In 2013, Blue Mountain re-packaged their Estate wines. Wanting to focus more on being 100% Estate grown the new labels reflect the importance of place celebrating the extraordinary view from Blue Mountain facing south down the Okanagan Valley towards McIntyre Bluff. These wines were formerly called cream label and are now called Estate wines. In 2014, the first of the Reserve wine re-packaging will be introduced. These are the former Stripe Label wines.

The Reserve wines are made from the following process. There are 10 to 13 lots of Reserve Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grown on site, each with its own unique make up of clones and clone combinations. Each lot is harvested separately and then aged in either barrel or tank seperately. The wine produced from these individual lots are then tasted blind and 2 or 3 lots are chosen that become the Reserve Wine. The blend of those 2 or 3 lots is then tasted against back vintages of Blue Mountain wines to maintain consistency. The wines are then aged for an additional year and a half in French Oak Barrels before they are released giving them greater complexity, structure and ageablility.

In early May, Blue Mountain released the 2011 vintage of the Reserve Pinot Gris, Reserve Chardonnay and a small amount of the Reserve Pinot Noir.

Here are the labels you may be familiar with alongside their new replacements.

Cream Label is now known as Estate Wines:

Stripe Label is now known as Reserve Wines:

May 26, 2014 at 10:00 AM

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May 19, 2014 | Julie Planiden

International Chardonnay Day - May 22, 2014

May 22nd, 2014 is Chardonnay Day, an annual celebration where tasters and tweeters around the world discuss the virtues of our favourite grape varietal. The conversation takes place over 24 hours, all through the day, regardless of where in the world you’re located. There are meetups and tweetups and Taste & Tweets – join in on Twitter at #chardday. Better still drop in and see us – we’re toasting Chardonnay Day all day long.

Receive free shipping in BC on your online orders, placed between May 19th and May 25th, that include at least one bottle of the 2012 Blue Mountain Estate Chardonnay or 2011 Blue Mountain Reserve Chardonnay.

Use Promotional Code : CHARDDAY2014

May 19, 2014 at 10:00 AM

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April 24, 2014 | Chantelle Bruwer

Meet Tatjana Peceric, our Cellar Intern from Serbia

How did you become interested in wine?

Although my country Serbia has a long wine tradition, the idea of working in the sector came somewhat later for me. As a member of dance group I have had the opportunity to travel each year to France for a tour. We visited many different wine regions and wine was served each lunch and dinner. And that is when I started understanding wine and how people appreciate and admire it. The choice to work in the wine industry was rather logical and therefore for my Bachelor studies I opted for viticulture and fruit pomology where I found a further profound interest in vine & wine. During my Master studies which I did in France and Germany, I just confirmed my passion for wine, and got the opportunity to broaden my knowledge, experience, travel and discover the beauty of the wine world.

Favourite wine region in the world?

There are so many great wine regions in the world and each of them being so special in its own and unique way. I still need and want to discover more, but if I have to name a single one, at this moment it would be Douro region in Portugal. I was really impressed by its views, vineyards, terraces, river and wine of course.

Favorite grape varietal and why?

My favorite red variety is definitely Pinot Noir! A very delicate grape that needs a lot of attention, but when properly managed it gives great wine and lot of pleasure. It is a very special variety that plays an important role in many sparkling wines, and is also used in red or rose wines. Riesling is another grape variety that I appreciate as it has great acidity which gives wines an aging potential, and it can be used for either very dry or sweet, botrytis styles. Chardonnay is the third variety I prefer, as it can be grown in many different places around the world and can express itself in so many different ways depending on the country, region, terroir or simply winemaking technique.

Favorite wine?

Similar reflection as to the question about grape varieties, as I prefer Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay wines. Besides those I also like some full bodied and more powerful reds such as Bordeaux, Australian Syrah or South African Cabernet Sauvignon. I could always have a glass of good sparkling wine as well. Some indigenous grape varieties could also give very interesting wines and reflect the country from where they come from (think of Eastern Europe...).

What you like best about being in the Okanagan?

Beside wine, I love being outside in the nature and enjoying great views and lakes.

What do you miss most from home besides your family?

As I am already four years studying and travelling in Europe and around the globe, I have become used to being away from home, but in my heart home is never far away. Most of all I miss my boyfriend (coming from the same country and the same town, but currently in France) who is with my family, my biggest support all these years. Of course I miss some of my closest friends as well.

What do you hope to learn from your experience at Blue Mountain Winery?

Besides handling and making great white and red wines of Blue Mountain winery, traditional method of sparkling wine production is something that I am really looking forward to learning even more about in the upcoming period. The winemaker Matt Mavety and his wine and life philosophy and approach to all different situations is something that I really appreciate. I am sure to learn many more things about vine & wine from him and the whole team over the 2014.

What do you hope to be doing 5 years from now?

I would like to travel a bit more to gain more experience and discover other important wine regions in the world. There are three projects where I could see myself in the future and those closely reflect what I am interested in and want to do in my life:

1. Winemaking

2. Wine sensory analysis

3. Sommelier

Winemaker anywhere in the world that you most admire and why?

