Join us at the International Wine Festival.

B.C. Food and Wine Radio: May 19, 2022 by BC Food and Wine Radio

Broadcasting from Corcelettes Estate Winery overlooking the stunning Similkameen Vallety, our hosts Charlie and Jesce Baessler start us off, followed by their neighbours, Michael Clark, winemaker for Clos du Soleil who tells us about wild ferments, John Weber, owner and winemaker for Orofino Vineyards, who is selling a delicious rosé in a bag, and Kevin and Anna-Marie Klippenstein, owners of Klippers Organic Farms, who tempt us with fresh bake goods, coffee, and organic and artisanal wares in their marketplace and cafe.

Broadcasting from the South Okanagan, Burrowing Owl winemaker Kent MacDonald starts us off, sharing which wines of his age best and what it's like working with the well-established vines, some now 40 years old, of our host winery; French Door winemaker Pascal Madevon and his new associate winemaker and viticulturist Bree Toor, talk to us about what steps they are taking to combat climate change affects; New owners, Jan Nelson and Andrew Windsor of Maverick Winery in Oliver are charging ahead with new high altitude vineyards and more; Michael Kullmann, the COO Wineamaker for Osoyoos Larose is hitting his stride after four years in BC and reveals plans to change the style of their signature wine; Master of Wine Geoffrey Moss lays out what makes the Black Sage Bench above Oliver, unique and special.

This week we return to the Black Sage Bench and Burrowing Owl Estate Winery. Culinary Director Lee Humphries kicks off this episode, gives us a look at their seasonal menu and offerings in their Sonora Room restaurant; Burrowing Owl owner Midge Wyse and Brand Ambassador Stephen Neumann tell us about the experiences they offer in their wine shop and at the newly-acquired Wild Goose Winery in Okanagan Falls and its well-known Smoke & Oak Bistro; Michael Bartier, General Manager and Riley Hollenback, winemaker, for Bartier Bros, have several wines to share and invite us to play bocce while tasting at their winery; Rainmaker may be a new winery but its wines draw from proven vines which winemaker Caroline Schaller tells us about, sharing several wines; and Mike Dowell Owner/Winemaker for Liber Farms is all in on making premium organic wines and is excited about accessing more people at their new tasting room and patio in Osoyoos.

We're on the road for our Oliver/Osoyoos Grape Escape, broadcasting from Burrowing Owl Estate Winery. It's a family affair with Chris Wyse and winery founder Jim Wyse, who are excited to share the stories behind their now almost 30-year-old winery, including their recent acquisition of Wild Goose Winery;the reopening their Sonoran restaurant, hospitality offerings. Hester Creek winemaker Mark Hopely comes armed with two wines and information about their popular cooking classes; Road 13 winemaker Barclay Robinson is working with Young Agrarians and explains why this organization is vital to all of us; Liquidity winemaker Amy Paynter talks about her first vintage with the winery and introduces some new wines.

This week we get an insider's look at wine bottle manufacturing with Jyll Vidal, a Sales Director at one of the world's largest luxury glass bottle makers and decorators; Chef Melissa Craig catches us up on her menu and the events at Bearfoot Bistro, plus the Whistler food scene; Sommelier Brad Royale invites us to become ambassadors for BC wine.

This week, part two of our Grape Escape at Blue Grouse Estate Winery on Vancouver Island features lots of wine releases; owner Paul Brunner and winemaker Bailey Williamson describe the many ways in which they employ sustainability practices; viticulturist Michael Abbott jumps in to talk about organics, and new developments at the winery with Williamson. Unsworth Vineyard's winemaker Dan Wright is excited about their new vineyard and talks about the future of their wine program; Enrico Winery GM Lorin Inglis reveals how the wildly popular Cowichan Valley Wine Festival is expanding and developing this summer.

We're back on the road! Broadcasting from Blue Grouse Estate Winery on Vancouver Island, Anthony sits down with owner Paul Brunner and winemaker Bailey Williamson who offer insights on the past. present and future of their winery and the Cowichan Valley; Unsworth Vineyard's dedicated chef Maartyn Hoogeveen reveals his new menu, a new pizza oven and the beautiful garden that supplies both; GM Lorin Inglis's Enrico Winery attracts many people, and he lets us in on his secret; he also shares some of his favourite things to do in the Cowichan to help you plan your own weekend escape there.

This week Christa-Lee McWatters wears her BC Wine Growers Board Chair hat and offers an array of choices for wine touring from Peachland to Penticton; Van Wine Fest Executive Director Harry Hertscheg returns to update us on confirmed wine personalities, events and ticket releases; the Valley First Credit Union Spotlight is shone on the illustrious and ground-breaking career of BC Wine pioneer, Christine Coletta and Mt Boucherie winemaker has a modest proposal to try his new line up of wines.