The Final Tasting A workshop to promote interest by winemakers in creating sparkling wine by the traditional method was developed in 2020. Led by an experienced winemaker, it began with the picking of Chardonnay grapes at low sugar content. The following year the grapes were successfully fermented into a dry still white wine that formed …
Friends, family and of course Sannich Sommelier members were gathered on October 9th 2019 to harvest Pinot Gris grapes at Quails Crossing and Symphony Vineyards. Many hands make light work, and beautiful sunny weather made it very enjoyable. To top it off everyone was spoiled with a tasty lunch and some of Symphony’s finest wines. …
The Saanich Sommeliers hosted a great wine competition in January of 2019. With 134 entries from 5 wine-making clubs in BC, judges evaluated some amazing wine and awarded 108 medals (10 Gold, 47 Silver and 51 Bronze).Check out the results of the competition here – And congratulations to all medal winners! After the judging, the …
Results of the Saanich Sommeliers Wine Competition held Saturday, January 20 can be found on the BC Amateur Winemakers Association web site here. Congratulations to all medal winners.
31 Saanich Sommeliers members and friends spent a lovely Sunday visiting 3 wineries in the Cowichan valley south of Duncan. We had a great day with excellent tours and tastings – congratulations to all involved in the organization. The following gallery has a few photos to commemorate the day. Contributed by Robin McNeil
On a sunny evening of August 24, 2016 the Saanich Sommeliers enjoyed a whole lamb roast and potluck dinner at Starling Lane Vineyards to celebrate summer. Over 40 members and guests attended. Thanks to Jackie and John Wrinch for graciously hosting the event at their beautiful property. Photos courtesy of Leanna Rathkelly. Click photos to …
On a rainy November 17, members of the Saanich Sommeliers and the Nanaimo Winemakers participated in the last joint grape crush for 2015. During October-November, over 40,000 pounds of premium vineyard grapes were received, crushed & destemmed, and distributed to participating members. Grapes were sourced from selected vineyards located in the south Okanagan region of BC. …
On October 6th, the Saanich Sommeliers were treated to a tasting and tour of the Vancouver Island Brewery. Terri Irmscher coordinated the event and brew master, Patrick Leuders, took the group on the tour through the facility – explaining the beer-making process from the crushing of the malt through to bottling. The beer was fantastic …
While in Kelowna during the Fall Okanagan Wine Festival I attended a special event entitled All You Need is Cheese . . . and some Wine! Organized by the Dairy Farmers of Canada, who joined forces with the Okanagan wineries, the focus was to present Canadian cheeses paired with Okanagan wines. Upon arrival, the venue …