Tasting Room Radio

  It’s the return of Australia’s First Families of Wine!! 10 iconic wineries who shaped Australian wines. Yalumba / Henschke / d’Arenberg / Tahbilk / McWilliams / De Bortoli / Tyrrel’s / Brown Brothers / Howard Park / Wakefield   THE SHOW  Australia’s First Families of Wine Wakefield Wines 10 multi-generational wine families unlocked rare and revered wines from their private cellars to showcase Australia’s rich wine heritage, modern diversity, and the celebrated wine stories that have become the foundation for future generations. Get a sneak preview of a limited number of wines that are being released from each winery at BC Liquor Stores. Through these exclusive interviews, you will have the rare chance to meet the people behind the wines. Family members from each winery will share wines that provide a glimpse into the past, present and future of Australia’s most iconic winemaking families.   And they are all great storytellers..with outstanding stories to tell.   Their message is all about the farms and rich soils that they work, the quality of the wines they craft and the pride they have in their  history and how it has shaped who they are and what they  stand for.         Together, they are the custodians of over 5000 hectares of land that includes some of Australia’s most iconic vineyards, creating premium quality wines that proudly bear their  names.     Australia’s First Families: (and the years they first planted)     * Yalumba (1849) – Robert Hill Smith  www.yalumba.com •             Tyrrell’s Wines (1858) – Bruce Tyrrell  https://www.tyrrells.com.au •             Tahbilk (1860) – Alister Purbrick  www.tahbilk.com.au •             Henschke (1868) – Stephen Henschke  https://henschke.com.au •             McWilliam’s Wines (1877) – Scott McWilliam  www.mcwilliamswine.com •             Brown Brothers (1885) – Ross Brown  www.brownbrothers.com.au •             d’Arenberg (1912) – Chester Osborn  www.darenberg.com.au

  It’s the annual  gathering of Locals Only..wine, spirit and cider makers from Vancouver Island  and the Gulf Islands. And then one of BC’s best winemakers Michael Bartier/Bartier Bros!!  THE SHOW     It’s a one-of-a-kind  tasting event featuring the makers and proprietors themselves.  All from either Vancouver island or The Gulf Islands. Vancouver is an important market for these artisans and what better way to get our attention than to set up a tasting event at Edible Canada at the Granville market. Even though the room was jammed with friends and fans.. we all got a chance to  taste our way through their coastal appellation and discover the diversity of their  exciting and dynamic small farms. Each artisan has a story to tell.. David Gouge from Sea Star about life on Pender Island and how he’s raised his profile in Vancouver’s best restaurants. www.seastarvineyards.ca Jim Moody from Vancouver Island’s oldest  commercial winery  Zanatta   www.zanatta.ca Alayne MacIsaac – making the very cool Sheringham Spirits with husband Jason  just outside of Shirley. (see explains) http://www.sheringhamdistillery.com/ Paul Troop who is part of coastal  winemaking history at  Salt Spring Vineyards.  Talking  Blattners.  http://www.saltspringvineyards.com/ Keara White – Assistant Cider Maker at Tod Creek Craft Cider.  Small batch. No water. No sugar. www.todcreekcider.com Brenda Hetman-Craig  Owner of 40 knots Winery in Comox  www.40knotswinery.com Michael Bartier – Bartier Brothers Wines Yes, there are actual Bartier Bros..it’s not a marketing ploy. They grew up in the Okanagan but Don headed for the oil business in Alberta..but always kept his hand and his land in the mix. Brother Michael  grew up in the Okanagan Valley.  After receiving a degree from the University of Victoria and working in wine sales on Vancouver Island for a few years, he and his wife Jodi returned home to the Okanagan. While looking for a “real job”, Michael accepted casual work in a winery cellar. And, since he’s still in the cellar, you could say he hasn’t found a real job yet. Through on-the-job training, university extension, and distance learning at Washington State University and University of California Davis, Michael worked his way into a winemaking position.   Michael Bartier  quickly made a name for himself: first as a maker of white wines, earning two Canadian White Wine of the Year titles within three years, and then as a maker of red wines with several consecutive Lieutenant Governor’s awards for his red wines. Michael enjoyed stints at Hawthorne Mountain Vineyards,

