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Lakeside Cellars expands Osoyoos winery cluster
Photo: Lakeside Cellars principal Ricky DhaliwalAs wine tourism revives, consumers should note that there are enough wineries within a mile or so of downtown Osoyoos to fill up a day of visits and...
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50th Parallel takes on Champagne
Photo: Winemaker Matthew FortunaThe cool climate vineyard at 50th Parallel Estate Winery, was planted a decade ago with Champagne and Pinot Noir in mind, among other wines.This summer’s releases from...
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O'Rourke's first class wines
Photo: Dennis O'RourkeThe wine released this summer by O’Rourke’s Peak Cellars are among the most impressive Okanagan wines that I have tasted this year.This Lake Country winery is owned by Edmonton...
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SpearHead makes wine touring easy
Photo: SpearHead winemaker Grant StanleyAn acquaintance is planning to visit some Okanagan wineries later this month.She tells me she has been astonished at the restrictions some wineries have placed...
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Time Winery is back on its feet
Photo: Time's Christa-Lee McWattersWhen Abbotsford businessman Ron Mayert and his wife, Shelley, took over Time Winery and Evolve Vineyards this summer, the inventory included well-made wines from the...
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Monte Creek is on a roll
Photo: Erik Fisher, Monte Creek Ranch general managerMonte Creek Ranch Winery, the largest producer in the Thompson Valley appellation, did exceptionally well at the All Canadian Wine Awards this...
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Alderlea shows off Vancouver Island terroir
Photo: Alderlea's Zachary Brown (courtesy of winery)The excellent wines of Alderlea Vineyards near Duncan are seldom available in wine stores elsewhere in British Columbia. The winery makes just 2,000...
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Church & State releases ready to drink wines
Photo: Church & State winemaker Arnaud ThierryMost wine samples for review are wines of the current vintage or, at most, the previous vintage.The wines – especially the whites in spring – are often...
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CheckMate scores with sit-down tastings
Photo: Winemaker Phil McGahanLike most wineries, CheckMate Artisanal Winery’s tasting room is open primarily for tastings by appointment, with walk-ins accommodated only if there is space.This practice...
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Mayhem releases a white Port
Photo: Mayhem's Terry Meyer StoneMayhem Wines may not entirely revive the lagging interest in Gewürztraminer but I predict this Okanagan Falls producer will spark a conversation about the variety with...
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Red Horses Vineyard champions Cabernet Sauvignon
Photo: Red Horses Vineyard's Eileen and Tim FortinRed Horses Vineyard is a small winery in Oliver which opened this spring, specializing in Cabernet Sauvignon.It likely is the only Okanagan winery...
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foxly rose and friends
Summer is over – but it is never too late to drink rosé wines. Here are notes on three random samples. The wine from Foxtrot Winery is that winery’s first rosé. Foxtrot has made its reputation over...
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River Stone's Corner Stone and friends
Photo: River Stone's Ted Kane (courtesy of winery)River Stone Estate Winery’s flagship wine is a Bordeaux red blend called Corner Stone.It was one of the wines chosen for my 2017 book, Icon: Flagship...
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Clos du Soleil adds another vineyard
Photo: Clos du Soleil's Michael Clark It seems that in each passing year recently, Clos du Soleil Winery makes vineyard purchases that assure it a firmer grip on its destiny. In September, the...
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Township 7 launches sparkling wine club
Photo: Winemaker Mary McDermott (courtesy Township 7) This fall, Township 7 Vineyards & Winery launched a wine club dedicated just to sparkling wine. The few Canadian...
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Culmina releases a strong portfolio
Photo: Culmina's wineryCulmina Family Estate Winery was so named because it is the culmination of a career in wine for Donald and Elaine Triggs. They founded Culmina in 2007 and sold it in 2019 to...
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Hester Creek exploits its fine terroir
Photo: Hester Creek proprietor Curt Garland Hester Creek Estate Winery and its wines comprise a poster child to terroir. The vineyard is one of the oldest and...
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Tightrope scores with Naramata Bench Syrah
Photo: Graham and Lyndsay O'RourkeAt the Judgment of B.C. tasting a year ago, Tightrope Winery’s 2016 Syrah was chosen at the top red wine. Tightrope is a...
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Stag's Hollow's ancient Italians
Photo: Winemaker Keira LeFranc Keira LeFranc, the fulltime winemaker at Stag’s Hollow Winery since 2018, should be the envy of some of her peers. She gets...
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BC's 2020 vintage: great but scarce
Photo: Jeff Martin of La Frenz Winery Here is a tip: when British Columbia wineries begin releasing their 2020 wines next year, stock up. The quantity of the 2020 wines will be...
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