Meet Gerry Jobe With Town Hall

By Leeann Froese It’s Saturday – that means it’s time to introduce you to a new personality #withTownHall. 

This does not mean they work as part of our team, or are our client (although they could be). We just interact with so many amazing people that we want to expand networks and introduce them to you, and you to them. This week we introduce you to Gerry Jobe. Can you please say hello?

This summer, Gerry Jobe, acclaimed Okanagan-based bartender, joined Kelowna's Summerhill Pyramid Winery as consulting bartender to create a cocktail program that puts the spirit back in spirits.

After a massive lobby (and much patience), Summerhill has been granted the license to add spirits and craft beer to the wines already on the menu in its Sunset Organic Bistro. As the first BC winery in the ALR (Agricultural Land Reserve) to have this new license, they are taking advantage of this in a way that expresses the winery’s unique personality.

The winery has linked up with Gerry to oversee their spirits menu, and take their cocktail program to an unparalleled level. Having been recognized by Western Living magazine as one of their “Top 40 under 40″, and winning several prestigious cocktail creation awards, Gerry is an award-winning and passionately creative bartender.

As a lifetime resident of the Okanagan, Gerry feels the need to establish a vibrant and stylish cocktail culture in Okanagan, the #‎okanagancocktailmovement‬.

All Summerhill cocktails created by Gerry utilize speciality techniques and ingredients hand-foraged on the sweet aromatic land of Summerhill’s own biodynamic permaculture gardens, including wildcrafted medicinal herbs and syrups aged in the Pyramid.

Unconventional cocktail techniques are applied to the creation of each drink, including employing vibrations from Tibetan singing bowls, intentionality and biodynamic rhythms.

In addition to the work that Gerry does for Summerhill, Gerry is a wine and spirits representative, and he consults to other restaurants to help them create their cocktail lists.

Can you please say hello with a comment below – or go give this post a like or share on Facebook or Twitter.

October is a Month of Foodtivities

  By Amy Chen

October, perhaps the most delicious month, is home to Thanksgiving, Halloween and now… Pizza Month.

To show support for North American’s growing pizza love, Gerry Durnell, pizzeria owner and founder of Pizza Today Magazine, launched a national pizza-focused magazine in October 1984 and designated the month as Pizza Month. If you don’t already know, Town Hall is all about celebrating the bounty of good food and great wine. When we sat down with our team to plan this special foodie month, we unanimously agreed that any idea we came up with needed to include what we love most: wine. With this in mind and a certified wine scholar on the team (Sujinder Juneja), it only made sense for us to do a series of wine and pizza pairings to share with all of our friends! For the next five #WineWednesday in October, grab a slice of pizza, sit-back, and follow us on our blog to find the perfect wine pairing for that slice in your hand. Let us know if you have a favourite wine and pizza pairing that we can share with our readers. Looking forward to celebrating Pizza Month and #WineWednesdays with you this October.

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WEEK 1 (OCTOBER 1)

October 1^st is not only the start of Pizza Month but also World Vegetarian Day. It makes perfect sense for our very first #WineWednesday #PizzaMonth post to pair great wines with vegetarian pizzas. Michael Pollan, in his acclaimed book In Defense of Food: An Eaters Manifesto (Penguin Books, 2009) suggests that as a responsible species, we should “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” With a cornucopia of sustainable, locally-sourced and delicious fruits and vegetables to choose from in British Columbia, the possibilities for veggie-themed pizzas are near endless. Here are a couple favourite pairings from two of Town Hall’s sustainably-minded wineries:

Summerhill Pyramid Winery’s 2013 Small Lot Pinot Gris is a certified-organic custom blend from winemaker/viticulturalist Eric von Krosigk, which includes 8% Chardonnay and 5% Viognier, both fermented in oak barrels, plus 2% Pinot Blanc, each of which add gorgeous aromatics and balanced structure. The bright stone fruit and citrus tones of this wine will pair perfectly with pizza topped with fresh sliced pear, caramelized onions, extra virgin olive oil, organic goat cheese and coarse sea salt.

Already well-known for terroir-driven Pinot Gris, Summerland’s Haywire Winery has created quite a stir with their 2012 Gamay Noir, which offers a nose of bright red fruit and sweet earth, leading to flavours of raspberry, strawberry and cherry. Consider pairing with a vegetarian pizza topped with spinach, Portobello mushrooms, sweet and spicy peppadew peppers with a homemade garlic pesto base.

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WEEK 2 (OCTOBER 8)

100% Okanagan and 100% to charity. The gold-medal winning (2014 BC Wine Awards) 2013 Rosé from The Girls (produced and distributed by Time Estate Winery) is a food-friendly blend that shows a soft pink colour with an intensely fragrant, floral nose of raspberry and wild strawberry. It’s dry and medium-bodied, with a thread of refreshing acidity. Pizza toppings with a bit of “spice” would work very well with this vivacious charmer – try with your favourite ground meat (spiced and pan-fried before baking), black olives, green onions, fresh BC tomatoes, pickled jalapeños and a mozzarella and Monterey Jack cheese.

A new favourite of ours is the just-released 2012 Quill Red blend from Blue Grouse Estate Winery in the Cowichan Valley. It’s a unique and deliciously balanced blend of Cabernet Foch, Marechal Foch, Merlot and Cabernet Libre sourced from Vancouver Island and the Okanagan Valley. This robust red calls for a hearty pizza with pepperoni, spicy capicola, Italian sausage, red onions and mozzarella cheese with a tomato sauce base.

Both wines are priced at under $20 – you might just want to grab two of each and share with friends.

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WEEK 3 (OCTOBER 15)

Well Seasoned is THE foodie paradise in the Fraser Valley. The store has just celebrated 10 successful years of being the go-to gourmet superstore in the region and has just moved to a brand new location at #117-20353 64 Ave in Langley. Angie Quaale,Well Seasoned’s owner, believes that the best pizza can only be made with the best ingredients and a few key tools.

Angie says the best homemade pizzas are made in the oven with a pizza stone, guaranteeing your pie even heat distribution so that the crust cooks evenly on the top as well as the bottom. You can get a good oneat Well Seasoned for around 20 bucks. She also recommends a pizza ‘peel’ – a handle with a flat wooden carrying surface – to keep the pizza from falling on the floor as it goes in and out of the oven. They are a great investment for any serious pizza maker.