Can food be funny?  Yup! If the chef is Colin Mochrie from Who’s Line Is It Anyway? We visit two Okanagan wineries and talk to Joe Luckhurst at Road 13 and then David Paterson from Tantalus. We finish with Marcelo Papa..star winemaker at Marques de Casa Concha in Chile   THE SHOW David Paterson – Winemaker and GM at Tantalus     Tantalus is situated on the eastern slopes of the Okanagan Valley, overlooking the shores of Lake Okanagan and Kelowna. Originally known as Pioneer Vineyards, the site was first planted to table grapes in 1927 and today is known as the oldest continuously producing vineyard in British Columbia       David Paterson is a Kiwi and a Canadian, having been born in Vancouver. He received his winemaking degree from Lincoln University NZ & following time spent working in the local NZ industry he travelled the wine world gaining experience at premium wineries in Oregon, France & Australia. He landed at Tantalus in 2009 and with seven successful vintages under his belt with the winery he took on the role of GM as well in 2016. Prior to joining Tantalus, David was working with celebrated South Australian producer Henschke Cellars.  As such he got to work the vineyards at the world famous Hill of Grace.  Riesling has always been the leader at Tantalus however, through  David’s guidance Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Blanc de Noir have caught our attention.   We found each other between crushes..   www.tantalus.ca    Joseph Luckhurst  – GM at Road 13.     Joseph is the next Luckhurst working The Golden Mile in the South Okanagan. His parents Mick and Pam gave their lives and their passion to get this winery to liftoff. They’ve now handed off the reins to Joseph and he’s done a great job  keeping Road 13 popular and productive. They have always placed in the Top 10 wineries.  This year they were awarded third best in all of Canada at the WineAlign National Wine Awards. This is how they did it… Platinum: 2014 Syrah Mourvedre Silver: 2012 5th Element 2012 Jackpot Syrah 2014 GSM 2012 Sparkling Chenin Blanc 2014 Syrah Malbec Bronze:  2014 Roussanne 2015 Chip off the Old Block Chenin Blanc So,  you can see they touch all the bases. Joe also reveals next year’s plans and that they have a new winemaker on board… Jeff Del Nin from Church and State. www.road13vineyards.com Colin Mochrie –  Actor, Comic, Zoodle maker. (Who’s line is it Anyway?) Colin comes back to Vancouver at least one a year to raise funds for  the Colin Mochrie Scholarship Fund at VTSL’s theatre school, the Improv Comedy Institute. Established in 2014,

What makes Yalumba an outstanding  winery?  We have two suggestions..World Class Storyteller Jane Ferrari and Winemaker Peter Gambetta. Moosemeat and Marmalade is one funny tv series. Its features the odd couple of food Bush Chef Art Napoleon and Culinary chef and instructor  Dan Hughes. They’re both fish out of water.. And Chef Dino Renaerts pairs food and Rose THE SHOW   Jane Ferrari – Heart and Soul of Yalumba   Meeting Jane Ferrari is unforgettable. Her job title at Yalumba is multifaceted. She is a storyteller, a communicator, a brand ambassador, a legend. Spend an hour with Jane and you’ll find out more about the heritage and culture of Yalumba and the Barossa than most locals learn in a lifetime. A winemaking graduate from Roseworthy College, Jane joined Yalumba in 1987 and has thrived as promotions manager, wine room manager, storyteller and today is their  wine communicator at large. Her role brings to life the Yalumba story.  In 2004, Jane was announced as the recipient of the Wyndham Hill Smith Award in recognition of the significant contribution she has made to Yalumba. This was followed in 2013 by Yalumba’s highest honour – Jane was named Signatory for Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz 2010. Wine Communicators of Australia named Jane Ferrari its 2012 Wine Communicator of the Year for her long-term effort in the global promotion and education of not only Yalumba, but Australian wine in general. She’s a complete gem!! jane ferrari (@barossasaint) | Twitter https://www.yalumba.com/   Peter Gambetta –  Winemaker at Yalumba   Peter Gambetta joined Yalumba in 2002 and is responsible for making the Rare & Fine collection from the Coonawarra, Yalumba The Menzies Cabernet Sauvignon and its younger sibling The Cigar.  Peter is also responsible for the amazing Ring Bolt Wines from the Margaret River and Heggies Riesling and Chardonnay. “Working with this region has delighted and challenged me for years. Having the opportunity to draw on my past experience and increase my understanding and ability to take the best of this region and nurture it until the final resultant wine, never loses its appeal to me,” says Peter. Peter has always taken a meticulous approach to his winemaking. His attention to every detail is just one of the many reasons why Peter is such an outstanding wine...

