GOODS: Pelican Bay Spring Wine Tasting Returning To “Dockside” Thursday, May 16

Dockside Restaurant is located at 1253 Johnston St. in Vancouver BC | 604-685-7070 | docksidebrewing.com

The GOODS from Dockside

Vancouver, BC | Dockside Restaurant and Coal Harbour Liquor Store are pleased to announce the return of the very popular Pelican Bay Spring Wine Tasting Thursday, May 16th from 5-8pm at Dockside Restaurant in the Granville Island Hotel. Eighteen of the best wineries and distributors in British Columbia will be on hand pouring over 60 wines in Dockside’s award-winning waterfront setting.

Nestled at the east end of Granville Island, facing the marinas of False Creek and the Yaletown skyline, Dockside is an ideal event setting. Dockside visitors enjoy views through panoramic windows and a spectacular patio, again voted as “Vancouver’s Best” in the Georgia Straight Golden Plate Awards.

The wines being poured on May 16th will span the great wine growing regions of the World, from Europe and South America to Australia and California. Of course, plenty of fantastic BC selections will be poured and guests will also enjoy appetizers from Dockside’s kitchen team led by Executive Chef Simon McNeil.

Tickets for this event are just $29 and are sure to go quickly as this event always sells out. The ticket includes a free shuttle from the store to Dockside which begins running at 4:45pm along with coupon redeemable for $10 off for any purchase at Coal Harbour Liquor Store.

Pelican Bay Fall Tasting tickets may be purchased at http://pelicanbayspring2013.eventbrite.ca. Hard copy or e-tickets must be presented for admission on the May 16th. Read more

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS: “Old Vines” Eatery At Quail’s Gate Seeking Assistant Manager

Quail's Gate is located at 3303 Boucherie Road in West Kelowna, BC | 250.769.4451 | 1.800.420.9463 | quailsgate.com

The GOODS from Quail’s Gate Winery

West Kelowna, BC | Quails’ Gate Winery is nestled in the beautiful Okanagan Valley in the southern interior of British Columbia. Our 125 acre estate winery, located on the shores of Lake Okanagan, is owned and operated by the Stewart Family, pioneering horticulturists since the turn of the 20th century. Members of our Quails’ Gate team are well respected and viewed as some of the most talented in the wine and hospitality industry. Quails’ Gate fosters a positive and supportive work environment, ensuring each team member has the tools needed to succeed.

We are seeking a full time Assistant Manager in the Old Vines’ Restaurant. This individual will assist with the direct supervision of the OVR team and ensure the restaurant is operating in a professional, customer-focused and effective manner. As a key member of the leadership team, you will be responsible to meet financial and service standard goals. In addition, you will also be responsible for daily administrative tasks and overseeing the beverage & tableware inventory program within the restaurant.

The ideal candidate will be flexible to work a combination of days, evenings and weekends, as required. In this fast-paced environment, we are looking for someone that will work well under pressure, has the ability to multi-task and takes initiative with a hands-on approach to problem solving. In addition, the ideal candidate will possess a positive ‘can do’ attitude when working with our guests and staff. Read more

WELCOME: Local Sparkling House “Bella” Has Joined The Growing Scout Community

We’ve invited wee Bella Wines to join our GOODS section. They are now proud members of Scout, and as such we will be posting their news in addition to hosting a page for them on our awesome list of goodnesses. We’d like to take this chance to thank them for their support, and for making BC a more bubbly place to live.

ALL THE LOCAL “GOODS”

Bella Wines

DETAILS

Telephone: 778-996-1829
Email: jay@bellawines.ca
Web: www.bellawines.ca | Twitter | Facebook

GALLERY

KEY PEOPLE

Owners: Jay Drysdale and Wendy Rose
Winemaker: Michael Bartier

ABOUT BELLA WINES

Bella is a sparkling wine house capturing the natural beauty of British Columbia fruit in every bubble. Made in the traditional method, being bottle fermented, hand riddled and hand disgorged, Bella exclusively produces single vineyard, single varietal sparkling wines focusing on Chardonnay, a classic Champagne grape, and Gamay Noir, an under-appreciated BC grape. At Bella, the goal is to make world class sparkling wines that are perfectly dry and left natural with no dosage so you can taste an elegant, genuine expression of the vineyards we source from.

