Six BC Wines for White Wine Day

Happy National White Wine Day!

To celebrate, we’ve got a list of six exciting BC wines that will be perfect for your next occasion or dinner this summer.

White wines have been around for at least 4,000 years and through those years wineries have only gotten better at creating tastier vintages. With crisper tones, white wines have a more acidic, floral, and fruity taste, giving them a lighter flavour combined with subtle overtones.

Try these:

1.     Blue Grouse 2021 Ortega - $25.99 online or in select wine stores in BC. The wine reflects the best of Cowichan Valley’s warm summers. Ortega is Vancouver Island’s signature grape, and Blue Grouse is Vancouver Island’s signature winery, so this wine is the perfect representation of the region. Whole cluster pressed, this fruit-forward wine is bright, savoury, and well-balanced.

2.     Singletree 2020 Gruner Veltliner - $19.10 online or get it while you can at Vij’s Restaurant. Only 111 cases made. The wine was fermented in stainless steel to bring out delicious aromas of nectarine, pineapple, and melon. There are also flavours of Meyer lemon, apple, and citrus. Pair this refreshing white wine with some roasted asparagus and smoked fish.  

3.     Blasted Church 2021 Unorthodox Chardonnay - $22.00 online or at the winery in Okanagan Falls, BC. Its ‘unorthodox’ name is a nod to the wine being the only one made in Canada with Chardonnay Musque. This lesser grown in BC Chardonnay offers waves of bright floral and spice, and a splash of stone fruit, all supported by a vibrant undercurrent of fresh citrus.

4.     Haywire Switchback 2018 Pinot Gris - $29.99 online, at Legacy Liquor Store or Marquis Wine Cellars. A special wine from a special place lovingly organically farmed and tended to. This wine shows the adaptability of Pinot Gris to represent the region and more importantly its site and micro-climate. Truly a wine that can only be known as “Switchback”. Harvested in two batches and whole bunch pressed, it was naturally fermented before resting on lees for 10 months. The wine itself has a creamy mouthfeel along with lively acidity that displays citrus and stone fruit characters. Critics love this wine, and you will too.

5.     Chronos 2020 Riesling - $28.99 online or at Save-On-Foods. Crafted with precision by winemaker Lynzee Schatz at TIME Family of Wines, this unrushed wine brings out the Okanagan Valley terroir exquisitely. Fermented in two different tanks with different yeast strains, blending them together brought out their sweetness and acidity. To enjoy this vibrant, bright, and juicy wine, sip it during a meal with an orange-miso halibut and a beet carpaccio.

6.     Coolshanagh 2018 Chardonnay - $30.00 online. Our premium pick, nothing brings out Okanagan terroir better than this wine. The new world Chardonnay was handled with care, it was fermented through 25% new French oak barrel, 25% concrete tank and 50% stainless steel. The Chardonnay has a classic Okanagan mineral streak and integrates flavours of popcorn, wet stone, and rich ripe fruit flavours.

Island Winery celebrates 10 years of accomplishments

Wine lovers are invited to help Blue Grouse toast #TheBlueGrouchDecade

Blue Grouse Estate Winery credit Derek Ford

In short:

This summer the team at Blue Grouse Estate Winery commemorates ten incredible years since Paul, Cristina and Paula Brunner purchased the property from the Kiltz family, who owned and operated the winery from 1989 to 2012. Over the past decade, many things have evolved at this Island winery including a beautiful, modernized tasting room, vineyard expansions, and a celebrated visitor experience.

To mark #TheBlueGrouchDecade, special offers are available this summer including celebratory glasses of sparkling wine for only $10, a special flat shipping fee of $10 for online purchases, as well as, a “bubble bar” pop-up on the mezzanine in August. To keep up with all the offers, sign up for the newsletter or simply reserve a tasting and join the party.

A deep look into the last 10 years:

Paul, Cristina and Bailey at Blue Grouse's Grand Opening event in 2015 credit Derek Ford

A new Blue Grouse Winery

From 2012 to 2017 many renovations took place at Blue Grouse. In 2015 a bright, airy, modern tasting room that opens onto a sun-drenched patio was inaugurated. In alignment with the winery’s philosophy, many sustainable features were incorporated into the space.

Green touches include the thoughtful placement of windows that align with the sun/seasons and keep the heat out during summer but allow the sun to naturally warm the building in the winter. Barrel and sparkling wine rooms are placed underground to take advantage of the Earth’s natural cooling potential, and a geothermal system which captures the Earth’s energy potential for heating and cooling.

Water is drawn from two on-site wells for irrigation and potable needs. After use, the winery and domestic wastewater are processed through a series of in-ground bioreactors and allowed to percolate back to the aquifer. In addition, the roads and parking areas are not paved, to allow between 5% and 10% of rainwater to soak into the ground and help recharge the aquifer below ground.

A new winemaking program

Blue Grouse sits among one of the oldest vineyards on Vancouver Island. The Kiltz family released the first commercial vintage in 1992. After the Brunner family took over, a new label, Quill, was launched in 2014 to give winemaker Bailey Williamson a chance to experiment with other varietals and favour profiles outside of the Estate vineyard.

