WITH TOWN HALL
STORIES, NEWS, AND BEST PRACTICES
The scenic and friendly town of Summerland is thrilled to announce a spring preview for its esteemed Bottleneck Drive Association members, comprising the finest wineries, cideries, brewery, and distilleries in the region. This year, visitors are invited to embark on a journey of discovery, indulging in the unique flavours and experiences offered by these local producers.
The team at Haywire Winery is thrilled to unveil its Certified Local program as a token of gratitude to the incredible residents who have steadfastly supported the Okanagan wine industry over the decades. The year-round visits and purchases from locals have played a pivotal role in transforming this region into a globally respected wine producer.
Those that love nature and birds across the country annually recognize National Bird Day on January 5th.
We know not everyone is excited about birds, so we thought it would be fun to talk about some of the ways that birds relate to a few of our Town Hall Brands clients, as we celebrate birds on National Bird Day.
As the curtains rise on the highly anticipated Hopscotch Festival of Whisky, Beer & Spirits and Craft BC Whisky Weekend, Vancouverites and whisky enthusiasts alike are in for a treat as Macaloney's Island Distillery joins as participants, offering attendees the rare opportunity to savor these coveted craft spirits. With an impressive lineup of globally awarded spirits, Macaloney's Island Distillery invites seasoned whisky connoisseurs and curious enthusiasts to embark on a rare and indulgent tasting experience.
The Bottleneck Drive Association is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated return of "Light Up the Vines," a signature holiday event that has become a beloved tradition in the Okanagan Valley. This year, the event is back for its 13th year, promising visitors an enchanting experience filled with wine tastings, sparkling lights, refreshments, and music. It's an ideal opportunity for guests to stock up on the finest wine, beer, spirits, and cider for their holiday entertaining and gift-giving needs.
Okanagan Crush Pad Winery has become the first Canadian winery to attain silver membership with International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA), joining a prestigious list of global wineries committed to addressing climate change. Additionally, the winery has made history by converting to Fortis BC's Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) program.
Singletree Winery, nestled amidst the lush vines of Abbotsford, is gearing up to host two sensational events that promise an unforgettable experience for all attendees. With a backdrop of breathtaking vineyard vistas, these events offer an opportunity for guests to bask in live music, delectable cuisine, and the finest wines.
The team at Solvero Wines is excited to invite the public to visit and take in the inaugural wine releases.
Located in the beautiful Garnet Valley in the Summerland Valleys Sub GI, among the Bottleneck Drive tourist route, Summerland’s newest winery is the place for wine lovers to indulge in some of British Columbia’s most special wines.
Macaloney’s whisky maker Graeme Macaloney may be Scottish by birth, but this esteemed whisky maker has more than a touch of that famed roguish Irish twinkle in his eye. Which is why it makes perfect sense that Macaloney’s Island Distillery is launching a quartet of Irish-style Triple Distilled Single Potstill Whiskies – and just in time for St. Patrick’s Day!
TIME Family of Wines is getting ready to debut its new OROLO Restaurant + Cocktail Bar and Chronos Tasting Room in downtown Penticton
TIME Family of Wines is gearing up for a big 2023:
Their newly created Chronos Tasting Room and OROLO Restaurant + Cocktail Bar in Penticton is scheduled to open in Spring 2023; newly appointed culinary director Kirk Morrison and executive chef Damian Cole are cooking up exciting new menus and food items to be served at OROLO and the TIME Family of Wines District Wine Village location; TIME Family of Wines District Wine Village location is open for business and ready to rock the season.
In a celebration of BC’s agricultural bounty, the BC Blueberry Council has teamed up with Wines of British Columbia to showcase a carefully curated selection of BC blueberry recipes paired with BC wines.
The campaign which will run during February and March of 2023, aims to champion local BC blueberries and BC wine.
Okanagan Crush Pad Marks Changes to its Business Model with A New Name, Look and Visitor Experience
It’s been an exciting start to 2023 at Okanagan Crush Pad: after 11 years running Canada’s first purpose-built custom crush winemaking business successfully, the team is saying goodbye to its original business model by renaming to Haywire Winery.
*Download photos and more here.
[Oliver, BC] Oliver Twist Estate Winery is now Nostalgia Wines Inc. The ownership remains solely under Gina Fernandes Harfman. When Harfman purchased Oliver Twist Estate Winery in 2012, she kept the namesake Oliver Twist and created her own Nostalgia series to put her stamp on the business. With 2021 being the 15th anniversary of the winery, the time was right to finalize the change.
“Nostalgia Wines is more authentic and better connects to what we represent here,” Harfman notes.
