Episode Archives

June 17th, 2017 – Live from the BC Shellfish Festival…

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LIVE from the 11th annual BC Shellfish festival in Courtney Comox 

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The SHOW

 The unique culinary event that promotes the region’s shellfish farmers and their delicacies to seafood lovers and chefs grows bigger every year.  This is Year 11.

Tasting Room Radio is covering both weekends.

 

What originally began as a one‐day event 11 years ago, has become the largest seafood festival in Western Canada, featuring popular local and international culinary celebrities and outstanding seafood.

Highlights for 2017 include the B.C. Seafood on Your Plate Restaurant Campaign, the B.C. Seafood Expo, a completely new Fresh Fest and the Fanny Bay Oyster Shucking Competition and OceanWise Chowder Challenge at the signature festival event, the Comox by the Sea Celebration,  Sunday, June 18th. For more information and tickets, visit bcshellfishfestival.com and bcseafoodexpo.com.

 WE ARE LIVE SATURDAY AT 10 AM!!

Our guests include:

 Culinary leader –  Don House Calgary http://www.idmg.ca/about-1/

Darren MacLean – Shokunin Calgary https://twitter.com/chefdmac?lang=en

Duncan Ly – Foreign Concept  Calgary  http://foreignconcept.ca/

JinnHee Lee – Foreign Concept Calgary  http://foreignconcept.ca/

Trevor Bird = Fable/Fable Diner  Vancouver www.fablekitchen.ca

Ned Bell – Ocean Wise. Van Aquarium  https://cookculture.com/blogs/chef-profiles/25079745-chef-ned-bell

Nick Nutting – The Wolf in the Fog.  Tofino  http://www.wolfinthefog.com/ 

Rod Butters – Raudz Kelowna  www.raudz.com 

Brock Bowes – Terra Fina  http://www.terrafinarestaurant.com/

 

Blue Moon

40 knots Winery  https://www.40knotswinery.com/

Blue Moon  https://www.bluemoonwinery.ca

Nathan Fong – Fong on Food www.fongonfood.com

 

   Click to Listen

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

  • John Schreiner – Icon
  • Skitchine Lodge with Rhys Pender. John Weber & Chef Mark Filatow
  • Cider Special
  • Bloom – BC VQA wines pour in Vancouver.

 

 

 

 

FEATURED

May 27th, 2023- The 2023 Lt Governor’s Wine Awards – TerraLux Pour & Ned Bell does Shellfish Festival

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THE SHOW

2023 Lt Governor’s Wine Awards. TerraLux Estate First Pours & Ned Bell on BC Shellfish Festival

 

 

Overview | Okanagan Wine Festivals

2023 BC Lt. Governor’s Wine Awards (Penticton)

The intense competition recognizes the top varietals produced in BC across 21 distinct categories and was held over 2 ½ days in early April at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.

After 3 days of tasting and spitting we couldn’t wait to get out of the building for a burger and a beer.

All-star Somm Team

I setup my trusty microphone, recorder and talked to several of the judges about their thoughts on the competition.

Brad Royale, Rhys Pender, DJ Kearney, Kurtis Kolt, Emily Walker, Mathew Landry, Sid Cross, Tim Pawsey, etc.

 

Some very interesting comments along the way.

We also include comments from Kimberly  Hundertmark GM of Okanagan Wine festivals and event organizer Alana Dickson.

Kimberly Hundertmark

 

 

Next –  an invitation came from Jennifer Tocher at Terralux  Estate Winery to taste the new releases from a winery still being built. 

  1. 2019 Reserve Viognier – retail $35
  2. 2020 Reserve Chardonnay – retail $40
  3. 2018 Syrah – retail $35
  4. 2019 Meritage – retail $35
  5. 2019 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – retail $59

 

The tasting was moderated by BC’s Best Sommelier 2023 Kelcie Jones alongside Geoffrey Moss, MW and representing Terralux will be the Vineyard and General Manager Kevin Rossion.

