How Alberta’s BC Wine Boycott Cuts Both Ways
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley's boycott of BC wines to force the BC Government's hand on agreeing to the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion was a bold move, though perhaps with unintended consequences.
David Enns and Partners Announce Naramata Wine Vault
David Enns and partners Mik Ball, Robert Gritten and Steven Jaeger have announced plans to establish the Naramata Wine Vault. The Naramata based group has purchased the BC Tree Fruits packing house, which sits on 4.6 acres in the heart of the Village of Naramata. They plan to revitalize the structure. It has been dormant [...]
Why Laughing Stock Vineyards Sold to Arterra Wines
The sale of Laughing Stock Vineyards to Arterra Wines Canada was announced this week. The sale, for an undisclosed amount, closed November 30th. It's the latest in a string of high profile Okanagan winery deals. Arterra is the reincarnation of what used to be the Canadian division of Constellation Brands (formerly Vincor). It's owned by the [...]
Natural Wines Blossom in Canada’s Okanagan
Natural wines. Coming to a glass near you, soon. Natural Wine Defined What’s a natural wine, you might ask? It means the wine in your glass is in the purest possible form. It's the closest it can be to the fruit that was in the vineyard, preferably organically or bio-dynamically farmed. Most likely it’s made with [...]
How a New Canadian Discovered and Appreciated BC Wine
In honour of Canada's 150th! My good friend Rick Van Sickle (winesinniagara.com) asked me to contribute to his #CanadaWINE150 project. I was happy to oblige ... When I first arrived in Montreal, I was amazed to see how liquor was sold. Going to the SAQ in those days was more like going to an [...]
Mirabel Vineyards Debuts its Premium Pinot
Mirabel makes its mark A few months ago I was sitting in a corner by the cozy fireplace at Vancouver's Bacchus Lounge. I was there to meet Doug and Dawn Reimer. They were in town to preview their (inaugural) Mirabel Vineyards Pinot Noir 2015. In many ways the couple epitomize the new wave of Okanagan [...]
Les Dames Wine: More Than Meets the Eye
Updated: September 7, 2019: Dames Brut 2017 This is the first Dames sparkler ... and, as it turns out, the last of the Les Dames wines, the successful fund raising project launched by Mireille Sauvé in 2015. Here’s her tasting note: “Fine bubbles introduce this Traditional Method Extra Brut sparkling wine. A bread-dough aroma allures with [...]
8 Must See Okanagan View Wineries
A View Kissed List There's only one problem with making a short list of view wineries in the Okanagan. In a valley of superlative panoramas, you’re guaranteed to upset somebody. So many rate, it’s impossible to do them all justice. With that disclaimer, here’s a quick look at what’s new and in the wings. Where to go and [...]
McWatters and Time March On — to Penticton
Harry McWatters is like the venerable Energizer Bunny... Every time you think he might be done, he keeps on going. And it’s usually well ahead of the curve.
Stag’s Hollow: The Power of Perseverance
Stag’s Hollow Winery, just outside of ‘OK Falls’ over 20 years ago, in 1995 has always intrigued me. Often as not, I find myself in awe of the perseverance displayed by winemakers and viticulturists. And in Stag's Hollow's case, that evolution has been truly fascinating.