Of course, it’s not even toppings that matter most, but the base that will make the pizza perfect.

Angie suggests always having a package of frozen pizza dough on hand (she uses the ones from local Calabria Bakery). Making your own sauce from canned and peeled Italian tomatoes is always a great idea, seasoned with your own choice of dried herbs and specialty salts. Well Seasoned has plenty to choose from. Be creative. Have fun. Eat Pizza!

Need more inspiration? Well Seasoned is offering a “Killer Pizza” class with Chef Carl Sawatsky on October 30 at 6:30pm. For just $60, you can learn to make pizza like a boss.

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WEEK 4 (October 22)

This week, we’re pleased to introduce you to a newcomer to the BC wine scene – Kamloops’ Monte Creek Ranch. Their wines are now arriving at select liquor stores and restaurants across the province and we know you’ll be impressed. Amazing flavours, great packaging and a unique history all add up to a sensational experience. Their 2013 Riesling offers mid-week friendly low alcohol, fresh acidity and notes of balanced minerality, along with a crisp lemon/lime citrus and grapefruit finish. Try it with a pizza topped with savoury grilled chicken and pineapple, on a freshly-made crust brushed with olive oil, lemon juice and citrus sea salt. A dollop or two of gooey mascarpone cheese would round things out nicely.

While the debate rages on about what a “signature grape” could or should be for the British Columbia, there’s no doubt that Syrah is often name-checked as one of the front-runners. Mt. Boucherie Family Estate Winery has been farming grapes throughout the valley since the late 1960s and their passion for the land is evident in each and every one of the wines they produce. Their 2010 Syrah is sourced from family-owned vineyards in the picturesque Similkameen Valley. Aromas and flavours of dark plum, blackberries, leather and black pepper lead a velvety long finish. To balance the rich fruit and spicy notes of the wine, we’re thinking Genoa salami, bacon and ham with a blend of mozzarella and parmesan cheese over a tomato sauce base.

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WEEK 5 (October 29)

Ever since we first met Judy and tasted through her wines, we were hooked. The love, care and attention that she and her team devotes to every bottle is earning them accolades beyond our provincial borders. Planning a visit to Naramata? Make sure you stop in to say hi to Judy and her second-in-command, Katie, who are always there to greet visitors with a smile and a glass. We’ve long been fans of their Viognier, and the 2013 vintage shows notes of orange blossom and tangerine with notes of toasted coconut, blood orange and apricot, balanced with refreshing acidity. How about a pizza with a creamy Thai curry sauce base, topped with wild shrimp (Ocean Wise, naturally), red onions, red and orange peppers, pineapple, coriander and mozzarella.

Oliver’s legendary Sundial Vineyard was planted on the Black Sage Bench in South Okanagan in 1992. For more than 20 years, the vineyard has produced some of the most sought-after and award-winning wines in the province, based mostly on Bordeaux varietals. TIME Estate Winery, launched by vineyard owners Harry McWatters and Bob Wareham continues the tradition of producing premium fruit under direction of viticulturist Richard Cleve. The 2011 Meritage (Red) is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. It offers classic aromas of red berries, black cherries and pepper with a character that suggests rose petal and sage. Inspired by the artisan thin crust pizza from Summerland’s Local Lounge • Grille, we suggest a pizza topped with olive oil, arugula, roasted local garlic and braised short rib.

Thank you to everyone that followed along with our #PizzaMonth wine and pizza suggestions. Were you inspired to try these recipes yourself or do you have other suggestions to share? We’d love to hear from you. Send a photo, write us an email or leave a comment below. Happy eating!

Meet Rayna Corner With Town Hall

By Leeann Froese It’s Saturday – that means it’s time to introduce you to a new personality #withTownHall This does not mean they work as part of our team, or are our client (although they could be). We just interact with so many amazing people that we want to expand networks and introduce them to you, and you to them. This week we introduce you to Rayna Corner can you please say hello? Rayna is the proprietor of Quench! Wines  - a Vancouver Island & Gulf Island agent for boutique wineries and breweries from various regions of BC. She considers herself to be a wine nerd, word nerd. She loves cooking, reading & her dog, and is a fledgling runner. Can you please say hello with a comment below – or go give this post a like or share on Facebook or Twitter.

Celebrating Our Women In Business #WithTownHall

  By Amy Chen

Happy Business Women's Day! 

Flashback 65 years today, the American Business Women’s Association was founded by Hilary A. Bufton Junior with a mission to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to support each other personally and professionally. Thirty years later in the 1980s, president Ronald Reagan officially declared September 22^nd as a national holiday to recognize gender equality and the contribution that women make in the business world.

Now, why is this important to Town Hall (and maybe you, too)?

According to Canadian Statistics:

• Number of Canadian women in business is drastically growing
• Self-employed women grew by 6.4%, accounting for one third of all self-employed persons
• On average, women in business do not make as much money as men
• Women perceive more barriers doing business than men
• Love is what drives majority of women entrepreneurs in their business

With a number of our clients and team members being women, we want to celebrate Business Women’s Day by highlighting the leadership and dedication of our Town Hall women in business. Most of all, we invite you to help us celebrate and recognize these incredible women for their hard work and achievements. They inspire us and allow us to take great pride in the work that we do for them. Thank you ladies for everything that you do! Here’s what ten of our empowering Town Hall Women in Business shared when we asked them their greatest challenge and reward as women in the industry:

Angie Quaale, owner, Well Seasoned Gourmet Food Store

Challenges: “I don't think I face specific challenges because I'm a woman. I know plenty of male and female entrepreneurs. Their challenges are unique to the business, and not their gender.”

Rewards: “Meeting food producers that raise or grow food. The passion involved in that process is completely inspiring to me.“  

Christine Coletta, owner, Okanagan Crush Pad

Challenges: “I didn’t really face many as the wine industry is made up of family business with many dynamic women taking lead roles. It was not a male dominated environment and neither was the restaurant industry, which was my previous career. Frankly, the biggest challenge was the confusion over my name, which is when I officially started using “Christine” to avoid receiving calls and mail addressed to Mr. Coletta. The assumption was that I was a male… I quickly set that straight.”

