Vij's Sommelier Creates A Wine For Charity

Vij’s Star Sommelier Mike Bernardo
Launches Okanagan Crush Pad’s
5th Wine Campus Project
Mike B Riesling Cabinett 2014

Vancouver’s 2014 Sommelier of the Year, Mike Bernardo Vij’s Companies director of operations and wine director released Okanagan Crush Pad wineries 5^th Wine Campus project Mike B Riesling Cabinett ($24.90) on April 29, 2015. The Wine Campus program allows local sommeliers to shepherd a wine from a conceptual stage to the marketplace placing all key decisions in their hands. Proceeds from the sale of Mike B benefit the BC Hospitality Foundation.

Vancouver Sommelier of the Year 2014, Mike Bernardo in front of Hotel Europe, the inspiration for his label Mike B Riesling

Okanagan Crush Pad winery in Summerland, BC introduced the Okanagan Wine Campus series in 2011, in an effort to further British Columbia’s already rich wine-and-food culture. This philanthropic program aims to foster the education of professionals in the industry by connecting all facets of the wine industry, from budding professionals to industry leaders.
Each year, the winery opens its doors to the recipient of the British Columbia Sommelier of the Year award, and invites that person to create his or her own wine label at Okanagan Crush Pad. The Sommelier of the Year award has long been regarded as an industry nod to an individual who is recognized by their peers to be top in their field.
The winners of this coveted Okanagan Wine Campus award takes part in the full decision-making process that is involved in creating a wine label, from viticulture, grape selection and winemaking, to the final blending, labeling, marketing, and bottling process. The result is a unique 100-case production from which profits are redirected.
The proceeds from the sale of Wine Campus projects are donated annually to the BC Hospitality Foundation. These funds are put toward scholarships for students enrolled in recognized, accredited wine programs in British Columbia. To date, $20,000 has been awarded to 16 individuals with further scholarships.

Mike Bernardo is currently Director of Operations and Wine Director for the Vij’s Companies. He has led the Vij’s wine program to win several awards, including the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator and Gold Prize for best wine list from Vancouver Magazine. In 2014, Mike won The Vancouver International Wine Festival and the Vancouver Magazine’s Sommelier of the Year awards. Mike was inducted into the B.C. Restaurant Hall of Fame, Industry Front of House. This makes him tied for the youngest Inductee into the Hall of Fame.

The Mike B Riesling Cabinett ($24.90) is from a small vineyard on Tucelnuit Drive in Oliver. The wine was made in stainless steel and concrete tanks to build complexity and showcase bright acid and mineral style. Lemons, lime, and pure fresh Okanagan minerality all lead to a Riesling with a bracing zing and a touch of residual sugar. A perfect match to Indian cuisine or for casual sipping.

This wine is a natural expression of the fruit we were working with and the real hard work was done in the vineyard, noted Bernado. “We let it do its own thing, wild fermentation and no intervention. We were aiming for a style that was off dry with big bright acids – it’s all about the balance. I’m totally happy with the results”.

Now Available in Stores and at Restaurants:

Brewery Creek Liquor Store

Okanagan Wine Campus:

Okanagan Wine Campus projects to date are Kurtis Kolt (2010), Owen Knowlton (2011), Terry Threlfall (2012), Samantha Rahn (2013), and Mike Bernardo (2014).

Okanagan Crush Pad winery is a unique purpose-built custom crush winery that specializes in crafting small lot, vineyard-driven 100% BC wines. From its ponderosa-surrounded location in beautiful Summerland, BC, the winery is home to Haywire and Narrative wines, as well as the Okanagan Wine Campus program. Owners Christine Coletta and Steve Lornie have amassed a talented team of British Columbia-born and international consultants including Matt Dumayne and Alberto Antonini. For more information visit: www.okanagancrushpad.com.

The BC Hospitality Foundation provides support for individuals within the hospitality community who are coping with a financial crisis arising from a health or medical condition. As well, it is committed to supporting the industry’s next generation by providing scholarships to selected students enrolled in hospitality, culinary and sommelier programs in British Columbia. Learn more at www.BCHospitalityFoundation.com

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