Today, the almighty Terry David Mulligan is handing me the reins of his weekly Tasting Room Radio show where I’ll be discussing my new life in Naramata and interviewing some local pals, the folks from Van Westen Vineyards, Elephant Island Orchard Wines & Nichol Vinyeyard.
Got something you want me to ask ‘em?  DM me on [...]

Even though I’ve been living in the Okanagan for almost a couple months now, I’ve really not had much time to traverse the region as much as I would have liked to.  A couple times, my days off involved a trip to Vancouver, there was a trip to Calgary, plus often one of those days [...]

There’s a lot I’ve been meaning to do while I’m living in the Okanagan this summer, one of them is fulfilling my goal to visit as many wineries as possible. Until this week, I’d never been to any of the big ones, Mission Hill, Burrowing Owl, what have you.
Two things struck me when I visited [...]

I’m currently sitting at the desk in my room at Hotel Alma (above) on the University of Calgary campus, where we have been judging wines for the Wine Access International Value Wine Awards, looking for the best available wines across Canada under the $25 mark.
Vancouver’s own Anthony Gismondi is both Editor-In-Chief for the magazine and [...]

I’m in Calgary for the bulk of the week, judging at the Wine Access International Value Wine Awards.
There’s a slew of us here, and we all flew in yesterday and had dinner at Earl’s last night with Buzz Fuller, the founder and head of the chain. Highlight was some good Alberta Beef w/ morel & [...]

It’s been a crazy month and a half for me, finishing up at Salt, winning Sommelier Of The Year, traveling through Chile, moving to Naramata to start my new job and so on.  I’ve been in Vancouver for the last couple of days to hang out with my wife, who has spent the last month [...]

Been thinking of a career change?
Now that we’re officially into the 2010 vintage, a quick peek at the BC Wine Institute’s website shows a variety of positions available, both in the Okanagan and in Vancouver.
The above photo is of the initial punch-down of 2008 Cabernet Franc grapes at Van Westen Vineyards.  Jake and I harvested, [...]

Looks like Coldplay’s tour rider involves a little whine…

I’ve officially started the new gig as Wine Director at the Naramata Heritage Inn & Spa.  I’m a couple days in and the crew has been very hospitable and helpful as I learn my way around the place.
As you’d probably expect, the wine program mainly focuses on Naramata wines, although there is a juicy little [...]

Jake & I are at the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards today and not blogging. Follow us on Twitter for highlights!

So, as I’ve recently mentioned, I’ve just moved to Naramata wine country to work and play.
I’m settling into things quite well, learning the terrain, and figuring out how to best take advantage of the 5 or 6 months I will be out here.  My wife is still based in Vancouver, and though she’ll be here [...]