Wine Issue Preview: 11 Questions With Kelcie Jones - Vancouver Magazine

Kelcie Jones

As for case production, they are currently sitting at about 3,000 cases per year and have planted a few additional acres over the past few years so this number will continue to grow. The new winery build in West Kelowna will comfortably handle 16,000 cases plus.

 

The winery is currently under construction with the production facility due to operate for Harvest 2024. The design of the winery pays tribute to the name “Terra” meaning earth and “Lux” meaning light. Gravity Fed winemaking facility.

Chef  Ambassador Ned Bell

And to close the show – Executive Chef Ned Bell once again joins the leadership team at the BC Shellfish Festival. This year at Mt Washington 

NED BELL

 

The 15th annual BC Seafood Festival returns with a new home atop Mount Washington from June 23 to 25, 2023. The three day festival boasts over twenty sea-foodie events with an all star line up of chefs. Attendees are invited to taste the bounty of the West Coast through a variety of events, happy hours, MasterClasses and friendly competitions.

 

Festival highlights are the elaborate Gala DinnerShucked! Canada’s largest oyster bar happy hour led by a World Champion Oyster Shucker, Kitchen Party with the Junior Culinary Team Canada, Clam it up! Happy hour and more. This year the Festival is led by Chef Ambassador Ned Bell. 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

Top Drop Vancouver and Calgary

The Ones

Bartier Brothers

Moon Curser

Mt Boucherie

Unsworth

Cowichan Wine Festival

BC Cider festival

Hester Creek

Sipster’s Two

 

 

Mulligan Stew May 27th-It’s Festival Season – Here’s 5 reasons to celebrate!!

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Five interview guests. All Artistic Directors of their festivals.

They spend a year preparing their festivals so we can sit on a hillside, drink Slurpees, inhale a burrito, and have world-class music wash over us.

Four of them are in a group discussion about surviving the Covid years, this year’s artist lineups, and celebrating the renewal of live music. The fifth guest in hour one is the artistic director of The Edmonton Folk Fest,  Terry Wickham.

Fiona Black –  Vancouver Folk Music Festival (July 14-16) Thefestival.bc.ca

Chris Frayer –  Winnipeg Folk Fest. (July 6-9) Winnipegfolkfestival.ca

Sue Panning – Canmore Folk Festival (Aug 5-7) Canmorefolkfestival.com

Kerry Clarke – Calgary Folk Fest (July 27-30)  Calgaryfolkfest.com

Terry Wickham – Edmonton Folk Fest (Aug 10-13) Edmontonfolkfest.org

We’ll find out how Vancouver Folk survived a near collapse of their festival.

How they all worked together, as a community, to support one another.

Also, their talent lineup and who they think could steal the show.

The Complete discussion on Mulligan Stew Podcast and TerrydavidMulligan YouTube Channel.

Thanks all

tdm

PLAYLIST:

