Tasting Room Radio Terry David Mulligan

Spring releases from Orofino and Poplar Grove’s 1st Pinot Noir

 

THE SHOW

John Weber – co-founder/winemaker Orofino Vineyards (Similkameen)

Welcome to our series of specials on BC Spring Wine Releases.

We return to the Similkameen Valley to  John & Virginia Weber’s Orofino Vineyards.

The whole valley, situated right on the US Border, was caught in 2 winter deep freezes over the last couple of years. Vines and vineyards do not do well in temperatures at -25 below or worse.  For the next couple of weeks every farmer, grower and winemaker will be walking the vineyard rows looking for signs of life.

Are the buds breaking?   Are the stalks green?  Have we lost our vines and grapes?

At the same time, previous great growing seasons have found themselves harvested crushed and cellared in bottles now being released.

It’s good news amid bad.

Orofino is an outstanding, award-winning winery in Cawston. Whatever John and Virginia send to taste and talk about is well worth my time.

This Spring I was delighted to try only two wines. Both were outstanding.

The first was

2023 Rose MagBag.  1.5 L Rose in a terrific carry bag.

Two things!  One, it’s great for camping, fishing, hiking, the beach, picnics and backyards.

Two, the rose is the same highly acclaimed rose they’ve been putting in bottles for years.  It’s not made with Cab Franc. This rose is made with pinot noir.

It’s just so yummy.  They also make a Pinot Gris Mag Bag

$43.30 on their website.



The other Spring release is Orofino 2022  Hendsbee Vineyard  Riesling Clone 239.  A German clone developed in the 1950s. This Riesling loves the Similkameen Valley.



Riverstone wet rock, lime,  tropical citrus, acidity and minerality. A Silver medal winner at the 2023 All-Canadian Wine Championships.  $26.95 at winery. Can cellar to 2033. Bone dry.

 

FYI – Virginia Weber has created three fabulous guest suites on the property. All surrounded by vines. Wonderfully comfortable.  Highly recommended by yours truly.

www.orofinovineyards,com

 

Tony Holler – Co-owner of Poplar Grove Winery (Naramata Bench)

Joined by Poplar Grove Asst. Winemaker Dan Marshall, Exec Winemaker Stefan Arnason and Exec Chef Stacy Johnston

June 21st Poplar Grove releases it’s first-ever Pinot Noir.  The 2022 Pinot Noir. An impressive blend of 6 clones that has already won Double Gold at the Great North West Wine Competition and several more awards. (FYI  Clones are 091/114/115/667/777/828



The vines and fruit survived the deep freeze of 2022, in part due to the “lake effect” at the 13-acre Hudson Vineyard on the Naramata Bench.

Each clone was hand-picked and sorted in the vineyard prior to moving to their Pinot House, a separate winemaking facility specifically designed for Pinot Noir.

The nose is earthy and ripe red fruit and spice. The palate is round cherry, ripe plum and raspberry. Tannins are such a delight with a mile-long finish. This first Pinot from Poplar Grove has the skill, style, craft and future promise  of an instant classic. To the team – well done!!

The wonderful Poplar Grove Exec Chef Stacy Johnston steps in with pairing suggestions.  Truly enjoyed talking to everyone involved.

Seek, taste and enjoy!!

 

www.poplargrove.ca

 

 

Stories we are working on:

Painted Rock

Mayhem

The Hatch etc

Winemaker’s Cut

Anthony Buchannan

French Door

Noble Ridge

 

 

 

THE SHOW

Last week we featured Part Two of the Cowichan Spring Wine Releases.  10 interviews in total.

This week, we’re again set up in a very busy room. This time there are even more wineries pouring their Spring releases and all telling the stories that go with each.

This week  we reconnect with the wineries of the Naramata Bench.

Like many others in the BC wine community, The Naramata Bench was also hit with heartbreaking losses of their prime vineyards due to a killer Winter deep freeze.

Even as they pour the wines this year, we’re still talking about the growing season last year and how each and all with survive.

The pouring and presenting of Spring wine releases is an annual traditional event.  Talking about failed bud breaks, the loss of complete vineyards and the big question – what to do next?

Many changes coming to BC Wine farming.

What to plant?  Where to plant? How to survive the crisis?

New Varietals, new Blends and new owners/makers/farmers.

As tough as the next couple of years may be,  none of that showed itself in the Spring pour at Vancouver Community College on West Pender.

The Bench is a very tight community. Even though they are all hyper-competitive, when it comes to showcasing their individual wines  The Naramations pull together as a team. Impressive,  to say the least.

Here are the guests for Part One – talking Spring Wines and Vineyard Survival!!

 



Colin Ross – President of Bench Wineries (Tightrope)

Tyson Archer –  (co-founder) Fox and Archer

Emma Roberts – (GM) Howling Bluff

Bob Ferguson – (co-founder/winemaker)  Kettle Valley





Kathy Malone – (Winemaker) Hillside Winery and Bistro



Marcus

(Marcus Ansems/Daydreamer)



Marcus Ansems – (Winemaker Co-owner) Daydreamer Wines

Richard Da Silva – (Owner-Winemaker)  Da Silva Vineyards and Winery

Lyndsay O’Rourke (co-founder/winemaker) Tightrope Winery





Dylan Roche – (co-founder/co-winemaker) Roche Wines

Graham Pierce – (winemaker) Ruby Blue





Rebecca Mikulic  – Three Sisters Winery





Robert Van Westen – (co-founder/winemaker)  Van Westen Vineyards

Lauren Bunckle – (Asst Winemaker) Elephant Island Winery

Wilbert Borren – (co-owner/winemaker) Four Shadows Vineyard and Winery

Will Hardman – (co-founder/winemaker) Deep Roots Winery





naramatabench.com

foxandarcherwines.com

howlingbluff.ca

kettlevalleywinery.com

hillsidewinery.ca

daydreamerwines.ca

a href="http://dasilvavineyards.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://dasilvavineyards.

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