This week's podcast features Sara d'Amato, Principal Partner, WineAlign wine consultant, educator, sommelier, and wine critic, who discusses rosé and a few other favourites as we try to warm up in the first week of January 2026. Shane Munn, Winemaker and GM at Martins Lane in Kelowna, gives us a Master Class on Pinot Noir. Shane has an in-depth knowledge of the intricacies of the Pinot Noir grape and is always a pleasure to chat with. Taylor Whelan, Senior Winemaker at Mission Hill Family Estate—named the 2025 Wine Align National Wine Awards Winery of the Year—joins us to talk about the many factors involved in achieving the prestigious status of top winery. Plus, Michelle Bouffard, Sommelier, Author, and Founder of Tasting Climate Change, joins the conversation as her big conference, Tasting Climate Change, approaches in Montreal on Jan. 18-20.

This week's podcast features lively discussions with DJ Kearney, a Global Wine Expert and Wine Director at the Terminal City Club in Vancouver, who shares her top recommendations for sparkling wines, including a curated list of the five best BC sparklers to enjoy during the holidays. Raymond Ringeval, Global Commercial Director at Champagne Palmer, joins us to talk about how Palmer & Co distinguishes itself through the grand terroirs of the Montagne de Reims, where all its vineyards are classified as Premier or Grand Cru. Mary McDermott, Winemaker at Township 7 and the force behind the impressive “seven stars” collection of sparkling wines. Finally, we head to one of the newest wineries on the Naramata Bench for a conversation with Lynzee Schatz, Winemaker, and Anahita Pouget, Director of Brand Development & Marketing at Evolve Sparkling House.

On this week's podcast, we catch up with Mark Sheridan, President of Hester Creek Estate Winery in Oliver, to discuss the passing of owner Curt Garland, the strong rebound and resurgence in wine consumption, along with a preview of a new Super Tuscan-style red wine at Hester Creek set to debut in spring. We also speak with Óscar Salas, winemaker at Viña Santa Rita, located in the foothills of Alto Jahuel, just 45 minutes outside Santiago, Chile. Our conversation covers the new "Napa Valley–inspired" Cabernario N°3, a new Cabernet concept produced by Santa Rita. Anthony will share his final-minute "Buy, Wrap, and Give" wine ideas. Plus, Maurizio Maurizi, winemaker at Mezzacorona in Trentino, Italy, discusses what it is like to manage winemaking operations and work with over 400 local grape growers in the Alps to produce affordable, high-quality wine sold around the world.

On this week's podcast, it is our genuine pleasure to welcome one of the brightest stars of the worldwide wine scene, Peter Gago, Chief Winemaker at Penfolds, who joins us to talk about the 75th Grange Anniversary and current releases that would delight any of your family and friends under the tree this year. Caren McSherry, Founder and President of Gourmet Warehouse in Vancouver, stops by with a rapid-fire list of holiday gift ideas. Justin Hall, winemaker at Nk’Mip Cellars, brings two wines to taste from the stellar 2022 vintage. Plus, Anthony offers insights into holiday shopping tips and wine suggestions for every adult on your gift list.

On this week's podcast, we are on location at Mission Hill Family Estate in West Kelowna, just in time for the annual holiday celebrations. Over more than forty years of operation, Mission Hill has continued to evolve by adopting sustainable farming practices, creating exceptional tasting and culinary experiences at the estate, and making a significant contribution to the Okanagan’s reputation on the world stage. We are joined by Chief Winemaker Taylor Whelan, who discusses Holidays on the Hill and the winery’s recent accolade as the 2025 Wine Align National Wine Awards Canadian Winery of the Year. Senior Estate Manager Charlie Drummond will talk about the Boutique at Mission Hill and the Festival of Trees, featuring beautifully decorated trees displayed throughout the winery, where guests can admire the festive designs and vote for their favourite tree through January 4. Chef de Cuisine Heather Brumwell shares insights on culinary classes, holiday dining, and winter at the estate. Additionally, Guest & VIP Experience Manager Bram Bolwijn discusses the winery's Iconic Experiences.

