Summary: <br> The 2020 Cowichan Valley Wine Festival Aug 1-31<br> <br> In a normal year, just about now, I’d get in the car and drive south on Vancouver Island to Cobble Hill and meet the Cowichan Winemakers on a Crush Pad.<br> As we all know 2020 is not a normal year. A historic pandemic has a way of shutting everything down and threatening everyone’s health and life.<br> How then to organize and pull off a wine festival?<br> With the assistance and guidance of Tourism Cowichan, the 13 wineries of the Cowichan Valley invite you to Discover Cowichan Wine.<br> This year the wine festival is taking place for the entire month of August.<br> <br> Due to Covid19, there will be no opening party however participants can purchase a ticket for $20 which gives them a festival glass to bring to each winery. Tasting fees are waived and if you get a stamp at each tasting on your passport you then qualify for a draw at the end of August for a case of Cowichan Wine.<br> <br> The wineries have been preparing to receive guests in a safe and healthy environment. Physical distancing, sanitized tastings plus safety for the guests and employees.<br> There is so much to celebrate in The Cowichan. A new Sub GI designation. Cowichan now can appear on all wine labels made with Valley fruit.<br> And the recent purchase of Unsworth by Barbara Banke and Julia Jackson (Napa/Sonoma).<br> <br> <br> This is our first Zoom interview with the Cowichan Wineries. The audio and zoom video can be streamed on our website.<br> I asked our winemaking guests to highlight two wines they’re pouring…<br> Jill Nessel – Tourism Cowichan.GM<br> Mike Nierychlo – Emandare Vineyard (Rose and Pinot Noir)<br> Brent Rowland – Averill Creek/Joue (Joue White and Red)<br> Paul Bruner – Blue Grouse. The owner (Estate Pinot Gris and Quill Rose)<br> Dan Wright – Unsworth Vineyards (Allegro and Rose)<br> Paul Busnardo – Divino (Trebbiano and Everything red blend)<br> Lorin Inglis – Enrico.GM (Charme De Lile Sparkling and Tempest Ortega)<br> Xavier Bonilla – Cherry Point (Pinot Noir and Siegerrebe)<br> Chef and Author Bill Jones – Deerholme Farm in The Cowichan.<br> <br> A Question. What goes best with Cowichan Wine? Cowichan Food!<br> And who better to add a food component to this special than Chef Bill Jones at Deerholme Farm.<br> You know Bill from his dozen or so books..The Deerholme Foraging Book. The Deerholme Mushroom Book.<br> Bill Jones is a passionate supporter of local food communities, a founding member of FarmFolk/CityFolk, SlowFood Vancouver Island, and was a key organizer of the BC Canadian Chefs Congress.<br> If you’re heading to the festival, check out Bills Thursday small dinners and special dinner Aug 15th (Mediterranean) & 22nd (Korean BBQ)<br> Or sign up for the always sold out foraging classes in The Fall.<br> <br> <a href="http://www.deerholme.com">www.deerholme.com</a><br> Cowichan Visitor Information<br> <a href="mailto:visitorinfo@duncancc.bc.ca">visitorinfo@duncancc.bc.ca</a><br> <a href="mailto:info@tourismcowichan.com">info@tourismcowichan.com</a><br> <br> Tasting Room Radio Cowichan Wine Guests –<br> <a href="http://www.emandarevineyard.com">www.emandarevineyard.com</a><br> <a href="http://www.averillcreek.ca/">www.averillcreek.ca/</a><br> <a href="http://www.bluegrouse.ca">www.bluegrouse.ca</a><br> <a href="http://www.unsworthvineyards.com%0d">www.unsworthvineyards.com</a><br> <a href="http://www.DivinoWine.ca">www.DivinoWine.ca</a><br> <a href="http://www.enricowinery.com">www.enricowinery.com</a><br> <a href="http://www.cherrypointestatewines.com">www.cherrypointestatewines.com</a><br> <br> STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:<br> Kathy Malone – New releases from Hillside<br> Hester Creek checks in<br> The BC Wine Lover’s Cookbook – Jenn Schell<br> Chef Ned Bell – Naramata Inn<br> Food Day Canada.