Owners Jay Drysdale and Wendy Rose are particularly interested in making sparkling wines because not only are bubbles extremely food friendly and fun to drink but they feel this wine style is tremendously well suited to British Columbia where the natural acidity found in the grapes is perfect for sparkling wine production. As avid promoters of sparkling wine Jay and Wendy hope one day BC bubbles will have the same notoriety as Spain’s cava, Italy’s prosecco and even France’s champagne. Join their cause and celebrate today with BC bubbles!

To learn more about our story visit www.bellawines.ca.

REVIEWS AND ACCOLADES

BRONZE – Bella Wines – Sparkling Chardonnay – 2011 – 32nd Fall Okanagan Wine Festival

“Bella 2011 Gamay Noir Rosé Sparkling Wine – The wine presents an attractive rose petal hue, a fruity aroma and palate with hints of cranberry, and a lively mousse with a creamy texture. The finish is dry and refreshing. 90 points.” John Schreiner

“Bella 2011 Chardonnay Sparkling Wine – Once again, the lively bubbles set up quite a display in the flute. The wine is crisp, with hints of toastiness and with slight apple flavour notes. Light and fresh on the palate, the wine has a clean and elegant finish. 90 points.” John Schreiner

“2011 Bella Sparkling Rosé – It is a very attractive blushing pink in colour and offers cranberry, summer berries, rhubarb and peach stone with herbal undertones. It’s a light, clean bubbly with a fine bead, it’s quite delicate but with bracing acidity. I suggest serving some mild creamy cheese with this Gamay sparkling.” 89 points. Daenna Van Mulligen

“2011 Bella Sparkling Rosé – This light, crisp, sparkling rose made from Gamay Noir grapes, is charming with floral aromas and delicate notes of strawberry-rhubarb. A wonderful illustration of the Okanagan Valley’s budding potential and focus in sparkling wine production.” Emily Walker

“2011 Bella Sparkling Rosé – Jay Drysdale’s first wine release under the Bella label. Named after his dog, but no dog of a wine, the rosé bubble is a pretty pale pink colour, medium in intensity with savory lees, strawberry, dried herbs, lemon, orange zest and light cherry notes. The palate is dry, light in body with crisp acidity, a racy citrus and mineral palate, a surprising amount of lees for just three month aging and some interesting flint, crab apple, clove and a long persistent finish.” Rhys Pender

WELCOME: The “Forbidden Fruit Winery” Has Joined The Growing Scout Community

We’ve invited Cawston’s uniquely excellent Forbidden Fruit Winery to join our GOODS section. They are now proud members of Scout, and as such we will be posting their news in addition to hosting a page for them on our awesome list of sweet goodnesses. We’d like to take this chance to thank them for their support, and for making BC a much more delicious place to live.

ALL THE LOCAL “GOODS”

Forbidden Fruit Winery

DETAILS

620 Sumac Road, Cawston, BC | V0X-1C3
Telephone : 1-855-499-2649 | Fax: 1-250-499-2649
E-mail: forbiddenfruit@nethop.net
Web: www.forbiddenfruitwines.com | Facebook | Twitter

GALLERY

THE PEOPLE

Steve Venables – Owner, Winemaker, Sales Manager, Farmer
Kim Brind’Amour – Owner, Administrator, Sales and Marketing Director, Artist
Nathan Venables – Winemaker, Viticulturist,
Teshia Venables – Social Media and Marketing Co-ordinator.

ABOUT FORBIDDEN FRUIT WINERY

Taking a bite from the tree of knowledge has never been more exciting. Proprietors Steve Venables and Kim Brind’Amour claim they live in a “Garden of Eden”. The family operated boutique winery is located just 15 minutes west of Osoyoos and 15 minutes south of Keremeos, in Cawston, British Columbia, “The Organic Capital of Canada”. Paradise on Earth is what they call where they live and what they do. The couple’s commitment to organic farming started in 1977. They took a piece of virgin land along the pristine Similkameen River and created Ven’Amour Organics, a certified organic 32 acre orchard/vineyard within a 142 acre nature estate with desert steppe and old growth riparian forest.