This week's podcast explores the renowned Chianti Classico region of Tuscany, Italy, with a particular focus on the village of San Felice, known for its scenic vineyards. The episode includes insights from Leonardo Bellaccini, Head Winemaker and Technical Director at San Felice Estates, who discusses two notable wines: the San Felice Vermentino IGT Toscana 2024 and Il Grigio da San Felice Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2021. We then head to B.C.'s Similkameen Valley, where Corcelettes Estate Winery Managing Partner, Charlie Baesslar, comments on the state of affairs across the valley and updates us on some current releases, how to navigate the upcoming holiday visiting hours, and ordering wine in time for the big day. A bit further east, Matt Kenyon, Founder of District Wine Village in Oliver, offers updates on festive activities at the village, including the chance to ice skate and check out the holiday lights with kids. Finally, Sandy Leier, Winemaker at Laughing Stock Vineyards—the recipient of the 2025 Wine Align National Wine Awards Top Performing Small Winery of the Year award shares some current recommended selections from the Naramata Bench suitable for the holiday table.

This week on the podcast, Harry Hertscheg, Executive Director of the Vancouver International Wine Festival, joins us to share details about the upcoming festivities in March 2026. Tickets for the public tasting events are now available. This year's featured region is France. Jen Oishi, Winemaker at Gray Monk Winery, discusses the Gray Monk 2022 Odyssey Rosé Brut and the German Christmas Market happening at Gray Monk on Saturday, November 29, and Sunday, November 30. We then head to Summerland to catch up with Mason Spink, Winemaker at Dirty Laundry, who offers some holiday wine gifting ideas. Finally, we travel to Sicily to speak with Frank Cornelissen, estate owner, about his winery, the surrounding natural landscape—including olive orchards—and the vineyards in the northern valley of the active volcano Etna, in eastern Sicily.

This week's podcast spotlights Óscar Salas, winemaker at Viña Santa Rita—a winery established in 1880 by Don Domingo Fernández Concha, who introduced top-tier French grape varieties to Maipo Valley's fertile soils. Salas presents a new label featuring the Alto Maipo Cabernet Sauvignon. Joining him is Jean-Marc Enixon, Director of Winemaking at Phantom Creek Estates, who will recommend wines for the holiday season, including the 2022 Small Lot Evernden Riesling and Phantom Creek's 2022 Estate Cabernet Franc. The show also offers plenty of festive ideas for experiencing downtown Vancouver, with insights from Darcy Hagan, Director of Weddings and Luxury Events at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, and Nicholas Hall, Food and Beverage Director. Lastly, Erni Loosen, owner of Germany's renowned Dr. Loosen winery in the Moselle Valley, shares his deep knowledge and lifelong passion for Riesling—a tradition the Loosen family has nurtured in the Mosel region for more than 200 years.

On this week's podcast, we catch up with Stacy Hornemann, Winemaker at Blue Grouse Estate, who brings a couple of signature Vancouver Island wines to the show, including the 2024 Ortega, Stacy's take on an Island classic, plus we taste the 2023 Pinot Noir. Then, it's off to the South Okanagan to reconnect with Michael Kullman, Winemaker and General Manager at Osoyoos Larose, to discuss the Le Grand Vin 2022 and the Petales 2022, as well as a general update on the vines. Also in the Osoyoos area, we speak with Cassandra Hood, Owner and Estate Manager of Over the Fence Winery, about their family-run operation and some holiday wine ideas. Finally, we catch up with Julien Revillon, a Beaujolais-born winemaker and owner of Dominique Piron in Morgon, France. The noted Piron family have been winegrowers in the commune of Morgon for 14 generations.

On this week's show, we catch up with Mike Dowell, Vintner/Owner, Liber Estates who joins us with a recovery report on all three of the Liber vineyards in Similkameen, Osoyoos-US Border, and on Highway 97. Then to Verona where we speak with Alessandro Pasqua, Family Member, President, Pasqua, USA, as Pasqua marks its 100th year making wine in the Veneto region of Northern Italy. Bernard Retornaz, Executive Advisor, Louis Latour offers deep appreciation for Burgundy’s winemaking heritage as it continues to shape the success of Louis Latour, fostering a legacy in the world of fine wine. In July 2025, Bernard retired as president and now serves as an executive advisor to the board and Louis Latour brand ambassador. Plus we recall a conversation with Teresita Ovalle, Senior Head Winemaker, Viña Santa Rita and their wines planted on the stony slopes of a vineyard in Alto Jahuel, in the heart of Alto Maipo, about 40 minutes south, of Santiago, Chile

