One of the greatest bands to ever walk our stages and play with our hearts has been taking the final curtain – one by one.
Ricky Danko
Levon Helm
Richard Manual
This week – the heart of The Band – Robbie Robertson
Left to carry the flag Garth Hudson.
Very few artists can ever lay claim to changing popular music. Just a handful.
Then one day it hits you– hammers you actually. You get total clarity and begin to change everything you’ve known and held sacred. So it was when Eric Clapton heard The Bands Music from Big Pink.
It was like all of a sudden he heard this record and said to himself, “Now this is what music should sound like.” For me personally– this has always been one of the most interesting moments in rock music history.
Photo-Don Dixon
My pal Corey Wood called me just as I was finishing recording Saturdays Stew. “Sorry to tell you this but Robbie’s gone”
He knew how special I thought Robbie Robertson was.
Dixie Down, Cripple Creek, I shall be Released, Chest Fever, King Harvest, Stage Fright, Acadian Driftwood, Somewhere down the crazy river. Once were brothers.
On the eve of the 50th anniversary of The Band’s landmark self-titled 1969 album, Terry David Mulligan catches up with Robbie Robertson. As the lead guitarist and principal songwriter for the brotherhood known to all as The Band, Robertson holds an esteemed place in music history.
On September 20th, his sixth solo album Sinematicwill be released. The record will be followed by the release of the documentary Once Were Brothers, the story of The Band on film. Robbie talks with Terry about his many projects, including the soundtrack he wrote for Martin Scorcese’s film The Irishman.
One of the greatest bands to ever walk our stages and play with our hearts has been taking the final curtain – one by one.
Ricky Danko
Levon Helm
Richard Manual
This week – the heart of The Band – Robbie Robertson
Left to carry the flag, Garth Hudson.
Very few artists can ever lay claim to changing popular music. Just a handful.
Then one day it hits you– hammers you actually. You get total clarity and begin to change everything you’ve known and held sacred. So it was when Eric Clapton heard The Bands Music from Big Pink. It was like all of a sudden he heard this record and said to himself, “Now this is what music should sound like.” For me personally– this has always been one of the most interesting moments in rock music history.
My pal Corey called me just as I was finishing recording Saturday’s Stew. “Sorry to tell you this but Robbie’s gone”
He knew how special I thought Robbie Robertson was.
Dixie Down, Cripple Creek, I shall be Released, Chest Fever, King Harvest, Stage Fright, Acadian DriftwoodSomewhere down the crazy river. Once were brothers.
I had just enough time to finish The Stew with Once Were Brothers.
The last interview I did with Robbie will be repeated on the Mulligan Stew Podcast this week.
I promise there’ll be a Robbie Remembrance on The Stew shortly.
The only reason I got to stand in the Winterland Ballroom one Thanksgiving Evening in SF was because Robbie invited me to attend The Last Waltz.
First things First – I hope you’re having a memorable Holiday Season.
I have some New Years’ Eve drop-in guests for you.
With the help of my transplanted Albertan friend Corey Wood, we created a social promo post called the Corey Clip. Short clips from feature interviews.
5-7 Mountain New Year’s Eve, @ckua we gathered 17 artists who joined us on The Stew in the Year 2022.
Dec 31 with short comments and music, we welcome back
The Hatch becomes Jason Parkes Customs/Emily Walker Wine List/New Emandare pours
THE SHOW
Jason Parkes is….
A former member of a punk band whose van broke down and he needed money to fix it – so he made wine.
the hub of an ever-expanding wheel.
The dark star at the center of a distant universe
Lead singer of the house band Proper Man
Founder, winemaker, visionary winery owner who surrounds himself with like-minded thinkers and doers.
Actually, his greatest talent is being a husband and father. From that family base comes his strength to start The Hatch, then create, build, open, or buy Hatching Post Brewery, Crown and Thieves, Black Swift Vineyards, Screaming Frenzy, Truck 59 CiderHouse, Smoke Show by JPC, Gobsmacked, and Jason Parkes Customs.
Team JPC
JPCustoms will become the new name of the overall company.
That’s why it was time to slow the man down long enough to talk things through and get a sense of what the road ahead looks like.
There are very few BC wineries expanding at this rate. Not just creating new wines and new destinations but whole new concepts in how to reach people, how to entertain them, and at times speak an entirely different language. Best of all, the wines are as memorable as the man.
(a video of Emily’s interview and her wines can be found below)
Emily Walker – working it
Imagine you’re Emily Walker and you are the Wine Director of the historic Naramata Inn in the village of Naramata.
The Inn is surrounded by 100’s of wineries. As far as the eye can see.
