This week we feature Sandro Bottega, co-owner of Bottega in the Prosecco region of Italy, is the embodiment of "La Dolce Vita"; Mason Spink, winemaker for Dirty Laundry Vineyards in Summerland, updates us on their vineyards, upcoming events and two new releases; Jak Meyer, Owner of Meyer Family Vineyards in Okanagan Falls, has a different story than many producers in the Okanagan Valley, injecting some sunshine into the grey forecast; David McBean, the GM for Watermark Beach Hotel reminds us that there's lots to do in the South Okanagan in the spring.

Week three of our interviews recorded on the BC Food & Wine Stage at the Vancouver International Wine Festival, begins with Vito Parente for Tenuta Arceno located in Tuscany; we jump back to British Columbia to speak with Richard Kanazawa, the winemaker for Bench 1775, perched above Okanagan lake just north of Penticton; then we catch up with Grant Stanley, the winemaker for SpearHead Winery in East Kelowna; and Arnaud Thierry, the winemaker for Church & State Winery just south of Oliver in the Middle Bench rounds out the show.

Hear the energy from the floor of the International Tasting Room at the 2024 Vancouver International Wine Festival where 149 wineries from 12 countries were pouring their wines. In week two of shows, we're British Columbia-themed starting with Vigneron Richard Da Silva to talk about Da Silva Vineyards located above the central Okanagan town of Penticton and at the southern end of the Naramata Bench; then we head down to just above the US border on the western slopes, to talk with Michael Kullman, COO of Osoyoos Larose; Jean-Marc Enixon, winemaker joins us to talk about Culmina Family Estate, located on the Golden Mile Bench, just south of Oliver, and finally, on the eastern side of Osoyoos Lake, Justin Hall, Head Winemaker, talks to us about Nk'Mip Cellars.

We're at the 45th Annual Vancouver International Wine Festival, working the International Tasting Room with 149 wineries from around the globe. We have a stellar lineup of the best and the brightest in the wine world, joining us on the BC Food & Wine Radio Network stage throughout all six Trade and Consumer tasting sessions. Our first of three full shows kicks off with Marco Martini of Mondo del Vino with stories and wines from Sicily to Emilia Romagna; next up, we head to Brunello di Montalcino with winemaker Arber Shabani of Ridolfi in Montalcino before Christian Ridolfi, a winemaker for a Veneto legend Bolla Wines and Santi pours a special dry white wine from the Lugana region on Lake Garda. Finally, Rod Hallam, Villa Maria Wines Export Manager for Canada, joins us to talk New Zealand sauvignon blanc.

This week we're joined by Corrie Krehbiel the new Chief Winemaker for Frind Estate Winery in West Kelowna. She shares her first impressions and how excited she is to explore the vineyards located at the extreme ends of the Okanagan Valley and in between; Ann Sperling, a celebrated winemaker, originally working in British Columbia and now based in Ontario, addresses a topic on many minds with a surplus of grapes on one side of the country and a deficit on the other, by explaining what happens when grapes are shipped across the country and how it affects the wine; Kevin Rossion, GM & Viticulturist for the new Terralux Estate Winery in West Kelowna, fills us in on vineyards, the winery under construction, and more; Shane Taylor, Wine Director for Rogers Arena and Top Table Restaurants, gives us an insider's look at their massive fine wine program, including 45 storage locations all over the arena.

This week, Lee F. Man, "voracious eater", food writer and restaurant judge returns to the show to comment on talented new chefs who are bringing their training in fine French restaurants to Vancouver's Chinese cuisines; Warren Porter, President of Irongate Auctions explains how they have made liquidating cellars, often needed after an unexpected life event, much easier, and teases upcoming auctions; Dan Zepponi, CEO of Cuvaison, calls us from California to talk about pinot noir and chardonnay and their unique biosphere in Los Carneros; Mark Sheridan, President of Hester Creek, looks at recent extreme weather events in British Columbia, from the point of view as a glass half full, find out why.

We're feeling festive in our first February show with the Vancouver International Wine Festival arriving in a few weeks; Executive Director Harry Hertscheg and Anthony discuss tips on tasting like a pro and ticket availability; Gismondi on Wine taster and writer HJ Cha shares her favourite memories of Lunar New Year from a Korean perspective, listing much-loved dishes paired with BC wines; The Watson Restaurant’s Managing Partner, Mike Gayman tells us what’s on offer and how he’s filling a market gap in his own heighbourhood; Proprietor Da Silva Vineyards & Winery Proprietor and multi-generational farmer, Richard Da Silva offers analysis of recent extreme weather events and suggested solutions.

This week, our theme is “Global View of Gastronomy”. We begin with Aurelio Montes Sr, Partner of Montes Wines in Chile.; then we head to Sonoma California where Dan Wildermuth, VP of Global Marketing for Rodney Strong shares his insights into visiting the popular wine region; then back in British Columbia, we speak with Graham Nordin, GM of Iconic Wineries of BC who provides a look at the restaurant scene in Kelowna; and Mike Coghill, Founder of Yellow Dog Brewery, talks about beer and food in Penticton.

Forget Dry January, go big with your wine and your plans for 2024 this month, gaining inspiration from this week’s show theme “Big Reds for a Big New Year”. We begin with Marco Antonio, 4th Generation Owner of De Martino in Chile; Ross Wise MW and Director of Winemaking BC, Peller Estates and Black Hills Estate Winery on the Black Sage Bench; Evan Goldstein Master Sommelier talks about California Cabernet Sauvignon and Gillian Ballance Master Sommelier, tells the story of Stags’ Leap Winery.

We’re on the beach (we hope some of you are too) this week, so we’ve “upcycled” several of our favourite interviews that fit the theme of “Organics, Biodynamic and Carbon Neutral Winegrowing”. Featuring: Dan Wright, Winemaker for Unsworth Vineyards in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island; Severin Pinte, Winemaker, Viticulturist & Managing Partner for LaStella Estate Winery in Osoyoos who also serves as Chair of Sustainable Winegrowers BC; Taylor Whelan, Winemaker for CedarCreek Estate Winery on the South Kelowna Slopes and Matt Dumayne, Winemaker, Garnet Valley Ranch Winery in the new Summerland Valleys Sub-GI in Summerland.