A look at the program and topics our attendees will experience.
MASTERCLASS: WELCOME TO BC WINE COUNTRY
This overview will look at BC’s unique history, wine regions, and terroir, giving a foundation of knowledge to build on over the rest of BootCamp.
MASTERCLASS: BC’S TOP VARIETALS
What are BC’s top varietals? What will BC be known for in the future? This Masterclass will feature a panel of winemakers and experts to debate what they believe are the best grape varieties for BC and why.
Panelists
Phil McGahan, Winemaker, CheckMate Artisanal Winery
Heidi Noble, Proprietor & Winemaker, JoieFarm
Severine Pinte, Winemaker, Viticulturist & Managing Partner, Le Vieux Pin Winery
Grant Stanley, Winemaker & GM, SpearHead Winery
MASTERCLASS: REGIONAL TASTING OF BC WINES
This tasting will give insight into the diversity of BC’s wine regions, varietals and its style by bringing together one hundred wines from around BC.
SUPER ‘NATURAL’ BC: ORANGE, WILD FERMENTS, CONCRETE, ANCESTRAL…
Like in many cutting-edge regions of the wine world, BC winemaking is full of experimentation, but with a growing movement toward low manipulation winemaking and organic and biodynamic growing. This Masterclass explores the natural side of BC wine.
Panelists
Mike Bartier, Winemaker & Proprietor, Bartier Bros.
Mike Clark, Winemaker & Managing Director, Clos du Soleil
Jay Drysdale, Winemaker & Proprietor, Bella
Ann Sperling, Winemaker & Proprietor, Sperling Vineyards
CHEF AND SOMMELIER PAIRING WORKSHOP
Sommelier and chef teams will create pairings, each dish using a key local BC ingredient and paired with two wines from the regional tasting. Each pairing will be served at dinner the following evening, vying for the prize for Best BC Pairing. We are excited to be working with these renowned Okanagan chefs on this collaboration:
MASTERCLASS: BC IN THE WINE WORLD
How does BC stand up in the world of wine? This Masterclass will feature a blind tasting pitting BC wines against well known benchmark wines from around the world.
Panelists
Phil McGahan, Winemaker, CheckMate Artisanal Winery
Heidi Noble, Proprietor & Winemaker, JoieFarm
Severine Pinte, Winemaker, Viticulturist & Managing Partner, Le Vieux Pin Winery
Grant Stanley, Winemaker & GM, SpearHead Winery
MASTERCLASS: SOILS & GEOLOGY
Each wine region has a unique terroir. Its soils and geology shape the taste, structure and character of its wines. With soil scientist Scott Smith, P. Ag, this session appeals to the inner geologist hidden in all wine lovers.
MASTERCLASS: BUILT TO LAST – THE AGEABILITY OF BC WINE
The unique Okanagan Valley and Similkameen Valley climates are perfectly suited to making wines built to age, with intense flavour, natural acidity and lots of structure. This Masterclass explores the ageability of BC wine and how ageability is something BC wine might be known for in the future.
Panelists
David Paterson, Winemaker & GM, Tantalus Vineyards
Eric Von Krosigk, Winemaker & Viticulturist, Summerhill Pyramid Winery
John Weber, Winemaker & Proprietor, Orofino Vineyards
Chris Wyse, President, Burrowing Owl Vineyards
MASTERCLASS: DIGGING DEEP
It is often said wine is made in the vineyard. But what goes into making the vineyard? This Masterclass will explore a vineyard currently under development and learn what goes into all aspects of soil testing, planning and planting.
Panelists
Val Tait, Winemaker & General Manager
Bench 1775
Chad Douglas, Viticulturist
Quails’ Gate Estate Winery
JUDGMENT OF BC BLIND TASTING
How does BC stand up in the world of wine? The 4th annual Judgment of BC will feature a blind tasting of two important wine categories in BC pitting 12 BC wines against 12 international benchmark wines.
