Winery Loose Ends In Process of Being Tied Up

Nice headline. Now that's good English. Nice syntax.

Heading out for a little holiday early next week. This means leaving the ship with the first mate and making sure the crew is informed and inspired.

Taking care of a labeling schedule, readying some Chard for cold stab and protein stab work.
Organizing some packaging requirements for Township 7 and a couple of the other interests I work for who will all be bottling in mid-May.

After some deliberation and tasting (repetitive) we've decided to get the Township '04 Syrah out of barrel and start final blending trials. We feel the oak contact is pretty well where we want it.

Out in the vineyard the major work with the existing vines has been accomplished. I haven't checked the numbers but I think it's been a cool spring and we still won't see any serious bud break for awhile at this rate. The last empty acreage will be prepped and planted over the next few months and the contractor will be in to do the rough work while I'm gone.

Spring Wine Festival Coming Soon

Heading to the research station today to help with some judging for the Okanagan Spring Wine Festival.
If you're free on the weekend of May 5,6 and 7 you should check out this great event and take an opportunity to taste some new releases. A lot of the wines haven't hit the store shelves yet so it's a unique situation to get a sneak peek of the new offerings.

Wine Weekend Wrap-up

Here's a few things to check out over the Easter weekend. By the way, this is the official start of the rose season for me. I love picnic shoulder with rose and cold creamed potatoes and 'gus. I know, it's a freak show of spring time madness but that's what rose is made to handle.

I like this guy's way around words.

Hey, look! A survey course of the wines of Canada. And it's almost free of shortcomings and aberrant portrayals of the truth!

Eric the read of New York. Okay, not that funny a pun.

The Giz has his latest picks of top BC wines.

I'm off to Whistler for some end of season frivolity on the slopes.

Rare Winery Site For Sale

Are you or someone you know looking for a winery site?
This one is on the west side of the Okanagan valley, North Oliver area, a half block off Highway 97 near King Tomato and the gun range turnoff.
This unique setting has three seperate adjoining titles in a mixed of pine treed slope, open farmland and craggy mountain side. It's a dramatic site with two dwellings and crown land on the west boundary.
Should this interest you be sure to contact me soon for more information.

Vintage 2006 - Your Next BC Wine Is On The Way.

After a couple solid weeks of effort in the vineyard I feel we're ready to welcome the new growth.
A mild and dry weekend has produced a lot of movement in the vines and I'm seeing some increased bud size. A couple more weeks and things should be popping in the rows.
I don't know for sure but I suspect this spring has been on the cool side. Certainly cooler than last spring.
Everything is pruned and tied; there are a few odd jobs like trellis wire and irrigation tweaks and the occasional post here and there than needs work. And raking.
This morning has brought a steady light rain. That's good timing.
In the cellar we're beginning another bottling week. Our 2005 Rose and a 2004 Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend will be packaged as well as our 2005 Seven Stars - the proprietary name for the sparkling wine Township 7 produces. Of course, it won't be released until sometime in 2008. It spends around three years aging on the yeast deposits before getting cleaned up and corked.

Wine maker aims for global clout

Wine maker aims for global clout

We all know China is poised to take over the world during the 21st century, in the wine world it may happen sooner than later.

Rod McDonald & Vidal Estate Kick Ass Down Under

One of the big wine shows in New Zealand has recently concluded and I wasn't surprised to see my old mentor and friend Rod McDonald take top winemaker honours for the 2006 show.

I worked at Vidal Estate in Hawkes Bay under Mr. McDonald's tutelage during the '99 crush and much of what I learned stays with me today. He exposed me to many facets of wine making and was a great sponsor for this green Canuck. He also demonstrated management techniques that helped keep a tired crews' morale up during those 60, 70 and even 80 hour work weeks. In return, I filled the harddrive on his laptop with porn when he wasn't around. When apprehended I pointed a finger at the French kid who was unable to defend himself due to the language thingy.

Congrats to Rod and his staff for their accomplishments.

The Wines They Are A-Changin' | Business | Deutsche Welle | 22.10.2005

The Wines They Are A-Changin' Business Deutsche Welle 22.10.2005
About half way through this story you'll see a mention about glass stopper instead of cork. Everything old is new again.