Mulligan Stew with TDM Music Festival Season Special & Remembering Tina Turner
Cold Cold Cold/Tripe face boogie Little Feat Feats don’t fail me now
Spin it faster Ben Harper & Ziggy Marley Spin it Faster
This will be our year Teskey Brothers London Bridge EP
Radio Margo Price (Sharon Van Etten) Strays
Deane House River Cafe Thank you for the Stew/CKUA Support
You were mine Tami Neilson Chick A-Boom
Hiding out in the Open Fiest Multitudes
The Wolves Watchhouse Tides of a teardrop
Terry Wickham Interview Line Up for Edmonton Folk Festival Complete interview on TDM Podcast and YouTube
Shooting at the Moon Mariel Buckley Everywhere I used to be
The Lucky Ones Sue Foley (Jimmy Vaughn) The Ice Queen
Got to be you Bros. Landreth 87
The Stew – TDMulligan Complete Terry Wickham Interview on Mulligan Stew Podcast & tdm YouTube channel
Whiter shade of Pale Carlos Santana and Steve Winwood Blessings and Miracles
CKUA – Mulligan Stew Coming UP Tina Turner and our Summer Music Festival Feature
Rock Me Baby Tina Turner What’s love got to do with it?
2023 Folk Festivals – Feature Story details – mulliganstewdotca Coming Up – Wood Bros. Allison Russell etc.
Pilgrim The Wood Bros. Heart is a Hero
You’re not alone Allison Russell (Brandi Carlile) single
When you miss someone Wm Prince Stand in the Joy
September Fields Frazey Ford Indian Ocean
Talking Canmore. Calgary. Vancouver & Winnipeg Festivals Complete interview on Mulligan Stew Podcast and TDM YouTube Channel
Didn’t it rain Jim Byrnes, Sojourners. Steve Dawson House of Refuge
Pledging my Love Emmylou Harris White Shoes
What I wouldn’t do Serena Ryder Harmony
Folk Festival Feature. On Canmore. Winnipeg. Vancouver & Calgary Complete interviews on Mulligan Stew Podcast and tdm YouTube channel details & links mulliganstewdotca
Lay down Sally Albert Lee (Sammy Kershaw) Tribute to Eric Clapton
Silver Dagger Charley Crockett In the night
Cannonball (acoustic) Fantastic Negrito (ZZ Ward) single
My Moon My Man Fretless with Madeleine Rogers single
Thank you to our guests Now – lets go festival complete interview details at mulliganstewdotca
It’s only love Tina Turner and Bryan Adams Reckless

 

EP 256 | Bruce Allen on Everything & Doug Cox on Van Island Music Fest.

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Welcome to the  Victoria Day May Long Weekend Edition of the Mulligan Stew Podcast..

And because it’s a long weekend, we have a longer podcast – two of them actually.

Starting things off is the birthday boy Bruce Allen – One of Canada’s most successful talent managers EVER!!

Bruce and his world-class team are responsible for planning,  leading and supporting the careers of Bryan Adams, Michael Buble, Bob Rock, Jann Arden and The Offspring. When you do  get the attention of Bruce – Watch Out! You can fire questions off in every direction. The thing is you have to be prepared to have the answers smack you upside the HEAD.

I wanted Bruce’s thoughts on the loss of our mutual friend Red Robinson – The Last DJ.  And the loss of Gordon Lightfoot as well.

Then we talked about the state of today’s music business. Like throwing a steak to a pit bull.

Bruce then launches into an update on the 2023 years of Offspring,  Jann, Bryan, Michael and Bob Rock.

Rock has released an album with the late Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip. It’s amazing. Bruce has that story as well..

Happy Birthday Happy Bruce!!

Bob Rock interview to follow soon.

 

 

The second interview is with Doug Cox, the artistic director of the Vancouver Island Music Festival. July 14-16  in Courtney/Comox.

Every year I’m fascinated by Doug’s artist lineups.

This year the headliners are Sarah McLachlan, Rickie Lee Jones and The Bros. Landreth. He asked Roy Forbes to return to his BIM character and revisit the tracks from his Thistles Album.

Two legends. Dave Alvin and Jimmy Dale Gilmore with The Guilty Ones.

Here’s Doug  Cox with backgrounds on all those artists and more.

NEXT WEEK – The Artistic Directors of Folk Festivals in Calgary, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Canmore. PLUS Terry Wickham reveals his lineup for Edmonton Folk Fest.

Have a memorable weekend – tdm

Mulligan Stew May 20th 2023-Special Guests Bruce Allen and Doug Cox

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Have yourself a great Long Weekend

We have two guests and wall-to-wall music, hand-made for a superb Saturday in May.

First guest in Hour Two is Doug Cox artistic director of the Vancouver Island Music Festival.

July 14-16 in Courtney-Comox.

Doug is also a well-known performer and through the performing year,  shares stages with some of his festival guests.

