Search

Special Features

Details

by Susan Desjardins

We planned visits at two Gallo estates, and then made a quick stop at Louis M. Martini given its long history in the Napa Valley. Although the Gallo family has purchased a number of wineries and vineyards over the years, one of the themes that came through during our visits is their focus on retaining the unique character of the wines produced at each of the estates, while investing in the infrastructure and equipment that will honour and maintain the legacy of the original founders. E.&J. Gallo Winery remains a family business with goals of being a leader in the U.S. wine industry and a leading supplier of California wine internationally.

Details

by Susan Desjardins

Darryl Brooker has recently assumed the mantle of chief winemaker from the legendary John Simes, who is taking on a role that will allow him to focus on the Von Mandyl Family vineyards. Darryl’s winemaking career began in Australia with Mountadam Vineyards followed by a stint with Villa Maria in New Zealand. He moved to Canada in 2003 crafting award-winning wines with several Niagara wineries including Flat Rock Cellars, Hillebrand and Thirty Bench. He moved to the Okanagan in 2010 to take on the role of winemaker at Cedar Creek Estate Winery which was recently purchased by the Von Mandyl Family Estates. Darryl is clearly enthusiastic about his new role, and pleased that he has had the opportunity to continue to draw on John Simes’ expertise and knowledge regarding earlier vintages and the extensive Okanagan Valley vineyards.

Details

by Susan Desjardins

Chateau Ste. Michelle, the largest producer of wines in the State of Washington, is located just north of Seattle, in Woodinville, on historic property previously known as Hollywood Farm. The farm was established in the early 1900s by lumber baron, Frederick Stimson, who decided to create a state-of-the-art dairy farm to supply the burgeoning city of Seattle. He established his family home there and his wife became well-known for her extensive thriving gardens from which she soon was shipping cut flowers to Seattle. Chateau Ste. Michelle includes the original homestead surrounded by century-old trees and beautifully maintained gardens.

Details

by Susan Desjardins

I was visiting a friend near Wellington in Prince Edward County last weekend and discovered the farmhouse in which we stayed was walking distance to a couple of wineries. We wandered down the road and up the drive of Hubbs Creek Vineyard and into the modest winery building housing a small, well-staffed tasting bar, behind which are fermentation tanks, barrel and wine-making premises. John Battista Calvieri, joint owner, winemaker and viticuluralist with brothers Nick and Joe, was front and centre radiating a warm welcome and pride in this family undertaking. Of the 5 wines on the chalkboard, 2 are already sold out. We tasted his 2014 Pinot Gris, 2014 Chardonnay, and 2012 Pinot Noir. Get in your car now, drive to the County, and get some of these amazing wines – Hubbs produces only 800-1000 cases annually.

Details

by Susan Desjardins

Dry Falls

If you enjoy wine, food and cataclysmic geology, then a trip from the South Okanagan through Washington state to Portland, Oregon will delight you.

Details

by Vic Harradine

South Africa FlagWinecurrent recently attended a tasting of South African wines at SOIF wine bar and eatery in Gatineau, Québec. The tasting of 12 wines was led by Will Predhomme, the 2010 Best Sommelier in Ontario Award winner and current candidate for Master Sommelier, with able assistance from a group of South African winemakers and winery principals. There were prominent Sommeliers from the National Capital Region in attendance at the event arranged by Wines of South Africa.

Details

 

Fruit Wine Quality Standard

by Susan Desjardins

The weekend of September 20, 2014 found the Muskokas drowned in over 100mm of rain—beaver dams gave way, golf courses flooded and water, water everywhere. What to do when your tee times go, literally, down the drain? Head for the small hamlet of Bala and find your way to Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh, home of Muskoka Lakes Winery.

Details

by Vic Harradine

Beaujolais Nouveau

Millions of bottles of Beaujolais Nouveau will be put on sale November 20 at 12:01 am local time all over the world. The LCBO will release nine brands at store opening Thursday, November 20. Six are Beaujolais Nouveau from France along with three similar-styled wines, two from Italy and one from Ontario. Eight made their way to Ottawa and they’re reviewed far below—the Mommessin Beaujolais Nouveau went missing for the tasting, but should be in stores for the release. Here’s a brief refresher on Beaujolais Nouveau to get you back up to speed.

Details

by Susan Desjardins

Sandra Oldfield, CEO of Tinhorn Creek, and Sara Triggs, Director, Marketing for Culmina, recently hosted a webinar to discuss the status of their application for a new sub-appellation in the South Okanagan, that of the Golden Mile Bench, which would encompass some 1600 acres. This would be the first sub-appellation created in B.C. and, to quote Sandra, points to the maturing, like a good wine, of the wine industry in the province. 

Details

by Susan Desjardins

Wines of South AfricaI recently had the opportunity to visit Cape Town, South Africa, and the nearby wine regions of Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl. This area of the country is dramatically beautiful with a unique natural landscape of fynbos—a category of flora that is one of the smallest in the world yet one of the richest and most diverse in species. One also experiences rugged soaring mountains and the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean, all under a brilliant blue sky. The wine regions are inland, where one views rugged mountains reminiscent of the Okanagan Valley. They guard the verdant valleys showcasing fruit and olive trees along with well-tended vineyards managed by artisan winemakers, large local producers and well-known multi-national corporations. The wineries are often accompanied by fabulous restaurants where artistically prepared dishes, crafted to optimally present local produce, are paired with wines of the region.