BC Wineries

The Medal Counts: 2013 BC Wine Award Results

October 3, 2013
A tough job but ...

Yes, I know, there should be a way more sexy pic here. But that’s all there is: a down and dirty get it done, direct from the action shot that exposes the gritty reality of judging the morning’s first flight. We had planned to have all kinds of intellegent analysis of the awards to offer […]

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From Touriga to Tannat, Moon Curser Delivers the Goods

August 18, 2013
MC-Fox copy

Some years ago, I visited an upstart little winery in Australia by the name of Yellow Tail, along with an enthusiastic group of Aussie and Kiwi wholesalers. We shared a casual lunch at makeshift tables in the warehouse (they’d expanded so fast there was no reception room), along with several local growers, who had been […]

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A Clutch of Wines for BC Day from Across the Province

August 4, 2013
The elaborately carved coat of arms details the history of European settlement and early industries—grape growing not among them...

Centennial BC Coat of Arms at Government House There’s no time like the B.C. Day long weekend to celebrate the diversity of B.C. wines, no matter where in the province your holiday takes you. Back when the pre-NAFTA group of pioneers amounted to barely a dozen or so believers, a few figured the Okanagan might […]

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BC Riesling Deal Alert: Peller Estates VQA Private Reserve Dry Riesling 2011

August 2, 2013
Eagle-eyed observers will know that Peller Okanagan Dry Riesling heralded in this year

 Peller Okanagan (Similkameen?) Dry Riesling If you move really quickly you can buy Andrew Peller Private Reserve (VQA) Dry Riesling for just over $11 at BC Liquor Stores.  Believe me, as they say “while stocks last”, it’s worth it. I can’t say for sure (as I don’t have my notes handy) but I’m fairly sure […]

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Quails’ Gate Welcomes Nikki Callaway as New Winemaker

July 24, 2013
New Quails Gate winemaker Nikki Callaway and her dog, Olli

Nikki Callaway and “Olli” Quails Gate has announced that Nikki Callaway will take over the reins from Grant Stanley as winemaker. (Stanley left Quails Gate this spring to join 50th Parallel.) Callaway is no stranger to Quails Gate. For the last five years she’s worked up the way at Mission Hill. This marks the the […]

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6 Helpful Hints (and more) for a Successful #Okanagan Wine Tour

July 18, 2013
Not a bad way to start the day: at Quails Gate, overlooking Lake Okanagan

Planning a wine tour? Here’s a few ground rules A couple of weeks ago I found myself on the patio at Quails Gate’s impressive, vista-kissed tasting room, at around 10 in the morning. The first wine up was Quails Gate Chenin Blanc 2012. Think hints of papaya with a burst of lemon lime and zippy […]

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Time Estate Winery Unveiled by BC Wine Pioneer Harry McWatters (Video)

June 9, 2013
Time Estate Winery founder Harry McWatters with architect

Time Estate founder Harry McWatters   I never thought I’d use Harry McWatters’ name in the same sentence as Jim Croce’s.  But there I was, walking home from the official launch of the BC pioneer’s new winery, Time Estate Winery, quietly humming to myself Time in a Bottle! Harry and I have shared more than […]

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50th Parallel Estate Winery welcomes winemaker Grant Stanley (Video)

June 2, 2013
Grant Stanley (l) has joined 50th Parallel Estate Winery owners Sheri-Lee Turner-Krouzel and Curtis Krouzel in what promises to be a significant venture for the North Okanagan

50th Parallel Estate Winery owners welcome Grant Stanley Grant Stanley has taken Quails Gate to new levels in his decade long sojourn. He’s turned it into one of the Okanagan’s most consistent producers; and honed a solid reputation for well made wines that frequently over-deliver. The last time I’d seen Grant he’d hinted something big […]

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Tapping In: Wine on Tap Continues to Pour It On

April 17, 2013
Wine on Tap, Tidings Magazine

There’s plenty going on at Vancouver Urban Winery these days—including wine on tap at Gastown’s soon to be open TUC Craft Kitchen. They’ve even re-purposed a couple of vintage fire extinguishers as part of the deal! Yesterday we were tasting Blasted Church Hatfield’s Fuse on tap from a portable unit at Brix Restaurant. The occasion […]

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Howard Soon: “2012 is one of the Best Vintages We’ve Ever Had” (Video)

April 15, 2013

Last week after the BC Wine Institute Vintage Preview, we asked Peller master winemaker Howard Soon for a few comments about his Sandhill Sauvignon Blanc, and the 2012 vintage…   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S0OWF2bMiQ   Here’s our story from the North Shore News: … What was interesting this time was that the viticulturalists were invited along to offer […]

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