Summary: <br> Two Wineries. Two Regions…Similkameen and Lillooet<br> <br> The SHOW<br> Every day 100’s of wine fans get in their cars and drive into the Okanagan to discover wine country. Good on you.<br> Many of them drive right through the Similkameen Valley and past some of the best vineyards in the country. Orofino, for example.<br> <br> Some of those same well meaning wine fans head East through the Frazer Canyon and may have no idea that if they hang a left at Lytton they can head North into BC’s most promising new wine region and Fort Berens Estate Wines.<br> John Weber – Orofino<br> This week we drive around with , sit down with and talk to John Weber, the co-owner and driving force behind Orofino in the Similkameen Valley.<br> <br> <br> John will take us to his latest planted vineyard, The Passion Pit. It was a gravel pit that Cawston teens hung out in.<br> He tastes us through his blend White Bridge, his Cab, Syrah, Gamay and his award winning Bordeaux blend Beleza!<br> <br> Also a word about Row 14 the new restaurant in the neighbourhood.<br> It’s been launched to great success by Clippers Organics.<br> Here’s a tip: Orofino have two of the sweetest suites anywhere. Best of all you are right in the vineyard and looking down on the crush pad.<br> Highly recommended.<br> <a href="https://www.orofinovineyards.com/">https://www.orofinovineyards.com</a><br> Rolf de Bruin – Fort Berens Vineyards <br> Fort Berens Estate Winery is a culmination of the dreams, vision and pioneering spirit of several entrepreneurs. It was founded with a pioneering spirit and forged on the road less traveled. The winery is owned by a team of eight individuals who share a common belief in the incredible winemaking potential of British Columbia’s Fraser Canyon and a shared vision to make Fort Berens into one of Canada’s leading producers of fine wine.<br> <br> The voices and faces wine fans see and hear most are Rolf de Bruin and<br> Partner Heleen Pannekoek.<br> Just in case you missed the news and as if you needed another reason to drive up to Fort Berens…have a look at this<br> As voted on by the public, the Best of BC Wine Country 2018 included the following regional awards for Fort Berens:<br> Fort Berens Estate Winery Riesling – Best BC White Wine<br> Fort Berens Estate Winery Rosé – Best BC Rosé Wine<br> Fort Berens Estate Winery – Best BC Winery Tasting Room<br> The Kitchen at Fort Berens – Best BC Winery Restaurant Showcasing Local Food<br> That’s what you call a sweep!<br> Rolf and I will talk about his Rose, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and a white blend Camels White. The new estate vineyards they’ve planted and their partnership with vineyard Cliff and Gorge<br> Rolf shares plans for a 10th anniversary bubble. Created by winemaker Jim Cambridge who crafted it with a combination of fruit from Fort Berens and their neighbours.<br> Watch for releases now labeled Lillooet VQA<br> <br> Fort Berens wines are well worth the drive and everything in their portfolio is priced under $20.00 at the winery.<br> You just might want to join the wine club.<br> <a href="http://www.fortberens.ca/">http://www.fortberens.ca</a><br> STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:<br> Next week – The Cowichan Wine Festival<br> And soon the 7th annual<br> Food. Fishing. Friends. Fluids field trip<br> <br> <br>
