM and Chief Winemaker at Clos du Soleil in the Similkameen Valley. “we’re borrowing an aesthetic derived from Bordeaux – the art of blending – stamped with the flavors and aromas of Similkameen soil. “ Clos du Soleil takes great pride in creating delicate wines, featuring beautifully ripe fruit and an amazing minerality. The “soil” in the Similkameen Valley is hard and unforgiving. However, if you can get the right vines to exist in that soil..the results are highly rewarding. For them and especially for you. Michael is proud to taste and talk about these three wines, any one of which has the flavor and texture components to become your next go-to wine.     Chardonnay 2019 Pale Yellow. Scents of apple, lemon, and floral notes. On the palate lemon, pineapple, and a classic Similkameen minerality. No new oak but 8 months in barrels. Gently filtered just prior to bottling. $22.90.  A beauty! Semillon 2019 Pale yellow. Aromas of pear, yellow apple, and lemon. The palate is soft. A wonderful texture of ripe apple, peat, apricot, vanilla, and herbs.  Mostly fermented in stainless steel tanks but also some time in French oak puncheon.  Prior to bottling,  the barrel and tank components were blended and lightly filtered. $21.90.  More evidence that Semillon has a place in BC Wine.   Estate Reserve Red 2016   33% Cab/32% Merlot/20% Cab Franc/12% Petit Verdot/3% Malbec Aromas of spice, cedar box, ripe black fruit, forest floor. The palate combines black currant, licorice, and graphite. Tannins lead to a beautiful texture and mouthfeel. This is just a beautifully structured joy. Next time you have wine friends over and they’re going on about Bordeaux this and Napa that ..sneak this wine into the tasting and watch the smiles when you tell them who made it and where it’s from. $54.90 Fyi – The Signature 2016 won Gold at the Decanter Awards. Congratulations to the winemaking team. www.closdusoleil.ca       John Skinner – Proprietor of Painted Rock Painted Rock Estate Winery was founded with a family legacy in mind by John and Trish Skinner in 2004. Named InterVin International Winery of the Year for 2018/2019, the winery produces primarily Bordeaux red varieties, along with a Chardonnay, Rosé, and Syrah.   The star of the winery is Red Icon – a true Bordeaux blend.  2017  has been nominated for Wine of the Year at the Decanter Awards.  Results in January! That’s a game breaker for any BC wine. It’s been quite a year for John, his family, and his staff. Surrounded by wildfires, they were protected by the First Responder firefighters this summer. On the ground and especially in the air. The smoke from the fires spared the vineyards plus the smoke was blown south. John got a great mention in the recent  NY Times article on BC Wines. If anyone is going to lead BC wine into a World profile it very likely will be John Skinner and his peers. Here’s what we tasted with Painted Rock. Painted Rock  2016 Estate Grown Merlot Clones 181 and 347.

THE THIRD ANNUAL BC CIDER FEST… BIGGER AND BETTER!     This week long craft cider celebration saw many cider events, tastings and festivities throughout British Columbia with tasting events from Kelowna to Vancouver Island, including tap takeovers, cider pairing meals, and much more throughout the week. The highlight for me and many others is the final event. The gathering of up to 40 Cideries at The Pipe Shop foot of Lonsdale in North Vancouver. It’s one of the buildings my father Pat worked in during WW2. The first interview had to be with Shawn Pisio, who co-founded the B.C. Cider Festival three years ago. Just how popular is this event? It sells out within minutes. Cider is going through the very same revolution that craft beers did 10 years ago. The opportunity to grow more cider apples in B.C. is unlimited, but BC is already home to many excellent craft cideries. One of the cideries we interviewed was Twin Island Cider on Pender Island. They were voted most popular Cidery at this event. Finally, for those of you who still think that ciders are not for you because they’re too sweet or something…FORGET ABOUT IT.. It’s a whole new world out in the orchard. Enjoy!!!! Our guests are: Shawn Pisio – Txotx/ Co-Founder Russ Johnson – Owner/Cidermaker Truck 59 Kelowna Sydney Bottomley – Asst Cider Maker Broken Ladder Kelowna Nick Farrer – Founder The Bricker Cider Co Sechelt Mike Lachelt – Co-owner/Cidermaker Salt Spring Wild SS Island Mathew Vasilev Co-Owner Twin Island Cider Pender Island David Schneider – Persephone Brewing Gibson’s BC Kathleen van der Ree – Northyards Cider – Squamish Mike Petkau – Nomad Handcrafted Cider – Summerland Glenn Ennis – Owner Geo Cider Co – Squamish Lynn Colliar – Geo Cider Squamish Jeff Nairn – Co-Founder Windfall East Van   http://bcciderfest.ca/ Photos by Linda C STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON: Zoom tasting at Yalumba Maenam – The book Noble Ridge Painted Rock Sandra Oldfield – Back Again!! Vanessa Year 8 – The Four F’s in Kettle Valley (Food. Fishing. Friends. Fluids) Mayhem and Meyer – All in the Family Clos du Soleil Fonseca Zoomathon from Portugal    