Over the past ten years, including many awards and accolades, Bailey has added special wines to the winery’s lineup. In 2015, Blue Grouse released its first sparkling wine, the Paula Sparkling. In 2021, for wine club members only, a special red blend was curated, and in spring 2022, Quill Rosé Frizzante was added to the portfolio. This pink wine is produced with 100% Cowichan Valley grapes and has become a best seller. Finally, coming fall 2022 will be the first vintage of the winery’s Cowichan-grown Chardonnay.

The winery team is also proud to have led the efforts to establish the first Sub-Geographic Indication (Sub GI) on Vancouver Island and they are now proud to label Estate wines as Cowichan Valley Sub-GI. A Sub-GI is an official and protected term in BC. Wines labelled with this indicator let people know that the wine was made with at least 95% grapes grown from the Cowichan region – a true commitment to the local-first focus Cowichan is known for.

A new way of caring for the land

The first new plantings in more than 20 years at Blue Grouse winery took place in 2017 under the supervision of vineyard manager, Michael Abbott. Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir were planted to increase the winery’s portfolio, and more plantings came along in 2021 and 2022.

Blue Grouse is proud to be transitioning from traditional agriculture to organic. All vineyard and winery practices will comply with the Organic Production Systems, General Principals and Management Standards by the end of 2023.

A new future

In 2021, the Brunner family purchased another 43 acres and a large barn approximately half a kilometre north of the winery. This property will be one more vineyard expansion with a focus on cool-climate whites and rosé.

The Blue Grouse team’s commitment to the future is to never stop learning or experimenting. They believe if they are not evolving, they are dying. Winemaker Bailey Williamson says it nicely: “Mother Nature is a fickle mistress. You don’t get the same results every year no matter how hard you try. You must plan to be flexible. You must be humble enough to learn and change.”

Blue Grouse Estate Winery credit Derek Ford

About Blue Grouse Estate Winery

Blue Grouse is a family-owned winery in the Cowichan Valley Sub GI on Vancouver Island, with a commitment to stewardship. The idea is that we leave everything we touch better than it was when we found it.

The lineup of wines are offered under the Blue Grouse and Quill labels from sustainably farmed estate-grown vines, as well as from partner grape growers. Quill wines, part of the Blue Grouse family, are fresh, approachable, and made to be enjoyed with friends. Varietal wines include Ortega, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir, as well as a traditional method sparkling wine, “Paula” named after the owners’ daughter, and on occasion small lot experimental wines. The wines are bright, crisp, and well-balanced, showcasing where they are grown.

The winery and surrounding vineyard are an awarded, sought-after destination. Visit this celebrated winery by booking your appointment to enjoy cool climate wines or tasting flights with cheese or charcuterie, and take in the surrounding views of nature and vines. Book online here.

Please give to the Hustle - a personal note

Dear friends,

An ask: if you are able, will you please make a donation to the BC Hospitality Foundation here and support me as I am stuck at home this weekend? 

Here is the link to donate

I am down with COVID-19. Luckily for me I’m vaccinated and boosted so it’s like a bad head cold with a sore throat. I can’t imagine how severe it would’ve been without the vaccine.

What this means is that I’ve had to take some (rare) sick days from work, cancel workouts, & cancel activities I am scheduled to attend.

One cancellation that REALLY stings is that I was to attend the finish line for the Hospitality Hustle.

The Hospitality Hustle was started in 2020 as a way for people to be inspired to get moving which will help their mental health and well-being while at home, or dealing with the struggle of working hospitality during these trying times.

The BC Hospitality Foundation exists to help people in the industry who are faced with medical situations and need financial support. Your donation will go to help those when they have run out of options to help themselves.

I post a lot on my personal Instagram about my fitness journey.

I’m very proud that I’m making progression year over year, and now I can run a continuous 5K!

My goal for the Hospitality Hustle is to both raise awareness for the BC Hospitality Foundation and also work out for a minimum of 30 minutes three times a week.

I’m very proud to say I’m well on my way with this goal, with only this illness slowing me down.

I’m trying not to get all up in my emotions about the fact that I was going to celebrate tomorrow at the finish line with friends, so I’m asking you to join me in celebrating by making a donation.

 PLEASE DONATE HERE

Anything you can spare: the cost of a coffee, $10, or anything you can contribute that will help my Canada Helps fundraising page. It would make me very proud to be able to say that the community came together and made some donations when I could not be there in person to celebrate with everybody. 

Thank you, Leeann Froese

Owner, Town Hall Brands

PS I’m hoping to be able to come out of my isolation and be back to seeing people in person at full health soon!

Happy Pinot Gris Day!

Originating in Burgundy, France in the Middle Ages, this white grape variety is a mutation of pinot noir and has medium acidity with flavours of citrus, green apple, and white peach.  

To help celebrate Pinot Gris Day, here are 6 locally made, delicious Pinot Gris!

1.     Blue Grouse Quill 2021 Pinot Gris - $22.99 online or select wine stores in BC. The Cowichan Valley gives this wine its fresh acidity and the presence of some malolactic fermentation adds a medium body, with a nice touch of creaminess on the palate. Expect flavours of apple compote and lemon curd. This “sipper” is ideally paired with halibut, shellfish, an endive salad or a hard cheese like Manchego.

