Destinations
Talking terroir at Stoneboat Vineyards
Stoneboat Vineyard's Tim Martiniuk explains the "mystery of the stone"
We first visited Stoneboat Vineyards last year, when they were still glowing from receiving a coveted Lieutenant Governor's award for their 2006 Pinot Noir. When we travel back to the Okanagan, there are some places we have to make a stop, and Stoneboat has been added to this list.
The family-run operation is situated in the heart of the south Okanagan on the Black Sage Bench. Stoneboat's focus is the fussy Pinot Noir grape, and they've succeeded in making some well-priced award winning wines from it.
This time we visited the winery, they were 2 hours away from another visit from the Lieutenant Governor Steven L. Point and his entourage of consular officials. In spite of the controlled chaos, and the commotion in a nearby office, Stoneboat's marketing guy Tim Martiniuk took the time to pour for us.
A good time on Pender Island
Dave Rave gets everyone on their feet
I'd just like to add to Stacey's post about Winestock 2009 (click for details). We're big fans of Keith and Barb, proprietors over at Pender Island's Morning Bay winery. For wine island tourists, what these two have built over on Pender is impressive. It's a fantastic state-of-the-art winemaking facility, nestled in the woods just a stone's throw from one of their vineyards.
There's a big, beautiful barrel room where they often invite entertainers to tickle the ivories on the piano. Morning Bay specialize on a few varietals, including a Gewürztraminer, a Pinot Noir and 2 Merlots. The Gulf Islands are enchanting for visitors, and add some fine wine and it's too much to resist.
The Winestock event surprised us when we attended last Labour Day weekend. It's a genuinely fun and intimate concert experience, sitting in the field beside the winery with a couple hundred fellow audience members. Bring a blanket or a comfy chair, and just sit back and enjoy the music from acts like Dave Rave (formerly of Toronto's Teenage Head). In the performance I recorded last year, he had a whole lotta people up on their feet.
I'll also mention that it's a great event for all members of the family.
Hillside Estate Rosé really blushes
Hillside Estate's assistant winemaker talks Rosé comparing the 2007 & 2008 vintages
Maybe it's just me but I can't drink Rosé wine when it's cold outside. It would defeat the purpose. Rosé is a summer sipping drink, and reveling in the colour as sunshine passes through it is half the fun.
We've raved in the past about Hillside Estate's Rosé, but we cooled a little to the change in the 2007 vintage. What happened for the most part is that there was less Syrah grapes available, which resulted in the wine losing a "spicy" edge.
This short video posted on our YouTube channel and on our BCWineLover.com Facebook page helps Rosé fans know what the difference both in the blend and the winemaking resulted in fresh new 2008 wine.
Seriously. Lucky.
Permanent Link | August 09/09 | Comments (0)
Are you going to Winestock 2009?
Permanent Link | August 08/09 | Comments (0)
Our Okanagan 2009 journey ends...lots of posts to follow
Permanent Link | August 06/09 | Comments (0)
Marichel Vineyards making a mark
Permanent Link | July 28/09 | Comments (0)
Wine in the Wilderness Gala
Permanent Link | July 14/09 | Comments (0)
Campagnolo wine bar featured on GlobalTV news
Permanent Link | March 02/09 | Comments (0)
Dinner at Pair Bistro
Permanent Link | February 17/08 | Comments (0)
Visiting the “Fauxkanagan”
Permanent Link | August 26/07
Northern Adventure Photo Gallery
Permanent Link | August 17/07
Destination: Westbank
Permanent Link | July 31/07
Summerland Redux
Permanent Link | July 30/07 | Comments (0)
Off to the cooler!
Permanent Link | July 30/07
Silkscarf Riesling 2006 (and other Summerland treats)
Permanent Link | July 30/07
At last, Thornhaven Estate Winery!
Permanent Link | July 30/07 | Comments (0)
The Tastes of Summerland
Permanent Link | July 30/07
We're off for a Northern Adventure!
Permanent Link | July 28/07
Dinner at Goldfish Pacific Kitchen
Permanent Link | July 13/07
Fruit Tree Cemetary
Permanent Link | July 11/07
An Action Packed Weekend in the South Okanagan
Permanent Link | June 12/07 | Comments (0)
Similkameen Stop: Orofino Vineyards
Permanent Link | June 09/07 | Comments (0)
Okanagan Falls and back
Permanent Link | June 09/07 | Comments (0)
Black Sage Bench & the Golden Mile
Permanent Link | June 09/07 | Comments (0)
Southern Exposure: Osoyoos to OK Falls
Permanent Link | June 07/07
Great article on Joie
Permanent Link | April 29/07 | Comments (0)
Our first visit to the Village VQA
Permanent Link | April 28/07 | Comments (0)
Village VQA
Permanent Link | April 19/07 | Comments (0)
Hawthorne Mountain Vineyard
Permanent Link | March 14/07
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