SUMMER | NEWS & EVENTS
St. Hubertus Tops the 2016 Best of Varietal Wine Awards The original “Winemaker’s Awards” from 1994 consisted of three red and three white wine categories. Today, with 24 different varietal categories and 567 wines entered, fifteen 15 judges narrowed the selection down to 122 finalists.
An exceptional aspect of the judging is that judges are chosen from the trade including renowned sommeliers, restaurateurs and recognized wine media from across Western Canada. It features a unique judging process which allows each panel of judges to evaluate all of the wines in any given category, enabling a direct comparison for selecting the best wines. “There is so much to be learned about the relationship between varietal, vinification and terroir when you blind taste all the same region’s varietals against each other. We really got to see who was pushing the envelope of winemaking in BC and tasted the full gambit of what was available stylistically,” said Alistair Veen, 2016 BC Sommelier of the Year and Sommelier, Chef, and CoOwner of Tap Restaurant. “It’s always an honour to taste the best of the best in BC, it inspires us to continue sharing these delightful wines with our patrons and guests.” “We feel that entering in the Best of Varietal Wine Awards allows us to showcase the quality of our wines on a province-wide scale. It provides us an going motivation 20 Summer 2016
Photos by Matt Ferguson Photography.
The contest was open to all licensed British Columbia wineries that use 100% fruit grown in the province.
Wine of the Year honours go to Andy Gebert, (center) the co-owner of St. Hubertus Winery. From left to right Gianfelice Calabrese, Account Manager, Farm Credit Canada, Stephen Ahrendt, Partner, Grant Thornton, Andy and Barbara Gebert (with St. Hubertus Winery), Geoff Barlow, Director, Business Development, ContainerWorld.
to always keep learning and producing award winning wines,” said Sharon Fiume, co-proprietor, Ciao Bella Winery. The Best of Varietal Wine Awards was held in Penticton, BC under the watchful eye of Marjorie King, who has over 20 years of wine competition experience and featured the following acclaimed wine experts: • James Addington – Food & Beverage Manager, Delta Grand Resort, Kelowna • Shelley Boettcher – freelance writer & editor, Calgary • Dennis Dwernychuk – Senior Product Consultant, BC Liquor Stores, Kelowna • Mark Filatow - Executive Chef and Owner, Waterfront Wines, Kelowna
Wine tasting at the reception following the awards presentation.
• Simon Gillett - Sommelier, Watermark Beach Resort, Osoyoos • Geoff Last – General Manager, Bin 905, Calgary • Martin Lewis – Co-owner, Bad Tattoo Brewing, Penticton • Jim Martin – Senior Product Consultant, Metro
Liquor Group, Kelowna • Samantha Rahn – Sommelier, Araxi, Whistler • Audrey Surrao – Co-owner, Raudz Regional Table, Kelowna • Mark Taylor – owner & Sommelier, Siena Restaurant, Vancouver