2.     Evolve 2020 Pinot Gris - $22.99 online or at Save-On-Foods. Light as air, and soft as silk. Lovingly made for the heat of the day and the heat of the moment. Floral and fragrant, an Okanagan summer in a glass. Aged sur lie for an extra textural flair, to set it apart from the rest.

3.     Blasted Church 2021 Skaha Bench Pinot Gris - $24.00 online or at the winery in Okanagan Falls, BC. Rich stone fruit on the attack through into the beautifully textured mid-palate. The pear, apple, and citrus pile on into the vibrant finish. Pairs well with roasted chicken, grilled fish, or salty cheese.

4.     Haywire 2021 Pinot Gris - $27.99 online or at the winery’s store in Summerland, BC. Intensely textured and very fruit forward with juicy acidity, this wine was pressed and fermented in concrete, stainless steel and oak foudre using natural yeast. The wine stayed on its lees for six months before being filtered and bottled.

5.     Singletree 2020 Pinot Gris - $19.10 online or the winery’s store in Abbotsford, BC. Cool-fermented in stainless steel to result in aromas of pineapple, peppers, and tangerine. Flavours of Asian pear and honeysuckle. 

6.     Singletree 2019 Pinot Gris - $17.40 online or the winery’s store in Abbotsford, BC. This year the winery team blended two valleys of fruit. 75% of the fruit came from the winery’s Mt.Lehman vineyards while the other 25% comes from the Naramata bench vineyard. It has tropical flavours of pineapple, mango and lime. 

5 Local wines for Viognier Day

Happy International Viognier Day!

Here are 5 locally-made BC Viognier wines to help you celebrate.

Viognier is a full-bodied white wine that originated in Southern France, dating back to the Roman Empire. After almost becoming extinct in the 1960s, Viognier has made a comeback and is now widely enjoyed around the world.

With its softness and natural low acidity, Viognier pairs well with everything from seafood to spicy Asian food.

You will want to seek these out so you can compare and contrast:

1.     Singletree 2020 Viognier, $20.75 online or at the winery in Abbotsford, BC. Aromas of ginger, mango, rose. Flavours of tangerine, peach and honey. Off-dry stainless steel fermented.

2.   Narrative 2018 Viognier, $24 At Steamworks Liquor Store in Vancouver, BC. Oily and rich with deep tropical notes and a very lengthy finish.

3.     Evolve 2018 Viognier, $19.99 online or at Save-On-Foods. Aromas of peach, apricot, honeysuckle, with floral accents. Flavours of delicate stone fruit and light spices; juicy.

4.   Blasted Church 2020 Viognier, $20.75 online or at the winery in Okanagan Falls, BC. Tasting notes of stone fruits, tropical fruit, blossoms, and orange.

5.  TIME 2018 Viognier, $19.99 online or at Save-On-Foods. Aromas of pineapple, orange, apricot, citrus, and floral notes. Lush tropical flavours with coconut from oak barrels. Finishes with a long, textured mouthfeel.

Choose A Sustainable BC Wine for Earth Day

Friday, April 22, 2022 is Earth Day! If you’re gong to open a bottle of something bubbly and delicious, reach for one of the following BC wines, all made sustainably and locally.

credit: David Bain photography

Blue Grouse Estate Winery’s 2020 Amphora Collection Bacchus

Blue Grouse Estate Winery bottles with Eco Glass, which uses uses 25% less glass than a typical wine bottle. The 2020 Amphora Collection Bacchus is not only made with Eco Glass, but also uses grapes from the winery’s estate vineyard. Purchase this wine online at bluegrouse.ca.

Monte Creek Winery’s Haskap Fruit Wine

Monte Creek Winery’s Haskap Fruit Wine is made with Haskap berries that are grown at the winery. The Haskap berries were planted so that the winery’s Honeybees could feed on the Haskap flowers and pollinate the plants. The winery then produces Haskap fruit wine and all-natural honey so that nothing goes to waste. Purchase this wine online at montecreekwinery.com.

Okanagan Crush Pad’s 2018 Free Form Rosé

Okanagan Crush Pad’s Free Form wines are made with organic grapes, native yeasts, and are free from additives. The 2018 Free Form Rosé is made with certified organic Cabernet Franc grapes from Osoyoos, and the label uses eco-friendly stone paper. Purchase this wine online at okanagancrushpad.com.

Blasted Church’s 2020 Unorthodox Chardonnay

Blasted Church’s vineyard team has planted cover crops (which are plants that grow between the rows of the vines), to naturally balance the vineyard. Since the winery’s 2020 Unorthodox Chardonnay is made with estate grown Chardonnay Musque, all grapes in this wine came from the winery’s home vineyard, where the soil was enriched through the cover crop program. Purchase this wine online at blastedchurch.com.

Big Changes at the Always-Innovating Okanagan Crush Pad

Among changes, the appointment of Darryl Brooker as CEO

In Short

·       Seasoned veteran Darryl Brooker returns to the industry he is passionate about to lead dynamic growth plans set in motion by Okanagan Crush Pad founders Christine Coletta and Steve Lornie. Coletta and Lornie view the appointment of Brooker as an important piece of their succession planning.

·       In addition to overseeing the senior management team, Brooker’s key focus will be facility expansions and to build out the founders’ vision for Garnet Valley Ranch, a 320-acre organic vineyard and farm. 