Naramata Heritage Inn
Every one of those wineries would like to be on Emily’s wine list but only a select few are chosen.
It’s those choices I wanted to know more about. Many of the wines she chooses are small lots. Perhaps as few as 25 cases.
But in between those hard-to-find wines, you’ll find gems that we can all search for. They’re all worth the chase.
Emily Walker is up to the task. Running wine programs at The Four Seasons Vancouver, the group Sommelier at all Tap and Barrels, and the opening of the Fairmont Pacific Rim in time for the Winter Olympics. Emily Walker brings all that big room experience into a dining room built-in 1907. You are going to love the experience.
I asked Emily to choose a handful of wines to tell us about.
Lightning Rock – 2021 Rose Pet-Nat $29 (Summerland)
No sugar. No yeast. Whole cluster & double pressed. One night on skins. Fermented in concrete tanks. Cloudy. Lower alcohol. Yummy!
Pedro Parra, renowned soil expert proclaimed their soil conditions Top 15% in the World. Matured in a combination of new oak, concrete, and stainless steel… Notes of nutmeg and caramel. Mighty texture and finish. Award-winning chardonnay!!
Made in Georgian Clay Vessels. Neutral oak. Unfined and unfiltered. A very different wine. Unpolished. Layered and textured.
And gorgeous. Special Syrah from a very special spot.
Nichol Vineyards St Laurent. A medium-dark red. The oldest St Laurent in Canada. Ripe blueberry and cassis on the nose. Tannins, acidity, and pepper in the mouth. Unfined & unfiltered. Cellared in Neutral French Barrique.
Mike Nierychlo Co-founder (with wife Robin) and winemaker of Emandare Wine (Cowichan Valley)
Team Emandare
It was raining ugly when Mike showed up for a quick pour.
I turned on the recorder and Mike took it from there.
He was pouring his new releases from Emandare.
2020 Alice $40 Traditional Method Rose made from 100% Cowichan Pinot Noir. Named after Robin and Mike’s 2nd daughter.
20ALICE
Strawberry, peach, and citrus scents and flavors abound. It is a great pour but very little was made. If you see it – buy it.
A big congratulations to everyone involved. Especially the label artists.
2020 Estate Pinot Noir – Mike and Robin’s original vines. Some 20 years in the ground now. They present a juicy, cherry, and cranberry-driven experience. Also, a texture that surprises. These are very happy vines.
2020 Estate Marechal-Cabernet Foch. $35 Flavours of ripe blackberries and black current. Cracked pepper delights.
2021 (From the Valley) – Farm Fresh Foch. $25 85% M. Foch and 15% Pinot Noir. It’s Mike’s Beaujolais.
Or because it’s from the Cowichan Valley it’s perhaps Cowjolais. It’s very drinkable. Restaurants are going to love this as a house pour.
Mike explains “from the valley”. It’s a neighborhood thing.
Executive Chef Jeff van Geest – Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek (Golden Mile)
Jeff talks about the staffing problems that all restaurants have been having. It’s tough times in the Okanagan and some restaurants are cutting down hours and days in order to stay open. Jeff is revealing, enlightening, and a damn fine chef.
Chef Evan Robertson. Kathy Malone Winemaker & Shelann Sleegers Wine Club Hillside Winery and Bistro
2020 Muscat Ottonel & 2015 Mosaic (Bordeaux Blend) History in a bottle
Evan Robertson – Exec Chef Hillside Bistro/Shelann Sleegers – Wine Club Manager
Associate Producer Corey Wood has edited video versions of the interviews with Jay Drysdale, Marcus Ansems, Ned Bell, and Emily Walker. They can be found on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/uralP29wDOE
Chef Evan Robertson. Kathy Malone Winemaker & Shelann Sleegers Wine Club Hillside Winery and Bistro
2020 Muscat Ottonel & 2015 Mosaic (Bordeaux Blend) History in a bottle
Evan Robertson – Exec Chef Hillside Bistro/Shelann Sleegers – Wine Club Manager
Associate Producer Corey Wood has edited video versions of the interviews with Jay Drysdale, Marcus Ansems, Ned Bell, and Emily Walker. They can be found on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/uralP29wDOE
THANK YOU TOTA!
https://www.totabc.org
STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON
NEXT WEEK
At Moon Curser…(Osoyoos)
John Weber – Orofino (Similkameen)
Wild Bill Eggert – Fairview Cellars (Golden Mile)
Justin Hall – Estate Winemaker Nk’Mip (Osoyoos)
Chef Jeff Van Geest – Miradoro. Tinhorn Creek (Golden Mile)
Saanich is that gorgeous stretch of farmland on the drive from the BC Ferry
Docks in Schwartz Bay, Vancouver Island into Victoria.
