Tasting Room Radio Terry David Mulligan

Cowichan Valley Spring Wines & singular Scout Wines in Similkameen Valley

 

THE SHOW

Cowichan Valley Spring Wines in Victoria

Even though they are only a 30 minute drive from each other, the wines from Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley have worked hard to  earn the respect of Victoria restaurants, stores and wine fans. The wineries delivered better wines  every year that have earned that respect.

These interviews were done several weeks ago,  when Cowichan Spring wines were poured for “the trade”.  The sales people in stores and the staff in restaurants who can make or break a wine year.

Unlike their farming brothers and sisters in the Okanagan, the wineries of “warmland” didn’t have to deal with the deep freeze of the past two Winters.

Fair to say, there is renewed interest in the Cowichan.

Two wineries purchased by powerful California wine families, new plantings of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Even though we were all there to talk and taste Spring wines, everyone wanted to talk about the state of BC wines and how the farming community can help each other survive..

This weeks guests are

Xavier Bonilla – Cherry Point Wines.  The one the only Xavier.  www.cherrypointestatewines.com

Carla Busnardo – Devino Estate.  Wine pioneer Joe Busnardo’s family carries on.  www.devinowinetours.com

Lorin Inglis – Enrico Winery. Gaining in popularity every year. Platinum Winner. www.enricowinery.com

Linda Holford – Rocky Creek.  Passionate wines. www.rockycreekwinery.ca

Zac Brown – Alderlea Winery. Swamped by interested trade. www.alderlea.ca

Sheila Bails – Zanatta Winery.  One of the original wineries and a much admired treasure.  www.zanatta.ca

 

www.cowichanwineries.com

www.tourismcowichan.com

www.tourismvancouverisland.com

www.vancouverisland.travel

 

Scout Vineyard – Similkameen Valley.  Aaron Godard/Partner (with wife Carly plus  Murray and Maggie Fontaine)



Scout vineyards are completely different from just about everyone.

Their vineyard is not perfectly manicured. Their vines are sharing the hard mineral soil with weeds. The partners are re-thinking the way they farm.

Ecosystem first through regenerative farming.

The Similkameen is their home. , so the way they farm has a direct impact on their families, friends and surrounding community.

(Like most of the wineries in the Okanagan,  Scout was also devastated by two freezing Winters. Aaron explains how the Scout team is  coping.)

 

How does all this unique farming show itself in the wines?

 

We tasted Scout  Spring releases

 

2022  Gew Cab

This was born out of experimentation as a component for their Rosé.

Turns out that Cabernet Sauvignon and Gewurtztraminer are a wonderful match when co-fermented! They were co-fermented in open vats for about 10 days and then pressed off and into neutral barrels, where they sat aging undisturbed for 18 months.

Indigenous yeast, unfined, unfiltered, nothing added or taken away except 25ppm sulphur. This is a light, fragrant red wine. Think spring in a bottle, blossoms, herbs, wild berries. $30.00

 

NV Rose

Non-vintage (NV) blend of 2021 and 2022. The grapes come from four distinct “appellations”: Naramata, Oliver, Osoyoos, and the Similkameen Valley. Comprised of Cab Sauv,  rosé (8 hours on the skins),

Spring releases from Clos Du Soleil and Cowichan Wines (Part One)

  

THE SHOW

 Michael Clark Winemaker       Clos Du Soleil (Similkameen Valley)   

Its Spring Time in BC Wine Country!!  (Just writing the line brings me joy!)

After a Canadian Winter that included freezing temperatures for a second Winter in a row,  growers, viticulturists and winemakers in BC are walking the vineyards right now.  They’re all  looking for bud break and signs that the vines either survived or need replacing. It’s a 2024 Springtime that has brought crisis, major changes AND renewal.

There’s much to talk about in the coming weeks.  Almost 30 interviews.

We’ll talk to the winemakers in the Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island and Naramata Bench above Penticton.

Everyone has an opinion and Spring wines to talk about.

We start with one of the very best. Michael Clark winemaker at Clos Du Soleil in the Similkameen.

 

The winemaking vision at CDS is “to treat our grapes gently and with respect, in order to produce complex, age worthy wines that showcase the very best expression of the Similkameen Valley Terroir”.

 



The hard soils/shales  of the valley can break planting machines but when roots are grown down into that same land,  the valley can produce sensational wines.

For example, Michael takes us through his  Spring releases:

 

2023  Rose – Pinot Noir grapes grown specifically for this wine  in Kaleden.  Cold fermentation in stainless steel tanks.

As always, handling was kept to a minimum.  No oak. Aromas of ripe fruit, floral notes and what I thought was spice became white pepper.

THIS is a keeper. Find this Rose for your Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Retail $28.90

 

2022  Chardonnay – Wonderful golden glow in the bottle and glass.

Highly recommend  to open and let it breathe for 20 minutes. The rewards are Granny Smith notes, lemon and tropical fruit, floral touch.



