Jan 20, 2025
Rhys Pender - Master of Wine/Little Farm
Winery (Similkameen)
Kathy Malone - Winemaker at Hillside
Estate (Naramata Bench)
There are so many elements in play during the 2025 BC
wine-growing season. AND it's just started.
Two cold snaps that damaged or killed many vines and vineyards
over the past two Winters.
It caused many growers to consider planting more winter-proof
varietals and adjusting vineyard locations.
Then came news that an agreement had been reached between Wine
Growers of BC and the BC provincial government.
While the new plantings were taking hold, in order to help
farming families survive, for one
year BC wineries could source their grapes from out
of the province. Many headed for Washington. Some to Oregon,
California, Ontario, the Frazer Valley and Vancouver Island.
The last two BC wine regions were not hit by the cold.
Some wineries flatly refused to use non-BC fruit.
Soon, we'll all start to see labels that say something
like "Washington grapes crafted in
BC"!
Have fun tasting the blends and varietals that we've never
seen or tasted here before.
You're supporting BC farmers and wineries at the same
time.
On Tasting Room Radio and this Podcast, we'll be doing a
series of specials on how various wineries and growers have
committed to survive and thrive. Who knows what their new
direction may be.
There's no denying it - BC Wines will be changing
but there will be wines!!!
Enjoy the conversation between myself and Master of
Wine Rhys Pender and Winemaker at Hillside Estate on the Naramata
Bench Kathy Malone.