Summary: The return of VanWineFest Part One…<br> THE SHOW<br> <br> After a series of historic events far more important than a wine gathering,<br> we welcomed the 43rd annual Vancouver Wine Festival back into our lives.<br> The pandemic required a different gathering this year.<br> Smaller crowds, masks not mandatory but fully encouraged.<br> <br> Fewer wineries and participants made for a calmer and quieter convention center. We liked it.<br> Many of the participants who were scheduled to attend and pour last year returned with some wines a year older and lots of new fresh wines from 2021.<br> There was an unmistakable joy in the room.<br> Joy, for having survived the pandemic. Joy, to seeing friends and exchanging stories about the past two years.<br> It was a beauty. People shook hands. They hugged! Almost like the life we used to know.<br> <br> So… let’s celebrate with the first of two specials at this year’s VanWineFest from the floor of the Vancouver Convention Centre..<br> Many thanks to Harbour Air for getting me there and back. Also Meriha Beaton – Milk Creative. John De Vries, FMFM and Corey Wood.<br> Here’s the line up! We have sit down interviews with<br> <br> Harry Hertscheg – Executive Director VanWineFest <a href="http://www.vanwinefest.ca">www.vanwinefest.ca </a><br> Lynzee Schatz – Winemaker at TIME Family Wines (Penticton) <a href="http://www.timewines.ca">www.timewines.ca</a><br> Ross Baker – Winemaker at LA FRENZ (Naramata) <a href="http://www.lafrenzwinery.ca">www.lafrenzwinery.ca</a><br> Dan Irving – Bread and Butter Wine (Napa) <a href="http://www.breadandbutterwines.com">www.breadandbutterwines.com</a><br> Mike Raffan – General Manager Township 7 (Naramata) <a href="http://www.township7.com">www.township7.com</a><br> Howard Soon – Chief Winemaker Vanessa Vineyards (Similkameen) <a href="http://www.vanessavineyard.com">www.vanessavineyard.com</a><br> Taylor Whelan – Winemaker Cedar Creek (East Kelowna) <a href="http://www.cedarcreek.bc.ca">www.cedarcreek.bc.ca</a><br> Mark Kuspira – Soft Crush Imports (Calgary) <a href="http://www.crushimports.com">www.crushimports.com</a><br> <br> <br> STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON<br> <br> * VanWineFest Part Two<br> * Tony Holler – Poplar Grove<br> * Mark De Vere – Robert Mondavi Wine<br> * Ray Signorello – Signorello Wine<br> * Scorched Earth<br> * Bartier Bros.<br> * Township 7<br> * Hillside Estate<br> * Napa/SF<br> * Thanksgiving Wines<br> <br> <br> <br>