The farm produces and sells over sixty varieties of exotic tree fruits and grapes while partnering with “The Land Conservancy of B.C.” to preserve the non planted acreage as unique wildlife and natural habitat. They decided to open Forbidden Fruit Winery in 2004 because of their love of wine, a desire to continue to provide sustainable food, and to help supplement their small family run farm.  The on-site tasting room showcases stunning pieces of art created by owner Kim Brind’Amour, seasonal organic fruit, the wines and an outdoor licensed picnic area overlooking the breathtaking Similkameen wildlife corridor. The winery uses the farm’s fruit that is carefully grown for flavour and maturity. The juice is handcrafted with eco-friendly production practices and sensitive processing methods that help maintain natural taste and key nutrients such as flavonoids, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and tannins.  The result is fruit turned into small lots of luscious, high quality, award winning wines guaranteed to please the palate.

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

Today, the winery produces over 15 wines that have garnered over 175 awards in the last 7 years. The fruit wine portfolio consist of several off dry table wines such as the famous Pearsuasion , a Double Gold medal recipient at the 2012 All Canadian Wine Championship.  The stunning dessert wines include the Crushed Innocence White Peach, Impearfection Asian Pear and their most highly awarded fruit wine, “Pomme Desiree Iced Apple” winning the prestigious Mt. Fairweather Award “Best of Region for all of British Columbia” at the Northwest Wine Summit Competition in Mt. Hood Oregon in 2009. The fortified wines are a foursome that include the lovely Caught Apricot Mistelle garnering a Platinum Gold Medal at the Wine Press Northwest an exclusive gold medal winner competition. The wine portfolio continues with the recent addition of the “Earth Series” premium grape wines. All made from certified organic grapes, this series is dedicated to raising funds for sustainability on earth initiatives. The whites include the SauVidal, a beautiful blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Vidal grapes, a Pinot Gris and a Sauvignon Blanc, awarded Double Gold in 2012 at the All Canadian Wine Championship. The reds include a Merlot, and a CabernetSauvignon awarded “Best of show at the Okanagan “Battle of the Benches” competition in 2012.

Other major awards include:

Best Fruit Wine of the Year at the Canadian Wine Awards 2010/11- Pomme Desiree Iced Apple
Superlative Award, Best of Category 2010 – Crushed Innocence White Peach dessert wine
Double Gold, Wine Press Northwest 2009 – Cerise D’Eve Red cherry Portstyle
Double Gold, Wine Press Northwest 2009 – Pomme Desiree Iced Apple
Double Gold, All Canadian Wine Championship 2010 – Impearfecion Asian Pear dessert wine.

What the wine industry is saying:

“Big and Bold, proof that what is arguably B.C’s best fruit winery, has the same deft touch with grapes.” Jurgen Gothe, Georgia Straight

“Iced Apple wines have taken top honours two years in a row: this one is from fruit grown in B.C.’s Similkameen Valley. Forbidden Fruit has been growing a range of organic fruits for 30 years. This golden nectar has wonderful pure apple expression, elegantly wrapped in subtle caramel notes. The sweetness is beautifully balanced.” Canadian Wine Awards, Wine Access Magazine

“As I discovered in tasting the current releases from Forbidden Fruit Winery- two grape wines and a range of fruit wines. Tasting these wines was a great sensory experience…. Steve and Kim produce the wines to the same high standards as their fresh fruit. The evidence is in the winery’s consistent record of awards.” John Schreiner, Author of The Wineries of British Columbia

GOODS: Ladies Of “House Wine” Warming Up With “The Isabella Rossellini Of Grapes”

House Wine is a wine consultancy company from trade vets Michaela Morris & Michelle Bouffard | housewine.ca