Rewards: “Watching the growth and knowing that I played a vital role in changing the direction of the BC wine industry along with the many people that became my friends. It was hard work, but we shared some wonderful experiences and have great war stories to tell.”

Darnelle Moore, owner, Eastside Fitness

Challenges: “One of the biggest challenges is to let people know that a female operated fitness business does not mean we are for women only. To let people know that women can and do lift some pretty heavy weights (and they don't "bulk up" when they do so) and that men don't have to lift heavy weights all the time to improve their health/fitness. They could benefit from movement pattern corrections, which might involve some pretty basic "unloaded" body weight exercises. One of my pet peeves in the industry, regardless of the fact that I'm a woman, is that the fitness industry is categorized under "Recreation and Entertainment". To me, that implies fitness is not taken seriously as a preventative health measure! I would love to work towards changing this officially!”

Rewards: “I think seeing people move beyond their original fitness goals, beyond the obvious ones like losing weight or running a 5km to where they realize the real benefits of a full, balanced exercise regime.  Seeing people become stronger (physically and mentally) and in a place where they enjoy working out. I especially love when I see a client make a self-correction in a movement pattern we have been working on. It's a sign to me that they are aware of how their body is connected.”

Jenny Garlini, office manager, Blue Grouse Winery

Challenges: “My biggest challenge right now is splitting my time between my kids and my work. I have two kids that are four and six years old, and I want to be involved with school/preschool as much as I can. The other big challenge working for a small business is that you have to wear many hats. It has been a big challenge to not only manage a tasting room, but also make sure bills are paid, schedules are done, edit a website, put out a newsletter, start a wine club, make sure the lawns are cut, and the list goes on and on.”

Rewards: “Seeing the whole picture. I love being a part of each aspect of the winery that I listed and more! I get to see and make decisions on things that will make Blue Grouse grow and be successful. I love seeing the sales grow, new wine club members signing up and knowing that we have made a new customer that will love our place in the Cowichan Valley as much as I do.”  

Judy Kingston, owner, Serendipity Winery

Challenges: “Getting the farm started is my biggest challenge as a woman in the winery industry. As most would know, the farm is a really male dominated industry. So, when I first moved from Toronto to start Serendipity, there were a lot of non-believers. I was a Torontonian, a lawyer, and a woman that had no idea how to drive a tractor nor did I know anything about farming.”

Rewards: “Since Serendipity started, my biggest reward is proving everyone wrong. I succeeding at farming and transformed from the Toronto, lawyer woman that everyone doubted to the farmer and owner of Serendipity, 2013 Winery of the Year from New York International Wine Competition.”  

Judy Poole, branch manager, Poole and Associates Wealth Management

Challenges: “The biggest challenge working in this industry has been balancing the expectations of the various firms that I worked for, especially in a male dominated industry and with the unique way that I, as a woman, work with clients. My philosophy puts building trust and truly understanding client’s needs first, but the corporations put sales results first. Fortunately, I have found an independent home at Raymond James where my philosophies fit.”

Rewards: “Without question, the biggest reward has been watching my clients’ lives evolve, helping them to navigate the rough waters of life! Children have been born, grown up, educated, marriages, divorces, and widowhood. I've been at this a LONG time!”  

Marina Knutson, owner, SpierHead Winery

Challenges: “I co-own a winery with my husband so my challenges are no different than his. The ongoing challenge I see is balancing roles as husband and wife while owning a small business and continuing to be parents of four children.”

Rewards: “It’s always a success to see my wines do well and win awards. Also, I’m pleased to see more women wine makers as equal partners. This means I have more opportunities to meet new groups of women in the hospitality and wine industry. Prior to the wine industry, I was an occupational therapist, so another reward is being able to learn more than I ever thought.”

Pinki Gidda, wine shop manager & marketing, Mt. Boucherie Family Estate Winery

Challenges: “As a family-run business, we have to do everything ourselves and wear many hats. While it’s a great learning experience that I am able to get my hands in everything, it is slightly challenging at times because I often wish I have more time to spend with my customers, rather than working behind the scenes.”

Rewards: “One of my biggest reward is meeting people from all over the world and seeing our business grow with everyone’s support.”  

Tarrah MacPherson, vice president of operations, Summerhill Pyramid Winery

Challenges: “I don’t really feel any significant challenge as a women in the industry. The support I have received coming on board here at Summerhill has been tremendous. My environment has been collaborative and inclusive right from the start. And this is the mantra we are passing on to our teams to be successful.”

Rewards: “Well, to start, I love my job. I feel really good about the achievements we are making as a team and as a company. As an organic winery contributing to the sustainability of our planet, we feel we are pioneers among our peers. As the worldwide wine industry continues to trend upwards, we feel we are well positioned to continue as a leader in our industry. A really great place to be.”

We will end with our own Leeann Froese, owner, Town Hall Brands

Challenges: “The biggest challenge is living up to my own pressures – trying to oversee the business, family, volunteer obligations and carve out time for myself. It’s a challenge for me to be a leader in these varying aspects while still trying to look ahead and grow.”

Rewards: “My biggest rewards come when I hear from clients saying what a difference we have made for them, how we are vital to their teams, or from press saying that some of our best practices are their favourites. And I get huge satisfaction from the smiling faces of my team. I push them, hard; to work to output their best and learn and grow, and hope that they are happy with their role and work.”

Do you know any of these women or know a woman in business you would like to recognize? Let us know or give them a big high five and thank you.

Meet Raj Thandi With Town Hall

By Leeann Froese

It’s Saturday – that means it’s time to introduce you to a new personality #withTownHall

This does not mean they work as part of our team, or are our client (although they could be). We just interact with so many amazing people that we want to expand networks and introduce them to you, and you to them.

This week we introduce you to Raj Thandi - can you please say hello?

Raj is the girl behind the blog Pink Chai Living.

She is also a writer, crafter, amateur chef, fashion lover, and entrepreneurial mama.
Pink Chai Living is a place she shares her experiments, adventures, and musings on living life with an Indian touch.

She is also the founder of Pink Chai Media, a social media marketing firm she runs with her husband.

Can you please say hello with a comment below – or go give this post a like or share on Facebook or Twitter.