There is no winemaker that I admire the most. All of them that I have been working with up to now, I admire for some particularity and different reasons. I appreciate a lot their passion, philosophy, and winemaking! Being able to express yourself through wine and in the same time having great results and success is something definitely to admire!

Favorite wine memory?

I love wine tastings and I really enjoy participating in blind tasting. There are always great surprises when you don't see the outside of the bottle, rather just taste what is inside it. Every souvenir from wine cellars, likewise tasting some special or old vintages left a strong impression on me. Traveling around the world, getting to know the regions and their wines, people and wine culture of the country - that is my favorite wine memory and my passion!

Apr 24, 2014 at 9:20 AM

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March 25, 2014 | Julie Planiden

Cheese in British Columbia - Carmelis Goat Cheese Artisan

Carmelis is a family owned boutique dairy, which takes pride in the uncompromising approach taken to ensure the unique quality of its cheeses. The cheeses are produced on a small scale which enables them to closely monitor each and every cheese while placing an emphasis on their place’s design and its integration into nature, the landscape around them, and the quality of the environment.

Located near Okanagan Lake, some 12 km south of downtown Kelowna, close to the entrance to Okanagan Mountain Park. We desire to impart a sense of the breathtaking views of the Okanagan Valley.

Wine and Cheese Pairings:

Pinot Noir & Misty - The ash coating on this cheese is bold and earthy but still creamy. Enjoy with some dried Okanagan cherries in the cooler months to bring back memories of summer.

Pinot Blanc & Chabichou - This mild, tangy cheese in its youth would be a brilliant accompaniment to Pinot Blanc on a summer's day on a deck overlooking the lake. Include some nuts and a little apricot jelly and you have the recipe for a perfect afternoon.

Pinot Gris & Lior - Nibble away at this sharp and tart cheese with a sweetness throughout. Grate onto salad and enjoy a long luxurious lunch. You deserve it!

Carmelis
170 Timberline Road
Kelowna, BC, Canada
Phone: 250-764-9033
Email: info@carmelisgoatcheese.com

Hours of operation:
March 1st till April 30th: 7 days a week from 11:00am to 5:00pm
May 1st till October 31st: 7 days a week from 10:00am to 6:00pm
November/December/January/February: Closed

Mar 25, 2014 at 11:00 AM

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February 20, 2014 | Julie Planiden

Vancouver International Wine Festival 2014

Since 1978, the Vancouver International Wine Festival formerly known as the Playhouse Wine Festival has been creating opportunities for British Columbians to meet principles/winemakers and owners of some of the most renowned wineries in the world and 2014 is no exception. Throughout it all the BC wine industry has grown up and is now a major player at the table pouring their wines for the world to taste.

This year the feature country is France and the wine focus is bubbly something we do very well in Canada. Our winemaker Matt Mavety was featured in a group called vine stars. Sharing the spotlight with Michel Chapoutier, Thomas Perrin and Clovis Tattinger along with Okanagan Falls Winery neighbour Jak Meyer. The Vancouver International Wine Festival is one of the very best wine festivals in the world and runs February 24 - March 2, 2014. Get your tickets if there are any left and enjoy!

Here is the write up Matt received as a vine star:

Matt Mavety, Winemaker,Blue Mountain As a member of a family-run winery in the Okanagan Valley, Matt Mavety grew up in the vineyards, beginning in earnest when he was 14. The Mavetys use only grapes grown on their picturesque estate to produce their wines, and the diversity of the land allows them to grow varietals including Pinot noir, Gamay noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc
and Chardonnay.

If you have tickets to either of these SOLD OUT events you'll get to meet Matt at:
• All About Bubbly! wine seminar,
VCC, february 27, 5 p.m.
• 25 Under $25, wine mingler,
VCC, March 1, 5 p.m.

Feb 20, 2014 at 9:00 AM

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February 11, 2014 | Julie Planiden

Where to Find Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellar wines in Manitoba.

Banville & Jones Wine Co. was founded in 1999 by two sisters, Lia Banville and Tina Jones. Considering their Italian heritage, Lia and Tina were always interested in wine. Their dream of opening a private wine store in Manitoba became a reality when the Manitoba government continued the semi-privatization of the wine industry in 1998. Lia and Tina had a passion for wine and wanted to extend that passion to the consumers of Winnipeg.

Banville & Jones started their dream boutique in a 3800 square foot store on Meadowood Drive in Winnipeg. In November 2005 the store had outgrown its roots and moved to its own stand alone, 3 storey, state of the art facility on St. Mary's Road in St. Vital.

This Tuscan-inspired boutique has all of the best elements of a world class wine store. There are more than 3000 sku's of wine, gifts and gourmet items from every corner of the world. The retail floor boasts the most advanced wine retail shelving system with proper UV filtered lighting in every corner of the building. Our Specialties Cave is completely temperature and humidity controlled, perfectly designed for our rarest specialty wines.

