BC Food and Wine Radio

On this week's show, we catch up with Taylor Whelan, Senior Winemaker at Mission Hill Family Estate, the 2025 Wine Align National Wine Awards Winery of the Year. The Okanagan hilltop winery, with its stunning vistas, has returned to the top once again. We talk with Taylor about how, at Mission Hill, it all comes down to caring about every part of growing and making wine. Joining us in the studio is Dave Edmonds, Chief Winemaker at Kim Crawford Wines. He offers a Master Class on Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. We also check in on the harvest progress in the South Okanagan with Michael Bartier Co-owner, Winemaker, GM of Bartier Bros. Vineyard & Winery. Finally, David McBean, General Manager of Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos, joins us with plenty of reasons to visit the South Okanagan this fall.

This Labour Day weekend is the last long holiday weekend of the summer and features four winemakers preparing for the upcoming harvest. Leandro Nosal, Winemaker at Tinhorn Creek, is from a four-generation winemaking family in Mendoza. He has a degree in Agricultural Engineering and experience working in several wine regions worldwide, such as Bordeaux (France), Catalunya (Spain), Piedmont (Italy), California, Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe, Niagara (Canada), Marlborough (New Zealand), and the Okanagan. Dave Marchand, Winemaker at Lastella Winery, established his background in wine through work in the hospitality sector, including roles as Wine Director at Vancouver restaurants like CinCin, Fraîche, Le Crocodile, and Après 2. His experience includes time at Panther Creek Cellars in McMinnville, Oregon (now Elizabeth Chambers Cellars). He currently oversees production at La Stella. John Weber, Winemaker at Orofino Vineyards, co-founded Orofino Winery in the Similkameen Valley with his wife Virginia, who previously worked as a nurse. They moved from southern Saskatchewan, purchased a vineyard in Cawston in 2001, and set up Canada’s only straw-bale winery. They have been producing wine in the region for nearly 25 years. Maurizio Maurizi is part of a new generation of Italian wine professionals. Born in 1983 into a family of winegrowers in the Marche region, he studied Viticulture & Enology at the University of Florence. Maurizi began his career at a co-operative winery in Ascoli Piceno and joined the Mezzacorona group as an agronomist’s assistant in 2006, which included work in Sicily and Trentino. He currently manages winemaking operations and supervises over 400 growers supplying grapes to Mezzacorona in northern Italy.

In this week's show, we explore a summer-themed approach to "Open that Bottle" night. Geoffrey Moss, Master of Wine, encourages us to enjoy that special bottle without waiting for an elusive "someday," as we examine the evolution of wines with age, factors influencing the optimal time for opening a bottle, and the impact of individual preference on wine aging decisions. Robert Stelmachuk, Wine Director at @mott32van, discusses the nuances of opening notable bottles—addressing when to uncork, the allure of consuming historically significant wines, and why it is often preferable to enjoy a wine sooner rather than risk waiting too long. He also provides guidance on handling mature bottles and shares insights from his experience tasting some of the world's most distinguished vintages. David Lawrason, Wine Director at @winealign, reflects on the emotional aspects of wine appreciation and explains the importance of timing and companionship in enjoying aged bottles. He offers perspectives on how his personal preferences have evolved and the merit of passing on cherished bottles. Additionally, DJ Kearney, global wine expert and Director of Wines at @tcclub, explores the emotional resonance associated with opening special bottles, recounting experiences with treasured vintages and emphasizing that sometimes, the ideal moment to enjoy a wine is simply now.

This week’s show features an exploration of three distinct wine regions: Sicily, Summerland (British Columbia), and Napa Valley. The journey begins on the historic island of Sicily, Italy, where we speak with Frank Cornelissen, Estate Owner of Frank Cornelissen Wines. Our discussion centres on his estate, established in 2001, at a time when Etna was an emerging wine region. The vineyards, situated in the northern valley of the active volcano Etna, are recognized as Etna’s premier location for single-vineyard red wines. From Italy, our focus shifts to Summerland, British Columbia, for conversations with Mason Spink, Winemaker at Dirty Laundry, and Christine Coletta, Co-owner of Haywire Winery. This engaging poolside discussion highlights the terroir and ideal growing conditions that make Summerland an exceptional wine-producing area. Finally, we conclude with a visit to California’s Napa Valley, speaking with Kori Butler, Senior Winemaker at Orin Swift Cellars and Winery. Orin Swift has recently expanded and enhanced its tasting experience within a historically significant bank building in downtown St. Helena, California.