Meet Jeannette Montgomery With Town Hall

By Leeann Froese It’s Saturday – that means it’s time to introduce you to a new personality #withTownHall

This week we introduce you to Jeannette Montgomery - can you please say hello?

Jeannette writes ad copy, editorial, and freelances for a number of publications. On Twitter she is @okanaganwriting

She is the Okanagan correspondent for EAT Magazine, works with Culinaire Magazine as Okanagan contributor, and Yukon North of Ordinary for their special South Okanagan Extraordinary issues and to write for the Air North in-flight magazine.

As a freelance writer she writes copy: websites, wine labels, newsletters, ad copy, etc.

Can you please say hello with a comment below – or go give this post a like or share on Facebook or Twitter.

Meet the People #withTownHall Behind The Bottles at the 2014 Colour BC VQA Fall Release Trade Tasting Event in Vancouver

The end of summer in British Columbia marks a time to celebrate the beautiful colours and flavours of our local fall grape harvest. On September 17, the British Columbia Wine Institute is hosting its annual Colour BC VQA Fall Release Tasting Event to bring together 90 passionate BC wineries and local trade in exploring the bountiful wine growing regions of BC, while tasting the bursting flavours of BC VQA’s fresh new releases. Talented winemakers and winery team members will be onsite to unlock your palates with a cornucopia of flavours that will lead us into the Fall. There’s really no better way to celebrate the season than with like-minded wine enthusiasts who share the same passion, industry, goals and stories.

Whether you are a winemaker, sales specialist, winery owner, media, or wine buyer, this is a must-attend trade only event that provides an easy, one-stop opportunity to connect with prospective suppliers, industry partners, and media on the latest trends, insights, products, and winemaking techniques.

But with more than 350 BC VQA wines on showcase, how can you make the best out of a mere four-hour tasting event? Read on for some tips from our team...

Do your homework.

 This means…

o   Find out which wineries will be at the event

o   Research the wineries

o   Make a list of the people, wineries, and products you want to see

o   Jot down questions you have for the principals

o   Allocate total time you want to spend at the event and at each individual booth

o   Bring your business cards, a fresh palate and open-mind to share your passion with like-minded wine enthusiasts

To start, we have highlighted a few winery clients in the room with unique stories and flavours that you will not want to miss.

Summerhill Pyramid Winery, Kelowna, BC

 “A gathering of farmers, winemakers, artists, environmentalists, visionaries, and wine enthusiasts who think outside of the bottle to create organic wines with a story.”

• Experience the debut tasting of 2013 Summerhill Vineyard Riesling
• Understand the benefits of biodynamic farming in creating a diversified and healthy ecosystem that promotes healthy crops and balanced wines
• Become enchanted with the history of Summerhill, including their leading sparking wine program and learn the story behind the magic of the pyramid

Founded with the 1991 vintage, Summerhill Pyramid Winery, in the Okanagan Valley, BC, is Canada's largest certified organic winery, BC's first Demeter certified biodynamic vineyard, and Canada's foremost producer of sparkling wine.

Winemaker Eric von Krosigk oversees the portfolio of BC VQA wines that have earned the winery the title of 'Canadian Wine Producer of the Year' from the International Wine & Spirits Competition in London, England. The winery, owned by the Cipes family, is also home to the Sunset Organic Bistro, a two-hundred seat restaurant with a panoramic view of Okanagan Lake, serving food grown and raised by local organic producers, including Summerhill's own on-site permaculture-style vegetable garden.

More background reading on Summerhill Pyramid Winery's organic and biodynamic farming practices can be found here.

For more information, visit www.summerhill.bc.ca Like Summerhill on Facebook or follow the winery on Twitter @summerhillwine.

Who to meet:

Ezra Cipes is proud to carry on the family legacy at Summerhill Pyramid Winery as CEO. Like his father Stephen, Ezra has a multitude of passions and talents. At Summerhill Pyramid Winery, Ezra Cipes is responsible for day-to-day operations, marketing, and leadership. He is a talented musician, and has completed courses in vineyard management and in permaculture design.

What you will taste:

• 2008 Cipes Blanc de Noirs $34.90 - A magical transformation to sparkling white wine from black grapes
• 2013 Summerhill Vineyard Riesling $29.90 - Made with 100% estate-grown biodynamic fruit. Fermented with wild yeasts from the vineyard.
• 2013 Alive Organic White $19.95 – Supremely versatile, every day white wine.
• 2011 Alive Organic Red $24.95 – Bold, deep and smooth.

Okanagan Crush Pad, Summerland BC

“Home of Canada’s first purpose-built custom crush facility with signature wines fermented and aged in concrete wine tanks.”

• Enjoy the sparkles and bubbles of The Bub while meeting the Bub herself, Alison Scholefield
• Taste Haywire’s signature Rosé – Summerland in a glass
• Learn about Canada’s first custom-crush facility and concrete wine tanks

Haywire is an old Canadian term that refers to wire once used for baling hay, which tended to tangle in a chaotic way. It is also an apt description of winery owner Christine Coletta and Steve Lornie's transition from the city to owning a vineyard and winery. The learning curve was steep, but as the first wines hit the market (in 2010) it became apparent that the journey was the reward. Since planting the 10-acre Switchback Vineyard, Christine and Steve have gone on to open Canada’s first purpose-built custom crush facility (Okanagan Crush Pad Winery in 2011) and have now begun planting the first 20 acres of vines at their 312-acre Garnet Valley Ranch. Haywire is committed to crafting wines that tell the story of the new Okanagan.

For more information see www.haywirewinery.com and like Haywire on Facebook or follow on twitter @haywirewine

Who to meet:

Alison Scholefield is arguably the youngest winery principal you will find in the room and she has been in the wine industry since birth. Now as the winery ambassador and sales team liaison for Haywire and Okanagan Crush Pad, it’s her job to communicate with customers, the public and wine club members. You can ask her about where to find the wines, and anything that’s happening at the winery. Also find out why Haywire’s sparkling wine ‘The Bub’ was named after her.

Rebeka Eriksson and Amy Hollenbach are Haywire’s friendly, skillful and customer-oriented sales agents. From the wine cellar to the retail floor stock, these two have everything you need to know about customer needs. Whether it’s product knowledge, wine pairings, customer service, promotional tactics, or purchasing opportunities, Amy always has new and innovative insights for you to take home.

