And so…

Cherries And Clay is a Vancouver-ish Wine Blog which simply reflects what we’re drinking, what we’re up to and what we like.

We’ll try super hard not to be boring, ‘kay?

Other than that, there’s no particular focus or agenda.  Sometimes we try new things and get stoked on them.  We’ll share those things with you.  We also get the opportunity to go to some rad tastings and attend some pretty fun events.  We’ll write a bit about those as well.  Sometimes we’ll also just write about whatever’s on our minds, wine-wise.  Stuff like that.

Oh yeah, we’re both generally pretty broke, so we’re gonna try and help with some super-cheap (but still enjoyable) wine finds around town.  If you’ve got ten bucks, we can probably help you out.

By no means do we see ourselves as wine experts, nor do we see ourselves as the authoritative voice on anything. Seriously.  We just like wine and sharing our enthusiasm for the stuff.  Period.

If you’re looking for something a little more formal or technical, you may want to pop over here or here.  For the local restaurant and food/lifestyle scene, you’d probably be better off with this.

Otherwise, click away.  We hope you’ll enjoy this site as much as our moms do…

Kurtis Kolt is a BC-based wine director, competition judge, consultant and writer who was awarded the Sommelier of the Year Award at the 2010 Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival for his work at Vancouver’s Salt Tasting Room. Currently working as Wine Director for the Naramata Heritage Inn in BC’s wine country, Kurtis is certified by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and has credit in the Winemaking program at UC Davis.  With appearances on NBC’s Today Show, The Globe And Mail, CBC Television and more, Kurtis is a familiar face when it comes to wine enthusiasm. Want more?  KurtisKolt.com

Jake Skakun is a wine professional based out of Vancouver, BC. Days rarely go by when he doesn’t drink and discuss wine. He has toured many of the picturesque wine regions of France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the US and more locally, BC. He has walked from Barbaresco to Alba and nearly got mugged in Nice. He was the Assistant Manager at Vancouver’s much praised Salt Tasting Room for 3 years and contributed to the award-winning wine program. Children and old ladies trust him. Recently he was on a wine drinking sabbatical in San Francisco where he has staged at such legendary wine meccas as Quince, Nopa and Terroir. On the subject of education, Jake completed the Sommelier Diploma Program through the International Sommelier Guild in 2007 and is credited in the Winemaking program at UC Davis. Currently, he is enrolled in the Diploma Program with the Wine and Spirit Education Trust. You’ll soon be able to find him selling wine at the much anticipated Gastown restaurant l’Abattoir. He can sail a Martin 242 with ease and is the co-authour of the wine blog Cherries and Clay.