The stellar line-up this year includes

Rickie Lee Jones

Bros. Landreth

Sarah McLachlan.

Dave Alvin,  Jimmy Dale Gilmore and the Guilty Ones

Roy Forbes,  recreating his BIM album Thistles

AV and the Inner City

Galactic

Angelique Francis and many more.

www.islandmusicfest.com

 

NEXT WEEK on The Stew– Artistic Directors from Folk Festivals in –

Vancouver/Canmore/Winnipeg & Calgary. Together in one discussion.

and Terry Wickham takes us through the Edmonton Folk Fest Line Up

Second guest is Bruce Allen – celebrating his 79th  Birthday this weekend.

Bruce is the manager of Jann Arden, Michael Bublé, Bryan Adams, The Offspring and Bob Rock.

We’ll talk briefly about how Bob Rock and Gord Downie ended up creating the album Lustre Parfait together. It took 7 years.

 

Both complete interviews can be heard on the Mulligan Stew Podcast and seen on the terrydavidmulligan You Tube Channel.

We also celebrate the birth date  of Joe Cocker and remember  drummer Roger Hawkins from the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section.  (Percy Sledge/Aretha/Wilson Pickett)
New music from Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton, Rhiannon Giddens, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, Bruce Cockburn  Matt Anderson, Natalie Merchant, Rodney Crowell, Galactic, Kurt Elling and Charlie Hunter.

PLAYLIST:

Mulligan Stew Van Island Music Fest also Bruce Allen on Bob Rock & Gord Downie Big bag of Saturday night tracks
Moon River Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton single
You’re the one Rhiannon Giddens You’re the One
Buy my round Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats Buy my Round
Stack – O – Lee (live) Dr John Live at Montreux Jazz 86
Tennessee Jed Levon Helm Dirt Farmer
The Stew with TDMulligan Coming UP – Vancouver Island Music Fest details mulliganstewdotca
On a roll Bruce Cockburn O Sun O Moon
Rollin’ down the road Matt Anderson Big Bottle of Joy
It’s only rock and roll (live) The Rolling Stones Totally Stripped
deane house river cafe Thank you both
Feeling Alright (live) Joe Cocker. Mad Dogs & Englishmen Mad Dogs and Englishmen – Live Fillmore East
Respect Aretha Franklin I never loved a man
Mustang Sally Wilson Pickett Best of
When a man loves a woman Percy Sledge Best of
In Hour Two – Doug Cox brings the music and Bruce Allen brings the stories Mulligan Stew – CKUA
Wrap it up Kurt Elling. Charlie Hunter. Nate Smith Super Blue: Guilty Pleasures
Liquid Spirits Gregory Porter Liquid Spirits (deluxe)
Tchompitoulas Galactic, Eric Gordon Tchompitoulas
Tower of Babel Natalie Merchant Keep your courage
Lucky Rodney Crowell The Chicago Sessions
Coyotes Banff supporting ckua for 25 years coyotesbanffdotcom
Doug Cox – Artistic Director Vancouver Island Music Festival July 14-16
Broken Heart Sarah McLachlan Shine On (deluxe)
Doug Cox Interview Vancouver Island Music Festival July 14-16
Thistles Roy Forbes (BIM) Thistles
Doug Cox Interview Vancouver Island Music Festival Complete interview on Mulligan Stew Podcast and tdm YouTube
Highway 61 Revisited Dave Alvin From an old guitar
Doug Cox – VanIslandmusicFest complete interview on Mulligan Stew Podcast -and tdm you tube channel
What in the World The Bros. Landreth Come Morning
They can’t take that away from me Rickie Lee Jones Pieces of Treasure
Mulligan Stew Year 27 Terry David Mulligan Coming UP – Bruce Allen
The safest day of the year Gord Downie and Bob Rock Lustre Parfait
Bruce Allen Interview Happy Bruce – a drive thru interview Talking about Gord Downie and Bob Rock
There goes the Sun Gord Downie and Bob Rock Lustre Parfait

 

May 20th, 2023- The Third and final VanWineFest Feature – Masters and All-Stars!!

