Mt. Boucherie wine experience centre
The construction is almost complete at the Mt. Boucherie wine experience centre.
The Canadian Culinary Championships in Canada’s Great Kitchen Party took place in Ottawa in February. While Okanagan’s Chef Kai Koroll of Block One, 50th Parallel Estate Winery, did not make the podium, BC was well represented.
Vancouver’s Boulevard Kitchen + Oyster Bar’s Executive Chef Roger Ma won the Gold Medal. His Grand Finale dish called “BC Coastal Terroir” - featuring honey mussel 'gratinee' foraged bull kelp, uni custard, Yukon potato and scallion terrine, manila clam emulsion - was paired with Culmina Family Estate Winery’s 2018 Unicus Grüner Veltliner. Head judge James Chatto said Ma’s dish was “so meticulous, so thoughtful, yet vivid and alive. The flavours were rich, interesting and clear — it was Vancouver on a plate.”
Bronze winner Chef Emily Butcher of Winnipeg’s deer + almond paired her dish with Tightrope Winery 2018 Pinot Gris. The wine pairing for the finale People’s Choice winning dish of Chef J.P. Dublado, River Cree Casino, Edmonton, was Howling Bluff Estate Winery 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon, from Naramata Bench.
Crescent Hill Winery, Penticton, welcomed Erich Smith-Peter as its new winemaker and viticulturist.
Black Hills Estate Winery, Oliver, congratulated Winemaker Ross Wise on his achievement as Canada’s newest Master of Wine – only the seventh person in Canada and the fourth in BC to be awarded the honour.
The historic Naramata Heritage Inn is under new ownership by The Naramata Hospitality Limited Partnership. The partnership includes renowned chef and culinary ambassador Ned Bell; his wife Kate Colley, a marketing communications specialist; designer Maria Wiesner; and retired A & W Canada CEO Paul Hollands. With an opening date of May 2020, The Inn will deliver a proudly “Naramatian” experience. Menus will be built around the best local growers and artisans in Naramata and the Valley and showcase the true depth and breadth of award-winning wines produced by British Columbia’s winemakers.
At Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery, West Kelowna, the new wine experience centre and restaurant The Modest Butcher are opening soon.
Also, in West Kelowna, Frind Estate Winery, has announced the opening this year of its new tasting room and restaurant -- Annie’s, Fast Casual Small Plates Lounge & Bakery.
Black Market Wine Co., familiar in the Garagiste North scene, is opening its first tasting room this May in Kaleden.
Watch for an announcement by Kitsch Wines, Kelowna, on its new winemaker as Grant Biggs has decided to pursue new ventures.
