It's Sparkling Wine Week!

Although we’re just coming off the long weekend, don’t cap those bubbles yet – It’s Sparkling Wine Week!

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Sparkling Wine Week is HERE! Don’t worry if you didn’t get the heads-up, we’ve got you covered! Here are six bubbly ideas to help you celebrate with BC wine all summer long:

Summerhill Pyramid Winery – Cipes Brut

Straight from the Okanagan Valley, the Cipes Brut is organic! With aromas of apple, lime, pear, almond and grapefruit, it has just enough zest to compliment any outdoor summer meal. Buy online here for $26.50.

Singletree Winery – 2018 Merryfield

Named after one of the original families to homestead Singletree Winery’s Abbotsford location, this wine is made in the champagne style with 50-50 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. It has strong notes of citrus and a creamy mousse. For those that want to indulge during Sparkling Wine Week, try the Merryfield for $34.70, buy online here.

Singletree - Merryfield

Narrative Okanagan Crush Pad – XC Method 2018

with grapes from vineyards in Oliver and Summerland, the Narrative XC Method is for those that want to make their Sparkling Wine Week eXCiting! Bubbly, exuberant and filled with creamy toasty notes. The XC Method can make a festive start to a night out or slowly sipped by the campfire. Buy online here for $24.90.

Evolve Cellars – Pink Effervescence 2017

Back by popular demand for Sparkling Wine Week, the recently sold-out (and now re-stocked) Pink Effervescence is flirty, fancy and fun! Made almost entirely from Pinot Blanc, the Pink Effervescence gets it light rose colour from a hint of Merlot Blend. If you like ripe peach and rich berry flavours, the this is the bubbly for you! Contact the winery at info@evolvecellars.com or call 778-516-7728 to purchase this wine.

Haywire –The Bub 2016

The Bub is a must-have for Sparkling Wine Week. Made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, it has toasty notes that complement its vibrant citrus taste. This bubbly has no sugar added and pairs perfectly with oysters or soft cheese. If you’re planning on crafting up an Instagram-worthy charcuterie board, add the Haywire Bub to your meal and turn your photo into #GOALS (make sure you tag @townhallbrands in your post!) Buy online here for $29.90.

How the BUB got its name…
This sparkling wine is a true labour of love and is a tribute to the lovely Alison Scholefield, known as the Bub, Bubba, Bubster, or Alibubba in her early days.⁠

⁠Alison is the sales ambassador for Summerland winery, Okanagan Crush Pad, representing her family’s wines Haywire, Narrative, and Free Form. Perhaps her future was fated at an early age. Visitors to the Canadian booth at Vinexpo in 1992 might have seen Alison happily colouring under the table while Mom, Christine Coletta, poured Icewine.⁠.⁠Very few mothers get the pleasure of naming a wine after their child. But when your kid happens to have a childhood nickname “Bub” that just seems to fit with “bubble," Coletta looked no further when exploring name ideas for the Haywire sparkling wine.⁠

Haywire - The Bub

Blue Grouse Estate Winery – 2016 Paula Sparkling

Last but definitely not least, this Brut style traditional method sparkling wine from Vancouver Island has aromas of green apple, toast, and a dash of earthy mushroom. A nicely balanced bubbly that can transform any summer meal. Pair it with a light seafood dinner, citrus dessert, or have it compliment a delicious cheese snack. This wine is a go-to no matter what the occasion is! Buy online here for $32.00.

Blue Grouse Estate Winery owners (Paul and Cristina Brunner) hold the Paula very near and dear to their hearts It was named after none other than...their daughter Paula Brunner!⁠

Bike to Work week With Town Hall

“Don’t get killed.”

That’s the sage advice from Giulia Sa Barreto from our communications team, when asked for her thoughts on biking in Vancouver.

Timely comments, on Bike to Work Week.

In order to do our part for the health of ourselves and our city, the Town Hall Brands team members do what we can. We all want to be part of the change to help make Metro Vancouver a happier, healthier place to live, work and play. Living this, some of our team members are taking part in Bike to Work Week from May 27 – June 2, 2019.

Biking to work is a great way to get healthy, active and energized at work, and reduce your carbon footprint. Giulia, from our communication team, and Sam Parker from our design team ride their bikes to the office when they can and are each happy to take part in Bike to Work Week.

For those reading this who are not sure about riding to work, they both share their tips.

In addition to her life-preservation comment above, Giulia says, “Always use the hand signal. This is not a big deal in Brazil where I am from, but it is helpful when you turn left here in Canada.”

“Also,” she continues, “always wear a helmet. Safety is sexy,” she suggests. Her final thought is to be careful, but don't let fear stop you from biking in streets without bike lanes. “You are a vehicle too,” she says, “and it is your right to be there just like the cars.”