·       OCP has also partnered Naramata Bench growers and long standing family friends, King Family Farms, for grapes to support winery growth plans. 

·       DOWNLOAD MEDIA IMAGES HERE

Darryl Brooker is the new CEO of Okanagan Crush Pad [Lionel Trudel Photo]

For Immediate Use

[SUMMERLAND, BC] Okanagan Crush Pad (OCP) announces the appointment of Darryl Brooker as chief executive officer. Brooker assumes this newly created position to take over roles played by founders Christine Coletta and Steve Lornie. The founders view the appointment of a CEO as a key part of their succession plan, as they turn their attention to the next phase of their company.

Brooker will lead a dynamic operations team that includes chief winemaker Matt Dumayne, director of viticulture Duncan Billing, and Andrew Raines, director of sales for OCP’s sales division HQ Wine + Spirits. Coletta will be part of that team for transitional support.

“Steve and I had come to a critical point: plan to sell, or develop a dynamic succession plan. It's evident that we chose the latter by bringing Darryl into our wine family,” says Coletta. “We are excited to drive forward doing what we love, and with Darryl’s help build a stronger wine culture in our business and provide key support for Matt and Duncan, replacing our reliance on outside consultants. I’m confident that I speak on behalf of the entire BC wine industry in welcoming Darryl back. His talent and vast experience is rare in our field,” she continues, “and we all felt the loss when he briefly departed to a different industry.”

Brooker is a graduate of the Wine Executive Program at University of California Davis (2018), having previously earned a graduate diploma in wine business management at the University of Adelaide, Australia (2003) and a Bachelor of Applied Science, Wine Science at Charles Sturt University, Australia (2001). Prior to joining OCP, Brooker spent a year working in the cannabis industry.

Brooker also served in various capacities from vice president of winemaking to general manager and then president of a family-owned Kelowna-based winery from July 2015 to March 2021. Darryl has extensive experience in senior roles, also as vice president of winemaking and operations at CedarCreek Estate Winery from May 2010 to July 2015, and as senior winemaker at Andrew Peller Limited from April 2005 to May 2010.

“I always had in the back of my mind that I would work in the wine industry again,” says Brooker. “I didn't feel my story had finished and I know I still have a lot more to give to BC and Canadian wine. It just had to be a winery that I truly believed in the vision and potential,” he continues. 

“OCP, Christine, Steve, Matt, and the entire team have impressed me since the beginning. Amazing fruit, unique organic vineyard sites, and a vision to be bold and push the boundaries.” 

He notes that these components were a must to pull him back in to wine. “The opportunity and challenge of being a part of the next chapter for OCP feels like an amazing fit.”

Steve Lornie and Julian Scholefield, OCP’s director of estates, are forming a development team with Brooker to oversee several projects umbrellaed under OCP’s newly formed construction division, Fairmile Management Ltd. This takes Lornie back to his construction roots and utilizes Scholefield’s post-secondary education in the field of building technology.

Another key goal for the founders was securing a long-term grape supply to support growth. “We are thrilled to have partnered with Rod, Don, and Ian King, who will supply grapes from their Naramata Bench vineyard. The Kings have been family friends for more than two decades and we are excited to form a working relationship with them that can help us flourish long into the future,” notes Coletta. “Ian King is the fourth generation to work their family farm, and will work closely with Matt and Duncan to build a dynamic wine portfolio for OCP.”

Okanagan Crush Pad in Summerland, British Columbia

More about Okanagan Crush Pad

Respectfully Farming. Okanagan Organic Wines.

Located in Summerland, BC, on Switchback Vineyard, Okanagan Crush Pad has developed a reputation as a leading producer of Okanagan organic wines with chief winemaker Matt Dumayne at the helm since 2013. Dumayne utilizes a host of fermenting and aging vessels; concrete tanks, amphorae, large format oak and stainless steel, all crafted in a state-of-the-art facility that is a draw for wine enthusiasts. The winery offers four unique wine portfolios: Haywire, Narrative, Free Form and Bizou + Yukon, guaranteeing a wine for everyone’s taste. 

Okanagan Crush Pad is closed to visitors until late fall 2022 to accommodate expansion plans. In the meanwhile, customers can stay connected by following along on construction progress online and through its online wine club, THE List@OCP. 

The winery also owns the 320-acre Garnet Valley Ranch (Summerland), a rare piece of land, which is respectfully farmed with nature in mind. The ranch is home to organic vineyards and vegetables, hayfields, and a lavender farm, with space and places for wildlife to roam. OCP’s club members have access to the ranch to tour and relax at the GVR Outlook which will open in 2022. To book a visit contact the winery’s club manager. For more information visit okanagancrushpad.com

More information, to request interview or further quotes contact:

Leeann Froese 604-603-9394 leeann@townhallbrands.com

Riesling for you to Buy Local

Originating in Germany in the 1400s, Riesling was the preferred drink of German nobility. It is commonly characterized as light bodied with aromas of citrus, stone fruit, and white flowers. Though many expect a sweet taste, Riesling can also be dry, particularly those grown in Germany.

What makes Riesling unique is that it benefits from aging if stored in the right conditions, due to the high acidity levels in the wine. Riesling is also used to propagate other white wine varieties such as Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc.