Pinot Clonal Heaven at  CedarCreek and Block Party Part Two  THE SHOW It was an offer I simply couldn’t refuse. “would I be interested in tasting CedarCreek’s recent  releases – 3 separate Pinot Noirs, fermented and bottled separately ”   2018 Clone 115 – See Paired Recipe 2018 Clone 667- See paired Recipe 2018 Clone 777- See Paired Recipe   I couldn’t say “yes” fast enough.     Their idea was to showcase each of the clones and along the way discover how unique each is from the other. They also had a 2018 Block 5 Chardonnay for openers. See Paired Recipes All four wines would be presented by winemaker Taylor Whelan and paired with special recipes created by Chef Neil Taylor from the sensational Home Block Restaurant at CedarCreek. AND they would agree to gather for a Zoom interview. CedarCreek now have six clones of Pinot Noir planted at the Home Block, with several more to be added in the next few years. In order to better understand the terroir and what each clone can bring to wine, they fermented these wines separately and bottled them separately. They selected fruit from silty loam soils for all three clones, fermented them all naturally, and used similar oak coopers and ages. Each bottling is only four barrels (90-100 cases) and showcases how each of these clones best expresses the terroir of CedarCreek within the confines of its clonal heritage.  Just a heads up, there weren’t too many cases made so contact CedarCreek soon if you’d like to purchase the Clonal Three Pack. This was such fun. The chef nailed the pairings and the wines were outstanding. Of course they were, this is CedarCreek after all.     @cedarcreekwine www.cedarcreek.bc.ca             Block Party (Part Two) – Sarah and Murray Bancroft-  Birch Block Wines. Kaleden, BC   As we explained in early June, this is a series. (Like Schitt’s Creek without the laugh track.) What you do hear is the sound of helicopters fighting a wildfire across from their home in Kaleden. They start flying at first light. I wanted to follow a small winery from the start of the year to the conclusion. Hoping to showcase what goes into our wines, how they get made, and the hazards that must be overcome. Sarah and Murray Bancroft were a natural choice. They are just so damn cool, any wine they made would be likewise. We’re following their ups and downs in the growing year 2020. Nobody factored in the possibility of a Worldwide Pandemic and raging fires in the Okanagan. And critters, varmints and predators. The whole food chain of nature. Not to mention the kindness of neighbours, the farming community around them and the wines they’re creating. If you have always dreamed of reinventing yourself into a grower, farmer, winemaker or owner..have a listen to what Sarah and Murray are going through.  It’s a Block Party. Oh and one more thing. IF you have expertise in harvest crafts please contact Birch Block Vineyards.

Zooming with Jason and Naomi Priestley at Home    THE SHOW   Jason Priestley. Naomi Priestley  –  North Hollywood, Ca.  I’ve been very happy to call them friends for a long time. Jason Priestley and I would see each other at auditions for TV and film roles in Vancouver. Then he headed for LA and the rest you know. Along with Producer Chad Oakes., we created and co hosted Hollywood and Vines TV. 3 years of shows from vineyards and kitchens in Italy, USA (California, Washington and Arizona), Mexico  and across Canada. He met Naomi while acting in London. Jay didn’t know it yet but he was “done, like dinner”. Naydog is a force… We had lots to get caught up on.  The kids, the USA and it’s pandemic and political crisis. Plus three wines. The Rose they were drinking and my two – both with stories attached. Winemakers Cut and “The Mulligan” from Behrens and Hitchcock. Nay asks about returning to The Guadalupe Valley outside of Ensenada Mexico. It was just waking up to the possibilities of winemaking there when we visited over 10 years ago. Now it’s just exploded. We talk about the status of his current series Private Eyes, thoughts on shooting film and tv down  the road and how their  family, their  neighbours and fellow Californians are handling 2020.             