  Canadian Winery of the year  Tawse teams with Jim Cuddy  from Blue Rodeo for The Cuddy..Guests include Moray Tawse, Colin Cripps and Jim Cuddy. Chef Meets Truck..Vancouver’s star chefs take to the street trucks..and raise funds for Chefs Table Society. Guests include Scott Jaeger, Eric Heck, Phil Scarfone!    THE SHOW On September 13, the Chefs’ Table Society of BC, in partnership with the Yaletown BIA and the Streetfood Vancouver Society host the inaugural event Chef Meets Truck in Yaletown at the intersection of Hamilton and Nelson. The event will run from 6:30pm-9:30pm and consists of Vancouver restaurant chefs hopping on board local Food Trucks to serve up the foodie event of the season. This collaborative event brings Vancouver’s hottest restaurant and food truck chefs together for the first time ever.     On Sept 13th, the Chefs’ Table society in partnership with Yaletown BIA and the Streetfood  Vancouver Society hosted the first ever Chef Meets Truck in Yaletown. The trucks tucked into a great small side street at Nelson and Hamilton. It was a coming together of Vancouver’s top restaurant chefs and  the best food truck chefs – for the first time ever. This has the legs to become a great annual event. As gear was being unloaded and set,  up I cornered the first arrivals and got lucky.. Our guests include: Scott Jaeger  – The Pear Tree Restaurant and President of the Chefs Table Society. Working with Kevin Reimer Exec Chef Roaming Dragon. (assisting was Gus Brandson – Culinary Mercenary and former sous chef at Pear Tree) www.peartreerestaurant.net / www.roamingdragon.com/ Erik Heck –  Exec Chef at Wild Tale and The Flying Pig paired with Steve Kuan from Torafuku/Le Tigre  www.wildtale.ca    /   http://torafuku.ca/ Phil Scarfone – Chef at Nightingale who teamed with Chef Dom Morra at Via Tevere Pizzaria  https://hawknightingale.com/  viateverepizzeria.com Chefs’ Table Society  https://chefstablesociety.com Let’s get truckin’   Moray Tawse, Jim Cuddy, Colin Cripps –  The Cuddy from Tawse   Three friends combine their talents to make a new wine label in Niagara – The Cuddy!!   I’ve long known  that Jim Cuddy (Blue Rodeo & The Jim Cuddy band) will talk wine at the drop of a hat. He’s been a welcome guest on Tasting Room Radio many time...

  Ten BC wineries in one hour. ALL pouring their new Fall wines for YOU.   THE SHOW Colour is the semi-annual showcase for Fall releases of BC Wines. Each winery brings their very best..or at  least, the wines they want the industry and consumers to be aware of. We couldn’t talk to them all..there were far too many..so I made a wish list and decided to stop at Ten wineries. Made sure  there was enough time for each to tell their story and you get a sense of who they are. For this special, we’re talking to  either the winemaker or the owner..and in some cases,  it’s both. In order they are Harry McWatters  (Time/McWatters)            One of the founding Fathers of BC Wine and he hasn’t lost a step. Who better to talk about the growing season and Okanagan Meritage?               http://www.encorevineyards.ca/ Jeff Harder –  (ExNihilo Vineyards)   Winner of Lieutenant Governor’s Award of Excellence for his 2014 Pinot Noir.  As happy as he is, he can’t wait to tell you about his other wines. www.exnihilovineyards.com Christa-Lee McWatters Bond –   (Evolve) From the land of four named people. Yes, Harry’s daughter has fully and completely committed to the BC wine business.  Making popular wines and helping to steer the future direction of the industry. At Colour she poured Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Cab/Merlot, Teased White and two sparkling wines called Effervescence. One white and one pink. www. <http://www.evolvecellars.com> evolvecellars.com     Christine Coletta  (Okanagan Crush Pad/Haywire & Narrative) Just celebrated  five years of winemaking..Christine poured her 2013 Canyonview Pinot Noir, 2014 Switchback Pinot Gris, 2015 Narrative Red. Congratulations to OCPad for winning a Lieutenant Governor’s Award of Excellence for 2014 Haywire  The Bub. Over 500 wines entered ..only 12 winners. https://okanagancrushpad.com/ Ezra Cipes  – (Summerhill) From the home of the Pyramid, Ezra proudly poured his Cipes Brut Rose, his 2015 Ehrenfelser & Riesling and 2013 Organic Merlot https://www.summerhill.bc.ca Kathy Malone  – (Hillside Winery) Working with some of the oldest vines in the Okanagan, Kathy reminds all that  since 2013 they have only used Naramata Bench grapes. Hillside poured a 2012 Cab Franc, 2013 Syrah & Merlot and snuck in a 2015 Muscat Ottonel. http://hillsidewinery.ca/ Graham Pierce –  (Black Hills)