To help kick off Riesling Day on March 13th, here are six locally made BC Riesling wines to help you celebrate.

1.     TIME Riesling 2018, $24.99 online or at Save-On-Foods. This white wine has mineral aromas of lime, lemon zest, and stone fruit echo on the palate. Fresh, crisp acidity is balanced with natural residual sugar.

2.     Free Form 2019 Organic Riesling, $34.99 online or at the winery’s store in Summerland, BC. Made from certified organic Riesling from Garnet Valley Ranch, the grapes were fermented in clay amphora with native yeast and then aged in stainless steel. This mouth-watering wine has an acidic, plush texture, balanced with delicate tropical candied fruit.

3.     Monte Creek Winery 2020 Living Land Riesling, $21.99 Purchase this wine in Vancouver at 1st Avenue Liquor Store, Liberty Merchants Point Grey, Value on Liquor Store, and Vij's Lantern. In Victoria, find it at at 4 Mile Liquor Colwood, James Bay Spirit Merchants, Sobeys-TF-Tuscany Village, Spinnakers LRS, and Vintage Spirits. You’ll also find this wine at Little Mountain Liquor Store in Chilliwack. Sourced from a single vineyard site in the Similkameen Valley which sits on an old stony riverbed, this site often has excellent flavour intensity early in ripening, which means it can be picked at lower sugar levels to produce the style of Riesling Monte Creek Winery is known for – fresh acidity, a balanced palate, and a citrusy flavour profile. NOTE: Monte Creek Winery’s award winning 2019 Riesling ($21.99) can be purchased online.

4.     Chronos 2020 Riesling, $28.99 online or at Save-On-Foods. This white wine has aromas of white flower and honey-crisp apple that tantalize your palate with jasmine and lime.

5.     Narrative 2018 Riesling, $34.99 online or at the winery’s store in Summerland, BC. This Riesling came from a warmer site in Osoyoos and therefore was hand harvested early for retention of juicy acidity and bright fruit flavours. Native fermentation took place in stainless steel followed by 8 months of ageing in concrete egg-shaped tanks.

6.     Evolve 2020 Riesling, $22.99 online or at Save-On-Foods. Built to quench, it’s zesty and vivacious. A wine lovingly crafted to be shared and enjoyed with your circle. This wine craves a view, good food, and great company. Aromas of white flower and honey-crisp apple that tantalize your palate with jasmine and lime.

TIME Travel to the ‘90s for the Holidays

These 90-point wines from TIME Family of Wines are perfect for year-end festivities 

Wish you were transported back to the ‘90s for the holidays? Home Alone had just released, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” was played for the first time, and Amazon only sold books.

Although TIME Family of Wines can’t take you back to 1990, this Penticton winery can give you a taste of the ‘90s with their 90-point wines. 

The Chronos, McWatters Collection, and Evolve Cellars wine brands all received 90-point scores (or higher) just in time for the holidays. If you’re still looking for a bottle to gift, celebrate with, or drink on your holiday break, consider picking-up one (or all) of the below wines.

You can still order any of these wines by visiting timewines.ca.

Photo credit: Chris Stenberg

TIME Family of Wines in the ‘90s

Chronos 2020 Rosé ($24.99) 

Made from 100% Syrah grapes, the Chronos 2020 Rosé received 91 points from John Schreiner (Schreiner on Wine), and 90 points from Rick Vansickle (Wines in Niagara) and Eric Hanson (Richmond News). 

Order online at timewines.ca

Chronos 2020 Riesling ($27.99)  

Tasting of jasmine and lime with a light body and minerality, this wine received 91 points on NatalieMaclean.com and 90 points from Eric Hanson (Richmond News). 

Order online at timewines.ca

McWatters Collection 2020 White Meritage ($29.99) 

This blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon was awarded 92 points by Rick Vansickle (Wines in Niagara), John Schreiner (Schreiner on Wine), Eric Hanson (Richmond News), and Daenna Van Mulligen (Wine Scores). 

 Order online at timewines.ca

McWatters Collection 2018 Red Meritage ($39.99) 

This big red was awarded 92 points on NatalieMaclean.com. Enjoy it alongside your holiday roast or with rich pasta. 

Order online at timewines.ca

Evolve Cellars 2020 Spontaneity ($21.99) 

Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Ortega make up this light and fruity wine. John Schreiner (Schreiner on Wine) gave it 90 points. 

 Order online at timewines.ca

If you decide to deck the halls with these 90-point wines, make sure to share your experience on social by tagging @timewines. 

If you live in the Okanagan, you can purchase these wines in-person either at the District Wine Village in Oliver or by visiting the winery in Penticton. TIME Family of Wines is open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day from noon until 4 PM, with regular hours until New Year’s Eve (open noon – 4 PM with NYE dinner reservations starting at 6 PM). The winery at the District Wine Village will be closed from December 24 – 29 and will be open on New Year’s Eve from noon until 4 PM. For the full list of holiday hours, call the winery at 236-422-2556. 

The Bench Bakehouse is TOP Holiday News

The media is swooning over the items at The Bench Bakehouse, and so are we!

The Bench Bakehouse has been decking the halls and spreading the cheer this holiday season, and media outlets have been excited to share the news. 

