It’s easy to miss vinAmité Cellars. The family-run winery is on the east side of Highway 97, almost still ‘in town’, on Oliver’s southern limits. Unseen from the road is the vineyard and a delightful terrace overlooking the vines. The view—best enjoyed with a glass or two on a comfortable settee—looks east and south down the valley. [...]
Updated, Dec 2, 2020 The thoughtful humans at Bizou + Yukon have unleashed a handy ‘Weekend Wine’—in a bag. The Let’s Wander ‘pooch pouch’ is not only convenient, it also has a lower impact on the environment than glass, says head human Christine Coletta. Plus “It’s easy to transport and, of course, the wine is [...]
A sure sign of spring is the return of the BC Common White Blend (vini album misceo communi). This familiar visitor brings reassuring proof that warmer temperatures are right around the corner. Chances are you’ll find it catching a few rays in a sunny corner of your patio or deck—or chilling in the birdbath—around lunchtime, [...]
Maverick has been purchased by Tinhorn Creek alumni Jan Nelson (former marketing manager) and former winemaker Andrew Windsor. They add up to a potent partnership that bodes well for Maverick's ongoing success. Full release as follows: OLIVER, British Columbia – April 29, 2020 – Partners Jan Nelson and winemaker Andrew Windsor are thrilled to [...]
Well, it seems that Dr. Bonnie Henry has just made rosé even cooler than we thought was possible. In addition to being the go-to authority on all things Corona-viral, you’ve probably also noticed that BC’s top doc has some pretty impressive fashion smarts. So much so that she’s inspired the province’s most in-demand shoemaker to [...]
Recently I opened a bottle of Golden Mile Cellars 5th Element Red Blend 2005. It was sent to me by the BC Wine Institute as part of the BC VQA 30th. anniversary. I thought this bottle was noteworthy for any number of reasons, not the least of which was its age. There was a time [...]
If I could save time in a bottle The first thing that I’d like to do Is to save every day ’til eternity passes away Just to spend them with you… (Jim Croce) It’s a part of wine tasting that’s easy to take for granted. But when you think about it, every bottle is a [...]
BC Bubble is on a roll. There's nothing really surprising about that in itself. But what is curious is why it's taken so long. I've been thinking about (and tasting) a lot of BC sparklers recently. Often as not with a toast to Harry McWatters—the godfather of BC Bubble. The 21 bottle ‘sabre salute’ at Harry's [...]
Howard Soon, in Canadian wine terms, is ‘a living legend.’ Yes, I know. He’ll hate me for saying that. But it’s true. And this week it was confirmed by Howard being recognized with one of the highest awards in the country: the Order of Canada. That had me digging back to 2017, for a story [...]
A sure sign this year’s Vancouver International Wine Festival is right around the corner is the media preview. Last week's tasting of wines to be featured at various events was the perfect warm-up for the Feb 23 to March 3 festival. The 37 globe trotting offerings, poured in Blue Water Cafe’s beautifully appointed cellar room, [...]
