Last Sunday, September 27, 20 odd small wineries (those that produce under 2000 cases - fyi that is really small) came together in Kelowna at The Laurel Building for Garagiste North, The Small Guys Wine Festival.
We share some pictures from the event and highly encourage you to get to know these "small guys". Why? Small wineries can work with artistry and craft in a way that large producers will never be able to (except in their small batch releases). You may find your "Aha!" moment for wine in one of the unique bottles coming from one of these producers, or you may have had that moment long ago. These wineries well enliven the spirit for your love of wine and it's art. Learn more about all the wineries in attendance at the Garagiste North website.
We started with a geographical tour at Bella Wines with Owner/Winemaker Jay Drysdale. From their single-vineyard sparkling line up we tasted Kamloops terroir in the glass first, then Oliver, and finally Keremeos.
Audralee Daum and Brad Cooper pour their Black Cloud Pinot Noir. Their single varietal winery only makes Pinot Noir including a delicious rosé.
Daydreamer Wines, also known as Marcus Ansems Wines are made by, you guessed it, Marcus. And they are stunning wines. Find him in Naramata.
Wendy Coulombe pours one of my favourite wines from vinPerdu, Gamay Noir.
Roslyne Buchanan & Jennifer Cockrall-King both long established and published food and wine writers discuss the wines of vinPerdu with Owner Ray Coulombe.
Roxy's Food Truck, the event caterer, is an ideal break away for some fall sunshine and an excellent grilled cheese or some divine poutine between tastings.
Black Market Wine Company. Newest on my radar and tasting good! Rob Hammersley and Michelle Shewchuk cross borders with their Black Market between their homes in Calgary and the Okanagan.
This guy on the left is no garagiste! But he sure is a great winemaker and pillar of Okanagan wine. It's none other than Howard Soon of Sandhill Winery here to taste what is new from the "small guys".
Anarchist Mountain Vineyard with its 20 odd year old vines on the hot slopes of its namesake is making a gorgeous Pinot Noir.
The Anarchist Mountain Vineyard Jelly is a must-find too.
Restaurateurs are all out for great finds for their winelists, like Philippe Grandbois Partner at Krafty Kitchen in Kelowna who's an accomplished cocktail, wine and spirits professional.
Dylan and wife Pénélope are Roche Wines. They're making some of my favourite wines right now. Elegant, light handed beautiful wines. We've really loved the Rosé 2014 made from Dornfelder. It's a stunner but its sold out. We await the new vintage with great anticipation!
One sign of a garagiste ( a small producer) is to see the hard work of a cellarhand, come winemaker, come winery owner and salesman wrapped up in a single person. All's told in the tell-tale sign of winestained hands at the wine festival booth. Here are the Chief's hands from Riverstone Estate Winery.
This awesome festival of Okanagan wine talent has wore my visiting friend and tasting buddy, Khayyam Wakil flat out. Here he clutches the last of Black Cloud Pinot Noir for the day. I'm proud to have shared this growing and glowing aspect of Okanagan wine with our valley visitor.
See you at next year's Garagiste North!
Tarynn Liv Parker
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