As of June 1, the majority of COVID-related restrictions have been lifted throughout most of Canada. In British Columbia, there are no mask mandates or limits on gatherings, and the requirement to show proof of vaccination at non-essential businesses is no longer required by the Province of British Columbia’s Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry. To cross the border, … [Read more...] about Sidebar: British Columbia COVID-19 guidelines
Wine
Sidebar: British Columbia wine facts
There are nine official wine regions, or geographical indications (similar to American Viticultural Areas in the United States) in British Columbia, and some have sub-regions, known as sub-GIs. Okanagan Valley, which includes the Golden Mile Bench, Naramata Bench and Okanagan FallsSimilkameen ValleyFraser ValleyVancouver IslandGulf … [Read more...] about Sidebar: British Columbia wine facts
The Wines That Made Us: Vega Sicilia Unico for Jessica Munnell
Jessica Munnell intended to grow flowers. A degree in horticulture at Washington State University, a greenhouse to follow. A future filled with dirt under her fingernails and a beautiful bouquet of blooms on her kitchen table, in perpetuity. Life, in this way, did not go to plan. And now, instead of putting ranunculus in a vase, she puts longleaf phlox on the bottles … [Read more...] about The Wines That Made Us: Vega Sicilia Unico for Jessica Munnell
Sniff, Sip, Swirl: Holmes family unveils Arneis on Red Mountain
About 40 years ago, I was chatting with a then-young winemaker about why he remained in Washington state rather than returning to his native California. “Washington is the Wild West of winemaking,” he told me. He stayed because he wanted to be part of a frontier spirit that was looking ahead to see what could be done here, find out what wine grapes would grow here … [Read more...] about Sniff, Sip, Swirl: Holmes family unveils Arneis on Red Mountain
Military firefighter creates Rain Shower Cellars on Whidbey Island
COUPEVILLE, Wash. — When Department of Defense firefighter Sean Merrill received a promotion in 2008 that took him and his wife, Kim, from Colorado to Whidbey Island, they couldn’t envision starting a winery in the tiny town of Coupeville just five years later. He had picked up some experience in the wine industry while living in Napa in the early 1990s prior to … [Read more...] about Military firefighter creates Rain Shower Cellars on Whidbey Island