Its casual but a lot of fun. It gets serious a couple of times because it’s a serious time we’re all living in.  Cheers.  Enjoy!! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Priestley     Mark Wachtin and Mich Pambrun   (Storied Wines and Spirits) These two interviews were left over from our coverage of Swirl and Untapped in Parksville earlier this year. I really like these guys and their outstanding  portfolio. They represent…   (Vancouver Island) Rathjen, Unsworth, Wayward Distillation    (Okanagan) Anthony Buchanan Bella Lock and Worth Desert Hills Kitsch Nagging Doubt Nichol Vineyard Synchromesh Ursa Major Skaha Vineyards Scenic Road Cidery Tall Tale     That is an impressive list of clients. You can tell these guys know their wines and winemakers. Mark Wachtin Founder – Storied Wines & Spirits It’s all about the people—conversations, stories and histories. Vancouver Island raised (free range) with a lifetime in hospitality, Mark’s drawn to smaller, family-run operations, sustainable farming and handcrafted production methods. Motivated by both the traditional and the new wave of producers, Mark has paired wine and food in world-class hotels, restaurants and eateries. Mark’s commitment is best expressed in his strong relationships with sommeliers, chefs, bartenders, servers and retail product consultants. Mich Pambrun North Island Sales & Marketing Representative Michel Pambrun, former DJ and hospitality pro from Manitoba, is an  Internationally accredited sommelier. Michel celebrates natural, sustainable terroir-driven wines and their environments. His many distinctions include participation in multiple Gold Medal Plates events curating pairings and perhaps his finest harvest, the raising of  two incredible daughters. http://www.storiedwinesandspirits.com/ STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON: Zoom tasting at Yalumba Cedar Creek food and wine pairing Block Party Two – Maenam – The book Noble Ridge Painted Rock Sandra Oldfield – Back Again!! Vanessa Year 8 – The Four F’s in Kettle Valley (Food. Fishing. Friends. Fluids) Mayhem and Meyer – All in the Family Clos du Soleil

HONOURING WINE EVENTS THAT DISAPPEARED THIS YEAR:    Hello all: We started April by showcasing the wine events that would have happened in early 2020 except for the fact that the Earth was fighting a pandemic. First was event was  –  Locals Only.  Vancouver Islands  best showcase of  distillers, winemakers, brewers and cider makers. Then Okanagan Falls &  Skaha Lake Wine Assn  pour in Vancouver. They were shut down. So we went back to 2019 and talked to the very same wineries. When people could shake hands and stand next to one another. This week its Top Drop Vancouver/Victoria. Top Drop is simply one of the best small wine festivals anywhere. They ask of applicants to be sustainable, honour the fruit, don’t mess with the winemaking and be true to the land. It’s become an astounding collection of “must taste” wineries. We go back to years 4 and 5 to relive the interviews. To salute BC Wine Month, we have collected only interviews with BC wineries.   Our guests are: Kurtis Kolt – co-organizer and wine educator  http://www.kurtiskolt.com/ DJ Kearney – wine educator and speaker. Judge  https://winebc.com/dj-kearney/ David Patterson – Winemaker and GM Tantalushttps://tantalus.ca/pages/people Paul Pender – Winemaker at Tawse. Niagarahttps://www.tawsewinery.ca/our-team/ Rhys Pender – Master of Wine. Cofounder of Little Farm Wines. Educator. Judge https://littlefarmwinery.ca/?page_id=140 Christine Coletta – Okanagan Crush Pad . Co-Owner, wine Leader and Influencer https://okanagancrushpad.com/ Grant Biggs – Kitsch Wines. No longer winemaker but both he & winery worth following. https://www.kitschwines.ca/  https://ca.linkedin.com/in/grant-biggs-6214a6114 Tyler Knight – Co-Founder of Lightning Rock https://www.lightningrockwinery.com/ Larry Gerelus – co-founder of Stags Hollow https://www.stagshollowwinery.com/ Michael Schindler – co-founder A Sunday in August https://www.asundayinaugust.com/ Dan Wright – Winemaker at Unsworth.  https://www.unsworthvineyards.com/ https://topdrop.ca/      STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON: Cedar Creek – The Pinot Bundle Tasting with Yalumba on Zoom Birch Block – Volume 2 Vanessa Four F’s        

