A writer and raconteur, he has published several books, including wine notes luca dotti, 2002, walking on the wine side gribaudo, 20, and vini, amori with camilla baresani, bompiani, 2014. Wine columnist for okanagan life magazine, michael botner authors our high spirits feature. A brief history of the okanagan wine industry distinctly. It traces the history of wine from its accidental discovery more likely by birds or perhaps elephants than by humans, through its attribution to the gods, its secular use as a disinfectant of fouled drinking water, to its. Its an exhibition of individual taste and a showcase for the wines of calona vineyards. Wine, whisky and beer production may be a world away from the hockey rink, but there are some surprising similarities between the way wayne gretzky played and coached the game and the experience you will have at wayne gretzky estates.
Three years later bennett and capozzi, both teetotalers, concluded that there was no market for their apple wines and switched to making wines from california grapes. Calona vineyards kelowna all you need to know before. Bennettone of the original partners in what today is known. This is the one of the most popular wines from canada. Calona vineyards is british columbias oldest continuously operating winery. All you need to know about collectible wine bottles from 1900now. The history of canadas wine industry after prohibition. Calona vineyards artist series unoaked chardonnay 2006. Jost vineyards 1999 vidal icewine was declared canadas wine of the year at the allcanadian wine championships held in ontario. Dr eugene rittich winemaker for growers wine company along with his brother virgil published a book 1941 on okanagan viticulture called european grape growing in cooler districts where winter protection is necessary. Delicious, approachable wines created from the finest niagara and okanagan grapes. Established in 1932, calona vineyards is now part of andrew peller ltd. Stop in to shop and taste at the winery, located in a wellrestored building that still maintains much of its vintage warehousestyle charm.
W hughes grew the first large scale commercial grapes in the okanagan in the late1920s selling to wineries. The people conducting the tastings in each room were both personable and accommodating. Sep 18, 2016 we went wine tasting here 2 couples and had a wonderful experience. Best wine books score a book s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Find out why this liquid gold is so coveted as we examine how it is made. The wines of northern spain the classic wine library. Big selection of wines to taste with calona wines and sandhill wines in adjacent rooms, so you should be able to find one or two that you like. Included are tasting notes and indepth profiles on more than 700 california wineries, along with starred ratings and details on history, vineyards, and. Complete napa valley california wine history from early 1800s. The okanagan valley wineries are rich in tradition and character, consistently ranking among the worlds best. Learn how wine colonized the world, starting in armenia in 4,600 bc. Our provinces first winery, calona vineyards now represents the best of bc winemaking, uniting oldworld techniques with visionary innovations. It traces the history of wine from its accidental discovery more likely by birds or perhaps elephants than by humans, through its attribution to the gods, its secular use as a disinfectant of fouled drinking water, to its development as a symbol of status and gustatory sophistication. Sandhill urban tasting room is located beside one of kelownas best kept secrets, calona winery.
Sarah jane evans, the worlds leading authority on the wines of spain, profiles and analyses the main regions, galicia, asturias and cantabria, castilla y leon, ribera del duero, rioja, navarra and aragon before opening out into discussion of the key producers and their top wines. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Stores and prices for 1997 calona vineyards artist series reserve me. Innovative canadian whiskies, spirits and beer that are changing the game. This is the first time in the 20 year history of the championships that a nova scotia winery has won this prestigious award. From this wine in the okanagan series, we will introduce you to the regions wine s history, types, wine tours, and other activities you can enjoy. Two years later, on september 17, 1993, hernder estate wines officially opened to the public. Everything about the complete history of napa valley, the california wine making industry, and sonoma county history from the 1800s to today. His fifth book, icewines, won the best book on wine history published in english prize at the 2001 gourmand world cookbook awards. A history of a grape and its wine california studies in food and culture charles l. Whether enjoying a bottle at home or visiting our properties, wayne gretzky estates offers you an opportunity to experience a whole new side of the great one. As a pioneer in the bc wine industry, calona leads the way to. Calona vineyards is just a short distance from some of the citys most beautiful hiking areas, as well as hip downtown shops and restaurants.
Stores and prices for calona vineyards artist series chardonnay, oka. Overall, this is a richly illustrated and lucidly structured primer that would move bacchus himself to raise a toast. A celebration of the canadian wine region provides a thoughtful and artful snapshot of british columbias okanagan valley. Domestic wines and by products is renamed as calona wines. History of wine making in the okanagan calona vineyards it wasnt until w. Our wine tasting guide was so knowledgeable and had a most pleasant personality. He started growing grapes in 1926, expanding from 45 acres near okanagan mission to 75 acres by 1933, and eventually had. A guide to the best okanagan wineries leavetown vacations. Complete napa valley california wine history from early 1800s to today. Jost vineyards as been producing nova scotia icewine since 1985. Calonas wines have not always had the respect they deserved. Wines of the world another imageladen installment in the eyewitness companions series, this primer takes a worldly approach to wine sampling. The history of civilization is, in many ways, the history of wine. Im usually not a fan of unoaked chardonnay, but this one is.
