Category: california

Hope Family Wines is family-run, and started in 1978 in the Paso Robles area of California.  They produce several wine labels you may recognize: Liberty School, Treana, Quest, Austin Hope, and Troublemaker.  Liberty School and Treana are the ones I am most familiar with.  Here is some information about them, in their own words. About Hope Family Wines Austin Hope’s…

Here is one of the oldest wineries in Napa Valley that you should try at VanWineFest 2019.  Read about the winery and their wines in their own words. About Stags’ Leap Winery Located at the very heart of Stags Leap District, the Stags’ Leap Winery, established in 1893, continues a proud winemaking heritage in the prestigious appellation that bears the…

Welcome to the Hess Family and The Hess Collection who will be at the VanWineFest 2019.  Read about their history and wines, in their own words. About the Hess Family and The Hess Collection Donald Hess arrives in Mount Veeder (located within the Napa AVA) in 1978 and acquires his first land on Mount Veeder with a purchase of 900…

Wente Vineyards would like you to know about their winery and try their wines at VanWineFest 2019.  Read about them in their own words. A History of Chardonnay at Wente Vineyards 2018 is a very special year as it marks our winery’s 135th anniversary. Wente Vineyards is the oldest continuously operated, family-owned winery in the country. The wines are 100%…

If you have ever attended the Top Drop tastings in Vancouver, you will have experienced many 4.5 to 5 star wines according to my rating scale.  I recently attended a portfolio tasting by Vintage Corks, and this tasting was in that same quality range.  Vintage Corks offers premium wines from US, Italy, Canada and more.  You can find Vintage Corks’…

Vancouver-based wine importer Vintage Corks is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a walk-around tasting featuring some of the world’s most exclusive wineries. Vintage Corks is unusual among local wine importers in that the agency specializes in acclaimed and hard-to-find boutique wines from around the world.  It is the exclusive local representative of celebrated wines from producers such as Gaja, Dana Estate,…

This was my first portfolio tasting for Amo Vino Distributors, a small boutique wine agency co-founded by Marisa Varas and Jessica Luongo.  Their wines are primarily from Europe, but there are also some California and BC wines to be found.  The wines from Greece and Portugal figure prominently, along with their country’s indigenous grapes.  You won’t find a huge list…

Big news today.  Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery‘s wines will be more accessible across Canada.  If you have never tried their Fume Blanc it is top quality.  If you have a chance to go to the Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County, California, you will be greeted by spectacular grounds and winery.  You will feel like you have stepped into a…

Top Drop is the last major wine tasting in Vancouver before the start of summer. Top Drop is meant to represent the best in terroir and winemaker craft. Nature and Nurture.  Wineries from around the world are selected for the best of both, and we were not disappointed.  In my 5 star wine rating, most wines were at least 4…

Here is your inside track to some of the upcoming events in May. Summer is here! We have a variety of exciting events in our stores this month. BC Liquor Stores will be presenting the highly anticipated 2014 California Wine Release. PARK ROYAL NEW ZEALAND: AN INDELIBLE EXPRESSION OF PLACE Friday, May 4th 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. It has been said that…