A blind tasting of Rhone Valley Wines featuring Rhone experts plus  The Wine Diva and Angus An (Maenam) And DJ Kearney on New District and Fall Wines. The Show Blind Tasting Rhone Wines at Maenam Laure Vaissermann/Michelle Bouffard/Daenna van Mulligen/Angus An It’s a full-on Rhone wine tasting at  Angus An’s  Maenam Restaurant in Vancouver.   Invited were taste makers, wine writers, wine buyers and sommeliers.  We were made to blind taste reds and whites and try to name the grape(s) and what region they came from.. It was a humbling experience.  Our hosts are Laure Vaissermann, spokesperson for Rhone Valley Wines  and  by Michelle Bouffard,  WSET instructor, journalist and President of CAPS (Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers – BC Chapter).   “Just imagine, 250 km from north to south, 250 communes (local authority areas, often villages)… The vineyards of the Rhone Valley are a world apart, a shifting landscape which winds and unwinds around a fluid axis: the Rhone, king of rivers, carrying silt and a sense of history. The Rhone is the linking factor, holding together these contrasting landscapes. From Vienne to Nîmes and Avignon, and on to the borders of the Luberon, on both banks of the river, there is a wealth of places to explore”. Christophe Tassan, “Flânerie dans le Vignoble de la Vallée du Rhône”. Wine has been produced in the Rhône Valley for over 500 years, with some of its steeply-terraced vineyards amongst the oldest in France. Syrah rules over the south with a mix of Mediterranean grapes, while in the north the two stars are Hermitage – grown on a granite hillside above the town of Tain and best put to the back of the cellar for a decade – and Côte-Rôtie, a star appellation made famous by Guigal’s single-vineyard wines. The Reds: Fruity, round, gourmet or spicy, full-bodied and structured. They pair with a wide variety of dishes, from pasta to stews; The Whites: Floral and fruity or full-bodied and deep, these wines pair with a myriad of options, from appetizers to desserts; The Rosés: Fresh and tender or spicy and flavourful, no one can resist their charms, especially during summer Quick facts about Rhone Valley Wines: 11% (in volume) of French table wines in Canada is from Rhone Valley Wines 20% increase in BC sales of Rhone Valley Wines during 2015-2016 and steady growth expected 2015 is one of the best vintage for Rhone Valley Wines Rhone Valley Wines are versatile to pair with Vancouver’s diverse food scene. Joining in this Love affair with Rhone wines are Daenna van Mulligen, The Wine Diva,

Last comments on the VanWineFest from Master wine expert Tony Aspler, Pascal Madevon at Culmina, Will Flatt pours Cannonball,  Christine Coletta at Okanagan Crush Pad , The Stag’s Hollow story and the guys behind the hugely successful Railtown Café.   THE SHOW   Wine fest Follow Up   After spending two jammed packed hours interviewing winemakers and principals  at the 38th Vancouver International Wine festival I took the opportunity to return the next day with my trusty hand held microphone and sought our people I’d missed.. In a very active and invigorating room I had a chance to slow down and talk to:   My buddy Will Flatt. He’s moved around quite a bit but every time he shows up he’s always pouring the  most interesting wines. He’s currently representing Dream Wines.  The home of Screaming Eagle, Harlan, Peter Michael, Colgin Cellars etc.   This time he’s pouring Cannonball and from that label a sensational blended rose called Angels and Cowboys. Sonoma fruit..some Estate growing.         A field blend of Grenache, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo. Alexander Valley/Dry Creek area. WoW. The  Cannonball Chardonnay – 70% Russian River. It’s a 50/50  Stainless Steele and new Oak.  Lovely..delicious wine. Willy takes us through the reds as well.. Great start to the show. www.drinkcannonball.com www.dreamwines.ca     Tony Aspler – Master wine expert   We finally found Tony Aspler with a spare 5 minutes. He was surrounded by people who wanted his opinion on the 100’s of wines in the room. They had to wait for a second because I only get to see Tony once every TEN YEARS. Tony Aspler has been writing about wine for over 35 years. He was the wine columnist for The Toronto Star for 21 years and has authored 15 books on wine and food, including The Wine Atlas of Canada, Vintage Canada, The Wine Lover’s Companion, The Wine Lover Cooks, Travels With My Corkscrew, and Tony Aspler’s Cellar Book. Tony’s latest book is The Five Minute Wine Book. In December 2007, Tony was awarded the Order of Canada. In 2012 Tony was the first Canadian to be inducted into the New York Media Wine Writers Hall of Fame. In that year Tony was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal. Wine royalty my friends. http://www.tonyaspler.com/   Christine Coletta – Haywire I found Christine Coletta from Okanagan Crush pad surrounded by her peers as she was talking to a well-placed politician and there was a serious back and forth going on. So, I started a conversation with Julian Scholefield about ...