Taste is a magical weave  of the above notes, minerality and spice.  There’s a  delicious oak roundness due to its fermentation in older French puncheons.

From their La Cote Vineyard in Keremeos. Find this beauty.

Retail &29.90

 

2021 Syrah –  Part of the much admired Winemaker’s Series. The Syrah was grown and harvested at Blind Creek Vineyard in downtown Cawston and the 3% Viognier came from their La Cote Vineyard in Keremeos.

Aged for 16 months in French oak barrels – 15% new.

Single Vineyard. Very complex  on the palate. With raspberries, ripe dark fruit, blackberries,  currants, chocolate and a hint of spice.

Bottled a year ago – today!!

Heads up – limited production. Well worth the seek.

Retail – $39.90

 

2020 Signature. Clos Du Soleil’s flagship  blend. Produced by hand. 16 months in French oak barrels. Only the most complex, elegant barrels were used.

Memorable growing season in 2020. The long hang time shows itself.

So you shouldn’t  be surprised by the nose and palate on this complete wine.

Raspberry, blackberry,  wood box plus  cherry, fig, ripe berries abound. Minerality down the middle and on the finish. Think wet river stones, graphite, pencil and forest floor.

Merlot 34%/Cab 33%/Cab Franc 21%/Malbec 9%/PV 3%

 

Impressive, passionate and complete winemaking.  Congratulations to Michael and the Team.

Retail – $55.90

 

www.closdusoleil.ca

 

Cowichan Wineries pour for wine trade in Victoria

 

A Springtime tradition. The Cowichan Wineries drive in to Victoria to pour for the wine trade. Wine and liquor stores, restaurant wine buyers, Sommeliers, etc.



We had much talk about. Freeze in the Okanagan, helping wine friends who had lost crops,

Alderlea  Spring Releases & 2023 Cider Festival 

Julie Powell and Zac Brown – Co-founders and Co-winemakers of Alderlea Vineyards  (Cowichan Valley)

For 6 years now Julie and Zac have been re-imagining their lives. Studying the craft of winemaking, and farming techniques and releasing better and better wines.

They are blessed to be working with the outstanding vineyards of former owner/winemaker Roger Dosman.  Roger was a leader in commercial Blattner releases but more importantly, committed himself and his vineyards to Pinot Noir. Well ahead of most of BC vineyards.

The Spring Releases from Alderlea this year include

2023  Pinot Gris – At first glance it reads as a Rose but it’s more copper coloured.

Aromas of ripe peaches lead to flavours of citrus, ripe mango and melon.

And a mouthfeel that tops it all off.  Get your hands on this winner.



Zac explains the old-world winemaking process that makes it such a stand-out.

Like all of their wines, this exciting Pinot Gris is sustainably farmed, organically fertilized and grown without synthetic pesticides or herbicides.

All Alderlea wines are Vegan.  Julie has all the prices in the interview.

 

2023  Bacchus

These vines are old and gnarly. They should be, they’re starting their fourth decade. This close relative of the Riesling, it’s one of the oldest plantings in the Cowichan Valley.

Floral and citrus aromas followed by flavours of apricot and ripe South Pacific fruit. A welcomed sipper but also works with Asian dishes and seafood.

No oak program for any of the Alderlea whites.

 

2023 Valerie

Named after Julie’s late Mother. It was the first wine that Julie made as principal winemaker.

It’s a blend of 80% Cowichan Ortega & 20% Alderlea grown Viognier. Apricots, green pear and orange on the nose and palate.

The blend is spirited and elegant with memorable poise, much like her Mother.  Available at the winery only.

The Valerie won a Gold Medal at the 2023 All-Canadian wine championships.

The 2020 Won Double Gold in 2021

Silver in 2019

Silver in 2018

I repeat – these were the first wines Julie has made.

 

2023  Sauvignon Blanc

A rare varietal in The Cowichan. I think Julie says one of only 3 vineyards growing it on Vancouver Island. Theirs is the largest planting of Cowichan Sauvignon Blanc, some planted in 2018.

Aromas of grasslands and citrus with flavours of Granny Smith apples and Nectarine. This is your seafood, oyster, and scallops wine for the season.

Paired with Halibut, the wine is such a delight and a consistent medal winner at All Canadian Wine Championships.



Two separate Pinot Noirs are arriving this Fall. I have both but I will lay them down for a couple of months. Still young. However, I will let you know how the tasting goes.  Both could be a game changer for Alderlea and the Cowichan.

Wine tasting by appointment, they’re very busy growing and making wines. It is well worth the visit.

 

www.alderlea.ca

 

 

2023 BC Cider Festival – Pipe Shop North Vancouver  



After being shut down for several years of lockdown,  The 5th annual BC Cider Fest has just been announced.  June 16th. Again at the Pipe Shop foot of Lonsdale,  North Vancouver.