What you will taste:

• 2013 Haywire White Label Pinot Gris $19.90 – Bursting with citrus notes, intriguing sweet and savoury herbs.
• 2012 Haywire White Label Pinot Noir $22.90 – Gently aged in old French oak barrels. Loaded with bright cherry aromas and flavours.
• 2012 Haywire Pinot Noir Rosé   $19.90 – One taste and you’ll vote it ‘Best BC Rosé of the Year’.
• 2012 Haywire ‘The Bub’ Sparkling Wine $24.90 - Filled with love and sparkles. A lively expression of Okanagan freshness and a tribute to the lovely Alison.

Mt. Boucherie Family Estate Winery, West Kelowna, BC

“Our roots run deep. We have been here since the beginning of the Okanagan wine industry and are proud to own and manage some of the oldest vineyards in the valley.”

• Taste award-winning VQA wines while celebrating the bounty of family-grown vineyards
• Meet witty and talented winemaker, Jim Faulkner to learn the inspiration behind every wine bottle
• Gain insight into viticulture techniques and tips on maintaining a historic family-owned vineyard

Mt. Boucherie Family Estate Winery's award-winning wines reflect the bounty of the Gidda family's 100 percent estate-grown grapes, family-owned and operated since 1968. Mt. Boucherie has evolved from a masterful grape grower into one of British Columbia's premier wineries, which opened its doors in 2001. Mt. Boucherie's goal is to produce the finest white, red and dessert wines for every palate. Led by winemaker Jim Faulkner and his team, the winery produces a diverse and delicious range of reds, whites and Icewines. Incredibly food friendly, the variety of Mt. Boucherie wines available ensures there's a bottle to match any palate, plate and mood.

Their history and passion for wine is yours to enjoy. Your way.

For more information on Mt. Boucherie, please visit mtboucheriewinery.com, and Like Mt. Boucherie on Facebook or follow Mt Boucherie on Twitter.

Who to meet:

Jim Faulkner has lent his passion and exquisite palate to the cellar at Mt. Boucherie since 2009. As a wine enthusiast, Jim studied business at Calgary’s SAIT Polytechnic in addition to the winery assistant program at Okanagan University College. With decades of experience in winemaking and an eye for the unique terroir on Vancouver Island and in the Okanagan Valley, Jim has created many award-winning wines for Mt. Boucherie, many of which he credits to be from the high quality of vineyards, welcoming environment, and supportive team efforts.

Don Pfeffer is Mt. Boucherie’s well-versed and personable sales agent that always puts the need of the client first. With extensive experience in the winery industry, Don never fails to pair you with the glass of wine that will take your taste buds and dining experience to a new level.

What you will taste: 

• 2012 Pinot Noir $21.00 – Lighter red. Slightly smoky with aromas of raspberry jam, vanilla bean, and candied apple.
• 2010 Family Reserve Syrah $25.00 – Well balanced. Aromas and flavours of black pepper, dark berries, and liquorice highlights.
• 2013 Pinot Gris $16.00 – Fruit forward with aromas of fresh pears, apple and melon. Citrus and honey on the palate.
• 2013 Ehrenfelser $17.00 – Refreshing white with tropical notes of mandarins. Bright acidity on the finish.

SpierHead Winery, Kelowna, BC

“Big things come in small packages - this is what SpierHead is about. All of our wines are hand-harvested by a small, dedicated team to deliver rich, yet elegant flavours and aromas to your tasting experience.”

• Discover why SpierHead has been gaining so many accolades of late – from BC and across the country.
• Experience their pride and joy – Pinot Noir sourced from their estate vineyards in South East Kelowna.
• See if you can spot winery owners Bill and Marina Knutson around the room – they’ll be happy to share details on their wine club and how to be part of very special winery-only events.

SpierHead Winery is named for its stunning location along Spiers Road on the benchlands in South East Kelowna. Part of the East Kelowna Wine Trail, SpierHead has been turning heads since opening in 2010, and was named “Best New Winery” at the 2012 BC Wine Awards. The winery’s focus is on wine produced from a combination of sustainably farmed, estate-grown grapes, and premium fruit sourced from vineyards in the Okanagan.

For more information visit www.spierhearwinery.com, Like SpierHead Winery on Facebook and follow Spierhead on Twitter.

Who to meet:

Lisa Hill is SpierHead’s account lead from Christopher Stewart Wines & Spirits. Knowledgeable and attentive, Lisa brings with her an extensive portfolio in the winery industry. Whether you are a retailer, winemaker, or wine sommelier, Lisa loves to share her tasting experience with you. Chances are, you will walk away with insight on a new wine and trend you’ve never tasted.

Winery owners Bill and Marina Knutson In addition to dealing with SpierHead affairs in Vancouver, Bill and his wife Marina spend 50 - 75 days per year in Kelowna, where Bill finds that there is never any shortage of tasks to be done in the winery and vineyard.

What you will taste:

• 2012 Pinot Noir (White Label) $22.00 - All but sold-out, the well-received 2012 will give you a lead-in to the much-anticipated next vintage.
• 2013 Chardonnay $23.00 - Full cluster pressing and low temperature fermentation. Hints of apricot and cool climate orchard fruits.
• 2012 Riesling $22.00 – Clean, crisp fruit and terroir-driven flavours. Refreshingly honest approach.
• 2013 Pinot Gris $20.00 – Rich, well balanced. Plenty of freshness to match its tropical flavours.

*All wines listed in this post can be ordered online through Summerhill Pyramid Winery, Haywire, Mt. Boucherie Family Estate Winery and SpierHead Winery.

And… if you are NOT attending this tasting, but want to meet or know more about any of these clients, then contact us info at townhallbrands dot com.

Meet Beverly Akhurst With Town Hall

By Leeann Froese It’s Saturday – that means it’s time to introduce you to a new personality #withTownHall

This week we introduce you to Bev Akhurst - can you please say hello?

Beverly Akhurst is a yoga instructor at Eastside Fitness on Fraser St. in Vancouver.

Though teacher is the title, she feels guide is a more appropriate term as her belief is that the teacher is there to guide each student to the places and experiences that speak most, to the individual journey, allowing the students to connect to their own internal teacher so that their practice more personally fulfills their needs.