This week we’re talking Fanny Bay – The Oysters and the Oyster Bar And a feature on Unsworth Wines in the Cowichan Valley. THE SHOW Even though both Fanny Bay Oysters and Unsworth Wines are Vancouver Island based..we also intend to follow the story back to their best customer..Vancouver! And include wine pairing suggestions along the way.   Nick DeWitt/Ray Silvey  –  Fanny Bay Oysters  Vancouver Island Nick is the Beach Manager..(let’s face it, he’s an Oyster Farmer. A damn good one.) Ray is Fanny Bay Sales Manager. The guys give us a backgrounder on how FB got its start, what they’re growing and how farming oysters has become a very competitive business. The boys throw in some tips about the do’s & don’ts of working with fresh oysters and favourite liquid pairings.   Issac Martin Del Campo    General Manager  Fanny Bay Oyster Bar  Vancouver  Issac got his oyster basic training with Frenchy at Joe Fortes and hasn’t looked back. He’s also created a very inventive and free thinking wine and drink menu. This  was fun, trying to figure out what oysters go with what wines and what to order for those who don’t do oysters. Recently opened at 762 Cambie St. in Vancouver’s Stadium District, Fanny Bay Oyster Bar is  providing a true, tide-to-table feast to the heart of the city with its 50-seat dining room — which includes a dedicated, 16-seat oyster bar — and a full bar as well as a retail shellfish market where patrons can purchase take-home catches like fresh, live or frozen oysters and clams, mussels, lobster, crab Live shucked, fresh and frozen oysters and clams, scallops, shrimp and prawns. Part of the Taylor Shellfish Family of Farms, Fanny Bay Oyster Bar offers lunch, dinner and weekend brunch as well as daily happy hour specials. www.fannybayoysters.com   Tim Turyk  Proprietor  Unsworth Vineyards Cowichan Valley  Vancouver Island Ron Bogdonov    General Manager Unsworth Vineyards   This is a two parter because there’s a lot to take in at Unsworth. New winery grounds, restaurant update, busy tasting room, key tourism wine destination and a rising star in the BC wine community. It was Will Flatt and the Rose he brought to the house. That’s what did it. We loved that Unsworth Rose. As good as anything being made in Canada. Reminded me of Bordeaux. Went looking for more..sorry Sold Out. (I blamed Will for telling EVERYBODY) They’re making more Rose these days but they’re also creating a very interesting portfolio. And that’s where we start with Tim and Ron. How did they pull this off, under the radar so to speak, in the Cowichan Valley? www.unsworthvineyards.com Winery Chef Steve Elskens  

DO REAL MEN DRINK PINK?  Let’s ask Eric McCormack!  Sommelier Pam Cohen pours 6 Roses for Savvy Series. The Guys from Tacofino. From a truck in Tofino to a new location in Yaletown. THE SHOW   Eric McCormack –  Traveller  Given the many choices on TV,  you may have missed  Eric McCormack in  Lonesome Dove or Andromeda Strain, Trust me, Perception or  Full Circle. However,  it’s fair to say that none of us missed his starring role for 8 years as Will Truman in Will and Grace. Here was a series so fresh, like a wild drum solo..you didn’t know where it was headed until the lines were delivered by a killer cast. Eric has moved on to many new roles. His latest  ‘Travellers’  is shooting in Vancouver for Showcase/Netflicks with a air date debut of October 17th at 9PM. I initially asked him to join me at the studios of Roundhouse Radio to talk about Travellers, Will and Grace, his one man show fundraising for Cancer Research and because he knows his wines..and yes because he’s a great guy who’s  funny as hell and makes me/us laugh. But when I saw that Sommelier Pam Cohen from Marquis Wine Cellars was doing another Savvy Series on Rose..I decided to put them together. Because Pam really knows her wines and  because Rose has presented a image problem for some “men” who don’t want to be seen with pink in their glass. Thus, a manly man was needed to step  forward and Drink the Pink. Be the Guy. Enter Eric McCormack..known for years now as the gayest man on TV- Will Truman. FYI – He’s a great Dad and Husband, a pal to your host and well versed on his wines.     Eric and I carry on after the Rose has been tasted..one-on-one. Man to Man. Revealing everything ..and nothing.   https://www.facebook.com/OfficialEricMcCormack/ https://www.facebook.com/TRVLRSseries/               Sommelier Pam Cohen  – The Savvy Series is back: Professional Sommelier Pam Cohen guides Eric and I  through tasting six different styles of rosé in a fun, sit down tasting session. We Learn about the history and methods surrounding the production of rosé wines, and see how they have gained popularity in recent years. Find your new favourite  rose. FYI – The Savvy Series  takes place at Marquis Wine Cellars  1034 Davie – Wednesday Sept 14  6:30-8:00 . Seats limited to 18 per class, so get your tickets now! $19.99!!           Here are Pam’s choices.. Don Juan del Aguila 2012 Rosado                              –    11.21 (Spain). Provenquiere 2014 Peche Coquin Rosé                     –     16.44 (Languedoc-Roussillon) Argiolas 2014 Serra Lori Rosé IGT                             –    28.

