Get To Know... Bertus Albertyn

Photo courtesy Maverick Estate Winery

Bertus Albertyn
Vintner, Maverick Estate Winery
Golden Mile Bench, BC
www.maverickwine.ca

South African transplant Bertus Albertyn may be best known in BC as Burrowing Owl's long serving winemaker who recently left his post at the famed Black Sage Bench property heading to the other side of the valley in order to focus on building his own label: Maverick Estate Winery. His new venture launched with 3 impressive whites all worth a taste and forthcoming red wine releases are sure to have been handled with the same attention to detail that helped make the Burrowing Owl reds collectable commodities.

Get to know Bertus a bit better and get to know Maverick Estate Winery's wines...

Key wines to try
Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Pinot Gris 2011
Origin 2011

1. What do you enjoy most about making wine?

The challenge of expressing the grapes that we grow in the wine we produce. Trying to get wine with immense character and the pleasure of enjoying the wine if we get it right.
 

2. What inspired you to become a winemaker?
There is no definite time and place that I can pin point. For me it was a gradual progression over time and when I look back now, it is who I am. A wine lover trying to produce something that he can enjoy and share with others who have the same passion.

3. What causes you the most stress during harvest?
Waiting for the harvest to start. The harvest itself is a very exciting and inspiring experience.

4. What is your favourite and/or least favourite wine cliché?
I am not big on cliché. I have a quote that I like, puts the world in which we live in perspective. This is a quote that my father in law, Schalk De Witt, shared with me - he is the philosopher and historian in the family.

The wine urges me on, the bewitching wine, which sets even a wise man to singing and to laughing gently and rouses him up to dance and brings forth words which were better unspoken. The Odyssey 800 BC - 700 BC

5. Away from the cellar and vineyard, what’s your greatest passion in life?
My family, I have a beautiful wife and two small daughters. I also have a few hobbies: woodworking, beekeeping and cheese making and I do love a game of Golf!

6. After a long day of work in the cellar, what do you turn to for refreshment?
A great glass of white wine, boring I know ... but it is what I love.

7. If you could take credit for one other BC wine on the market today, which would it be and why?

A tough question, I am currently drinking wines from Europe and I am not up to date with the current BC wines out there. I would have to say that my favorite wine at this time is: Allain Graillot - Croze Hermitage. One of my favourite winemakers and I have been privileged to spend a harvest with him.
 

8. Of the wines in your portfolio, do you have a favourite food pairing to go with one of the wines?
I would have to say that Bison steak, grilled over a open fire, paired with our Rubicon.

9. What do you think will be the next big trend in BC wine over the next few years?
I think there will be a world trend moving towards individual, authentic wines

10. Screwcap or cork? What’s your preference?

Cork, a little old school I know, and not the popular choice a this point in time but I think it is still the best all-round closure.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Get To Know... Dwight Sick

Dwight Sick
Vintner, Stag's Hollow Winery
Okanagan Falls, BC
www.stagshollowwinery.com

Comparitively speaking, Dwight Sick is late to the world of winemaking having first spent parts of three decades in another vocation before entering the BC wine industry. But man, has he caught-up quickly. Stag's Hollow Winery may be hidden from the highway and out-of-sight from the casual Okanagan wine tourist too easily drawn to the Corporate-backed traps, but they are fast becoming a top Canadian boutique winery and helping to put Okanagan Falls on the map. Dwight's impressive consistency dealing with vintage variation and changing consumer palates has gone a long way to making Stag's Hollow a reliable selection in the wine shop, year-in, year-out.

Get to know Dwight a bit better and get to know Stag's Hollow Winery's wines...

Key wines to try:
Heritage Block 2007, 2008, 2010
Cabernet Franc 2009, 2010
Syrah Rosé 2009, 2011, 2012

1. What do you enjoy most about making wine?

The constant and ever changing challenges that each vintage presents. They keep me sharp and honest when it comes to winemaking. I think when I reach the point that I feel that I have seen it all, I will want to quite winemaking.

2. What inspired you to become a winemaker?

Truthfully? I was working in the airline industry prior to my starting in the wine industry and I hated it. I spent my last ten years working there searching for a way out and then one day I realized that the answer was right in front of me. I live in the heart of wine country, I have a strong interest in sciences, I have a strong palate and sensory skills, and I have numerous friends that work in the wine industry around the world. It was then that I spent the next 4 years repositioning my career and when a 'golden handshake' opportunity presented itself to leave the airline industry, I dove head into the wine industry.

3. What causes you the most stress during harvest?
Actually, very little stresses me during harvest. I love vintage. I have come to expect the unexpected during vintage and as such, I have learned to roll with it and not sweat the small stuff. Pet peeves during vintage? Running out of coffee beans first thing in the morning pre ferment punchdowns and when we run out of beer to drink during the end of the day crushpad clean up and nobody has told me that we need to get more of either.

4. What is your favourite and/or least favourite wine cliché?

Least fav line / Wines made with passion... They all are or at least they all should be. Fav line / ??? Wine, it is not just for drinking at breakfast...

5. Away from the cellar and vineyard, what’s your greatest passion in life?
My family. After 24 years of marriage, I am proud to say that my wife is still my best friend. We have 3 daughters, 1 son in law, and a grandson together. Sunday family dinners are a highlight of our week.

6. After a long day of work in the cellar, what do you turn to for refreshment?
There is nothing better for me than a few hours of riding on my mountain bike to rejuvenate my mind set, and pump up my energy levels. Post ride, you will often find me sipping a 'recovery' beer which will most likely be a Hefeweizen of some sort.