It’s grown every year as has the cider industry.

Driven by passionate, colourful cidermakers. It’s quite a community.

To give you an idea of how engaging these people are,  we’re repeating four interviews from the 20 we did the last time they gathered.

Shawn and Kelly Piso – co-founders of Cider Fest



Gretta Lattey – Salt Spring Cider.  Very popular.

Bruce McKinlay – Valley Cider.  Duncan.   Funny and wildly creative cidermaker.

It’s a Spring Thing – Okanagan Spring Fest & Enrico Cowichan Spring Wines

 

THE SHOW

 

Kimberly Hundertmark  –  GM  Okanagan Wine Festivals

FINALLY.  The days are noticeably longer and warmer.

Spring is right around the corner.

For farmers and wineries, it’s the time for serious soil and vine preparation.

Unfortunately this year, Okanagan wineries are dealing with deep freeze damage throughout the valley. Some estimates at 97% crop loss.



Whole regions may have to be replanted.

Everyone is awaiting bud break, when the land tells them what the future looks like.

In the very middle of all this is Kimberly Hundertmark, the GM of the Okanagan Wine Festivals.

Kimberly and her team have been organizing the 2024 Okanagan Spring Wine Festival. It’s jammed with events, celebrations at a full speed ahead pace.

 

Wine fans will have an amazing choice of events to consider. The celebration comes from the realization that these small farms and winemakers got knocked down but they just picked themselves up and started again. They’re used to nature messing with their plans.

Kimberly takes us through a state of the valley update and then runs down some of the highlights of this years Festival.

www.thewinefestivals.com

Loren Inglis  – GM Enrico Winery

If you choose to drive up or down Vancouver Island you have a choice.

The four lane freeway that gets you places , sometimes as fast as 110 km an hour.  However, for many of us, the  original coast highway is still found on any map and is sooo much nicer to drive and see and find the wonderful surprises along the way.

Farm gate stalls featuring home baking, spectacular eggs,  fresh vegetables and fruit. Hand made crafts . Fanny Bay Oysters, craft beers, distilleries.

Then around a corner you see a gorgeous vineyard South of Duncan. Between Cobble Hill and Mill Bay.

The home of Enrico Winery. One of a dozen Cowichan  Valley Wineries.

 

The first Vancouver Island winery to win a Platinum Award at the annual Lt. Governors Wine Awards.

The charming General Manager is Lorin Inglis. He’s also the President of the Cowichan Wineries Society, who organize the annual Cowichan Wine Festival.

Lorin and I will talk about Enrico Spring Releases and the plan for this years Cowichan Wine Festival – the whole month of August.

A new Rose – made from Cabernet Libre!  A first.

A standby from years past  – Cabernet Foch is back. When it’s grown right, harvested at its prime and cellared creatively Foch can shine.

Also another standby,  the award winning – Tempest Ortega will be available soon.

It’s a Spring Thing – Okanagan Spring Fest & Enrico Cowichan Spring Wines

It’s a Spring Thing – Okanagan Spring Fest & Enrico Cowichan Spring Wines

And two sparkling wines in cans. Both of which will be a sold out hit!



Revelation  Pinot Noir  Charme de L’ile 2022 Sparkling Rose (250 ml can) Simply wonderful.

 

Celebration Pinot Gris   Charme De L’ile 2022 Sparkling Wine (250 ml can)

 

www.enricowinery.com

 

www.cowichanwineries.com

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

 Spring Releases….

Painted Rock

Clos du Soleil

Orofino

Anthony Buchannan

French Door

Naramata Bench Vancouver Pour

 

It’s the 7th Annual April is BC Wine Month

Seven Wine Stars on  why it’s time to Buy BC Wine. We can ALL help!

 

 

 

THE SHOW

 

Christine Coletta – Co-founder  Haywire Wines (Summerland)

Grant Stanley –Winemaker/GM of Spearhead  – (East Kelowna) 2022 Best Small Winery in Canada.

Rhys Pender – Master of Wine and co-founder Little Farm Wines (Similkameen)

Kimberly Hundertmark – Executive Director Okanagan Wine Festivals

Sandra Oldfield – Partner Elysian Projects and Organizer of  Fortify Conference in Penticton

Tim Pawsey – Writer and Wine Judge (Hired Belly)

Leslie D’Andrea – Co-founder and CEO Noble Ridge Winery (OK Falls)

 

The BC Wine industry could use your support. This month would be good!



Farming and making wine is a long hard road during the growing season. However,  the past farming year was hit with wildfires, smoke, a December freeze that killed many vines and the MacDougall Creek Fire, one of the largest and most vicious fires overlooking West Kelowna.