We stopped in at The Bench Bakehouse (located at 1st and Commercial in Vancouver) to have a tour and pick-up some holiday treats, and we have to say, those that picked up the story know what’s up!

The Bench Bakehouse has been fully outfitted in holiday décor and stocked with shelves of delicious goodies (all available for pre-order online or by visiting the store at 1641 Commercial Drive), making it one of the top places to get your holiday baked goods in Vancouver. 

To coincide with our season’s greetings, we wanted to highlight the media coverage that the bakery has received over the last few weeks, plus a sneak peek inside our most recent visit.  

 If you make it to The Bench Bakehouse before the holidays, snap a picture and tag us (@townhallbrands) and @thebenchbakehouse on social. We’d love to see your experience!

The Bench Bakehouse is Top Holiday News

Daily Hive’s dished

Hanna McLean includes The Bench Bakehouse in her roundup of where to buy holiday baked goods in Vancouver. Read about this online at dailyhive.com

BC Living 

BC Living includes The Bench Bakehouse in a list of Vancouver’s top festive treat spots. Read more at bcliving.ca

My VanCity 

My VanCity spreads the news by sharing The Bench Bakehouse’s holiday offerings press release. Read the news online at myvancity.ca

Foodgressing

Areta Wong highlights the best dining in Vancouver during the holidays, and The Bench Bakehouse made her list! View the full list of dining options at foodgressing.com

Foodology 

Foodology also shares The Bench Bakehouse’s news by posting the holiday press release to foodology.ca.

Did we miss anything? If you saw The Bench Bakehouse in the media during this year’s holiday season, make a post or message us on social (@townhallbrands). 

Our Festive Field Trip to The Bench Bakehouse

We visited the bakery to see the new holiday goodies, and we were not disappointed. From the homemade stollen and fruit cake, to seasonal cookie boxes, fully assembled DIY gingerbread houses, cookie decorating kits, and bake-at-home goods, the bakery is nothing short of a holiday wonderland this December.  

You can still get all the items on your list at The Bench Bakehouse. Pre-order online at thebenchbakehouse.com, select your preferred time and date, then pick-up your items at the store in-person. 

The décor made the store look merry and bright! 

Regular store hours for December are Tuesday – Sunday between 9am and 5pm, with extended store hours on Thursdays and Fridays until 6 PM. The Bench Bakehouse will also be open on Mondays, December 20 and 27.

If you want to learn more about all the holiday offerings at The Bench Bakehouse, read our previous blog post at townhallbrands.com.  

Taste the Holidays with The Bench Bakehouse

Collect all your holiday treats at one stop!

[Vancouver, BC] ‘Tis the season for baked goodies and easy holiday shopping. The Bench Bakehouse at 1641 Commercial Drive is serving up traditional favourites like homemade Stollen and Fruit Cake, seasonal cookie boxes, fully assembled do-it-yourself gingerbread houses, cookie decorating kits, and bake-at-home goods. Read below for the full list of holiday treats.

The Bench Bakehouse's house made Fruit Cake. Photo credit: Octane Collective

All holiday items are available starting on December 1. Order online in advance at thebenchbakehouse.com for pick-up throughout December or visit the store in-person. Regular hours for the month are Tuesday – Sunday between 9am and 5pm, with extended store hours on Thursdays and Fridays until 6 PM. The Bench Bakehouse will also be open on Mondays, December 20 and 27. Pre-ordering online is encouraged to ensure you get all the treats on your list!

Holiday Shopping at The Bench Bakehouse

The following seasonal handmade goods will be available while supplies last:

• Seasonal Cookie Boxes

• Stollen

• Fruit Cake

• Gingerbread House Decorating Kits

• Cookie Decorating Kits (Hanukkah & Holiday)

• Hand Decorated Cookies

• Assorted Holiday Cookies

• Rum Balls

• Bake-At-Home Goods

• Festive Café Drinks & Pastries

Seasonal Cookie Boxes - $15, $25, or $35

Some traditions are meant to be celebrated year after year. The Bench Bakehouse is once again offering their shortbread holiday collection with three new flavours: Double Chocolate, London Fog, and Lemon. Each box also comes with two other popular flavours (Hazelnut and Original), and cookie boxes are available to purchase in three sizes: mini with 10 pieces ($15), medium with 20 pieces ($25), and large with 30 pieces ($35). A vegan cookie box is also available with Oatmeal Hazelnut Chocolate Sandwich Cookies for $15. Order online at thebenchbakehouse.com or visit the store in-person.

Seasonal Shortbread Cookie Boxes. Photo credit: The Bench Bakehouse

Stollen - $20

This classic German dessert is made with rich dough, skillfully prepared and studded with almonds, currants, and house made candied citrus that have been soaked in dark rum for months. Each Stollen is filled with The Bench’s signature almond marzipan and dusted with sugar for the perfect taste of the season. Order it online at thebenchbakehouse.com or visit the store in-person.

Fruit Cake - $12 or $24

This Christmas cake is a December staple and takes months to prepare. Filled with house made candied citrus, pistachios, figs, and sour cherries that have been soaking in brandy, this dessert is finished with a layer of The Bench’s almond marzipan. Purchase it online at thebenchbakehouse.com or in-person in two sizes: mini ($12) and large ($24).