Arriving in Friendly Manitoba in the last year are a selection of wines from Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars. If you haven't had a chance to check out their website you should. They write an informative blog and share some interesting insites. The store also produces its own Magazine called The Cellar Door. Check out who's on the cover of Issue 15. http://www.banvilleandjones.com/cellardoor.php

Feb 11, 2014 at 10:00 AM

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February 5, 2014 | Julie Planiden

Gold Medal Plates Kelowna 2014

Gold Medal Plates is the ultimate celebration of Canadian Excellence in cuisine, wine, the arts and athletic achievement. Celebrated in eleven cities across Canada in 2013, Gold Medal Plates features the premier chefs in each city in a competition to crown a gold, silver and bronze medal culinary team in each city, and subsequently nation-wide at the Canadian Culinary Championships.

Every year for the last 4 years, Canadian Olympic Atheletes, Chefs and Artists from across Canada have gathered in Kelowna in early February to cook and raise money to support Canadian athelete's dreams of making the podium. This year there is extra excitement as many of our atheletes will be heading to Socchi to chase Olympic gold. For the chefs from each of Canada's provinces it is their chance to shine and bring the best of their region to celebrate with the rest of Canada.

For nearly a decade, Chef Kelly Cattani has been honing her craft in some of Winnipeg’s finest kitchens. Today, she is the Chef-de-Cuisine of Diversity Food Services at the University of Winnipeg, overseeing both the on-campus and catering operations.

A graduate of Red River College’s School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts, Chef Cattani is a founding member of the Winnipeg chapter of the Canadian Culinary Federation’s Junior Chefs, and was a leading organizer of Manitoba’s Centrex Iron Chef competition.

Passionate about authentic, fresh food, prepared creatively and with integrity, Cattani took top honours at this year’s Gold Medal Plates competition and is excited to represent Manitoba at the national event in Kelowna, BC, in February. She will not only be representing her province but will also be pairing her gold medal plate with Blue Mountain's own 2011 Pinot Noir.

Chef Kelly Cattani has provided two great recipes for you to try:

Somme Borscht and Whole Wheat and Honey Biscuits

Feb 5, 2014 at 4:00 PM

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January 31, 2014 | Julie Planiden

Cheese in British Columbia - Upper Bench Cheese

This will be the first in a series of profiles on cheesemakers and cheeseries in British Columbia. Check each month for some amazing artisan cheeses and the wines that pair well with them. Enjoy!

Located at 170 Upper Bench Road South in Penticton is the new cheesery of long time cheesemaker Shana Miller. The cheeses made from 100 % pasturized cow's milk from D Dutchaman Dairy in Sicamous, BC are hand crafted on site. Shana makes 8 different washed rind, brie and blue cheeses. Personal favourites are the Okanagan Sun squared and the Italian Gold. All of the cheeses are gluten and additive free. Phone 250-770-1733 www.upperbench.ca/cheese

Wine and Cheese Pairings

Pinot Gris & Italian Gold - Like a summer in tuscany, garlic, sun-dried tomatos and herbs shared with a crisp pinot gris with enough body to hold the texture of this cheese. Summer in a glass.

Chardonnay & Gold - With a firmer texture, a medium bodied Chardonnay that has a subtle buttery component will compliment this wash rind cheese.

Sparkling & U & Brie - Nothing washes away the creaminess of a silky cheese like the scouring bubbles of sparkling. Match up the luxury of this creamie brie with the racy acidity of sparkling brut. Perfect anytime.

The cheese is available at restaurants and fine cheese merchants throughout British Columbia. Use their handy outlet locator for a retailer or restaurant near you.

http://www.upperbench.ca/where-to-buy/ Or visit Shana at the cheesery:

Hours

April through October 31st: open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
November 1st through December 22nd: open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Holidays: We will be closed December 23rd, 2013 to January 5th, 2014.
January through March: open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Jan 31, 2014 at 11:34 AM

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January 21, 2014 | Chantelle Bruwer

Where to find Blue Mountain Wines in Calgary, Alberta

Looking to purchase Blue Mountain wines in Calgary? We recommend paying a visit to J.Webb Wine Merchant. J.Webb have been selling Blue Mountain's wines for more than 13 years.

Since its inception as one of the first private wine stores in Calgary, J.Webb has always sought to distinguish itself from the typical liquor store. J Webb’s philosophy is based on a simple idea: outstanding service and wonderful wines. It harkens back to the past when these were central themes to a successful merchant.

The staff at J.Webb are not just retailers, but people who enthusiastically live and breathe wine. They travel, they taste, they learn and are continually challenging themselves to improve. Wine is not a product, it is a passion to be shared with their patrons.

This kind of passion has gone on for some two decades and you can witness the success of this approach on the shelves: a wonderfully diverse collection of extraordinary wines.

J.Webb is not about mass production wines it is about relationships with quality family producers. J.Webb is committed to work as directly as possible with its producers and therefore eliminate any unnecessary costs.

J.Webb is more than an assortment of bodies; it embodies a philosophy and a passion. It is a place where you can discover something new, something unusual and without doubt, something wonderful.

Visit their website for more info.

Locations:

Glenmore Landing
c157 1600 90th ave SW
Glenmore Landing Shopping across from Safeway
(403) 253-9463