With the name change also comes modernized packaging that better reflects the wine quality, displayed on Nostalgia Wines’ three wine tiers: Nostalgia, Pin-Up, and the Family Collection.
The team at Oliver Twist Winery has been a bit mischievous... they are now Nostalgia Wines Inc.
The team at Oliver Twist Winery has been a bit mischievous... they are now Nostalgia Wines Inc.
THE HISTORY BEHIND NOSTALGIA WINES INC.
Harfman is proud of her South Okanagan farming legacy. Terroir is in her blood: Harfman is the fourth generation from her paternal side, and the third generation from her maternal side, to sink her hands into South Okanagan soil. Her maternal grandfather, Joe Fernandes, left Madeira in the early 1950s to establish orchards and a fruit stand in Osoyoos. Her father, Ken, has 6 hectares (15 acres) of vineyard in Osoyoos which he runs with the help of Harf- man’s brother, Jeremy.
This connection to wine started Harfman down the winemaking road, starting with the winemaking course at Okanagan College. She gained experience as the assistant winemaker at Cassini Cellars for 2010 crush. For 2011 crush, she joined the previous owners and winemaking consultant, Christine Leroux, at Oliver Twist. From the very first vintage, Leroux has guided the wines at Oliver Twist, and she remains an important member of the Nostalgia winemaking team today.
In Harfman’s woman-owned and managed winery, she carries on her prede- cessors’ vision and traditions. She has chosen the name Nostalgia because for her, wine is about creating memories and making connections. She hopes that people will experience her wines, and in doing so, forge new memories.
“Nostalgia is something relatable to everyone,” she notes. “As everyone has memories.”
Nostalgia Wines Inc.'s owner and winemaker, Gina Fernandes Harfman
THE WINES & THE WINERY
Open year-round on the Black Sage Bench in Oliver, BC, Nostalgia Wines offers a range of small production wines from its Nostalgia, Pin-Up, and Family Collection tiers: from dry to off-dry whites and rosés, medium to full-bodied reds, as well as sparkling and dessert wines (including a fortified Port-style). Wines are released in quantities from 24 - 675 cases only and are worth seeking out each release (all wines can be purchased at the winery or online at NostalgiaWines.ca).
Harfman ensures the grape quality is high, sourcing most of the grapes from the estate’s Home Vineyard: Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Viognier, Kerner, Merlot and Syrah. She also sources from her family’s farm, and from treasured, long-term grower partners. Her attention to detail continues throughout the entire winemaking process.
Visitors to Nostalgia Wines are welcomed with heart, personality, nostalgia, and great wine. After taking in the memora- bilia collection inside the wine shop and watching the winemaking in progress through the tasting room windows, the sense of history and love at this family-run winery is unmistakable. Situated right in the heart of South Okanagan wine country, guests take in the views of the rugged desert hills, vineyards, and orchards, while sipping and soaking up the surroundings.
Nostalgia Wines 2018 Merlot, 2018 Meritage and 2020 Rosé
The Nostalgia and Family Collection wines demonstrate the serious side of Harfman’s winemaking style. Guests are impressed by the entire lineup and are charmed by the fun and seductive Pin-Up Series, which allows Harfman to express her fun side. The retro-cool paintings on the Pin-Up bottles are by artist Ralph Burch.
Nostalgia is the comfort and happiness triggered by sensory experiences. Once visitors discover this boutique, family-run winery, and enjoy a glass of wine from one of the estate’s scenic patios, they will want to take home a taste and make more memories of their own.
To keep those memories alive and satisfy you at home when you are feeling “Nostalgic,” membership in the Recollec- tions Wine Club is your best bet. This flexible membership allows you to choose your own selection and order on de- mand any time of year, in person or online, with special Club pricing. Harfman makes exclusive wines for Club members only, such as small lots of Malbec and Petit Verdot.
Watch for the new Nostalgia and Family Collec- tion labels and the refreshed Pin-Up Series to hit the winery’s shelves this month, or order online at NostalgiaWines.ca.
Pin-Up Series Rockabilly Red, 2020 Pink Cadillac and 2020 Boogie Woogie White
ABOUT NOSTALGIA WINES INC.
Nostalgia Wines Inc. is a winery located on the Black Sage Bench in Oliver, BC. It is owned by Gina Fernandes Harfman who is a fourth-gener- ation farmer in the Okanagan. Harfman is the winemaker behind the terroir focused, small lot wines produced on the property.
Nostalgia Wines carries three tiers of wine: Family Collection, Nostalgia Series and the mischievous Pin-Up Series which showcase labels that depict 1960s-inspired artwork.
To learn more about Nostalgia Wines Inc. or shop the wines, visit www.NostalgiaWines.ca