Whether your desire is to follow a physical, mental or spiritual practice Beverly welcomes you to each class as the unique individual you are. Certified as a Hatha and Yin instructor she welcomes young and old, new and experienced to explore body and soul. She believes you should give yourself the gift of being there for yourself so that you can be there for others in your life.

Can you please say hello with a comment below – or go give this post a like or share on Facebook or Twitter.

Meet Chris Mathieson With Town Hall

By Leeann Froese It’s Saturday – that means it’s time to introduce you to a new personality #withTownHall

This week we introduce you to Chris Mathieson - can you please say hello?

Chris is the operator and manager of the Grist Mill and Gardens in Keremeos BC. Many people also know him online as @cogno Learn more about that here.

What you need to know is that you can also visit Chris and the Grist Mill at the upcoming Heritage Fall Fair.

Here's more, from their site: Are you proficient at preserves, brilliant at baking, daft at crafts, well-versed at veggies or adept at flower arrangement? If so, we might have a great opportunity for you to show off your skills. We're excited to announce that on Sunday, September 21 the Grist Mill and Gardens at Keremeos will be hosting our first-ever HERITAGE FALL FAIR!

There will be almost 70 exhibit categories to see or compete in as well as heritage games of skill, concessions, entertainment and even a petting zoo on site for the day, courtesy of Andy's Animal Acres from Naramata. The whole site will be filled with family-oriented activity for the day.

And if you can't make it to see Chris that day - visit on another; and also, can you please say hello with a comment below – or go give this post a like or share on Facebook or Twitter.

Town Hall takes the #ALSIceBucketChallenge

We were nominated by Robert Stelmachuk and his team at Cibo Trattoria to take the #alsicebucketchallenge and we accepted! Here we have our Town Hall team: Sujinder Juneja, Amy Chen, Leeann Froese, Laurisha Bardall and Andrew von Rosen and we are at Scotiabank Field.

We have made a $100 donation on behalf of our team, and we pass the ALS Ice Bucket challenge along to Darnelle Moore at Eastside Fitness, Eric von Krosigk of Summerhill Pyramid Winery and Megan Moyle of Constellation Brands.

ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease) is a progressive neuromuscular disease in which nerve cells die and leave voluntary muscles paralyzed. Kind of like how it feels to be doused in ice water? Every day two or three Canadians die of the disease.

Why is it called Lou Gehrig's Disease?

Lou Gehrig was an American baseball first baseman who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. He set several major league records during his career, including the most career grand slams (23) (until this record was broken in 2013) Gehrig's streak ended in 1939 after he was stricken with ALS, a disorder now commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease in North America, which forced him to retire at age 36 and claimed his life two years later.

Thank you to Rob Fai for editing this video for us and to our own Felicia Fraser for filming us.

Please share this, and remember to make a donation. Learn more here on the ALS Canada site.

#gogetit #wettshirt #donate #alsicebucketchallenge #stopALS

Meet Irene Lau and Eliana Bray With Town Hall

By Leeann Froese It’s Saturday – that means it’s time to introduce you to a new personality #withTownHall

This week we are introducing you to two lovely ladies. Will you please say hi to Irene Lau and Eliana Bray?

These two ladies both work in the wine industry and have for some time. What you may not know is that Irene is a huge lover of birds and nature. Eliana is known as as a ninja for her varied skills, and among other things, loves Wonder Woman.

They are great people so we want you to meet them too.

Can you please say hello with a comment below – or go give this post a like or share on Facebook or Twitter.

Meet Judy Poole of Poole and Associates With Town Hall

By Leeann Froese It’s Saturday – that means it’s time to introduce you to a new personality #withTownHall

This week please say hi to Judy Poole of Poole and Associates Wealth Management of Raymond James.

Judy is based in beautiful Penticton, BC, where she is a wealth manager and financial planner with a difference: you see, Judy specializes in helping women in life transitions, including inheritance, divorce, helping aging parents, or if widowed.

Judy's approach is calming, taking money stress away when a transition occurs. Judy will coach you through the transition, first by listening, analyzing, understanding, and then by helping you plan, setting you up for success.

As a woman in business who understands life transitions herself, we want more people to know Judy. Can you please say hello with a comment below – or go give this post a like or share on Facebook or Twitter.

Meet Shawn Soole of Little Jumbo With Town Hall

By Leeann Froese It’s Saturday – that means it’s time to introduce you to one of the fabulous personalities in the world #withTownHall

This week we introduce you to Shawn Soole, owner of Little Jumbo in Victoria, BC.

Little Jumbo is celebrating its one year anniversary this month, so we thought this is a perfect time to ask you to say hello and congratulate Shawn for his successful first year of restaurant ownership.

Shawn boasts more than a decade of experience working in the hospitality industry; he was voted one of Australia’s best bartenders and was included in the “International Bartender of the Year: Top 10” in 2012. After helping establish Clive's Classic Lounge as Victoria's cocktail central, Shawn went out on his own and opened Little Jumbo in 2013.

If you live in or visit Victoria, check out Little Jumbo. You can also read Shawn's co-authored book, Cocktail Culture, for some great cocktail recipes and insight on Victoria's cocktail scene.

Please help us congratulate Shawn by saying hello with a comment below – or go give this post a like or share on Facebook or Twitter.

Meet Lionel Trudel With Town Hall

By Leeann Froese It’s Saturday – that means it’s time to introduce you to one of the fabulous personalities in the world #withTownHall

This week we introduce you to Lionel Trudel of Trudel Photo.

Lionel is a big city photographer who escaped the big city.

He now lives on an acreage in the rural Southern Okanagan with his family and he can be found shooting all things advertising for clients everywhere.

Check out Trudel Photo, and  please help us say hello with a comment below – or go give this post a like or share on Facebookor Twitter.

Meet Kayla Bordignon of Uncork BC With Town Hall

By Leeann Froese It's Saturday - that means it's time to introduce you to one of the fabulous personalities in the world #withTownHall

This week we introduce you to Kayla Bordignon, founder and editor of Uncork BC

Kayla first fell in love with BC wine after a tour of Oliver’s wineries in 2008.

She has grown to love tasting and touring at BC wineries, and has been to more than 80 already. She’s very passionate about BC wine and shares some of her experiences with you on her site.

