Summary: For over 17 years we’ve had a feature on TRR called A walk in the neighbourhood.<br> We’ve made some fine friends along the way.<br> The “neighbourhood“ for Tasting Room Radio are the segment sponsors of this weekly salute to the craft of winemaking and culinary arts.<br> When we started the show we vowed “if we are committed to talking about someone for 52 weeks, we better like them and admire what they do or it just doesn’t work!”<br> In one hour, we’ll talk about the wines they’ve released, the awards they’ve won and their plans for the Summer and Fall. Fresh new talk friends.<br> <br> This year in the neighborhood are:<br> <br> Hillside Winery (Naramata)<br> Unsworth Vineyards (Cowichan – Vancouver island)<br> Moon Curser (Osoyoos)<br> Mt Boucherie (West Kelowna)<br> Okanagan Wine Festivals (West Kelowna)<br> <br> HILLSIDE ESTATE WINERY <br> GM and Winemaker Kathy Malone and Chef Evan Robertson<br> Kathy delightfully takes us through the new Hillside releases.<br> The 2022 Gewürztraminer, 2022 Pinot Gris and a wine club exclusive Below the Road Rose. Also the 2020 Pinot Noir, 2020 Merlot, 2018 Dickinson (single vineyard) Merlot.<br> They’re prepping for a Best of the Bench Dinner event July 18th<br> <br> In our interview Chef Evan pairs each wine with items from his new menu at The Bistro at Hillside. It is….a beautiful thing!!<br> <a href="http://www.hillsidewinery.ca">www.hillsidewinery.ca</a><br> <br> UNSWORTH VINEYARDS <br> <br> To quote Barney Bentall “putting this band together is like a goat rodeo”. <br> In our day to day life in Mill Bay our real neighbours are the Cowichan Wineries and the closest in heart and mind is Unsworth. We drive by every morning on our way for a Cobble Hill walk.<br> Representing Unsworth in our neighbourhood special are:<br> Dan Wright -Winemaker, Felix Egerer – Viticulturist, Chef Dan Bain – Restaurant at Unsworth, Karen Newington – Hospitality and Tasting Room Manager.<br> <br> “The Dans” bring really good food and wine pairings. Dan Bain has a new menu to walk us through as well.<br> Dan Wright and Felix take us through new releases and their growing season and a new vineyard we should all keep an eye on.<br> 2022 Pinot Gris, 2022 Rose, Charme de l’ile and CDL Rose, a mention of the coming 2018 Cuvee de l’ile and a 2022 Saison Vineyard Pinot Noir.<br> I heard someone mention Mags.<br> Chef likes the new garden in place. Especially the tomatoes for their local legendary pizza on the patio.<br> <br> (Chef Dan Bain)<br> Karen brings us tasting room hours, new summer music every Sunday, August wine passport and everyone had a comments about those new vineyards, with the promise of increased availability of pinot noir and chardonnay. Dan Wright and I both swooned over the possibilities of the new Charmat Tank.<br> Here’s a local heads up! If you’re in the Cowichan on a Monday or Tuesday check out the pizza on the patio between 12 noon and 6pm. It’s just such a good for the soul experience.<br> All-in-all the place is buzzing. Reservations highly rcommended.<br> <a href="http://www.unsworthvineyards.com">www.unsworthvineyards.com</a><br> <br> Moon Curser Vineyards<br> The 2019 Best Small Winery in Canada. (just thought I’d throw that in there)<br> <br> A true family winery Beata and Chris Tolley created Moon Curser 20 years ago and made it one of the most interesting wineries in the Okanagan.<br> <br> <br> Best of all, their wines reflect their character. Upbeat, strong and welcoming. Such great people.<br> On the Osoyoos East Bench, they grow and make an amazing range of singular wines. A portfolio measured in heartbeats.<br> 2022 Heist Rose (Syrah driven. Neutral oak presents texture – in a rose)<br> 2022 Dolcetto (loaded with notes of pomegranate and dark berries.