A Glass Full of Miracles is the amazing  Story of Mike Grgich – The man who fired the “Shot Heard Round the World” – in the Judgement of  Paris tasting of 1976,  as told by his daughter Violet Grgich! And wine writer and expert Kurtis Kolt presents  Top Drop Vancouver Year 3!! THE SHOW A Glass Full of Miracles is the memoir of Mike Grgich. “My life has been filled with miracles’” Mike Grgich says. “How else do you explain that a little boy from a little village in Croatia now has his wine on display in the Smithsonian Institution, in the same place as Abraham Lincoln’s hat and Neal Armstrong’s space suit?”  Mike Grgich, the youngest in a family of 11, studied enology and viticulture at Croatia’s University of Zagreb with the goal of making great wine. While he was a student, a professor whispered to him about California, a paradise where winemakers were free to make the best wine possible. Just before graduating, he fled Croatia to escape communism. With $32 sewn in his shoe and after spending time in Vancouver , Mike Grgich finally arrived in California after four years of adversity and uncertainty. The book takes readers along Mike’s journey from communism to freedom, becoming a California winemaker and earning his place as a Napa Valley icon. An inductee to the Vintners Hall of Fame, Grgich crafts wines in the classic Old World tradition that have won a stream of local and international awards, establishing Grgich Hills Estate as one of the premier wineries in the U.S. and the world. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the famous Judgment of Paris. In 1976, Steven Spurrier, an Englishman who ran a fine wine shop in Paris, decided to promote his wine shop by organizing a blind tasting to coincide with America’s Bicentennial celebrations. For the tasting, he gathered together the best French judges, the finest French wines and he added in a few wines from some upstart winemakers in California. The unimaginable happened: the 1973 Chardonnay, crafted by Mike Grgich for Chateau Montelena, won with the highest total score of 132 points. This momentous verdict placed Napa Valley on the global wine map and set the bar for Chardonnay in Napa Valley.  The following year Grgich joined with Austin Hills of the Hills Bros. Coffee Company to open what became Grgich Hills Estate. The first vintage that Grgich crafted at the new winery was one of 221 Chardonnays from around the world entered into “The Great Chicago Chardonnay Showdown.” The 1977 Grgich Hills Chardonnay emerged triumphant with the first place ribbon and the Chicago Tribune called it “The best Chardonnay in the world!”   George Taber, the Time magazine reporter who broke the story of the Paris Tasting and later was the author of “Judgment of Paris” about the famed tasting, praises “A Glass Full of Miracles:” “Mike Grgich may be small in stature, but he is a giant in the world of wine. His new book dramatically tells his full story, which is a great tale of a dream come true…there are a lot more aspects to Mike’s life than just Caberne...

Checking out new pours from Valeria Tate at Bench 1775. Bloom 2016 brings fresh pours from  Ann Sperling (Sperling) , John Skinner (Painted Rock) Chris Jentsch  (CC Jentsch) and Gavin Miller (Upper Bench). And Daenna van Mulligan brings a Master Class in the wines of The Loire Valley.   THE SHOW   Val Tait – GM and Executive Winemaker  Bench 1775 (Naramata) “There isn’t much Malbec grown in BC, and even fewer (any?) blended with cabernet franc. But that’s the beauty of being an adventurous winemaker like Valeria Tate of Bench 1775 in a pioneering wine region like the Okanagan Valley. From her coveted perch on Naramata Bench, she deftly weaves together interesting blends like this, ignoring convention, thankfully, to spark creativity.”  Treve Ring / Scout magazine   There was a fire sale of wineries on the Naramata Bench a couple of years ago. They were all owned at one time by Lang Vineyards. One was called Soaring Eagle with a hand carved sign you couldn’t miss. The Viticulturalist who helped plan the vineyard was Val Tait. Upon the sale it was re-branded as Bench 1775. The key to any future success was Valeria,  who was pals with that land and those vines. 6 years later, she’s now the General Manager and Executive  Winemaker  There’s a whole wall of hard-won awards and a patio with one of the very best views in the entire province. I caught up with Valeria at the recent Naramata Bench Spring pour in Vancouver. She proudly takes us through the new portfolio.   Keep an eye on Valeria Tait. She’s a winner!     www.bench1775.com    Bloom 2016 – Sperling/Painted Rock/CC Jentsch/Upper Bench   It’s the annual showcase of BC’s VQA wineries. All in one room at the same time. It boggles the mind because we can’t cover them all. I tried once – I ended up getting a knee replaced. This year we feature four highly deserving wineries who want you to know about this year’s wines.   Ann Sperling – Sperling Vineyards (kelowna) www.sperlingvineyards.com John Skinner – Painted Rock (ok falls)  www.paintedrock.ca Chris Jentsch – CC Jentsch (golden mile)  www.ccjentschcellars.com Gavin Miller – Upper Bench (Naramata) https://www.upperbench.ca Looking for your next favourite  BC wine?  Have a listen. It’s right here. www.bcvqa.ca  