This week’s show features an insightful discussion with Shane Munn, Winemaker and General Manager at Martins Lane Winery in Kelowna, who will provide expert commentary on Pinot Noir. Michel Couttolenc, Fine Wines Director for Viñedo Chadwick and Seña, joins us in the studio to offer an in-depth perspective on two iconic Chilean labels and the characteristics that set them apart. We also welcome Joan Cusiné from the renowned Penedès region of Spain—located just 45 minutes from Barcelona. Joan represents the third generation of his family to practice biodynamic farming, melding modern winemaking with respect for ancient Roman traditions evident throughout the region. Finally, we are pleased to connect with David Gates, Senior Vice President of Vineyard Operations at Ridge Vineyards, situated on Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, south of Los Altos, California. David has been a key cog in the quality wheel at Ridge Vineyards seemingly forever.

This week's show features an insightful discussion with Erni Loosen, owner of Dr. Loosen, a premier winery in Germany's Mosel Valley. Loosen is a prominent figure in the international wine community and a distinguished representative of the Mosel wine region, as well as for Mosel Riesling and German Riesling in general. Erni shared his extensive expertise and enthusiasm for Riesling, a passion the Loosen family has cultivated and guarded in the Mosel for over two centuries. The show also features a final update from David Lawrason, co-founder and co-chair of the WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada and Wine Director at WineAlign. David reveals the coveted Platinum medal winners at the 2025 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada. Anthony and David also discuss their vision for the future of Canadian wine. Additionally, we spoke with Leah Adint, Head Winemaker at the historical Erath Winery in Oregon's Willamette Valley.. Erath has long been recognized as a pioneer in Oregon's modern wine history.

This week's show features an exceptional line-up of guests. Evan Goldstein, one of the original Master Sommeliers based in San Francisco and a recent judge at the National Wine Awards, joins us to discuss both wine and baseball, sharing his experiences serving thousands of glasses of wine at San Francisco Giants games. Sara d'Amato, a contributor to WineAlign, will explore rosé wines from Avignon, France, and present an innovative way to refresh your rosé as the French do on a hot summer day. Michelle Bouffard, Sommelier, author, and founder of Tasting Climate Change, offers insights into her dedicated work addressing the impact of climate change on grape farming and shares practical suggestions for making a difference. Finally, we connect with George Samios, Director of Penali Cellar Doors in Greater Melbourne and a long-time friend of the show, to discuss the revitalization of Australia's cellar doors decades after their initial establishment.

This week, we explore the history and the story behind the WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada as well as the first results released today of the 25th edition with Judge Geoffrey Moss, Master of Wine and owner of Penticton-based Lithica Wine Marketing and David Lawrason, co-founder/co chair of the WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada and Wine Director of WineAlign. We’ll also head to New Zealand’s South island to catch up with Kim Crawford Chief Winemaker Dave Edmonds. Edmonds discusses a trio of Kim Crawford labels, starting with the soon-to-be-released no-alcohol Kim Crawford Illuminate “0”, followed by the low alcohol, 7 percent, Kim Crawford Illuminate Eclairer. As well we taste the latest edition of the iconic Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Finally we catch up with Julien Revillon, a Beaujolais-born winemaker and owner of Dominique Piron in Morgan France. The Piron family have been grape-growers in Morgon for 14 generations.

This week, we are joined by Rod Hallam, Market Manager for Canada at Villa Maria Estate in New Zealand. We learn that Villa Maria sources grapes from multiple wine regions across New Zealand, with their primary focus on the renowned Marlborough region. Then we travelled to the Black Sage Bench in South Oliver, BC, for a chat with Kaylee Barss, winemaker at Red Barn Winery at Jagged Rock. We discussed Kaylee’s passion for reimagining traditional Okanagan varieties, such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc, while exploring exotic Italian grapes like Nebbiolo and Barbera, and we tasted 2024 Transfiction Rosé. Next, we head to Nighthawk Vineyards, a boutique family farm gate winery overlooking scenic Green Lake Valley high above Okanagan Falls. We also spoke with Daniel Bibby, co-owner and winemaker, about his Nighthawk wines, their luxury tent accommodations, top-level restaurant, and impressive new artistic bottle labels. Finally, it’s all things Kamloops for a fun catch-up with Trish Morelli, executive director of the Kamloops Wine Trail, who shares what makes the Kamloops wine region so unique, along with key wineries to visit and some of the exciting events happening this summer in the area.