Sam, who is an experienced city cyclist, has other thoughtful pointers to share.

“First of all, use bike-lanes whenever possible,” he notes, agreeing with Giulia’s stance on safety.

“Be thrifty and get involved,’ Sam continues. “Consider building your own bike or purchasing a used bike and fixing it up at a community bike center (i.e. Our Community Bikes).”

If you have been to our studio and met Giulia and Sam, you would notice that they are both upbeat and generally happy people. Could it be the bike riding?

Sam adds, “If you're interested in biking for exercise, bike to work every day - it will go a long way and put you a good mood first thing in the morning.”

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Blue Grouse Estate Winery Releases Event Calendar

Blue Grouse is the official winery of a Vancouver Island Summer!

If you’re looking for enjoyable events that pair well with a staycation or Vancouver Island visit, Blue Grouse Estate Winery has you covered from sophisticated evenings to family fun.  

Blue Grouse visitors enjoy a glass in the sun. Photo by Derek Ford.

Summer Kick Off Party!

May 18 & 19

Celebrate warmer days ahead with music, food, wine slushys, and new vintages!

·      May Long Weekend (Saturday May 18 and Sunday May 19)

·      11-5pm each day

·      Live Jazz both days from 2-4pm

·      Wine Slushys made from Blue Grouse wines

·      2016 Paula Sparkling Release

·      Charcuterie and food specials all day

·      New vintages and a brand-new label look!

Friday Night Flights

June 7 – August 30

·      Winery open until 7pm on Fridays – just drop in

·      Order a flight of 3 wines only, or a food-paired flight from a rotating calendar of chefs

·      Our winemaker Bailey Williamson kicks off, by cooking June 7 – also on July 12 and August 2

·      Farm’s Gate Foods creates the pairings June 14, July 5 and August 23.

2nd Annual Father's Day Bocce Tournament

Spend the day with dad drinking wine and overlooking the vines, all while supporting the community.

·      Sunday June 16th from 12-3pm

·      Bocce balls provided

·      All registration fees and $5 per bottle of wine will be donated to Nourish Cowichan. Tickets can be purchased here online or at the tasting room.

A Jazz Evening with Misha Piatigorsky

New York resident and famed jazz pianist Misha Piatigorsky will be gracing Blue Grouse with a cabaret-style piano concert in our upstairs lounge. You won’t want to miss this intimate show. 

·      Saturday June 15, 7-9pm

·      Doors open at 6 pm

·      Tickets are $35 + GST

·      Charcuterie, cheese and vegan boards; wine by the glass or bottle are available to purchase all evening.

Concert in the Vines with Heartwood 

Heartwood is the new and perfect pairing of award-winning singer-songwriters Jack Connolly and Genevieve Charbonneau from our own Cowichan Valley. Jack and Genevieve are outstanding performers in their own right, but when their songwriting talents, charisma and musical chops are combined, the result is roots and folk magic. The duo are joined by a band for this special evening of music.

• Saturday August 17 from 7:30 to 9:30pm

• Doors open at 6:30pm

• Tickets are $20 + GST

• Wine by the glass and bottle available for purchase all evening. 

Cowichan Wine Festival

The Cowichan Valley Wine Festival is a tasting and touring event showcasing the best of Vancouver Island wine from 11 local wineries.

Kick-off Event, August 23rd: Start the weekend off right and join all the wineries for our evening tasting event at Shawnigan Lake School.   

Winery Touring, August 24th - 25th: Spend the rest of the weekend self-touring Cowichan's fabulous wineries with map and passport in hand. Visit the wineries and collect stamps to fill the passport. Collect all the stamps and you can enter the draw for a grand prize!

Tickets will be available for purchase on the Tourism Cowichan website closer to the event date, or simply purchase a festival glass and passport at your first stop and keep it with you. This glass is your ticket and entitles you to 3 free tastings at all 11 participating wineries!

Wine Slushys at Blue Grouse are incomparable!

Visit bluegrouse.ca for wine festival happenings TBA!

For further questions about these events or summer at Blue Grouse, contact jenny@bluegrouse.ca or look at the event calendar online.

About Blue Grouse Wines:  

In the heart of Vancouver Island is Blue Grouse Estate Winery, a family-owned Cowichan Valley gem. 

The estate-grown wines are made by winemaker Bailey Williamson from transitional-organic vineyards, and a second label, Quill, incorporates Island fruit and Okanagan fruit. Varietal wines include Ortega, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir, and a traditional method sparkling wine, "Paula" named after winery owners Paul and Cristina Brunner's daughter. The wines are bright, crisp, and well-balanced, showcasing where they are grown.