The Grand Crew Collective and Graham Pierce pours Kitsch in Victoria!   THE SHOW   The Press Release said it all. The Grand Crew is a Collective of fiercely committed Okanagan wineries with a passion for sustainable farming and small-lot winemaking. Unlike other “regional gatherings,” these wineries are from four different Okanagan regions. What they have in common is a “garagiste “ attitude. Smaller batches of wine, a true “hands-on”  approach. Each winemaker creates something unique, but they meet regularly to share insights, growing and winemaking tips, and resources so that they can each continue to craft some of the best wines in the region. They have joined with Kelowna’s Public Liquor to offer a sample box of their releases,  curated by the winemakers themselves!  The limited-edition inaugural Grand Crew Collective box is available in-store or online, visit Public Liquor to get yours. Read the official press release   Black Market Wine Co.  Rob Hammersley Owner/Winemaker (Kaleden) 2019 Omerta Syrah Rose $24 A crisp, dry rosé made from 100% Syrah. Aromas of wild strawberries, cherries, and a hint of watermelon. The palate dominated by wild red berries and rhubarb. With crisp acidity, this wine finishes dry. 2017 Syndicate.  $35 50% Merlot. 31% Cab Franc. 19% Petit Verdot.  100% Yummy 21 months French Oak. (40% new) Lots of black fruit, Dark chocolate. Tobacco.   Nagging Doubt Winery – Rob /Westbury  – Winemaker. Owner  (East Kelowna) 2018 Sallows Rd Vineyard Chardonnay.  $21 Estate-grown Chardonnay shows yummy citrus, pear, and mineral notes with a subtle touch of vanilla from aging in 25% new French oak puncheons. On the nose and palate, lemon, green apple, and minerality. A true cold-climate Chardonnay, this wine offers beautiful balance, crisp acidity, and hangs a long time in the mouth. 2018 The Leap – $23.   Rob says The Leap is the younger brother of The Pull. Plumb, Blackberry, and Cherry.  Oak and Vanilla note. 60%  Merlot. 27% Cab Franc.  13% Malbec.  18 months in new French oak.  Bingo! Niche Wine Co. Joanna and James Schlosser.  Owners/Winemaker (West Kelowna) 2019 Small batch bubbles – $26  Buttery texture. Homegrown. Handmade.  Stirred weekly for 5 months. Limited production. Off-dry.  Only 185 cases. Much sought after. Pinot Noir Blanc – $24  Strawberries, lots of berries frankly. Made from just two barrels. 95 cases. Again. $24 bucks. Oysters. Charcuterie. Or by itself. Hide from family and friends. Tender Hope Winery – Efi Perel  Owner. Winemaker   (West Kelowna) Efi began his winemaking in Israel. Now 25 years later he’s fully Okanagan.   2019  Rose Bubble. VQA. $23 Whole cluster. Combo of Stainless steel and French oak.  Melon. Strawberry.  A light touch of  PNE Candy Floss. 2018 Fire Dance Meritage This wine is made up of a ripe and balanced blend of 50% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 14% Malbec sourced from the southern limit of Canada’s pocket desert. Rich dark fruit, blueberry, chocolate, wood spice, and smooth mouth feel and a spicy finish.   Winemaker’s Cut  – Michal Mosney co-owner and winemaker. (Oliver) Michal and his wife moved from winemaking in Croatia directly to the Okanagan. They have become a force, making us even better. 2019 Gruner Veltliner $26 Shades of Slovakia! Peach, pear, and citrus aromas along with beautiful minerality and a touch of white pepper and marzipan.  Hello Gruner!!! 2018 Bohemia Cuvee $26 and $36 Michal makes a Blanc and a Rose.

Sandra Oldfield & BC’s Women in Wine and  Jeff Hundertmark from Mt Boo & Modest Wines!  THE SHOW Sandra’s email said it all “let’s feature BC women in wine”. Sandra Oldfield is currently the President of Elysian Projects Inc., a company that supports BC’s wine industry. Sandra is best known as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tinhorn Creek Vineyard, kick starting Oliver’s Festival of the Grape in 1997 and  has always advised tourism in the province. Check out #BCWineChat (returns first Wednesday of September) www.sandraoldfield.com Her recent tweet says  she’s was born in the same Oakland Hospital as Kamala Harris a year and a half after the VP candidate. It’s fair to say we took some time organizing  these names. Sandra describes some of them as unsung heroes and some you’ll recognize instantly. It appears we will be doing this feature again soon as there were LOTS of winemakers/owners we had to leave off just to make room.  That’s a good thing. BC is blessed with an abundance of women in wine and there are many more joining them each year.   