Tasting Room Radio Terry David Mulligan

New releases from Noble Ridge (OK Falls)

& Bella Wines (Naramata Bench)

 

THE SHOW

 

Leslie D’Andrea  Co-founder of Noble Ridge and Director of Winemaking

Benoit Gauthier  (Okanagan Falls)

Timing. It’s all about timing. My request for an interview and their Spring releases. The same day!!

Benoit creates and releases wonderful single reds and blends later in the year but right now it’s all about sparkling wines. Glorious Bubbles!

 

2019 The Pink One (clones 113, 114, 115 and 777)

100%  Pinot Noir. 135 cases. 4 hours on skins, 34 months en tourage. Method Traditionale. Toasted nuts and strong berry centre. If you see it – grab it. They’ll go quickly.

Its Some Yummy!

 

2018 The One   72% Chardonnay 28% Pinot Noir.

Brioche on the nose. Crème Brule on the palate.  Makes the biggest smile on my face.  345 cases.

 

2017  The One Grand Reserve  78%  Chard. 22% Pinot Noir

Exceptional flavour, clean acidity, baking spices, honey, apple. All with incredible balance. Citrus and apple together forever. World class wine.

 

2020 The One   20th anniversary Sparkling.

Has been called the best bubble yet from Noble Ridge. Frankly, I think everyone has a special bubble here.

Fantastic mouth feel, deep long finish. Very, Very good.



Congratulations on becoming the first Biosphere Certified Winery in Canada.

And thumbs up to Benoit and the winemaking team. To Jim and Leslie – Bravo!!

Father’s Day weekend events at Noble Ridge can be found at www.nobleridge.com

 

Jay Drysdale – co-founder/winemaker at Bella Wines (Naramata)

 

As it says on their webpage – Bella is a sparkling wine house focused on single vineyard, clonal expressions of Okanagan Valley grapes.

Perhaps the key word there is “focused.”  There are no more focused farmers that Jay Drysdale and his love Wendy Rose.

One of Jay’s mantras is “Gamay”,  as in – “I need more Gamay”

If you go to the Bella website – www.bellawines.ca you can see that they’ve been busy on The Bench. There is nothing normal about this winery. They push the boundaries of winemaking,  which is exactly why wine fans love them.



 

Spring releases we talk about  include :

 

2023 Muscat Sparkling Wine (Mariani Vineyard)   40 cases of bone dry zero-zero Pet-Nat at 9.9 %. A perfect starting point!

Really liked  this wine. You’ll be welcomed by immediate floral notes. Did I mention 9.9%

 

2022 Bella Sparkling – Blanc de Blancs.  Ancestrale Method. 90 cases. 10.6%  100% chardonnay from Bella Estate.

Bella recommends this be cellared for “a few years” as the reward is well worth it. It will become a BC Chablis. If you’re an oyster fan…this one is perfect!!

 

2020 Bella Reserve Brut (King Family Vineyards) Method Traditional  THIS IS SPECIAL.  Jay explains that he and Wendy went back into the cellar and pulled out the reserve brut all the way back to 2013.

So…available at Bella the Brut 2013-16-18-19 and 2020.  900 bottles. With notes of pineapple and fresh toast.



Small, busy bubbles.  Beautifully crafted.

Note: The King Family vineyard  is the one shown in the classic Naramata shot we’ve included on our website.



( King Family Vineyard – Naramata )

As beautiful as it is, it was damaged by the winter freeze.  May not see new  Brut for a while. We’ll see.

Highly recommended – These are amazing releases.  Bubble all the way back to 2013.

Please check the Bella website above for all the details.

And do enjoy the storyteller side of Jay Drysdale.  Hi Wendy!!

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Haywire

OK Spring Festival has started plus  Spring releases from Painted Rock & Winemaker’s Cut.

 

THE SHOW

 

Kimberly Hundertmark – GM Okanagan Wine Festivals 

 The Okanagan Wine Festival returns this June with three weeks in wine country.  There is no better time to visit BC Wine Country than in June.



Just before the summer season kicks into high gear,  The Okanagan Spring Wine Festival will focus on a TASTE and SIPS series of events throughout the Okanagan Valley – from June 2 through the 23.

The official launch of the  Spring Wine Festival will take place at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre on Friday, June 7, following the British Columbia Wine Awards where the 2024 BC TOP 50 and the Wine of the Year will be announced. The wines were judged by an hand picked  panel of wine experts the previous week, and the BC TOP 50 wines will be making their first public appearance at the  BC TOP 50 Grand Tasting.

The Okanagan Spring Wine Festival sees the return of the TASTE Series, which includes carefully curated events in various locations. The TASTE Series will launch with the Naramata Bench Wineries Association on Sunday, June 2, followed by the District Wine Village on Saturday and Sunday, June 8 and 9.

 

Also new this year are two events in the SIPS Series.  Summer Sips at Spirit Ridge Resort and Destination Silver Star – outside in Vernon.

Best of all – Kimberly takes us through all the events,  big and small, so there’s something for everyone

All events can be found at www.thewinefestivals.com

 

John Skinner    co-founder Painted Rock Winery (Okanagan Falls)

John was a stockbroker in Vancouver for more than 25 years, during which time he became an avid wine enthusiast. John and his wife Trish dreamed of having their own vineyard after spending time exploring wineries in the South of France with their family. In 2004,  they purchased the land in south Penticton known locally as “The Blackhawk.”

Perched high on a bench on the east side of Skaha Lake south of Penticton, backing up against the famed climbing bluffs. Once an apricot farm, it had been fallow for 17 years. He planted in 2005 and 2006 and now has roughly 25 acres under vine, all of it Bordeaux reds or Syrah except for a block of Chardonnay. On the advice of consultants, he has planted multiple clones of every variety, giving his winemaker good blending options.

John was confident that this terroir and its site influences presented “a unique opportunity to create exceptional wines” and that he had “both the opportunity and the obligation to do this property justice.” John and Trish’s vision was and remains to grow exceptional grapes in their estate vineyard to produce ultra-premium wines that reflect the perfect marriage of new world fruit and old world processes, employing the best modern technologies and expertise, while respecting old world traditions.

Best of all, the whole family is involved. This is a very personal life journey for The Skinners.



John brings new information on possible deep freeze damages done to his vineyards and the news is good.

Painted Rock is open for business and pouring very top quality wines, including the two we talk about.

For example there are very few wineries who really attempt to make a rose that stands alone.

The 2023 Painted Rock Rose is a world class blend.

51% Merlot/15% Cabernet Sauvignon/12% Petit Verdot/ 11% Cab Franc/11% Malbec.

A rose completely and fully formed. Delicious and memorable. A real rose.

The second wine John talks about is his 2022 estate grown Skaha Bench Chardonnay.

Very fruit forward. Granny Smith, peaches, vanilla – some spice, Meyer lemon. Long glorious finish.

A blend of four micro-harvests picked over 7 days.  8% aged for 6 months in French Oak.

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,