7. If you could take credit for one other BC wine on the market today, which would it be and why?

There are several that I wish I could say I had made. The world class bubbles from Blue Mountain, the intense dry Rieslings from Tantalus, the perfectly balanced rich Rhone white blends from Moon Curser....

8. Of the wines in your portfolio, do you have a favourite food pairing to go with one of the wines?

Although our Tempranillo based wines are relatively new in our portfolio, they have become my current favourite. Their tarry, smokey nose and palate, with medium firm tannins, and vibrant juicy fruit make food pairings with them endless. A shredded slow cooked BBQ shoulder of pork with lots of homemade BBQ sauce was our latest paring. I'm super excited about our 2010 Cachet No.3 and 2011 Tempranillo which will be released later this summer.

9. What do you think will be the next big trend in BC wine over the next few years?
We will see more of everything. Diversity in wines will be what the Okanagan will become known for. Can we make world class Syrah, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Viognier, Albariño, Merlot, and Gamay? Sure we can. You just have to find the right site, find the right micro climate, plant the right varieties in the right spots, and farm the site right.... easy right?

10. Screwcap or cork? What’s your preference?

Both and then some others as well. Every wine has a closure that will perform best for it. We are currently using both and I don't plan on that changing anytime soon.

 -  Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

Monthly Picks: August 2013

August's theme: Last of the Summer Wine

For your end-of-summer get-togethers we recommend you look to light and medium bodied wines to pair with your favourite summer foods and warm days. A crisp and tart white will help you combat the mid-day heat and a complex, yet, non-committal red will keep you engrossed into the balmy night. Below are some recommendations for light and medium bodied white and red wines for your late-summer intrigue.

Light and Medium Whites
Nothing beats the heat like a crisp white wine with just a hint of residual sugar. When you find yourself in need of refreshment during the dog days of summer, turn to these lighter-bodied whites for the essential replenishment of you-ness.

Little Straw Vineyards 2011 La Petite Paille Sauvignon Blanc - $17
Tang'o'rific and herbaceouswith austere stainless steel minerality and focused citrus fruit. This wine would make a great companion for your next seafood fest and would compliment oysters, lobster, white fish and mussels.
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Stag's Hollow Winery 2012 Sauvignon Blanc - $20
This Sauvignon Blanc offers a good balance of citrus acidity, grass notes, tangy green apple flavours and a hint of honeydew sweetness that challenges your nose and palate enough to keep you engaged without being too difficult to pair with food.
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JoieFarm 2012 Pinot Blanc - $23
The mineral-infused, bright palate sees a shift from warm and feminine to crisp and masculine, but beyond its acidic facade lies an expressive wine with layers of orchard and citrus fruit, especially on the beautiful, honeydew-drenched nose.
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Light and Medium Reds
As the days get shorter the long, warm evenings lead to patio parties under sparkling stars. Humid though it may be, you'll want something red for your glass that will stay tasty for as long as the converstion you'll be engaged in.

Cassini Cellars 2011 Merlot - $19
Wild berries and blueberries and even fresh dark cherries off the stem - pits and all. There's also notes of coffee, cassis liqueur and a faint hint of mint. How's that for an un-oaked Merlot?
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Bench 1775 Winery 2011 Cabernet Merlot - $22
Beyond its strong gravitational pull towards the world's favourite flatbread, this blend offers a strong, fruit-forward nose of sweet dark fruit that should appeal to the casual New World wine-lover and connoisseur alike.
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Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2011 Cabernet Franc - $22
What it may lack in intense ripeness, due to the cooler vintage conditions, it makes up for with its balance of body-acid-tannin elements and layered, engaging nose where élevage influence has added notes of vanilla, oak and smooth spices.
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 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2013 IconWines.ca

BC Wine Deal: August 1st, 2013

The following VQA wines have been reduced in price for a limited time. Find them at your local VQA and participating BCLDB stores.

Andrew Peller Merlot Heritage Series was $14.99 is now $12.99
Andrew Peller Pinot Blanc Heritage Series was $12.99 is now $10.99
Broken Shadow Wind Station was $17.99 is now $15.99
Calliope Rose was $13.95 is now $9.99
Calona Cabernet/Merlot Artist Series was $14.99 is now $12.99
Jackson Triggs Merlot Black Series was $14.99 is now $13.49
Jackson Triggs Reserve Riesling was $13.99 is now $12.49
Jackson Triggs Shiraz Black Series was $16.99 is now $15.49
Jackson Triggs Viognier Silver Series was $13.99 is now $12.49
Mission Hill Cabernet/Merlot Five Vineyards was $16.99 is now $15.99
Mission Hill Pinot Grigio Five Vineyards was $15.99 is now $14.99
Moraine Cliffhanger Red was $19.90 is now $16.90
Moraine Cliffhanger White was $14.70 is now $13.90
Moraine Viognier was $19.00 is now $17.50
Prospect Chardonnay was $12.99 is now $11.99
Prospect Fats Johnson Pinot Noir was $16.99 is now $15.99
Prospect Riesling was $12.99 is now $11.99
Rigamarole White was $14.99 is now $12.99
Red Rooster Pinot Blanc was $16.99 is now $14.99
See Ya Later Ranch Belle was $18.99 is now $16.99
See Ya Later Ranch Riesling was $16.99 is now $14.99
Sumac Ridge Sauvignon Blanc Private Reserve was $13.99 is now $12.99
Summerhill Cabernets was $26.95 is now $23.95
Township 7 Merlot was $24.99 is now $23.99
Wayne Gretzky Merlot was $17.99 is now $15.99
Wayne Gretzky Pinot Grigio was $15.99 is now $13.99
White Bear Spirit Blend was $13.99 is now $11.99