Michelin Guide: On Being Bibendum … Briefly
There’s big news in the BC food world these days. The revered (and feared) Michelin Guide is coming to Vancouver.
‘New’ Blue Grouse Celebrates 10 Big Years
Blue Grouse Estate Winery, Cowichan Valley. I’ll confess I’m not a great judge of time. Even so, it still took me by surprise that a decade has flown by since the Brunner family bought Blue Grouse. To be fair, it was actually in 2015 that the team unveiled new (soon to be destination) winery, which [...]
Graham Pierce Joins Ruby Blues as Head Winemaker
Seasoned winemaker Graham Pierce has joined Ruby Blues as full time Head Winemaker. Pierce, who is best known for making ten years of Black Hills’ flagship Nota Bene, takes over winemaking operations at Ruby Blues, effective immediately.
Fort Berens: 6 Wicked Wines to Celebrate #3
Fort Berens, in Lillooet, BC may well be the province's most remarkable winery. Think about it. In vine terms a decade is a barely a blink of an eye. And a couple of decades might be a wink. Yet, where many thought it couldn’t be done—Fort Berens has made its mark in well under 20 years.
Zagat Survey: When Manhattan Met the Malahat
A Zagat flashback … Heading ‘down Island’ the other day, a stop at the Malahat Chalet rewarded with its spectacular view of the Saanich Inlet, not to mention pretty tasty, well-executed Eggs Benny. We sat on the sunny deck just a few metres from the road, and marvelled at the endless ocean-mountain-islands panorama. It took [...]
Horseshoe Found: A Delightful Similkameen Surprise
Horseshoe Found is more than worth a detour, especially if you’re Similkameen bound. We ‘found’ Horseshoe Found after a tip from nearby Orofino, where we’d just enjoyed an idyllic tasting.
6 New BC Sub-GIs Announced
Sub-GIs are on a roll…. Good news! Victoria has approved six new sub-Geographical Indications (sub-GIs) for the Okanagan. The BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food has today confirmed the following: […]
Lakeboat Launch Helps Put Kaleden on the Map
Lakeboat Winery & Vineyard opens to the public on Canada Day. Lakeboat is the newest addition to a small but growing group of wineries nestled along the idyllic western shore of Skaha Lake. Kaleden is a delightful, historic, lakeside farming community tucked away off Hwy 97. Just north of the junction of Hwy 3A from [...]
Darryl Brooker Signs with Okanagan Crush Pad
Trailblazing Okanagan Crush Pad has announced the appointment of BC wine industry veteran Darryl Brooker as CEO. Brooker returns to the BC industry after a brief sojourn with Cannabis, following his 2021 departure from Mission Hill. Over the years he has held several key positions, initially as senior winemaker with Andrew Peller before moving to [...]
9 Valentine’s Wines to Wow & Woo Your Beloved
Valentine’s beckons—so the Hired Belly has been working diligently on the Gentle Art of Seduction. Only in theory, you understand. But in the lead-up to Valentine’s Day it feels appropriate to suggest a few wines (and bites) to serve your beloved. You might be surprised how much of a challenge narrowing such a selection can [...]