I’m honoured and incredibly grateful to share that, for the second year in a row, our entry has been published as part of the Jancis Robinson Wine Writing Competition.
Jancis Robinson Wine Writing Competition 2026.
While the official shortlist is still to come, it’s been a wonderful surprise to be selected as one of the competition’s standout submissions published ahead of the results. This year’s theme, “A Great Pairing (Other Than Food),” attracted a record-breaking number of entries from 40 countries, which makes this recognition feel especially meaningful.
Pairing Malbec with a Memory, is a deeply personal reflection inspired by my late mother, exploring how a single glass of wine can transport us through time, evoke cherished memories, and keep the people we love close.
➡️Read entry: WWC26 – Pairing Malbec with memory, by Allison Wallace | Jancis Robinson
To once again be featured on the website founded by Jancis Robinson MW—one of the world’s most respected and influential wine writers and critics—is an honour we don’t take for granted. Her platform celebrates thoughtful, insightful wine writing from voices around the globe, and we’re proud to have our work included for a second consecutive year.
Thank you to everyone who continues to read, support, and encourage our storytelling.
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Winemaker Seth Jex [Credit: Fort Berens]
For any winery, succession is one of the most delicate moments in its evolution. Consumers may focus on the name on the label, but behind every bottle are countless decisions shaped by the people guiding the vineyard and cellar. When a respected winemaker departs, uncertainty can often follow.
At Fort Berens Estate Winery, however, the transition from Alex Nel to Seth Jex feels less like a changing of the guard and more like the continuation of a carefully plotted journey.
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Our first feature in Western Living Magazine.
We’re excited to share a milestone with you—our first feature in Western Living magazine!
➡️: The Best Okanagan Wineries for Architecture Lovers – Western Living Magazine
The story highlights five wineries (Martin’s Lane, Phantom Creek, Painted Rock, Black Hills, and Haywire Winery) that have taken the visitor experience to another level through exceptional architecture. While great wine is always the main attraction, these wineries prove that thoughtful design can make a visit even more memorable, creating spaces that are as inspiring as the wines they produce. From bold, modern statements to beautifully integrated vineyard settings, each winery offers something truly special. We hope you’ll enjoy the read and perhaps even add a few new destinations to your wine travel wish list.
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Ryan McKibbon.
The past two years have brought significant change to Black Hills Estate Winery. The devastating cold event that wiped out British Columbia’s 2024 grape harvest forced wineries across the province to rethink how they would navigate a vintage without local fruit.
At Black Hills, it coincided with another important transition: head winemaker Ross Wise returned to his native New Zealand in November of 2024, handing the reins to Ryan McKibbon, who became just the 4th winemaker in the winery’s history.
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Todd Heintz.
Launching a winery in British Columbia in 2026 might strike some as an unusual choice. The province’s wine industry is still navigating the aftermath of devastating cold events, ongoing climate uncertainty and shifting market realities. Yet for the founders of Spacedog Wines, the timing felt less like a warning sign and more like an opportunity.
The new Oliver-based winery, which opened its doors this month at the District Wine Village, is the creation of Todd Heintz, Jason Harding and Dean Prevost. Together, they represent an unlikely trio of founders for a winery making some very ambitious claims right out of the gate.
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