Visit a few of bcs oldest wineries wines of british. Ben ginter in 1962 ben ginter bought caribou brewing company in prince george. This producer makes many wines including those from gra. Stores and prices for calona royal red prices, stores, tasting notes and market data.
In 1970, they even asked gallo to invest in calona wines. However, there has been a lowering of demand over the past year. However, with the possible exception of the unsuccessful apple wines that the winery started with, the wines always have been in tune of the consumer palates of the day. We ended up buying a few of their wines because they were so good. Bennettone of the original partners in what today is known as calona vineyards, the oldest operating vintner in the provincebecame premier in 1952 that government turned its attention to fostering the industry. It can help you ask the right questions when ordering wine for that romantic dinner date or impress your friends on your wine advice. Reporting the results in bcs first wine book, european grape. Both stores offer wine tastings of a large selection of wines, including awardwinning sandhill single vineyard wines and many rare small lots all of which you can taste year round. Today, calona s wines are awardwinning, rivaling the worlds most established names to prove the okanagan valley is at the international forefront of fine vqa wine production. In 1936 they established calona wines, the name a phonetic spelling of kelowna. A james beard, cliquot, and iacp award winner, he has been writing about wine and its cultural contexts for nearly twenty years. Oct 08, 2015 calona wines hit the big time in the 1960s when the three capozzi brothers joe, tom and herb took over management.
Tasting room sandhill winery will be open for purchasing only. The book begins with an overview of wines history and production, and concludes with reference tables on practical matters like reading a label, storing and serving, and pairing with food. Excellent wine tasting experience calona vineyards, kelowna. This is one of the least expensive wines from canada. It is not a book about the technology of modern wine making, though this is part of the story. Calona vineyards artist series tells a story that begins on the label and finishes on your palate. Calona s wines are awardwinning, rivaling the worlds most established names to prove okanagan valley. Bennett departed the company in 1940 to enter politics. Oct 29, 2012 reporting the results in bcs first wine book, european grape growing in cooler districts where winter protection is necessary 1934, they found that the okanagan valley is perfectly suitable for growing vinifera vines as long as growers selected suitable, earlyripening varieties and developed training practices for high quality wine.
As a pioneer in the bc wine industry, calona leads the way to higher levels of craftsmanship and professionalism. The history of wine timeline how wine colonized the world. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. This intuitive wine course is your gateway towards learning wine and becoming an expert in wine tasting and selection among your family and friends. Starting in 1932, calona wines now called calona vineyards was the first of its kind in the valley. Schreiner, who writes for wine access, is a graduate of the german wine academy and lives in north vancouver with his wife marlene. This book is the first comprehensive and uptodate account of the earliest stages of vinicultural history and prehistory, which extends back into the neolithic period and beyond. Collecting old wine bottles is a way to appreciate fine vintners and their unique creations over the years without needing to. Calona wines hit the big time in the 1960s when the three capozzi brothers joe, tom and herb took over management. Detailed price information for andrew peller limited cl. Its about awardwinning wines and wonderful art brought together to reflect each others brilliance. Established in 1932, calona vineyards has the distinction of being bcs original winery.
Calona vineyard artists series tells a story that begins on the label. Calona vineyards kelowna 2020 all you need to know. As the single largest investor in the original group that included guiseppe ghezzi, pasquale cap capozzi and w. With vineyard designators, you know that the wine comes from the same place, vintage after vintage. History of wine making in the okanagan teehouse wine tours.
Calona vineyards kelowna 2020 all you need to know before. A history of a grape and its wine california studies in food and culture. These awardwinning wines are both delicious and approachable made for every canadian wine lover to enjoy. Paul lukacs is the author of american vintage and the great wines of america. Groups of 8 people or more should book 24 hours in advance by calling 2509794211. He talked about the history of calona vineyards from the early days until now. Combined with sandhill winery, calona is the older sister winery downtown kelowna and produces their original brand of wines along with the wayne gretsky wines we edmontonians are familiar with. The okanagan valley wine region, located within the region of the same name in the british. Be extraordinary, the spirit of bentley book assouline. Sommphotographer serves up bc wine with coffeetable book. One winery, calona wines founded in 1932, still remains from that period and was.