The idea for the show was suggested by Corey Wood, transplanted Albertan.
(Corey is the tech/creative director for TRR and MulliganStew the show and
podcast)
He kept reminding me that he was surrounded by growers, farmers, and
artisans who should be recognized.
DeVine wines and spirits, Church and State Winery, the brand new
Deep Cove Winery in North Saanich and the award-winning Sea Cider.
DeVine Wines and Spirits
Ken Winchester ( DeVine Wines and Spirits)
Ken Winchester
Devine was created by John and Cathy Windsor in 2007 out of a 25-acre piece
of land located in Saanichton on the Saanich Peninsula land. Originally a
grape farm supplying organic grapes to local wineries, the decision was soon
made to open an onsite winery and experiment with various types of grape
varietals to see which ones would thrive.
Early grape varieties included:
Pinot Gris and Noir, along with the Austrian white grape Gruner Veltliner.
The winery has since diversified to include other varietals over the years.
The first vintage was produced in 2009, and today, the farm produces over
2000 cases of wine
Distiller Ken Winchester has been experimenting with turning grapes into a
base spirit for gin and other spirits over the last couple of years. His
philosophy is focused on being a local winery and distillery, using
Vancouver Island ingredients first and wherever possible. The winery’s
grapes are now all grown locally making De Vine’s gins among the few using
island grown ingredients for their base spirit.
.
Ken Winchester has been a winemaker and distiller for more than 20 years.
Ken studied winemaking at the University of California, then planted
Winchester Vineyards in Paso Robles, California. Back in Canada, Ken
produced award-winning Pinot Noirs, consulted for other Island wineries, was
the first winemaker at Church and State and even came up with the name and
taught viticulture at UBC.
He studied distilling at Michigan State and
apprenticed at Bruichladdich Distillery in Scotland. In 2007 Ken launched
Winchester Spirits, the first distillery on Vancouver Island, and created
the iconic Victoria Gin. Ken has consulted for deVine since its first
plantings, and became its Winemaker & Distiller. deVine produces
terroir-driven, organic spirits including Gins, Whisky, fruit Brandies, and
Rum.
The great thing about the distillery is it doesn’t have to pay the bills at
deVine. They have a successful winery that makes 2,000 cases a year.
We found Ken at deVine is his cellar and barrel room..completely surrounded
by the implements of his craft.
We even had time to talk about his wines as well.
FYI – on this home page you’ll find a video companion to this conversation –
shot & edited by..wait for it ..Corey Wood
Church and State are right around the corner from deVine wines and spirits.
Frankly, everything is “right around the corner” relatively speaking.
This wonderful vineyard was the dream of former owner Kim Pullen.
Kim was always pushing the wine boundaries in BC.
Being one of the first to locate the winery in Saanich but then bringing his
grapes from the Okanagan.
Hiring Napa Valley winemaker Bill Dyer, formerly with Burrowing Owl.
Rather than bringing Okanagan grapes to a Vancouver Island winery, in 2008,
Church & State owner Kim Pullen opened a second crush facility in a leased
packing house in the south Okanagan. A second tasting room opened in 2010 on
the winery’s Coyote Bowl Vineyard on Black Sage Road.
The Brentwood Bay winery was launched originally as Victoria Estate Winery.
Church and State was named producer of Best Canadian Red Wine six times
since 2009, Best Canadian White blend three times since 2013 and received
countless Gold medals, Best in Class awards and Trophies for both red and
white wines.
Even though I much preferred the original labels..the wine inside is still
classy and very well made.
The surprise is how great the winery and restaurant are as a destination.
I was originally going to be talking to GM Tony Buree but his dentist had
the final say and thus Danica was kind enough to step in front of the
microphone and take his place.
Elyse (Owner/Manager ) & Tasem Ramadan (Owner/Winemaker) Deep Cove Winery
Pascal Madevon – Vineyard and Winemaking Consultant) Deep Cove Winery
Elyse and Tasem
This is quite a story..
The original winery was called Muse.
A wonderful young couple, Elyse and Tasem Ramadan decided to change their
careers and take over this beautiful little winery. It’s the closest to the
Ferry terminal and right across the street from the iconic Deep Cove Chalet.
Two things needed to change.
The winery has been completely rebuilt and made into a destination for
weddings, meetings and tastings.
The second change? The wines had to be much better and that’s where they
made a wise decision and hired winemaker and consultant Pascal Madevon
(Osoyoos Larose. Culmina)
WoW! I’m impressed. With the wines, the winery and the dedication shown by
Tasem and Elyse.
Right out of the June 1st starting gate, this is a winery that could affect
wines made in Saanich into the future.