Check out Uncork BC, and  please help us say hello with a comment below – or go give this post a like or share on Facebook or Twitter.

Find the 30 Best Patios in Metro Vancouver

by Leeann Froese It's no secret that our team can get to hanging around with travel and adventure blogger Marc Smith #withTownHall. Recently, we helped Marc research a few locations for his latest blog series: #30BestPatios.

With the terrific summer weather we have been having in Metro Vancouver, reviews of patios are very helpful, and the nice thing about this blog series is that not everything is in downtown Vancouver, providing options for those of us who live and work in other neighbourhoods.

We were so inspired by Marc Smith’s #30dayadventures #30bestpatios series that we decided to create a map. We've compiled all the patios he has reviewed and indicated what area they are in, so that you could know where to go for the rest of the summer, and many summers to follow.

Check it...

Oh and we are even so kind as to give you a downloadable PDF version.

Who's on the list? We've gathered all 30 of Marc's posts. Click the links below to see what Marc experienced at each patio and why it made his list.

1. Adesso Bistro, West End

2. Bambudda, Gastown

3.  Black & Blue, Downtown

4.  Bridges, Granville Island

5.  Cactus Club, English Bay

6.  Chill Winston, Gastown

7.  Dockside Restaurant, Granville Island

8.  Joe Fortes, Downtown

9.  The Keg, Yaletown

10. Lift Bar and Grill, Coal Harbour

11. Local, Kitsilano

12. Mill Bistro, Coal Harbour

13. Reflections at Hotel Georgia, Downtown

14. Romers Bugers, South Vancouver

15. Tap & Barrel, False Creek

16. The Wine Bar, Yaletown

17. University Golf Club, UBC

18. Vancouver Art Gallery Café, Downtown

19. Beach House, West Vancouver

20. Beatniks, Fort Langley

21. Blue Canoe, Richmond

22. Flying Beaver, Richmond

23. Harold’s Bistro, Richmond

24. Hart House, Burnaby

25. Little District. North Vancouver

26. Longtail Kitchen, New Westminster

27. Pier 7, North Vancouver

28. Riverway Clubhouse, Burnaby

29. Steamship Grill, Victoria

30. Wild Rice, New Westminster

See www.30dayadventures.ca to learn about more of Marc's adventures

Now get out there and enjoy!

Fight Global Warming (or just have fun) on World Jump Day

  by Leeann Froese

Directly quoted from Days of the Year where we seek inspiration for much of our fun, comes today's #SundayFunday idea to celebrate: World Jump Day.

"Sunday July 20 is World Jump Day

Many ideas are floated to help combat global warming, and World Jump Day is one of them. The aim of the day is to shift the orbit of Earth, to extend daylight hours and to create a more standardized climate throughout the world.

The concept was promoted by German artist, Torsten Lauschmann, and the first World Jump Day was slotted for July 20, 2006. He claimed that 600 million people in the Western Hemisphere were going to jump at the same time. This proposal was actually a satirical art installation, but it reminded people about the effects of global warming.

Earth weighs 100 trillion trillion pounds, and the average weight of a human is 137 pounds, which multiplied by 600 million equals 8,220 million pounds. Working out the pound-force of that figure involves a complicated formula, but rest assured that 600 million people jumping simultaneously (if anyone could organize the event) would make no difference to Earth’s orbit.

But, hey, it’s fun. Jump!"

Meet Sujinder Juneja With Town Hall

By Leeann Froese If you have been following what we do, you know that every Saturday we like to feature a personality #withTown Hall.

This week, as we round the corner to our 2nd year of business, we decided it's time to take #withTownHall here to the source.

This week #withTownHall we are celebrating our own. Our Sujinder Juneja is not only our communication director, he is a true lover of wine.

We could go on, but the case in point that we want to highlight is that he just passed his French Wine Scholar exam

The French Wine Scholar Program covers French wine law, grape varieties, viticulture, winemaking and all of the French wine regions. Developed and administrated by the French Wine Society with the support of the French Ministry of Agriculture, this specialization program  is designed for advanced students of wine, whether professionals or serious wine hobbyists.

Way to go Sujinder - #gogetit!

We will be asking Sujinder not only to share his good story ideas, but also for his French wine recommendations to be sure!

Everyone - please help us congratulate Sujinder with a comment below - or go give this post a like or share on Facebook or Twitter.

A Taste of British Columbia #withTownHall

by Leeann Froese Added: thank you to the handful of bloggers who joined us to taste the wines below in a room hosted by Soléna Estate - we know how rare a chance it is for you to taste BC wines and we appreciate them allowing us to tag along! A special shout out to the inimitable April Yap-Hennig of Sacred Drop who coordinated all!

If you enjoyed, please spread the word!

Winery: Mt. Boucherie Family Estate Winery

Social: Twitter / Facebook @mtboucheriewine Located: West Kelowna The Wine: Mt Boucherie Family Reserve Gamay Noir 2012 Price: CDN$15.50 | Alcohol: 13.9% What you might taste: Structured on the palate with elements of red currant, black raspberries, a hint of ground black pepper and savoury, underpinned with higher acidity and soft tannins.

Need to know facts: this winery just quietly goes about its business making incredible wines which reflect the owners’ soft personality. All of their wines are 100% family owned and grown and they hold the province’s largest acreage of family-owned vineyards – more than 300 acres. They sell their grapes to many others in BC since the 1970s, and keep a small and interesting assortment for themselves and their wine program. Mtboucheriewinery.com

Winery: Okanagan Crush Pad, home of Haywire Social: Twitter / Facebook @haywirewine | @okcrushpad | Instagram @okcrushpad Located: Summerland The Wine: Haywire Switchback Pinot Gris 2012 Price: CDN$23 | Alcohol: 13% What you might taste: The wine has a crisp acidity, juicy apricot flavours and a chalky, limestone taste along with a flinty finish which is the hallmark of clone 52. It is all bundled up with a silver label to denote that it is one of the vineyard-designated wines they are most proud of this season.

