A Visit to Evolve Sparkling House in Penticton

  My wife, Anita, had a meeting in Penticton recently, so I decided to make the most of the trip and take her to Evolve Sparkling House. I’d attended a media launch there in September and knew she’d be impressed by what this new winery has to offer. A quick call to Shelley, Evolves Wine … Read more

Wednesday Wine Reviews

2021 Gewürztraminer Upper Bench Penticton, BC $25.00 Lemon yellow with medium-light intensity.  This aromatic nose offers lychee, mango, red apple peel, delicate lime zest, and floral notes.  Nicely balanced acidity and sugar.  Pleasing fruit on the palate with flavours mirroring the nose, followed by a medium-plus finish.  Interestingly, this wine improved significantly with time to … Read more

From the Cellar with @Sam_WineTeacher

In addition to the weekly wine review and the various other, usually wine-related, articles I write for My Van City, I am going to include a new one that will appear from time to time.  I’m calling it, ‘From the Cellar’. It will be similar to the wine reviews, except that it will feature wines … Read more

Aged BC Malbec with @Sam_WineTeacher

I have little doubt this was a unique tasting.

Evolve Sparkling House Opens in Penticton

Evolve, the latest addition to the TIME Family of Wines, is dedicated to traditional-method sparkling wines, and right out of the gate has won many prestigious awards on both the national and international stage. The modern, chic tasting room was designed to impress.  Every detail celebrates bubbles–from the sparkling décor to the playful energy that … Read more

From the Cellar with @Sam_WineTeacher

In addition to the weekly wine review and the various other, usually wine-related, articles I write for My Van City, I am going to include a new one that will appear from time to time.  I’m calling it, ‘From the Cellar’. It will be similar to the wine reviews, except that it will feature wines … Read more

Fort Berens 2025 Summer Releases

Fort Berens Estate Winery, nestled in the rugged beauty of Lillooet, British Columbia, continues to elevate its reputation as one of the province’s premier wine producers. Overlooking the scenic Fraser River, this pioneering winery has made its mark with a diverse portfolio of wines—offering nearly two dozen unique bottlings—but it’s their red wines that always … Read more

Moon Curser’s New Releases

You just have to love Moon Curser Winery. Where else are you going to find such a wide range of wines—many of them unique to Moon Curser alone? To borrow a line from Frank Sinatra, they did it their way. From the beginning, Chris and Beata Tolley were ahead of the curve, planting varietals previously … Read more

From the Cellar with @Sam_WineTeacher

In addition to the weekly wine review and the various other, usually wine-related, articles I write for My Van City, I am going to include a new one that will appear from time to time.  I’m calling it, ‘From the Cellar’. It will be similar to the wine reviews, except that it will feature wines … Read more

Adega on 45th: New Beginnings, Same Soul

And the beat goes on. There’s a new kid on the block in Osoyoos.  Well, sort of. Adega on 45th, a fixture in the South Okanagan since 2011, was founded by Maria Nunes and Fred Farinha after decades of family experience in tree-fruit farming. Set against the dramatic backdrop of Anarchist Mountain and perched on … Read more