But..and it’s a BIG BUT they don’t make very much wine. Have a listen to
the amounts available.
(I think Tasem said there were 6 cases of a delicious Foch)
Pascal Madevon was saying he hadn’t worked with Foch since France.
This story was a really nice surprise. You can find it and them in North
Saanich.
Kristen Needham – Founder and Cidermaster at Sea Cider
Kristen Needham
Kristen credits her father Jim for first planting the orchard bug in her
when she was a teenager.
Then , like most teens, she took off to see the World.
Kristen decided to return to the idea 16 years ago. It took her five years
just to set up the operation before she bottled her first batch of cider.
She took a huge risk early on – planting more than 1,300 trees of “inedible”
apples in her orchard.
Sea Cider – Saanich
How difficult is Cider making? Check this out.
As she told Kim Kalinowski (Medicine Hat News)
“‘Bittersweet’ is a traditional English-style cider. It is made from
Dabinetts and Yarlington Mills apples, and a few other varieties, that are
really unheard of. They are basically inedible, and you can’t buy them. And
yet, if you are going to make a truly traditional, English-style cider in
North America, you really have to grow those apples yourself.”
Sea Cider is not just a Saanich/Vancouver island success story. Through its
amazing growth and award winning ciders, it has become one of the very best
Canadian success stories. Period.
I’m more than pleased to sit back and let Kristen tell the story. They all
should be this good!
If you’re looking for the nuances of cider..this is the interview for you.
Many of us grew up drinking a horrible sweet juice that was passed off a “a
cider”. THIS is cider the way it was meant to be. It’s not for everyone but
neither is wine or beer or cocktails.
Enjoy.
Final Word.
If you’re making plans to come to Vancouver Island consider spending a day
in Saanich with deVine, Church and State, Deep Cove and Sea Cider.
In conversation about BC’s fishery and their menus PLUS a very special
segment on memories of Anthony Bourdain from friends Tojo, Ned Bell, Pino
Posteraro, Quang Dang, etc.
It’s fair to say that Christmas is the most traditional season of the year.
Mulligan Stew has its own tradition we’d like to share with you.
It all started at CBC Vancouver in the late 70s with Producer Susan Englebert.
I was hosting a weekly show called The Great Canadian Goldrush and Susan brought together several of our artist friends to sing Christmas songs and tell Christmas tales.
Shari Ulrich, Roy Forbes, Terry Frewer were all part of those shows.
The show became a tradition – year after year.
Then life happened. Our friend Susan lost a battle with cancer, Goldrush was canceled and we all moved on.
It wasn’t until I signed on with Roundhouse Radio in Vancouver that the idea of Christmas in the Round started to take shape.
Finally, I had a great mix.
Artists that were attracted to Roundhouse Radio’s support of music and the arts.
And a real working studio..plus a lobby that doubled as a stage. Perfect!!
This is now Year Three of Christmas in the Round.
Shari Ulrich is still part of the group.
( Roy Forbes joined us last year)
This year the lineup is strong. Everyone on the stage had an amazing year. Recording, touring, co-writing and making new friends.
Barney Bentall – had just come off the road with Cariboo Express. Released a fine new album The Drifter and the Preacher and was about to tour coast-to-coast in early 2018 with the Jim Cuddy Band.
Shari Ulrich – on the road with Barney, playing with other artists, forming a trio with her daughter Julia and fellow Cariboo Expresser Kirby Barber, who’s also with us this year.
(Julia recorded and mixed this hour)
Jim Byrnes- host of Byrnes Blues with a well-earned reputation as a singular performer, who proudly shows his St Louis roots in every song.
He too has a new album coming out in Feb. – Long Hot Summer Days.
Bill Henderson – Leader, writer, vocalist, and guitarist of Chilliwack. Mentor to many of today’s new artists. Producer and picker.
Craig Northey – Original member of The Odds. Invaluable session man, co-writer, and part of perhaps the best backing band in the Country.
You may notice in the group photo that he’s leaning on a crutch. That’s because he BROKE his ankle playing hockey 2 weeks before this session and he still came to play.
He’s a gamer. A lifer.
Geoff Hicks – Plays drums with EVERYONE – Colin James, Barney, never mind..it’s way too many to mention
Rob Becker – Ditto. Need a great bass player? Start in the B’s with Becker. Plays with Barney a lot.
They all have Christmas songs and stories and a tradition to carry on.
Many thanks to Cory Price, Julia Graff, Monique McQueen, Alex Rodgerson, Don Shafer, Margaret Garrison, Dave Dhillon, Gabe Reinarz, Julian Anton, Scott Elliott and Duke, Natalie Pitt.