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The Third and Final VanWineFest Feature – Masters and All-Stars!!

 

THE SHOW

Welcome to the third series of interviews from the 44th annual Vancouver Wine Festival.

One of the Wine World’s outstanding events.

 

These interviews mixed Masters of Wine/Master Sommeliers  with winemakers, owners &  founders! A field blend of Napa, Sonoma, Okanagan Valley and  Mendoza Argentina.

Guests include –

 

DJ Kearney – (co-host) Wine Director Terminal City Club. Wine Authority/Educator.

Mark de Vere – Master of Wine. Robert Mondavi Winery. Napa

Garron Elmes – Winemaker and President of Lake Breeze Naramata Bench

Ray Signorello – Owner. Signorello, Edge/Trim/S  Napa Valley

Ray Signorello

Ray Signorello

Ben Pon – Co-Owner Bodegas Salentein, Mendoza Arg.

Evan Goldstein – Keynote Speaker. Master Sommelier. Full Circle Wine Solutions. Master Sommelier for SF Giants.

 

Evan Goldstein

 

Harry Hertscheg – Executive Director of Vancouver Wine Festival.

 

Thank you to DJ Kearney for the brilliance and support. She’s the Wine Director at Terminal City Club and a leading wine educator & judge.

DJ Kearney

Thanks also to Ruby Gillett  Milk Creative Communications

 

STORIES WERE WORKING ON

 

Hillside Estate

Moon Curser

Mt Boucherie

Okanagan Wine Festivals

Unsworth Vineyards

Sipster’s Two

Noble Ridge

Bartier Brothers

Justin Vineyards – Napa

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP 255 | Paul Janeway -St Paul and The Broken Bones

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Can a 3-year-old change the direction of a band?

This week the return of the force known as Paul Janeway – leader of  St Paul and the Broken Bones. Checking in from Birmingham Alabama.

We’re going to be talking about their latest album Angels in Science Fiction

Paul tells us it’s a turning point for the band after 10 years together.

Even though the core members are mostly unchanged,  this is not the soul band that swept over all of the music in 2012 with the EP Greetings from St Paul and the Broken Bones.

Now 5 albums later they’re taking their fans in another more introspective direction., The funk and groove can still be found but now Paul is writing and singing about being a father and his conversation with his wife about

“do what kind of  world are we bringing our daughter into?” They had a daughter.

Songs with lyrics like

Dust to Dust”

“Try your best to make a difference. Starting with the people around you”

Songs about denial, fear, and acceptance.

There’s a renewed sense of spirituality throughout the album.

One question I wanted to include was

“How will these songs mesh live with the horn/soul band songs that you were playing over the past 10 years”.

Lots of stories and discussions.

Two things – they play the Saskatoon Jazz Festival on July 8

And the Calgary Stampede July 9

AND

Her name is Marigold.

May 13th, 2023- The 44th annual Vancouver Wine Festival. Part 2

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Winemakers from Aquilini/Beringer/Laughing Stock/Michael David/Nk’mip/Osoyoos LaRose/Vina Carmen/Santa Rita

 

THE SHOW

 

Welcome back to the 44th annual Vancouver Wine Festival.

Cutting through the clutter with world class wine smarts is our co-host DJ Kearney (Wine Director Terminal City Club. Speaker, writer, wine judge, noted authority)

dj kearney

This is our 17th year of covering this wildly successful wine gathering.

As always, we make a wish list of who we’d like to talk to and try to shape a tale of climate, regions, wines, winemakers and what’s ahead for an ever changing business. At some point the wish list gets thrown out and it’s a sprint to the finish line.

Exhausting but memorable.