Wayne gretzky wines are produced from the finest grapes and developed by some of the countrys most celebrated winemakers. It covers everything you want to know and more about the wines, wineries, wine makers, and vineyards in the napa valley and. Sommelierphotographer tarynn liv parkers selfpublished book, okanagan. In 1971 he joined freson wines in california before returning to canada in 1977 to join calona wines later working as winemaker at sumac ridge 1987 helping to develop their stellar jay sparkling wine.
Wines from calona vineyards 103 wines 1 50 of 103 sort order. This volume explores the vision and inspiration behind the exceptional brand that has not only redefined the british luxury car but also has created its own lifestyle, making groundbreaking strides in technology and collaborating with influential artists. The history of canadas wine industry robert bells wines. Jan 21, 2014 with that in mind, we thought wed put together a brief history for those of you who are interested. Among the less expensive white wines from okanagan valley. Logana made solely from loganberries and vin supreme from a blend of loganberries and blueberries. Started in 1921, growers wines was opened in victoria in 1923 by farmers who were growing loganberries on the saanich pensinsula. This fully revised edition from the senior editor of a trusted wine authority features descriptions and ratings for 5,000 california wines. A adwat from the globe and mail including charting and trades. Each painting is carefully selected for the special way that it evokes the unique flavour of the wine. Calona vineyards kelowna all you need to know before you. The winery invited consumers to make suggestions and awarded a case of wine to the person who came up with calona. Excellent wine tasting experience calona vineyards.
With that in mind, we thought wed put together a brief history for those of you who are interested. Calona vineyards reaches 80 john schreiner on wine. Brights was not the only winery making a strong effort to improve canadas wines. Where to find good wine at yvr airport georgia straight. British columbia s oldest winery, calona vineyards, turned 80 this year.
Wine has been being made in british columbia for over a century. Wine lovers rejoiced at the passage of bill c311 in june last year, which. Each and every bottle of sandhill wine comes exclusively from a single vineyard. One winery, calona wines founded in 1932, still remains from that period and was the first commercial winery in british columbia and remains the oldest continuously running winery in the province. Of course, this history is short and not intended to be comprehensive, but it does outline some of the important developments in the formation of the okanagan wine industry. Oct 17, 2012 those 80 years are filled with colour, drama and trendsetting wines. Calona vineyards private reserve wines are a rare treat. Late harvest and icewines showcase the spectacular potential of each grape selected, but only when nature allows. Examining the okanagans wine history kelowna capital news. Calona vineyards artist series chardonnay, okanagan valley.
Step inside the unique cellarlike tasting room and sip some awardwinning wines, or browse the impressive boutique store which is stocked full of antiques. Calona wines kelowna, british columbia wine bar, winery. Each chapter addresses a different wine growing country or global region, incorporating pictures of lush vineyards, colorcoded maps and extensive sidebars. Explore our interactive timeline of the history of wine. Dont miss this winery that started it all and is now one of canadas leaders in wine excellence. Nowadays hes best known for the sandhill wine project, which began in 1997 with a focus on single vineyard wines and an innovative small lots project where canadian wine enthusiasts were. Eventually the use of frenchamerican hybrid grapes, such as marechal foch and vidal blanc took hold, led by the stewarts of quails gate estate winery. Before going through security to depart our fair city, there are numerous opportunities for wine enthusiasts. A brief history of the okanagan wine industry distinctly kelowna.
He is also an italian style and brand ambassador, bringing together tradition, passion and experience in international strategy consultancy. Where to find good wine at yvr airport georgia straight vancouvers news. Sons of cap capozzi, one of the winery s founders, the three had the inspiration to copy the product offers including bottle shapes of the gallo family in california. History of wine making in the okanagan posted at 23. Calona wines are affordable and tasty, although once we tasted teh sandhill varieties, we opted. Canadian wine for dummies by tony aspler, barbara leslie. Calona s wines are awardwinning, rivaling the worlds most established names to prove the okanagan valley is at the international forefront of fine wine production. You may collect vintage wines or you may collect vintage wine bottles. We went wine tasting here 2 couples and had a wonderful experience. Bennett, the casorso clan, led by giovannis wife, rosa, played a pivotal role in launching calona vineyards bcs oldest continually operating winery in 1931. Calona was utilized as a brand name before it became the official name in 1936. Working with single vineyards is about showing off the lineage of the wines. A relationship among the grower, the winemaker and mother nature. Known the world over for excellence in automotive design, bentley celebrates an appeal that stretches beyond motoring with be extraordinary.
Another significant event occurred in 1966, as that is the year that. The okanagan valley is one of five viticultural areas in the canadian province of british columbia. As a wine consultant, michael has chaired a number of international wine competitions. In fact, the conglomerate owners of the 1970s and 1980s kept creating new labels. Sons of cap capozzi, one of the winerys founders, the three had the inspiration to copy the product offers including bottle shapes of the gallo family in california. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search.