Need to know facts: Okanagan Crush Pad, home of Haywire, is the first in Canada to extensively use concrete tanks, and wines that are fermented and aged in concrete carry the Raised in Concrete™ designation. See what differences you think the use of concrete makes? The Summerland winery is located on the 10-acre Switchback Vineyard site overlooking Lake Okanagan. In addition to their own flagship wines, Haywire and Bartier Scholefield, Okanagan Crush Pad makes custom-crush wines for people who are seeking to start their own winery. okanagancrushpad.com

Winery: SpierHead Winery Social: Twitter @spierheadwinery | Facebook spierhead | Instagram Spierheadwinery Located: Kelowna The Wine: SpierHead Pinot Noir 2012 Price: CDN$22.00 | Alcohol: 12.4% What you might taste: medium-bodied wine consistent with its cool climate origins. Light tannins and lots of fresh red berry.

Need to know facts: This tiny relative newcomer of a winery flies under the radar for many, but keeps capturing accolades and awards in every competition entered. The 2010 vintage of this same wine captured an award for the best Pinot Noir in Canada – when the vines were even younger! spierheadwinery.com

Winery: Serendipity Winery Social: Twitter @winespiration | Facebook serendipitywineryBC Located: Naramata The Wine: Serendipity Viognier 2012 Price: CDN$19.90 | Alcohol: 12% What you might taste: Traditional Viognier notes of orange blossom and tangerine greet your nose. Sur lie contact brings out a medium-bodied wine and contributes to notes of toasted coconut. This wine has a hint of blood orange and apricot.

Need to know facts: Serendipity Winery is located in the rolling hills of the picturesque Naramata Bench. Owned by mother-daughter duo, Judy Kingston and Katie O’Kell, a visit to Serendipity is welcomed with a warm smile and a delicious glass of wine. In both 2013 and 2014 Serendipity was the only BC winery invited to showcase wine at the Calgary Stampede, and the winery was named BC Winery of the Year at a New York competition. SerendipityWinery.com

Winery: TIME Estate Winery Social: Twitter / Facebook @timewinery Located: Oliver The Wine: TIME Meritage 2011 (Red) Price: CDN$29.99 | Alcohol: 14.1% What you might taste: Classic aromas envelop the glass with red berries, black cherries and peppery nuances. Fragrant characters of rose petal and sage mingle with the darker fruit elements. This wine is rich and structured, with excellent depth and silky, well-integrated tannins.

The Wine: TIME Meritage 2013 (White) Price: CDN$25.00 Alcohol: 13.6% What you might taste: Classic aromas circle in the glass: honeydew melon, pear and a hint of tangerine. Taste graceful hints of apricot and mango, swirled with ripe gooseberry. This wine is mellowed by barrel aging, resulting in a sturdy vibrant finish with delicate traces of oak.

Need to know facts: TIME Estate Winery co-owner Harry McWatters is a Canadian wine industry pioneer, and a maverick, who performed many ‘firsts” and set the stage for many to follow. TIME is the latest venture for McWatters, who started this project after “retiring” in 2008 when he sold his previously-owned wineries to Constellation. TIME Estate Winery is located in the midst of the two-decade old Sundial Vineyard on the acclaimed Black Sage Bench in the hot, dry desert climate of the South Okanagan. timewinery.com

The Wines of British Columbia are as diverse as the places they are grown and the people who make them. We hope you enjoy this snapshot.

Going Haywire Organically

By Leeann Froese

I recently made a vineyard visit to one of our clients, Okanagan Crush Pad, in Summerland British Columbia, and share some of the updates.

For full disclosure: this is a special place to me personally, in that I have been a part of this company’s team since the vineyard was planted, and I even have a row named after me: Row 38! (If you visit – take a #selfie with ‘my’ row and send it to me!)

The vineyard, called Switchback Vineyard, provides Pinot Gris grapes for Haywire wines. In 2007 winery owners Christine Coletta and Steve Lornie planted the 10 acre vineyard to one clone, all Pinot Gris, with the idea that they were going to value add to their land and sell all of their grapes to one buyer. They were not planning to be winery owners or get into the business of making wine.

What actually happened over the next few years is that they did create their own wine: Haywire. First, virtually, then eventually under their own brick-and-mortar winery Okanagan Crush Pad, which has been constructed adjacent to the Switchback Vineyard.

In the time since becoming grape growers the couple has learned a lot more about how they want to farm their property, and now Switchback Vineyard is on its way to becoming certified organic; yet it did not always start out that way. Under consulting Italian winemaker Alberto Antonini’s guidance, the winery team changed the way they farm and stepped up its game to make better wine. After conventionally farming the vineyard for its first few years, the team switched to organic growing practices, and applied for certification in spring of 2014.

They’ve said goodbye to herbicides. Instead, they’re controlling weeds with tilling, beneficial cover crops and the addition of baby doll sheep to graze in between rows. Also, they have stopped mowing the grass between rows. While this makes the vineyards look “weedy”, it lets ground cover grow and it reduces vigour on the vines.

Ducks & chickens have been added, and they live in the “Okanagan Chicken Pad”, which has got to be the nicest chicken coop one has ever seen. Made by winery owner Steve Lornie, the chicken, sheep and ducks happily coexist in a beautiful wooden coop that has incorporated repurposed wine barrels.

These critters are charming, but they have jobs. Chickens provide beautiful and delicious eggs, provide manure to fertilize and they eat insects.  The ducks do the same. Baby doll sheep graze ground cover and also provide manure - all animals contributing to a whole farm approach.

The winery is also practicing integrated pest management, inviting beneficial insects to take up residence so they can eat any insects that eat grapevines. Recently a swarm of bees was discovered on one of the grapevines, so they were harnessed and put into a hive. Now the vineyard has built-in pollination (and perhaps honey one day soon?) and in addition to the bees, ‘insect hotels’ have been erected: a few cute small ones, and one large one, created as a DIY project involving children.

The overarching idea is to have minimal intervention between the growing and winemaking, to keep things as natural as possible to make the wines without any chemical intervention. This practice requires a lot of attention and despite all the focus, the vineyard rows look rather wild and unkempt. It's interesting and cute to see the animals running around between the vines, but these animals, insects as well as the many birds in the area all show that there's a very alive ecosystem in play and that the grapes are being tended for lovingly.

It has been a three-year process to get to the point of being able to seek certification, but the result is amazing wine that is gentler on their land.

I raise a glass to that.