This week’s guests are:

 Justin Hall – Winemaker Nk’Mip Cellars Osoyoos, BC

Michael Kullmann – Winemaker and GM Osoyoos LaRose Osoyoos, BC

Sandy Leier – Winemaker Laughing Stock Vineyards  Naramata Bench, BC

Sandy Leier

Sandy Leier

Ryan Rech – GM and Winemaker Beringer Vineyards  Napa Valley, Ca.

Tyler Tennyson – Consulting Winemaker Aquilini Wines Red Mountain, Washington

Dave Phillips – Co-owner and President Michael David Wines Lodi, Ca.

Oscar Salas – Winemaker  Santa Rita Maipo Valley/Limari Valley  Chile

Pablo Prieto – Winemaker Vina Carmen  Various Locations Chile

 

NEXT WEEK – PART THREE

DJ Kearney – Co-Host with the Most

Ray Signorello – Signorello, Edge, Trim  Napa/Alexander valley

Garron Elmes – Winemaker/Pres. Lake Breeze Naramata, BC

Ben Pon – Co-owner Salentein   Mendoza, Arg.

Joe Spellman – Master Sommelier  Justin Vineyards and Winery Paso Robles, Ca

Evan Goldstein – Keynote Speaker

Harry Hertscheg – Executive Director VanWineFest

Mark deVere – Master of Wine Robert Mondavi  Napa

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

Township 7

Lt Governors Awards

New Releases

Moon  Curser

Hillside

Unsworth

Mt Boucherie

Okanagan Wine festivals

Noble Ridge

Cowichan Valley Wine Festival

 

Mulligan Stew May 13th 2023-Special Guest, Paul Janeway – leader of  St Paul and the Broken Bones.

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photo credit Paige Sara

Can a 3-year-old change the direction of a band?

This week the return of the force known as Paul Janeway – leader of  St Paul and the Broken Bones. (checking in from Birmingham Alabama.)

We’re going to be talking about their latest album Angels in Science Fiction

Paul tells us it’s a turning point for the band after 10 years together.

Even though the core members are mostly unchanged,  this is not the soul band that swept over all of music in 2012 with the EP Greetings from St Paul and the Broken Bones.

Now 5 albums later they’re taking their fans in another more introspective direction., The funk and groove can still be found but now Paul is writing and singing about being a father and his conversation with his wife about

“do what kind of  world are we bringing our daughter into?” They had a daughter.

Songs with lyrics like

Dust to Dust”

“Try your best to make a difference. Starting with the people around you”

Songs about denial, fear, and acceptance.

There’s a renewed sense of spirituality throughout the album.

One question I wanted to include was

“How will these songs mesh live with the horn/soul band songs that you were playing over the past 10 years”.

Lots of stories and discussions.

Two things – they play the Saskatoon Jazz Festival July 8

And the Calgary Stampede July 9

AND

Her name is Marigold.

 

PLAYLIST:

Mulligan Stew – Guest Paul Janeway Terry David Mulligan The Stew
Lucky Rodney Crowell The Chicago Sessions
I know what it’s like Jeff Tweedy WARM
Mama William Prince Earthly Days
Takes a lot to laugh. a train to cry Taj Mahal Bob Dyaln – All Blues’d up
Stolen Moments Lucinda Williams Stories from a rock and roll heart
Welcome to Year 27 of The Stew TDMulligan Guest – Paul Janeway – St Paul & Broken Bones
Todays guest – Paul Janeway (St Paul & Broken Bones) Mulligan Stew playlist Mulligan Stew Dot Ca
Everything Now JW – Jones Everything Now
Gangster of Love Steve Miller Band Sailor
Heatwave Martha Reeves and the Vandellas Hitsville
The Stew TDMulligan mulliganstewdotca
Deane House River Cafe Thank you both
Mama Said The Shirelles Best of
Mama’s Talkin’ Tami Neilson Kingmaker
My Mother’s Hand Jill Barber Homemaker
Mulligan Stew CKUA Year 27
Down in Hollywood Ry Cooder Bop til you drop
The wine talking Cash Box Kings Hail to the Kings
Up on Cripple Creek The Band The Band
Freddy Freeloader Amos Garrett Trio EG Trio – Jazz Blues
Coming UP – Interview with Paul Janeway TDMulligan Mulligan Stew Dot Ca
Superwoman Alicia Keyes As I am (Extended album)
Low spark of high-heeled boys Traffic Low spark of high heeled boys
Young Blood (live) Rickie Lee Jones Naked Songs (live and acoustic)
Love and mercy Brian Wilson I wasn’t made for these times
So far gone The Sheepdogs Our vinyl session
NEXT Paul Janeway -with TDMulligan The Stew
Interview with Paul Janeway St Paul and the Broken Bones with TDMulligan
City Federal Building St Paul and the Broken Bones Angels in Science Fiction
Paul Janeway Interview St Paul and the Broken Bones complete interview on Mulligan Stew Podcast
Lonely Love Song St Paul and the Broken Bones Angels in Science Fiction
Paul Janeway St Paul and the Broken Bones Complete interview on Mulligan Stew Podcast
Oporto – Madrid Blvd St Paul and the Broken Bones Angels in Science Fiction
TDM with Paul Janeway complete interview on Mulligan Stew Podcast Coming to Calgary Stampede
Sea Star St Paul and the Broken Bones Angels in Science Fiction
Complete interview on Mulligan Stew Podcast Thank you Paul
Coyotes Banff Celebrating 30 years congratulations
Betonia Blues Steve Dawson Lucky Hand

 

EP 254 | Bruce Cockburn- Reflections on Gord & New album ‘O Sun O Moon’

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The Stew is Bruce Cockburn..bringing stories of  his 35th album O Sun O Moon. Plus memories of Gordon Lightfoot and his place in the music of the World and especially Canada.

Answers the question: Was/is Gord the Sound of Canada?

Could you hear the space and place in his songs?

The Podcast is the complete interview with Bruce Cockburn on the release of his 35th album O Sun O Moon. And his thoughts on the music of and the loss of Gordon Lightfoot.

The YouTube this week is the video version of both conversations.

May 6th, 2023- 44th Vancouver International Wine Festival (Part One)

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2023 QUICK FACTS  (Ever Changing)

44th annual (founded 1979)

8 days, April 22-30

18,000 admissions

17 countries

147 wineries » 44 wineries from South America

36 events at 19 venues » 26 public events; 10 trade-only events

25 participating restaurants, hotels, caterers

1135 wines, including:  800 wines in the Tasting Room –  335 wines at special events (dinners, seminars, etc)

15,000 bottles poured and/or purchased

THE SHOW

 This is our 17th year of covering the  adventure  of The Van Wine Fest!

For the Executive Director Harry Hertscheg and his top flight team of organizers,  it’s their 44th annual.

(Harry and keynote speaker Evan Goldstein will close our series in a couple of weeks)

harry hertscheg

Although it’s still a amazing “blur” I think we did at least 20 interviews in just under four hours.

A mix of winemakers and founders from Chile, Argentina, BC, Lodi, Napa, Sonoma and  Washington!

We could not have made this journey without the help of media/marketing support from Ruby Gillett (Milk Creative Communications) and Danielle Giroux (Director- California Wines Canada)

Thank you both.

Vancouver International Wine Festival

 

Here’s Part One of this years Festival

 We begin with the most amazing friend – Wine Director at Terminal City Club and much admired wine educator, speaker and wine judge,  DJ Kearney.

DJ and I were judging the Lt Governor awards last month and between flights I whispered “will you join me at VanWineFest for a couple of interviews. I love your questions and observations?”

She nodded OK!  How lucky I was to know her?

As promised,  DJ sat down for the first two interviews and to my complete surprise and delight,  she stayed for almost the entire series of chats. A small grouping of chairs – knee to knee –  because the crowd noise gets louder as the minutes click by. A lot of collective chatter.  In the chairs, we all found ourselves leaning in to listen and comment. Tasted many outstanding wines the guests brought.