The GOODS from House Wine

Vancouver, BC | The cooler weather calls for full-bodied reds. This December we are warming up with Syrah at our sit-down tasting. Elegant yet voluptuous, it is the Isabella Rossellini of grapes. Taste the story of Syrah as it unfolds from its original home in the Rhône Valley to its newfound digs in Australia, where it is known as Shiraz. There will be plenty of stops in between to explore Syrah’s diverse expressions like Chile, Argentina, California, South Africa, Italy and even BC. Are you ready to be seduced? Details… Read more

GOODS: Vancouver Urban Winery Releases Their Own “Roaring Twenties” Wine Label

Vancouver Urban Winery is located at 55 Dunlevy Ave in Vancouver BC | 604-566-9463 |vancouverurbanwinery.com

The GOODS from Vancouver Urban Winery

Vancouver, BC | Vancouver Urban Winery officially has launched their first wine label: Roaring Twenties Wine Co.. Currently available throughout the BC market, the label will initially release a Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand and a Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina, both with suggested retail of $14.99.

Roaring Twenties Wine Co. is a local brand with an international story. While creating a typical winery can take several years – vines need to ripen, grapes crushed and fermented, and finally, finished wines produced – the unique concept of an “urban” winery offers a new perspective where grapes and finished wines are sourced elsewhere. Without a vineyard in sight, young wine lovers and travel enthusiasts Steve Thorp and Mike Macquisten set out on a wine hunt of their own. With a third friend in tow to document the adventure on film, the crew headed to the two wine regions they have always enjoyed drinking from most. Read more

GOODS: Similkameen Winery “Orofino” Completes Ambitious Solar Power Project

Orofino is located at 2152 Barcelo Road in beautiful Cawston, BC V0X 1C2 | (250) 499-0068 | www.orofinovineyards.com

The GOODS from Orofino Strawbale Winery

Cawston, BC | Co-owners John and Virginia Weber of Orofino Winery in Cawston, BC are proud to announce the completion of a significant solar project that will convert all power consumption of its public tasting building from traditional power sources to solar power. The project uses a unique hybrid system of solar photovoltaic panels and a solar thermal water heating system. The system was designed and constructed by Swiss Solar Tech from Summerland, BC who are leaders in solar technology implementation in the province. Learn more after the jump… Read more

GOODS: Meyer Family Vineyards Wins Gold, Silver, & Bronze At Canadian Wine Awards

Meyer Family Vineyards is located at 4287 McLean Creek Rd in Okanagan Falls | 250-497-8553 | meyerfamilyvineyards.com

The GOODS from Meyer Family Vineyards

Okanagan Falls | In August of this year, the Wine Access Canadian Wine Awards were held in Penticton, BC with over 1,260 entries. The Wine Access Canadian Wine Awards (CWA) are judged by some of Canada’s most respected wine experts including wine writers, journalists, sommeliers, buyers and industry professionals. The competition also seeks out new and emerging talent in the industry to be part of the panel. This blend of experience and enthusiasm, brought by judges from many regions across Canada, ensures a comprehensive view of the wine world’s most current state. The CWA judging panel this year was co-headed by Anthony Gismondi and David Lawrason and included the following prestigious palates from across the country: Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson, Bill Zacharkiw, Craig Pinhey, DJ Kearney, Heather Rankin, Janet Dorozynski, John Szabo, Rémy Charest, Rhys Pender, Rick VanSickle, Sid Cross, Stuart Tobe, Tom Firth and Treve Ring.

While we still have to wait for the full competition results for categories like Top 25 BC Wines of the Year, The Best Canadian White Wines of 2012 and The 25 Best Wineries in Canada, the Medal Results are in and Meyer Family Vineyards has taken home Gold, Silver and Bronze. Read more

Lake Breeze Vineyards

Details

930 Sammet Road, Naramata, BC, V0H 1N0.
Telephone: 250-496-5659
Web: www.lakebreeze.ca | Facebook | Twitter

Gallery

KEY PEOPLE

General Manager: Launa Maundrell
Wine Maker: Garron Elmes
Chef: Mark Ashton
Wineshop Manager: Ginette Schirrmeister

About Lake Breeze Vineyards

Lake Breeze Vineyards is located in Naramata, British Columbia, 12 kilometres north of Penticton on Naramata Road in the south central Okanagan Valley. It was built in 1996 and named Lake Breeze for the winds that blow across the bluffs year round. The first vines on the property were planted in 1985, making them some of the oldest on the Naramata Bench. The mature vines, coupled with a predominantly westerly aspect ensure plenty of sun exposure and ideal ripening conditions.