Visit and pass by a pond with birds, tadpoles, and beehives in the background as you approach the winery. A bright, airy, sustainably-constructed tasting room opens onto a sun-drenched patio; the perfect spot for charcuterie and a glass of rosé. 

The mezzanine and its romantic views make this an essential stop in your Cowichan Valley visit, while the surrounding vineyards offer the perfect setting for weddings or special events. Make a stay of it with luxurious vineyard-surrounded accommodation in the Grouse House, open year-round.

Learn more about this biodiverse, progressive, eco-conscious winery at bluegrouse.ca

At Prowein? Taste Prosecco Superiore & Raise a Glass to 50 years of Heroic Viticulture

Hall 15 stand F21 is where you will find DOCG Prosecco Superiore wines

Heroic viticulture refers to the challenge cultivating vines in regions with hillsides and steep slopes - like Conegliano Valdobbiadene

Attending ProWein? Make sure to check our client’s booth at the event. The consortium of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year and will be celebrating with attendees at the fair.

In Düsseldorf, Germany from March 17th to 19th, the Producers’ Consortium of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG invites you to taste their vintage 2018  selection of sparkling wines from the historic area of Prosecco production, Conegliano Valdobbiadene, including Cartizze and Rive.

The Producer’s Consortium booth can be found, at Hall 15 stand F21 and is hosting 24 DOCG wineries, including small producers and big sparkling wine companies. The producers will be present on site, an opportunity to exchange knowledge about this historic area of Processo production with the specialists.

The  name Prosecco Superiore DOCG signifies top quality and highest standards in the vineyard and winery, as well as concentrated flavour and balance within each sip. Their tradition has been recognized over the last five decades and we are proud to represent the Consortium and their legacy in Canada.

Blue Grouse Kicks Off the New Year as Best Island Winery

Blue Grouse Estate Winery is starting the new year with tremendous recognition for its quality! 

In late December, they captured a double platinum award for the 2016 Quill Pinot Noir at the 19th Annual Wine Press Northwest Platinum Competition. To add to that, the winery ended 2018 with the coveted spot for Best Island Winery from Times Colonist readers.

"We are honoured to be given such recognition by our Vancouver Island customers," remarked winery owner Paul Brunner. "My thanks to our winery team who have worked so hard for this accolade. It's a hell of a great way to start the new year!"

In the heart of Vancouver Island is Blue Grouse Estate Winery, a hidden Cowichan Valley gem. Family-owned, sustainably-farmed and multi-award-winning, the winery and surrounding vineyards are a sought-after destination not only for sampling the winery's portfolio of top-quality wines, but also for events, picnics and family adventures. The tasting room is open 11 months of the year for visits and tastings. 

Visit bluegrouse.ca, for the winery's upcoming events such as Soup Saturdays, pruning workshops, long table dinners, concerts, and more!

Make Your Weekend Retreat at Grouse House

Book your next weekend retreat at the Grouse House. The quietude of the surrounding vineyard and natural serenity is the place to be for a weekend relaxation and recharge.  Contact jennyg@bluegrouse.ca. 

Tasting Room Hours

January: by appointment only, 11am - 5 pm

February to April: 11am - 5pm, open Wednesday to Sunday

May to October: 11am - 5pm, open daily

November to December: 11am - 5 pm, open Wednesday to Sunday.

For the hours when you plan your visit, see bluegrouse.ca or 250-743-3834.

Inspiring Children's Theatre Gears up for 2019

Following the success of Aladdin last year, and The Little Mermaid Jr. in fall 2018, The Children's Theatre of Richmond Association is prepared to step into the spotlight in 2019. 

We now have dates for two of their productions: Cinderella G2k and Mary Poppins Jr. and e would love for you to help us spread the word for this burgeoning theatre company.

Cinderella G2K

Date: May 17th - 20th, 2019 

Location: Granville Island Stage, Vancouver, BC

Booking details: Please pay attention to ctora.ca official website 

Fun fact: director Heather Ondersma has worked on Broadway!

Mary Poppins Jr.

Date: November 22 and November 23, 2019

Location: Massey Theatre, New Westminster, BC

Booking details: Please pay attention to ctora.ca official website

Fun fact: director Emma Swords was the creative director for The Little Mermaid Jr. (photos below)

Founded by Lily Yuan, the Children's Theatre of Richmond Association(CTORA) is a non-profit organization that provides opportunities to support young artist and youth in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver community.

Youth Performers are cast each year to perform in annual musical productions that showcase their artistic talent and passion, while providing an opportunity to learn from some of the best artists and musicians in British Columbia. Past musical productions include: Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, the Little Mermaid and more. Learn more at CTORA.ca

Media: please email us at info@townhallbrands.com if you want more information or interview opportunities.