Loved it.  Best of all, this is just Part One of 3 weeks of interviews.

This weeks guests are:

 DJ Kearney – Wine Director  (Terminal City Club) Wine Educator, Judge, Writer,  Speaker and great friend.

DJ Kearney

The one and only DJ Kearney with her observations about Van Wine Fest history, the line up of this years wineries and general opinions about the state of today’s winemaking. She brings so many memorable stories and details.

https://www.tcclub.com/

@djwines

 

JJ DowellWinemaker Lake Sonoma, Plume Wines. (Russian River, Sonoma, Alexander Valley, Napa Valley)

Jaime started her career “in the arts” at her family’s art gallery.

The art of wine came calling. Crooked Vine, Stony Ridge. Then off to New Zealand making high end Pinot Noir at Villa Maria.

Back to California in 2011 to join Bonny Doon, Alpha Omega, Round Pond Estate in Napa and finally joined West Coast Wine Partners – which included the Stewart Family at Quails Gate – to oversee Lake Sonoma and Valley of the Moon WinesPlume Wines were soon added to the portfolio.

All that experience shows in her wines.  https://lakesonomawinery.com/

Jaime "JJ" Dowell Named Round Pond Estate Winemaker - Wine Industry Advisor

JJ Dowell

 

Christa-Lee McWatters – McWatters Collection GM/Family (Penticton)

Tony Holler – Co-Owner Poplar Grove (Naramata Bench)

DJ and I knew this was going to be fast, informative and lots of fun.

Christa-Lee and Tony LOVE talking about wine. Theirs and many others.

But they also have new events and growth.

At Time Family of Wines in Penticton Christa-Lee has opened OROLO Restaurant with Damian Cole as Head Chef.  Fine dining friends.

Wine's Most Inspiring People: Christa-Lee and Darrien McWatters, TIME Family of Wines - Wine Industry Advisor

Christa-Lee McWatters

She was also pouring her Father Harry’s last vintage. A  2017 Brut!

Cheers to Harry McWatters.

www.timewines.ca

 

Tony Holler poured his Pinot Gris “it has to be poured at this event.”

Tony Holler

And also revealed his new culinary team at Poplar Grove Restaurant.

Timing says Tony “its all about timing” His executive chef moved on to Canoe in Toronto and at the same time Executive Chef Stacey Johnson and Chef de Cuisine Minette Lotz came available at Naramata Inn. Think about it.  That team in that room with that view? Wow!

Truly loved DJ’s comments.

www.poplargrove.ca

 

On my way into the Convention Centre I bumped into Chris Turyk and his Father Tim from Unsworth in the Cowichan Valley.

I reminded Chris that last year I stood in front of their Unsworth pouring table but the line-up just kept getting bigger and bigger and we never got an interview done.

Secrets and Lives Interview with Chris Turyk - Victoria News

Chris Turyk

So, this year we put two chairs together and had a conversation.

About Unsworth, the Cowichan Valley, the Jackson Family adding Blue Grouse to their Cowichan Portfolio, what he was pouring at the festival (Charme de l’ile NV), his journey to Master of Wine status and an update on the Cowichan Wine Festival the month of August.

My thanks to Chris, Tim and Unsworth.

www.unsworthvineyards.com

 

Next Week –  Winemakers and Principals from

Tyler Tennyson – Aquilini (Red Mtn Washington)

Dave Phillips – Michael David Winery (Lodi, Cal)

Justin Hall – Nk’Mip  (Osoyoos)

Michael Kullman – Osoyoos LaRose

Ryan Rech  – Beringer Vineyards (Napa)

Oscar Salas – Santa Rita (Chile)

Pablo Prieto – Vina Carmen (Chile)

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

Van Wine Fest Parts Two and Three

The Ones

Noble Ridge

Township 7

Lt. Governors Awards

Cowichan Wine festival