This week’s guests are: Part One: Joanna Schlosser – Niche Wines and Grand Crew Collective https://www.nichewinecompany.com/ https://www.facebook.com/grandcrewcollective/ Ria Kitsch – Kitsch Wines https://mykitsch.com/ Kathy Malone – Hillside Estate Wines https://www.hillsidewinery.ca/ Jacq Kemp – Therapy Wines https://www.therapyvineyards.com/   Part Two Lindsay O’Rourke – Tightrope https://www.tightropewinery.ca/ Severine Pinte – Le Vieux Pin  https://levieuxpin.ca/ Marilyn Venturi – Venturi-Schulze  https://www.venturischulze.com/ Valeria Tait – 2House and Gold Vineyards https://www.instagram.com/2housewine/?utm_source=ig_emb Penelope Roche – Roche Wines https://www.rterroir.ca/ Cynthia Enns – 1 Mill Road https://www.1millroad.ca/     Jeff Hundertmark – Director of  Winemaking at Mount Boucherie, Modest Wines, Rust Wine Co. Met Jeff and his wife Kimberly at the Niagara Wine Festival. Several times actually. Kimberly was one of the lead organizers of a very large team. Jeff was making wines for Mike Weir, Stoney Ridge, Marynissen, The Hip, etc Then came the big move to The Okanagan in 2017. Kimberly continued on nicely,  joining  the Wines of BC  team. Jeff was originally  hired by Rust Wine Co, then Mount Boucherie and Modest Wines. 3 wineries with more  to come. The new ownership at Mt Boucherie is not only heading their 200 acres to organic status but has finally completed their spectacular experience centre. The Modest Butcher restaurant has opened and kicked off their Modest Wines.  https://modestbutcher.com/ 200 acres under vines gives this crush pad and cellar many many choices. It’s a huge portfolio.  Well done Jeff!! In this two part interview Jeff and I are going to taste and talk about: From Modest Wines 2019 No 4 Orange – 100% Gewurz 2019 Odd Couple – Riesling and Merlot 2018 Little Green Red – 100%  Petit Verdot (crazy good) 2019 Last Hurrah – Syrah 95%  &  Zin 5% 2019 Green Lightning – 100% Gruner

CELEBRATE FOOD DAY IN CANADA   AUGUST 1   Saturday, August 1st  is  Food Day Canada – a chance to salute Canada’s   favourite foods, farmers and all the people involved in our culinary experiences!  Hail to the farmers, those who harvest fish and shell fish, those who get our foods to us fresh and safe,  to the chefs and restaurateurs, the grocery stores and everyone in the food chain. Buy Local. Eat Local. Shop sustainably. Let’s all get out of this year alive, well and still in business.   ANITA STEWART – Founder of Food Day Canada. Food Laureate,  University of  Guelph Anita Stewart was a  little girl selling beans on the side of the road.  Who knew she  would become the author of 14 cookbooks and founder of one of Canada’s most talked about culinary events. Anita’s  farming roots and farming smarts earned her a membership into the Order of Canada and the first interview on today’s Tasting Room Radio.  Thank You Anita! Remember to Shop Local Eat Local Cook Local   #fooddaycanada www.fooddaycanada.ca CHEF ABUL ADAME – The Kitchen at da Silva Winery (Naramata Bench) “Mexican born, never cooked back home, moved to Canada 20 years ago. “Throughout my first years as a newcomer, the thought of a restaurant job was an “easy thought” for a start up. but, it seemingly became a life style long term commitment and a true addictive passionate affair to me.” Abul writing on his main page  www.thekitchen-dasilvavineyards.com I’ve known Abul since 2007 when we moved to the Naramata Bench. My first question to the locals was – most interesting chef? When the third neighbor said Abul Adame..that did it. At the time he was cooking up a storm at Amante Bistro in downtown Penticton. Loved the room and ecstatic about the kitchen. The experience was head and shoulders above 90% of the bistros in the Okanagan. Thankfully, Abul and The Kitchen are still one of the best Okanagan dining experiences. The da Silva family is a Portuguese family who has been farming in the Okanagan for many years. So it’s no surprise that Abul is cooking Portuguese tapas with Mexican Flair.   When was the last time you saw a chef come out of the kitchen, take 2-3 minutes to get to know you..go back to the kitchen and cook to your personalities and tastes. Every table. Every night.     When I told Adul I was still recommending his dining room he actually said “please. No more. I can’t keep up. The place is very busy.” Its old school here. Don’t write..don’t text. Just phone and make a reservation. If you get Abul..he’ll say they’re too busy. If you get staff,  make a date.   One more quote from Abul “you may like my food, you may not like my food – either way,  I Thank You. because I no longer cook to impress.” https://www.thekitchen-dasilvavineyards.com/ JENNIFER SCHELL  – The BC Wine Lovers Cookbook (Recipes and stories from Wineries across BC)   Jennifer Schell (@JenniferSchell8) | Twitter Jennifer Schell is a highly acclaimed food and wine writer, columnist, and former editor of BC Food & Wine Trails Magazine. Her three cookbooks, The Butcher, The Baker, The Wine & Cheese Maker (In the Okanagan & ‘By The Sea’) are Canadian bestsellers and have won numerous international awards.   She is also the co-founder/producer of Garagiste ...