One of the World’s best winemakers Australia’s Ben Glaetzer, the maker of Amon Ra, Wallace, Bishop, AnaPerenna plus Heartland and Mitolo. Then it’s   Sisters Julie Albert and Lisa Gnat who’ve released their third cook book Lick Your Plate.  These ladies are just a bag of fun. THE SHOW  Ben Glaetzer – Winemaker at Glaetzer Wines (Barossa Valley)  His father Colin was winemaker at Barossa Valley Estate before the family set up Glaetzer Wines, also based in the Barossa, in 1995. Ben is now winemaker at Glaetzer Wines. The  line-up includes the top end, award-winning Amon-Ra and Anaperenna, and is also winemaker at Heartland Wines from the Limestone Coast and Langhorne Creek (both in South Australia), and at Mitolo in McLaren Vale (just outside Adelaide). Ben has been made a “Baron of the Barossa” for his contribution to the cultural fabric of the Barossa Valley. Life membership of this wine fraternity is by invitation only. New World Winemaker of the Year in Behind the Label 2006 (UK). Qantas Young Winemaker of the Year in 2004. Robert M. Parker Jr chose Ben as his Wine Personality of the Year 2005. These wines have won so many awards around the World it’s important to know where and how  they’re grown. All fruit for Glaetzer Wines is taken from the small sub-region of the northern Barossa Valley, called Ebenezer. The ancient dry-grown vineyards in the renowned Ebenezer district are an important part of Australia’s winemaking heritage and a living link to traditional Barossa viticulture. Exceptional fruit from a loyal group of third and fourth generation Barossa grape growers is the backbone of Glaetzer wines. The most exceptional fruit is sourced from 80-110 year old, non-grafted bush vines which are extremely low yielding. The very old vines require minimal attention. Their deep root structure means they are self-sufficient and can adapt to climatic extremes. Amon Ra and Anaperenna are World class wines..at world class prices BUT one of the best secrets in wine you can afford is the fact that Ben Glaetzer also leads the winemaking team at Heartland Wines..The makers of Directors Cut  and Heartland wines and they are very affordable. But before you leave this planet..please make an attempt to have one of Ben’s top wines. Glorious and good for the soul. www.heartlandwines.com.au https://www.glaetzer.com/   Lick Your Plate  –  Authors Julie Albert and Lisa Gnat   Yes,  they are sisters and best friends, they each have 3 kids and they live within 5 blocks of each other. These sisters  create a force in any kitchen. Julie writes Lisa Cooks. Julie and Lisa have  released their third cookbook Lick Your Plate. A follow up to Bite Me and Bite me Too! The girls write about food and family (family first). They talk with me about Sloppy Joe’s, Baja Fish Tacos, Slutty brownies and the fact that it takes  Twinkies 45 seconds to explode in a microwave!

