British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley is going through a tremendous growth spurt, not just in the number of wineries there but in the quality of the entire experience. Vignerons have now got “old” vines in their vineyards, many 20 or more years old, and they are providing wineries with ever-better raw materials. Wineries in turn have upgraded equipment and are hiring experienced talent from across the globe to make or consult on the making of their wines. Tasting rooms are catering to luxury travelers’ wants and desires. And now the restaurant scene has joined the act providing some really terrific dining experiences. The Restaurant at Phantom Creek is leading the way.
Climate change continues to be a growing concern worldwide and conscious consumerism has forced business industries to shift their view on sustainability from an optional nice to have to a minimum requirement. The wine industry is no different and one of the wineries helping lead the movement in BC is Summerland’s Okanagan Crush Pad (OCP). For more than a decade, sustainability, both in the vineyards and in the winery, has been at the heart of what they do. Their newest project, Garnet Valley Ranch not only embodies this spirit in the winery, but also demonstrates it beautifully through a truly memorable personal experience at the property itself.
Climate change is a topic that comes up often in our wine interviews because the agricultural industry seems much more attune to it than most. Within the wine industry itself, British Columbia wine producers have been facing extreme climate events earlier, and seemingly more often, than many other regions worldwide. It’s certainly been our experience that regardless of how difficult a vintage is, in the hands of the right winemaker, excellent wines will still be produced. Black Hills Estate Winery can rest assured knowing that they have Ross Wise leading their winemaking team, who continues to improve the winery’s offerings despite the now annual challenges.
If the inaugural release of Solvero Wines is any indication of what’s to come from one of BC’s newest wineries, there is a very bright rising star in the Okanagan wine region. Our visit to the winery marks the first time we’ve been motivated to do so solely based on a sample being sent to us. That sample impressed us so much we immediately made plans to visit. What we discovered was a very personal, uber-focused approach to quality, quite literally built on steely determination, and anchored by an equally passionate and talented winemaker.
Our first AdVINEture to northern Italy’s Friuli Venezia-Giulia region and Istria in northern Croatia revealed a wine traveller’s paradise. The countryside is beautiful and as of now quite unspoiled by tourists. The culinary scene is top notch with some outstanding restaurants, (several with Michelin stars) and the cuisine shows the diversity of the many countries that have influenced both regions. Gems like these do not remain undiscovered for long in the tourism world so we recommend getting there before the secret is out. Both areas are accessed easily via Venice so we spent a few days there too for good measure! Click on the video link below for a glimpse of highlights including winery visits to Jermann, Coronica, Kozlović, and Meneghetti:
For the adventurous wine lover seeking to explore unique and off-the-beaten-path experiences, the world offers plenty of unconventional wine tourism destinations. Our latest article for The Daily Hive herereveals some hidden gems awaiting beyond the famed vineyards of France, Italy, and California. Croatia, China, Mexico, Georgia, the Canary Islands, Uruguay, India, and Chile all offer something delicious worth seeking out.
We’ve had several visits to Résonance Wines in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. We always make it a stop whenever we are in Oregon because the wines are just that good. Résonance is the Oregon outpost of the iconic Burgundian domaine of Louis Jadot. The winery is now run by Jadot’s former cellar master, Guillaume Large. On our most recent visit, Guillaume and his wife Lucie took us on a walk of this beautiful property and showed us something very unique and very special indeed.
We’ve had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Oregon wine trailblazer Rollin Soles on three separate occasions. The reason we rank him as one of our favourite interviewees is that his knowledge and experience is not only an absolute treasure trove to mine as wine writers, but he delivers his nuggets of wisdom in the most unpretentious and straightforward way. Despite our two previous conversations, Rollin still managed to take us aback during our most recent meeting…twice.
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