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Permalink Reply by George Phiniotis on November 13, 2010 at 3:30am

There are a few winemakers with whom I consult regularly and have learned a great deal over the years. Of course my opinion in this matter is based on my own personal experiences over the last 10 years. So in no particular order ;
Ron Taylor - Ron's brilliant. He can make wine out of anything. Over 30 years experience starting with Andres where he was making Baby Duck and Crackling Rose. Say what you want about these wines but they were (and still are) very successful products. Currently Ron is a consultant in the lower mainland servicing many of the fruit wineries and making all kinds of interesting products with a minimal amount of equipment in challenging circumstances.
Dr.Alan Marks - Currently Scott Labs' tehnical sales rep. Alan is an extremely knowledgable and approachable winemaker with a great attitude. I always seek Alan's opinion when I have an advanced technical question.
Dr.Elias Phiniotis - Currently consulting, start ups of 23 wineries in BC over the last 30 years and trained more winemakers than some Universities.
Between these 3 guys I can usually find a solution to most problems.
There are different approaches and styles, but there are also correct and incorrect solutions.
A few more I'll add (again in no particular order);
Jeff Martin @ La Frenz,
Derek and Brooke @ Jackson Triggs
Christine Leroux - consultant
Walter Gehringer @ Gehringer Bros.
I know I forgot a few, but that's my short list.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Blucke on September 16, 2011 at 7:23pm

It has been awhile since we have discussed this one.  Now that we are approaching harvest and Fall Wine Festival, I'd like to discuss this again.  Who is the most admired winemaker, right now, in BC?

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Permalink Reply by George Phiniotis on September 17, 2011 at 3:18am

It is kind of like asking what's your favourite restaurant in Vancouver...depends on the style I want. Established wineries and vineyards have a much better idea how the best process their grapes in terns of variety and terroir. If I had time to visit 4 Estate Wineries they would be Desert Hills,Gehringer Brothers,Wild Goose, and La Frenz.There are many more worth mentioning, For reds to cover your styles I like Black Hills,Cassini,Desert Hills,and Burrowing Owl. Again there are too many to list and I can only do 4-6 wineries/day without it bring work! As for winemakers, they go from winery to winery sometimes unable to even see the red they fermented reach maturity in a bottle! The guys that have been there for a few years are better than a foreign winemaker brought into a foreign environment to work with unfaniliar varieties that have experienced different conditions than the ones they know intimately, I admire anyone who can stick it out for a good duration and create wines based on their experience,,,the list is long.

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Permalink Reply by Graham O'Rourke on September 21, 2011 at 11:19am

Lyndsay O'Rourke. Easily the most underrated winemaker in the Valley.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Blucke on September 21, 2011 at 12:56pm

Thanks Graham, which of Lyndsay's wines do I absolutely have to go out and try?  

Graham O'Rourke said:

Lyndsay O'Rourke. Easily the most underrated winemaker in the Valley.

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Permalink Reply by Graham O'Rourke on September 21, 2011 at 1:10pm

2010 Ruby Blues Pinot Gris, 2010 Ruby Blues Riesling and 2010 Gewurztraminer.

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Permalink Reply by Luke Whittall on September 23, 2011 at 8:58am

Nobody's mentioned local boy Michael Bartier yet, so I'll mention him. Decorated for his chards at 3 different wineries, he put Township 7 on the map and brought Road 13 through it's branding change. Now he's the go-to winemaker for the Ok. Crush Pad (B&S, Bartier Bros.), Painted Rock and (if I'm remembering correctly) the new incarnation of Soaring Eagle.

 

Let's also not forget Bill Eggert, James Cambridge, Lawrence Herder, and Anne Sperling.

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