This week we travel to southwest France to interview Marie Pinceloup, Export Manager for the renowned Alain Brumont. She discusses Madiran's tradition of excellence and Alain Brumont's enduring legacy as the visionary responsible for elevating Madiran to international prominence, transforming Château Montus into a benchmark for Tannat-based wines. Charlotte Rawa, Senior Brand Ambassador for Penfolds Wines in the Americas, provides an in-depth perspective on the Coonawarra Cabernet revival and highlights how Penfolds Bin 169 exemplifies the elegance and strength of Coonawarra's terra rossa soils. Ana Maria Cumsille, Chief Winemaker at Viña Carmen, presents a distinguished Sémillon that has established the winery among Chile's most innovative producers. Additionally, DJ Kearney, Global Wine Expert, and Wine Director at the Terminal City Club, Vancouver, shares her recommendations for sparkling wines, including a curated list of the top five BC sparklers not to miss during the holiday season.

On this week's show, we are on-location at Unsworth Vineyards in the Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island. Joining us is Nick Bevan, President of Jackson Wine Estates International. We talk about the new winery & tasting room: how that raises the profile of Cowichan and the belief and investment of a prominent wine family into helping to build a world class wine region. As well we catch up with Dan Wright, Winemaker, Unsworth Vineyards, and Chris Turyk, Sales & Marketing Director to talk about Sparkling wine, along with current releases and a fall release of the 2024 Pinot Blanc. We will also dig deep into the unique characteristics of the terroir, and find out how Unsworth is farming regeneratively and sustainably in the Cowichan Valley.

On this week's show, we catch up with Olivier Humbrecht, Master of Wine, Consulting Winemaker, Phantom Creek Estates, to discuss the white wine program and his views on the Similkameen Valley. Then we speak with Alessandro Lunardi, Director of North America for the famed Montalcino producer Tenuta Luce. Lunardi discusses the Montalcino terroir, as well as Merlot and Sangiovese, and the 30th anniversary of Luce 2022, the winery's flagship wine. Notable wine personality Sue Hodder, Senior Winemaker at Wynns Coonawarra Estate, returns to Vancouver to join us to discuss the seldom-made Michael Shiraz and the latest 2018 iteration in the market, named after the founder, David Wynn's son. Then we cap off the show with a 2025 harvest update from B.C. with wine marketing guru and MW, Geoffrey Moss. Oh, and we also discuss the strike and the devastating effects of the BCGEU shutdown on the hospitality business.

This week, we are on location at the new Evolve Sparkling House on the Naramata Bench in Penticton and are joined by owners Ron and Shelley Mayert. It is a family-owned winery in the heart of British Columbia’s beautiful Okanagan Valley at the entrance to Naramata Bench. Specializing in sparkling wines, the winery is focused on traditional method expressions, along with a couple of wines crafted using the Charmat method - each made with care and a commitment to quality. Also joining us are nearby neighbours Tony Holler, Owner, and Chris Holler, General Manager of Poplar Grove Winery, who share an optimistic outlook on the year so far. Then, we travel to the Black Sage Bench with guest Ryan McKibbon, Head Winemaker at Black Hills Estate Winery. Finally, we cross the lake from Evolve Sparkling House to catch up with Summerland's Ron Kubek, owner of Lightning Rock Winery.

This week's podcast features Raymond Ringeval, Global Commercial Director at Champagne Palmer, who will discuss how Palmer & Co distinguishes itself through the grand terroirs of the Montagne de Reims, where all its vineyards are classified as Premier or Grand Cru. We will also be joined by Sandy Leier, winemaker at Laughing Stock Vineyards on the Naramata Bench, to address her recent achievement as Canada's Best Performing Small Winery of the Year at the 2025 Wine Align National Wine Awards. Additionally, we will visit downtown Vancouver, BC, for insights from the Hotel Van team, including Chris Robinson, Director of Food and Beverage, and Darcy Hagan, Director of Weddings and Luxury Events at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, who will provide updates on upcoming events and staycation opportunities.

On this week's show, we are on location at Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery, tucked into the slopes above Okanagan Lake, offering an upscale yet welcoming wine-tasting experience in West Kelowna. Our guests include Jesse Harnden, GM at Mt. Boucherie, as well as winemaker Jeff Hundertmark, who discusses the wine program and the overall experience you get as a visitor. Also joining us will be Joe Luckhurst, owner and distiller of Luckhurst Farm & Distillery in Kelowna, who stops by with some unique spirits. Grant Stanley is the winemaker and general manager of Spearhead Winery. Stanley will share the latest updates on his Pinot Noir and Chardonnay releases. We wrap up the show with a visit from Allison Moyes, winemaker and general manager of Solvera Wines in Summerland.