Gingerbread House & Cookie Decorating Kits - $75 and $30

Skip the baking and construction and just decorate with the fully prepared Gingerbread House and Cookie Decorating Kits. Each house is $75 and comes fully assembled with bags of icing and all the candy trimmings. Cookie Decorating Kits come with an assortment of six cookies, bags of icing, and decorating candy for $30. Hanukkah-themed Cookie Kits are available from November 25 – December 6, while other holiday-themed kits are available throughout the month of December. Order each of these family-friendly activities online at thebenchbakehouse.com or pick them up in-person.

The Bench Bakehouse is selling holiday & Hanukkah Cookie Decorating Kits. Photo credit: The Bench Bakehouse

Hand Decorated & Assorted Cookies - $5 - $7

Purchase hand decorated gingerbread and sugar cookies for $5.50 each, or buy an assortment of cookies that includes shortbread, butter cookies, pfeffernusse and peppermint bark for $5 - $7. Buy everything online at thebenchbakehouse.com or visit the store.

Rum Balls - $6.50 per bag

Santa deserves something extra special on December 24, and these yuletide chocolate treats are packed with tons of holiday spirit. Each bag is $6.50. Pick them up at the store or order online at thebenchbakehouse.com.

Bake-At-Home Goods

Need to do all your bakery shopping in one trip? Visit The Bench Bakehouse or order online at thebenchbakehouse.com and stock up on goodies to keep frozen until you’re ready to eat. Bake-At-Home goodies include the following:

• Croissant and Pain au Chocolat ($14 - $15 for a four-pack) – Freeze, bake, and then indulge in warm chocolate croissants for the holidays.

• Cinnamon Buns ($17 for a four-pack) – Buy frozen and then enjoy freshly baked and smothered in cream cheese icing.

• Puff Pastry ($8.50) – Made from scratch with high-quality butter, The Bench Puff Pastry comes in a 12”x12” sheet ready to use in your favourite recipe.

Festive Café Drinks & Treats

When you visit The Bench Bakehouse in December, grab a festive warm drink or treat from the café. Specials include Eggnog Lattés and house made Mulled Apple Cider, Gingerbread Double Baked Croissants, and Eggnog Kouign-Amanns. Pastries range from $5 to $5.50 and are available in-store or for pre-order online, while drinks ($5) can only be purchased when visiting the café.

Photo credit: Octane Collective

About The Bench Bakehouse

The talented husband-and-wife team of Matt and Tracy Steele modelled their shop after neighbourhood bakeries that charmed them in France. Each of them studied at famed culinary schools: Tracy at École Gastronomique Bellouet Conseil in Paris and Matt at the San Francisco Baking Institute. Together, Matt and Tracy produce exceptional naturally leavened bread, impressive French-style pastries, and tasty bakery classics in their open kitchen for all to admire. Conveniently situated on Commercial Drive in Il Mercato, The Bench Bakehouse has quickly become a cherished regular stop for locals.

Celebrate every moment and get a chance to win a Peloton bike and membership

Priorities and routines have changed in the last two years. This is true for all of us, and for the team at TIME Family of Wines, home to Evolve Cellars. The winery is presenting a new look for Evolve and is inviting wine lovers across BC to celebrate every moment with an exclusive giveaway of a Peloton bike and program membership.

Just in time for harvest 2021, Evolve Cellars rolls out a set of new labels that allude to our social connections by highlighting circular shapes with a light yet elegant aesthetic, and wine releases including two new blends: Spontaneity and Momento.

For a while, wine lovers will see a transition between the characteristic turquoise stroke labels and new circular design in shelves across the province and will be able to reach for the super-popular Effervescence bubbles while adding the new blends to their discovery lists.

To commemorate the new phase for the winery, customers wanting to hit their fitness goals are invited to look for the exclusive Peloton neck tags placed on bottles at liquor stores across the province to enter the chance to win a Peloton bike and one-year membership to the Peloton program (valued at more than $3000). Entries are accepted until October 31st and a lucky winner will be chosen at random on November 1st, 2021.

Peloton is an ultra-popular brand of gym equipment and high-energy workouts for in-home activities. Members need the exclusive bike or treadmill to have access to spin, running, yoga and fitness workouts for a monthly set fee. To learn more, click here.

The Wait Is Over - Valley Commons Winery Officially Opens Next Week at The District Wine Village

Valley Commons soft launches starting Saturday, September 4 before the grand opening on September 8

[Oliver, BC] After months of planning and much hard work, September 8 is a big day for husband-wife duo Kyla Richey and Rudy Verhoeff. It’s the day they open the doors to - Valley Commons in the south Okanagan’s District Wine Village (DWV). The winery will also do a 'soft launch' at DWV starting on Saturday, September 4 for long-weekend visitors. Those at DVW this weekend will be the first to taste the wines and shop the merch.

Starting next week, Valley Commons will be open Wednesday through Monday (closed Tuesdays) 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“We are so excited to welcome guests and introduce them to our beautiful wines,” says Richey. “Our tagline at Valley Commons is ‘Where we gather’ because we strongly believe that friendships and family ties are strengthened, and community is created when people gather to enjoy a glass of wine together.”