This week, we are pleased to welcome you to CheckMate Artisanal Winery, located on the Golden Mile Bench just south of Oliver, BC. Our guests include Greg Rowdon, Vice President of Winemaking at Iconic Wineries of British Columbia. Rowdon, who also serves as the CheckMate winemaker, discusses the 2022 Queen Taken Chardonnay and the 2020 Silent Bishop Merlot. He also speaks of the block-by-block approach that distinguishes this winery while celebrating its tenth vintage. Other notable guests from the Iconic Wineries of BC include Taylor Whelan, Chief Winemaker at Mission Hill Family Estate in Kelowna. Whelan provides insights into the Summer Concert Series and presents tastings of the 2024 Mission Hill Reserve Sauvignon Blanc and the 2022 Perpetua. Shane Munn, Winemaker and General Manager at Martin's Lane Winery, oversees both the winemaking process and the management of the winery's operations, with a particular focus on Pinot Noirs and Rieslings. Shane and Anthony evaluate the Martin's Lane 2022 Naramata Ranch Hieroglyph Pinot Noir and the 2024 Hyland Vineyard Riesling from Oregon. Andres Galves Pizarro, Winemaker at Cedar Creek Estate Winery in Kelowna, updates us on the 2024 Estate Pinot Noir Rosé and the 2022 Platinum Haynes Creek Cabernet Franc. Additionally, he extends an invitation to consider attending the Cedar Creek Summer Song Series.

We are at Stag's Hollow Winery this week, celebrating 30 years of winemaking in Okanagan Falls, BC. Keira LeFranc, Winemaker & Director of Operations, talks about the winery's location, history, and wine portfolio and why you should discover the OK Falls G.I. Rob Hammersley, Winemaker Viticulturist from Black Market Wine Company, shares updates on his 2024 Collusion Series Rosé project, a Cinsault varietal wine sourced from Horse Heaven Hills AVA in Washington State. Leslie D'Andrea, Co-Owner & CEO of Noble Ridge Vineyard and Winery, presents their 2022 Reserve Chardonnay and 2022 Reserve Pinot Noir, which Anthony was the first to taste. Terry Meyer Stone, President of Mayhem Wines, and JAK Meyer, Proprietor of Meyer Family Vineyards, introduce their Mayhem 2024 Rosé and Meyer 2022 Micro Cuvee Chardonnay while displaying a sibling rivalry that makes them fun to listen to.

This week, we are pleased to broadcast from Poplar Grove Winery on Penticton's Naramata bench. We are joined by Tony Holler, Co-Owner of Poplar Grove Winery, and Chris Holler, General Manager, who will provide an update on the favourable conditions of the vineyards and extend a warm invitation to visit their deck for wine tastings and dining at the Poplar Grove restaurant. Richard Da Silva, Vigneron & Proprietor of Da Silva Vineyards, will discuss the exciting development of a vineyard terrace area for visitor relaxation and small bites and update us on the winery's Winemaker's Suite accommodation. Ian Scromeda, General Manager of Peak Cellars, extends an invitation to visit their winery and restaurant in Kelowna's scenic Lake Country, and we talk about their wines and touch on new developments at the flagship O'Rourke Family Estate Winery just up the road at Carr's Landing. Additionally, John Skinner, Proprietor of Painted Rock Estate Winery, will update their vineyards' positive state and introduce their new release of the 2022 Red Icon.

This week's show features the Summerland Waterfront Resort and Spa, a family-friendly accommodation in the South Okanagan. Lisa Jaager, General Manager, joined us in inviting everyone to visit the resort and explaining why they see so many return visits yearly. We discuss wine with Christine Coletta, Co-Owner, Haywire Winery and Garnet Valley Ranch, about the positive atmosphere this year in the Okanagan, and she introduces some wines for us to taste, including the Haywire Switchback Pinot Gris 2021 and two stunning 2022 wines from Garnet Valley Ranch. We reconnect with Mason Spink, Winemaker at Dirty Laundry, to talk about his 2024 Riesling made with fruit from Yakima Valley in Washington State. Additionally, Sally Pierce, Executive Director of Destination Summerland, provides numerous reasons to spend more than a day exploring the greater Summerland area.

This week on the show, we delve into the South Okanagan with a visit to District Wine Village in Oliver. Matt Kenyon, the founder, and Mike Daley, the Director of Operations, extend an invitation to experience their collection of wineries, a restaurant, and artisan shops, all conveniently located at the northern tip of Oliver. Josie Tyabji, proprietor of Gneiss Wines, welcomes guests to sample their offerings and announces the release of their first estate vineyard, Tempranillo. Michal Mosny, owner of Winemaker’s Cut, provides tastings of elegantly crafted sparkling BC wines and introduces The Opera Room, which features non-alcoholic and low alcohol beverages. Ian Stilborn, the chef at Ward’s Wine Country Kitchen, discusses his new seasonal menu and explains how guests can enjoy his culinary creations from any patio within the village while savouring wine. Finally, Tina Dolphin, Winery Manager at One Faith Vineyards, showcases several rich Bordeaux-style red wines to illustrate the aging potential of BC wines.