Lake Breeze was the first winery to plant and make wine from Pinotage, a native South African variety created from a crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut. Although production is extremely limited, this remains a wine of which we are extremely proud. The current owners purchased the property in 2001 and since then have grown the operation from less than 3,000 cases a year to over 10,000.

At Lake Breeze we believe that our wines should be an experience encompassing the property, the people, the vines, the dog, as well as the wines themselves. We try to create a connection to the place that can be experienced each time you open one of our wines – no matter where you might be.

RECENT AWARDS

Best Red Wine of The Year at the All Canadian Wine Awards with its 2008 Tempest. Lake Breeze also won Gold for its 2011 Semillon; two Silver awards for its 2011 Seven Poplar Sauvignon Blanc and 2009 Seven Poplars Pinot Noir; and two Bronzes for its 2011 Pinot Gris and 2011 Pinot Blanc.

At the Northwest Wine Summit, Lake Breeze was honoured to receive the Gold Award for its 2011 Seven Poplars Sauvignon Blanc. The winery was also thrilled to accept three Best of Varietal Awards at the Okanagan Spring Wine Festival for its 2011 Pinot Blanc, Semillon and Gewürztraminer. As well they were finalists at the Festival in the Pinot Noir, Sparkling and Sauvignon Blanc categories.

The Globe, Sept 6, 2012, Kasey Wilson – Lake Breeze Seven Poplars Pinot Noir 2009, BC VQA Okanagan Valley $25, Despite what many say, some of the best Canadian wines are underpriced. Take winemaker Garron Elmes’ soft, fragrant Pinot Noir, which over-delivers with an appealing dryness (as opposed to sweetness in most inexpensive pinots) and a lush texture. This is a mouthful of beguiling red fruit, sourced from older vines on the Lake Breeze vineyards in Naramata and a young planting in Summerland.

Cool Thing We Want #356: A Wall Of Locally Developed “Stact” Modular Wine Racks

STACT is new, modular wine rack system developed right here in Vancouver by Jamie Kasza with help from San Francisco designer Eric Pheiffer. It’s versatile, inexpensive, and straight up ingenious. They’ve already exceeded their Kickstarter fundraising target of $20,000 by over $38,000 to date, and there’s probably a lot more where that came from. Expect it to start showing up in local homes and restaurants this Fall.

EVERY COOL THING WE WANT

GOODS: Le Vieux Pin & LaStella Wineries Celebrate New Rules With Deals & Dinners

Le Vieux Pin is located at 34070-73th Street outside Oliver, BC | 250-498-8388 | levieuxpin.ca

News from Scout supporters Le Vieux Pin & Lastella

Oliver, BC | Following pivotal provincial law changes relevant to Canada’s wine industry, celebrate with two of the South Okanagan’s most forward-thinking wineries, as the wine community enters into a remarkable new chapter. Join LaStella and Le Vieux Pin this summer in raising a glass to the decision-makers, and enjoy a 10% saving and free shipping for online orders this August.

The landmark passing of Bill C311 allows the provincial governments of Canada the ability to establish rules permitting residents to order wine produced in another provinces online, and have it shipped directly to their homes. To mark this historic decision, visit either LaStella or Le Vieux Pin online and purchase a minimum of 12 bottles, receive 10% off, and the winery will ship it to your home or place of business free of charge. Cases can be mixed and matched from the white, rosé and red wines available, enter code “celebrate” at checkout to receive the discount.

The celebrations continue on August 17th and 18th when La Stella and Le Vieux Pin host oenophiles and foodies alike at two distinct dinners that epitomize la dolce vita and the bounty of locally sourced Okanagan Valley produce. These events will sell out and only very few spaces remain. Read more

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