We are on location at O’Rourke Family Estate in Lake Country. Situated in the scenic Carr's Landing area of Lake Country, it is built into the landscape with stunning views of the surrounding vineyards and mountains. The estate features a contemporary design by renowned architect John Taft of Backen & Backen, incorporating natural elements and panoramic vistas. Our guests include Ian Scromeda, General Manager of O’Rourke Family Estate and O'Rourke Peak Cellars. Winemaker Stephanie Stanley discusses their obsession with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and the underappreciated aromatic whites category. We also get a comprehensive introduction to Peak Cellars Garden Bistro with Executive Chef Joel Labute. Additionally, we take a full tour of the O’Rourke Family Estate property with Carlos Melayes, Events & Accommodation Manager. Join us for a complete show from Lake Country, British Columbia.

On this week's show, we catch up with Taylor Whelan, Senior Winemaker at Mission Hill Family Estate, the 2025 Wine Align National Wine Awards Winery of the Year. The Okanagan hilltop winery, with its stunning vistas, has returned to the top once again. We talk with Taylor about how, at Mission Hill, it all comes down to caring about every part of growing and making wine. Joining us in the studio is Dave Edmonds, Chief Winemaker at Kim Crawford Wines. He offers a Master Class on Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. We also check in on the harvest progress in the South Okanagan with Michael Bartier Co-owner, Winemaker, GM of Bartier Bros. Vineyard & Winery. Finally, David McBean, General Manager of Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos, joins us with plenty of reasons to visit the South Okanagan this fall.

This Labour Day weekend is the last long holiday weekend of the summer and features four winemakers preparing for the upcoming harvest. Leandro Nosal, Winemaker at Tinhorn Creek, is from a four-generation winemaking family in Mendoza. He has a degree in Agricultural Engineering and experience working in several wine regions worldwide, such as Bordeaux (France), Catalunya (Spain), Piedmont (Italy), California, Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe, Niagara (Canada), Marlborough (New Zealand), and the Okanagan. Dave Marchand, Winemaker at Lastella Winery, established his background in wine through work in the hospitality sector, including roles as Wine Director at Vancouver restaurants like CinCin, Fraîche, Le Crocodile, and Après 2. His experience includes time at Panther Creek Cellars in McMinnville, Oregon (now Elizabeth Chambers Cellars). He currently oversees production at La Stella. John Weber, Winemaker at Orofino Vineyards, co-founded Orofino Winery in the Similkameen Valley with his wife Virginia, who previously worked as a nurse. They moved from southern Saskatchewan, purchased a vineyard in Cawston in 2001, and set up Canada’s only straw-bale winery. They have been producing wine in the region for nearly 25 years. Maurizio Maurizi is part of a new generation of Italian wine professionals. Born in 1983 into a family of winegrowers in the Marche region, he studied Viticulture & Enology at the University of Florence. Maurizi began his career at a co-operative winery in Ascoli Piceno and joined the Mezzacorona group as an agronomist’s assistant in 2006, which included work in Sicily and Trentino. He currently manages winemaking operations and supervises over 400 growers supplying grapes to Mezzacorona in northern Italy.

In this week's show, we explore a summer-themed approach to "Open that Bottle" night. Geoffrey Moss, Master of Wine, encourages us to enjoy that special bottle without waiting for an elusive "someday," as we examine the evolution of wines with age, factors influencing the optimal time for opening a bottle, and the impact of individual preference on wine aging decisions. Robert Stelmachuk, Wine Director at @mott32van, discusses the nuances of opening notable bottles—addressing when to uncork, the allure of consuming historically significant wines, and why it is often preferable to enjoy a wine sooner rather than risk waiting too long. He also provides guidance on handling mature bottles and shares insights from his experience tasting some of the world's most distinguished vintages. David Lawrason, Wine Director at @winealign, reflects on the emotional aspects of wine appreciation and explains the importance of timing and companionship in enjoying aged bottles. He offers perspectives on how his personal preferences have evolved and the merit of passing on cherished bottles. Additionally, DJ Kearney, global wine expert and Director of Wines at @tcclub, explores the emotional resonance associated with opening special bottles, recounting experiences with treasured vintages and emphasizing that sometimes, the ideal moment to enjoy a wine is simply now.