This week's show is on location at Phantom Creek Estates on the Black Sage Bench. Join us as we broadcast from their state-of-the-art winery, featuring the team responsible for the vines and wines. Our guests included Mark Beringer, General Manager, Jean-Marc Enixon, Director of Winemaking, and Mike Anderson, Director of Farming, updated us on the bounce back of the vines at Phantom Creek and led us through several wines from their extensive reserves in the cellar. Plus, we were delighted to reconnect with Alsace legend, MW, Phantom Creek Consulting Winemaker, responsible for the white wines, Olivier Humbrecht, who speaks to his passion project of small lot white wines from the Similkameen Valley, including walking us through the Small Lot 2022 Riesling and 2022 Pinot Gris.

On the show this week, we feature wines of the windy and stony soils of the Similkameen Valley. Charlie Baessler, managing partner of Corcelettes Estate Winery joins us to share their excitement about the current state of the vines and offers a taste of their flagship 2021 Talus. Brad Makepeace, Winemaker, Hugging Tree Winery, provides an update on their family-owned and operated business, and we share a lively 2021 Blanc de Blancs. Daniel Bontorin, Winemaker at Seven Directions, has a true passion for pink wines, and we sample his 2024 Rosé Cuvée, along with a K-Vintners 2022 Cabernet Franc. We reconnect with John Weber, Winemaker Co-Owner, Orofino Vineyards and enjoy his optimism for the season ahead as we taste his new 2024 Chenin Blanc from his Washington State Series: Few and Far Between.

On the show this week, David McBean, General Manager of the Watermark Beach Resort, welcomes us back to the Waterfront Beach Resort in Osoyoos for week two of our South Okanagan Grape Escape. First-time guest Dave Marchand, Winemaker, Lastella Winery, joins us to discuss the stellar 2022 red vintages and the plight of Sangiovese at LaStella. Leandro Nosal, Winemaker, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, stops by to chat about their 2024 Washington State Pinot Gris and the return of their concert series, while Justin Hall, Estate Winemaker, Nk’Mip Cellars in Osoyoos, provides us with an update on dining at Sweetgrass @ Nk’Mip Cellars. Plus, Christa-Lee McWatters, Vice President, Adega on 45th Estate Winery, joins us to discuss her latest adventure with an invitation to visit the winery and experience their picnics on the patio overlooking Osoyoos Lake.

On the show this week, we kick off our tour of the South Okanagan at the Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos. We are joined by General Manager David McBean, who welcomes everyone to visit this popular south Okanagan oasis. Mark Hopley, Winemaker, and Mark Sheriden, General Manager of Hester Creek Estate Winery, talk to us about their new Columbia Valley Collection. Mike Dowell Farmer - Vintner - Owner of Liber Estates updates on his wines and welcomes all to their winery on Hwy 97. Michael Clark, Managing Director and Winemaker at Clos du Soleil, joins us from the Similkameen Valley for an update on their new Washington Series and Winemaker Severine Pinte from Le Vieux Pin talks about their wines and the optimistic signs that an exciting season is ahead.

On the show this week, we are on location at Township 7 Vineyards & Winery in Langley, celebrating the winery’s 25th Anniversary. Our guests include Township 7 General Manager Mike Raffan and Brian Ensor, GM of Chaberton Estate Winery. Mary McDermott, Winemaker, Township 7, talks about several wines from the 7-Stars lineup and the new replacement wines series: Interlude. We also tasted Dry Bacchus with winemaker Gary Zhygailo, which is made from 40-year-old vines growing at the Chaberton Estate Winery. Plus, we’ll take some time to speak to Cody Karman, the Township 7 Tasting Room Manager, about serving potato chips and sushi. Finally, we introduce the Fraser Valley Wine Passport program with AJ Cheema, Owner of Otter Trail Winery in Langley, and Jacob Medeiros, Winemaker for Cannon Estate Winery in Mount Lehman, Abbotsford.

On the show this week, Teresita Ovalle, Senior Head Winemaker, Floresta and Upper Premium Lines, Viña Santa Rita, who, among many interesting initiatives, talks about their Cabernet Sauvignon block planted on the stony slopes of a vineyard in Alto Jahuel, located in the heart of Alto Maipo, Chile. Jeff Guignard, CEO of Wine Growers British Columbia, joins us to speak about his new role of leadership and the opportunities he sees coming to vineyards and growers across the Province. Nicole Eastman and Paul Hague of Hague Eastman and Associates join us to discuss real estate opportunities in British Columbia Wine Country. Jeffery Young, Executive Chef at 15 Park Bistro at the Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos, talks about their new menus, patio season, live music, and incorporating locally sourced ingredients.