Kyla Richey and Rudy Verhoeff, owners of Valley Commons Winery. Photo credit: Shari Saysomack

Guest Experience

In addition to the tasting room, Valley Commons’ beautiful new 1,500-sq-foot facility houses the winery’s production area with its fermentation tanks. Guests may even catch a glimpse of winemaker Bill Adams working his harvest magic, as he transforms Okanagan and Fraser Valley grapes into beautiful wines.

The winery offers two different experiences for guests – a quick and casual visit to the stand-up tasting bar with a flight of four ‘petit pour’ wines for $10, or a more leisurely seated experience for $15 and five wine samples to savour. All the wines will be available for sale by the glass and the bottle. In addition to the stand-up tasting bar, the facility offers two tables with two seats each inside the tasting room and an additional 14 seats on the outside patio overlooking the central plaza.

The Wines

Visitors to Valley Commons will be able to enjoy its 2020 vintages created for the winery by Mark Simpson of BC Wine Studio. Starting with the 2021 vintage, wines will be made by Valley Commons staff winemaker Bill Adams and supported by consulting winemaker Pascal Madevon.

The current portfolio of 2020 vintages includes:

• Garden Society, a premium red blend ($40/ btl, $14/glass)

• Cabernet Franc ($35/btl, $12/glass)

• Rosé ($30/btl, $10/glass)

• Pinot Gris ($28/btl, $9/glass)

• Harvest Table White, a blend ($25/btl, $9/glass)

Valley Commons Winery 2020 Vintages. Photo credit: Ian Lanterman

Richey and Verhoeff want the tasting room to be a unique experience; not only for the sampling of their wines but also a way for individuals to be inspired by, and connect to, the natural beauty that surrounds them. The couple envision it as a place for people to gather and reconnect.

Richey comments, “We want it to be a place to come as you are and be welcomed as family. It will be a place that combines the sophistication of metropolitan tastes with the agricultural cornucopia of the Valleys. We invite people to visit Valley Commons to recharge their spirit and discover new, exciting wines.”

To stay up to date with the latest news from Valley Commons, to subscribe to their newsletter and to order the winery’s first vintages visit www.valleycommons.ca and be sure to follow along on social at @valleycommons.

Valley Commons Winery 2020 Rosé. Photo credit: Ian Lanterman

TIME Family of Wines Reveals New Look with Release of 2020 Vintage

A new look for Evolve Cellars, McWatters Collection, and introducing Chronos

The last year and a half has changed us all and this is especially true for the team at TIME Family of Wines. The downtown Penticton winery was purchased by new owners Ron and Shelley Mayert and has undertaken several projects as well as a new look to set the tone for exciting times ahead.

TIME’s characteristic premium quality and attention to detail continues, with many new additions to the portfolio, including a new brand. TIME Family Wines is excited to introduce Chronos to their premium BC VQA portfolio. Chronos, aptly named after the Greek primordial god of time.

A new look for Evolve Cellars, Chronos and McWatters Collection

This collection of wines was created for lovers of pure Okanagan Terroir. Wine enthusiasts who value wines crafted with depth, complexity, and character. The Chronos line will include Chronos Chardonnay, Riesling, Rosé, Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and the red blend Ouroboros.

In addition to Chronos, Evolve Cellars has received a visual refresh that includes a light, casual aesthetic and two new wines, the white blend Spontaneity and the red blend Momento. All Evolve Cellars wines are supple with a zippy zing and offer the purest expressions of varietals to awaken the five senses into celebrations of every moment.

The McWatters Collection remains the legacy brand with a limited series of wines that reflect the philosophy of their namesake; Harry McWatters. These ultra-premium wines are as luxurious and refined as is their new packaging and appropriately include a tribute to Harry McWatters on each bottle. The new vintage will also include the addition of a White Meritage to the portfolio.

The brand refresh is revealed just as the 2020 wines are released in the tasting room and on shelves across the country. The 2020 vintage are the first wines fully crafted by winemaker Lynzee Schatz, who joined the TIME family in 2019. Schatz’s focus has been to elevate the character of each brand, enhancing their unique flavour profiles and authentic expression of the varietal.

In addition to new wines and a new look, TIME Family of Wines is expanding its physical space in the coming months with a new epicurean experience named Orolo, formerly TIME Kitchen. The expansion also includes two new private meeting and dining spaces; the PenMar and McWatters Legacy Suites. A rooftop patio like no other in the Okanagan will follow in 2022.

Finally, TIME Family of Wines is very excited to announce the opening of a satellite experience centre at The District Wine Village in Oliver, BC later this fall. The newly opened District Wine Village is the first true wine village in Canada. Located in the heart of the South Okanagan, the Village is surrounded by vineyards and home to 16 artisan producers including TIME Family of Wines.

This presents TIME Family of Wine enthusiasts with a four-season opportunity to meet, taste and enjoy local events and experiences.

“We felt that with everything our team has been through in the last two years, a brand refresh would be the final touch for the new phase at TIME Family of Wines,´ says Christa-Lee McWatters, general manager of TIME Family of Wines. “We hope the fans of TIME wines are excited about Chronos and that you all come to see our new space when Orolo and The District Village location open its doors. We are looking forward to what is to come!”