A master class in Portugal’s gift to the Wine World – Vino Verde With Iain Phillip (Barbariain Wine)  and Mike Bernardo (Vij’s) Charles Smith – The Dark Prince of Walla Walla and one of America’s most successful and original Vintners. He asked that we meet at a foot massage palace call Footopia Tony Stewart – leads the joining of Quails Gate, Benziger and Envolve wineries THE SHOW The attraction was twofold. A small master Class in Portugal’s “green” wine Vino Verde. Conducted by wine expert and educator Iain Phillip from Barbarian Wine paired with foods arranged  by Vij’s Sommelier Mike Bernardo. Iain Philip is the Senior Wine Instructor at the Art Institute in Vancouver where he teaches levels 2, 3 and 4 of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) programs. In the course of a year, Iain teaches over 200 students that range from consumers to importers and retail buyers. In addition to formal training, Iain also does seminars and tastings for private and corporate clients outside the wine industry. Mike Bernardo is currently Director of Operations and Wine Director for the Vij’s Companies. He has led the Vij’s wine program to win several awards, including the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator and Gold Prize for best wine list from Vancouver Magazine. In 2014, Mike won The Vancouver International Wine Festival and the Vancouver Magazine’s Sommelier of the Year awards. Mike was inducted into the B.C. Restaurant Hall of Fame, Industry Front of House. This makes him tied for the youngest Inductee into the Hall of Fame. (Scout Magazine) Vinho Verde is pronounced veeng-yo vaird. Vinho Verde does not mean ‘green’ wine. ‘Verde’ refers to it being a young wine; the wines are released 3-6 months after harvest. The wines of Vinho Verde have long been known for their vibrant fruit, low alcohol and refreshing qualities — a combination that makes them one of the most versatile partners with food. Vinho Verde is an ideal wine pairing for salads, seafood and Asian cuisine, and can be served alone or as an aperitif. Vinho Verde wines are made from the combination of carefully selected varietals. Recommended white varietals include Alvarinho, Avesso, Azal, Arinto, Loureiro, and Trajadura. Wines that were poured –  Via Latina Loureiro 2015 100% Loureiro. Crisp and refreshing with, green apple with floral notes. Quinta da Aveleda 2014 A blend of Loureiro and Alvarinho.  Beautifully crisp and summer refreshing. Qunita de Azevedo 2014 95% Loureiro and 5% Pederna. Pluma Alvarinho 2015 100% Alvarinho.   Fabulous and very friendly. You’ll like this one. Do Marques Arinto 2015 100% Arinto.   Great nose with  citrus and tropical fruit  notes.   http://winesofvinhoverde.com/ http://www.barbarianwine.com/ www.vijs.

It’s Garagiste North 2016 in Vancouver.      GAR-aH-Jeest NOrTH… Picked by London Financial Times as one of the top five new festivals in the world! Anthony Buchanen. KRAZE LeGz. Nighthawk.  Saxon.  Seven Directions.  Les Dames. Black Cloud. River Stone . BC Wine Studio. Roche. Marichel  Forbidden Fruit . Symphony. Black Market. Niche. Black Cloud. Kitsch Wines.   THE SHOW Welcome to Garagiste North: The Small Guys Wine Festival!  http://www.garagistenorth.com/   What is a garagiste? (gar-ah-jeest).  It started out in France (of course) where it was a derogatory phrase for those avante garde and crazy mavericks making wine in their garage and outside the highly regulated system. Gradually and grudgingly came the acknowledgement that something really interesting was happening with these small case lot artisan wines, and a movement was born. They bring together the small guys. Wines produced from 100% Canadian grapes and under 2000 cases total production annually. It’s been said that some of these winemakers and blending artists will change the way BC wines are made in the future.  They have no restrictions..they think outside the box and they have unlimited passion for their craft. Under the radar?  Yup.  Some even choose to stay under the radar and challenge  all of us to  FIND THEM.   Terry Meyer Stone – Co-Organizer (Anarchist Mtn)  250 cases.  Osoyoos   www.anarchistvineyard.com Anthony Buchannan Wines –  Anthony Buchannan  135 cases   Penticton. Ron Hammersley – Black Market Wine Co. 580 cases.  580 cases.  Oliver www.blackmarketwine.com Bradley Cooper – Black Cloud  450 cases. Penticton. www.blackcloud.ca Mark Simpson – BC Wine Studio. 750. OK Falls  www.bcwinestudio.ca Mireille Sauve – Les Dames Wines. 500 cases.  Vancouver. www.thewineumbrella.com Richard Roskell – Marichel Vineyards. 1200 cases.  Naramata. www.marichel.ca Daniel Bibby – Nighthawk Vineyards. 1868 Cases.  OK Falls  www.nighthawkvineyards.com Steve Venables – Forbidden Fruit.  1850 cases. Cawston. Similkameen.  www.forbiddenfruitwines.com Gerry Thygesen – Kraze Legz @ SKAHA Vineyard. 1990 Cases. Kaleden  www.krazelegz.com Paul Graydon – Saxon.  1450 cases.  Summerland  www.saxonwinery.com  Ted Kane – River Stone Estate Winery – 2000 cases.  Oliver www.riverstoneestatewinery.ca Dylan Roche – Roche Winery. 460 cases. Penticton.