Then, at the height of the fires,  the BC government shut down the highways into the Okanagan.  Wine fans and tourists were asked to either go home or stay home.

They did stay home and when the roads opened again they either stayed home or went elsewhere.

The wineries, restaurants and accommodation businesses in the Okanagan lost weeks of prime-time sales.

The lost revenue and the reduced fruit crop has put a hurt on many small wineries. Some will be lost. Many are “holding on” hoping for a better year ahead.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

 Have a listen to these BC Wine leaders.  Lots of suggestions and much wise advice.

From buying BC wines for the near future and ordering a BC wine when dining.

Join a wine club. Shop online. Gift your friends. 

Also, the Spring Wine Festival is on in the Okanagan.  Now’s the perfect time to visit.  Kimberly Hundertmark Executive Director gives us a primer on the events.



* Spearheadwinery.com

* Haywirewinery.com

* LittleFarmWinery.ca

* thewinefestivals.com

* elysianprojects.com

* Nobleridge.com

* TimothyPawsey

* WineBC.com

* Totabc.org



 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Spring Wine Releases

Hillside

Bartier brothers

Anthony Buchannan

Painted Rock

Orofino

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Releases – Tightrope (Naramata) and Bonterra Organic  (Mendocino)

 

THE SHOW

 

Lyndsay O’Rourke – Winemaker at Tightrope Winery (Naramata Bench)



(Lyndsay and Graeme O’Rourke)

 

Tightrope Winery is a small, family-run, sustainable winery on the Naramata Bench.

A true Labour of love for owners Graham (viticulturist) and Lyndsay O’Rourke (winemaker). Their vineyards on the Naramata Bench are farmed sustainably to make hand-crafted wines with artistry and passion. Tightrope wines capture the soul of Naramata – the personality, character, culture and fruit of “the Bench.”



(tightrope winery)

Tightrope  is yet another story of a couple who discovered they both had a passion for wine and when given the self inspired opportunity  to become farmers and winemakers, they changed careers and homes to follow their dreams.

To those who seek such things, it should come as no surprise that their wines are completely  passionate and speak to your senses.

 

Top 10 small wineries in Canada – 2019.

Our interview with co-owner and winemaker Lyndsay O’Rourke will cover Tightrope Spring Releases..

2023 – Pinot Gris – 4 different vineyards. Notes of pear and grapefruit. Beautifully clean and dry. ( Lyndsay has prices in interview)

2023 – Rose . What a nice surprise to find 96% Pinot Noir and 4% Barbera which adds spice notes in the tasting experience.

 

2022 – Semillon. Single vineyard Gem.  100% Sem. Lemon zest. Grapefruit and minerality. Clean and crisp.

2023 – Viognier.  Two vineyards involved.  Ripe citrus notes, ginger. Dry and bright. Aged on lees for 3 months. French and Acacia Barrels. Worth it!!

2022 – Pinot Noir Rubis.  Destemmed not crushed. 3 weeks on skins. Then  French Oak – 30% new for 10 months. Cranberry. Strawberry. Spice. (Cellar for 2-10)

2022 – Pinot Noir Fleet Road. Complex vineyard management pays off. Ripe black fruit, plum. Leather. Some Oak. Impressive. (cellar 2-10 years)

www.tightropewinery.ca

 

Bonterra Organic Estates – Joseph Brinkley Director of Regenerative Farming/Benjamin Mitarakis Dir. of Trade Development (Mendocino)



This taste and talk took place at Tap and Barrell Bridges on Granville island . The afternoon was part Spring release tasting and very much a talk about organic farming at Bonterra Organic Estates. America’s #1 Organic Winery.

The winery and vineyards over the years has been known as Fetzer Vineyards and had winemakers such as Paul Dolan and Bob Blue.

Vina Concha y Toro took control of Fetzer in 2011 and when they launched Bonterra they were well ahead of anyone else in Organic farming and wines.

Its taken years of education to raise the profile of organic wines. With the consumer and surprisingly with wine sales staff. Not just in Vancouver but everywhere.

Benjamin and Joseph spent several hours walking us through the farming process, the certification of the vineyards and their commitment to The Earth.



(Joseph Brinkley – TDM – Benjamin Mitarakis)

Our  energized  conversation covered most of the questions asked in the room but then we talked about “the wines”.

All the while we tasted the following Bonterra  Spring Releases..

2022 – Bonterra Organic Estates Chardonnay. 2 vineyards. One sandstone and the other volcanic rock. On Lees 6 months American Oak – third new. $24

Delightful Mendocino Chard. Light oak notes – nice finish and the price is right.

2021 – Bonterra Organic Estates Cabernet Sauvignon. Nice touch of Petit Syrah adds fine aromas. 40% new French oak. Raised toast levels lifts everything.

$25.  Dark ripe berries, lasting finish. Again, the price is right.



 

Not yet available but hopefully coming our way,