Green Mountain Corcelettes Cawston Blues: Friday, March 25th!

Conformity may give you a quiet life; it may even bring you to a University Chair. But all change in history, all advance, comes from the nonconformists. If there had been no trouble-makers, no dissenters, we should still be living in caves. -A.J.P. Taylor, historian (25 Mar 1906-1990)

As per attached. Meet you at Orifino around noon. Hi Sarge! I left a message at Orofino but hadn't heard back, as of this writing, so glad you sent along a message. I thought a call might receive more attention. At any rate, will see you there. I plan to leave home around 9:00 am. Cora Lee will bring your case of wine. Travel safely. Cheers, Patrizzio! See you at Orifino. Wayne

Day dawned reasonably brightly, on GF, with the promise of some warmth later. I was suited up and ready to roll by 9:30 am, destination, Keremeos, via Green Mountain Road, (access to Apex), to meet Flamin', Sarge and Molly at Orofino for a tasting. Lady Dar was to drive so that I could put my bike on rack for return trip. When I left I made for Skaha Lake Park as I wanted to ride north along the Penticton IB Road which parallels the airport runway, to hit GMR. Did just this and then began long, slow climb up to the turn-off to Apex, just past a horse ranch there. Good, good grind but the road is lovely, first part along a lovely stream so I enjoyed the peace and quiet, although it was broken, from time to time, with packets of cars, skiers en route to Apex. 

Once I'd reached the turn-off, knew the bulk of the hard work was done as most was downhill, from here all the way to Keremeos, some exhilarating swoops to come. I've done this ride a number of times, both ways, so am reasonably familiar with it. All went swimmingly until about two-thirds of the way to where GMR intersects with 3A when I heard what I first thought might have been a gunshot and then realized, sickeningly, that I hadn't been shot at but rather had popped a spoke! Pulled over and inspected my wheels discovering the broken spoke on the back wheel. Couldn't extract it so twisted it around another spoke and kept going. Wasn't very happy, primarily, as riding like this usually puts one's wheel out of true. Anyway, not much that I could do other than phoning Lady Dar. However, I knew she was probably close to Keremeos, if not already at Orofino and didn't really want her to have to drive all the way back to collect me.

So I soldiered on and was soon at the cattle-guard at the bottom of GMT. I usually ride over it but was afraid to do so, given the broken spoke, assuming that the extra shock might due further damage to the tire.  Second time I'd had to touch The Dreaded Burning Ground so was rather down in the dumps as I made my way towards Olalla. Fortunately, more or less smooth sailing from then on, other than the fact that I was riding right into a pretty strong headwind. Not such a big deal when cycling downhill but there are quite a few flat stretches before one reaches Keremeos so I had to struggle until then.

However, once on Upper Bench Road I whistled along, the wind now propelling me, and I made some gains in my AVG before I could see Orofino up ahead. About half a km form winery I could see the gang loading wine into their respective vehicles. Stats for ride: 

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1098823735#.VvXKUvRgqls.email
 
They had been there about 45 minutes before I arrived so thay had finished tasting and buying. After greeting them I dashed inside to knock back a quick tasting and started talking to the only other person, other than John, the owner, in the tasting room. Turned out that Ian Hartnett is a salesman for Cadus, a French barrel company, and he was here on business. He is a biker as well and lives in Sonoma, in Sonoma County, so we had loads to talk about before I was "yanked out of the tasting room by my impatient companions!

On to Clos du Soleil next and here we enjoyed one of those quintessential tasting experiences when the wine and the individual pouring make the time there a more than wonderfully agreeable event. Amanda, the lovely young woman in charge of the tasting room, was extremely proud of the new winery building, (I had tasted there two years ago and place was little more than a garage.), both huge production area and extremely well-appointed tasting room. The wines, particularly the whites, were stellare, and over the course of sipping, I asked Amanda where she was from. Turned out, Nova Scotia, and one thing led to another and Flamin' and Sarge soon discovered that they had close mutual friends in common. I was delighted to learn this I we need a palace to stay in Keremeos and now I am almost part of Amanda's family!

Then right next door to Corcelettes, formerly Herder. Was looking forward to tasting there since we last visited in September of last year. Jesce, owner and wife of Charlie, owner/winemaker, was pouring agian and we had fun with her as she is just as vivacious and friendly and Amanda. Once again, six degrees of separation as Peter Moon, son of a former RCMP colleague of Sarge's, still works for Jesce's father, Willy Laserich, who started the air medevac service in Cambridge Bay. Anotehr wonderful tasting and we even had a picnic there, Lady Dar putting a plate of mini-turkey pepperoni sausages, crackers and cheese on the tasting counter so we could munch and tipple while we chatted! What a grand time! What a stupendous view across the valley to the majestic cliffs!

Then to Robin Ridge. I'd met Tim, the owner/winemaker at a number of Penticton Farmers' Markets this summer. Another pleasant tasting and I was much taken with the Merlot, fruit-forward and quite reasonably priced. Thanking Tim we made for Little Farm Winery as I had heard about the owner, on CBC, a few months ago: Rhys Pender MW – Wine Grower
After following his wife-to-be back to Canada, Rhys pursued his food and wine passion by completing a Professional Culinary Diploma and working in a top Vancouver restaurant. At the same time he took his first wine course, something that gave him an insatiable appetite for learning about wine. Rhys and Alishan moved to the Okanagan in 1999 to pursue the food and wine culture. Rhys spent time working in the vineyard, the cellar, wine shops and catering events before moving back to Vancouver for a two-year stint to manage a specialty retail wine store. Back in the Okanagan in 2003 Rhys and Alishan started a catering company and Okanagan Grocery Artisan Breads, and Rhys started his Wine Plus+ business doing wine education, consulting, writing and judging. Rhys then took on the the gruelling Master of Wine program of study all while running Okanagan Grocery and Wine Plus+ and with two baby daughters and one sleep deprived mother-baker in the house. Yes, they thought he was crazy.
This culminated in Rhys becoming Canada’s youngest Master of Wine (the wine world’s highest level of achievement) in 2010, one of only 300 in the world. Through his studies, Rhys knew every reason why they shouldn’t jump into the vineyard and winemaking dream but couldn’t help doing it anyway. Instead he used his training to design and plant the 4 acre Mulberry Tree Vineyard at the property Rhys and Alishan purchased in Cawston in 2008.

Alishan Driediger – Winemaker

While travelling in the south of France with Rhys in her early 20’s, Alishan took a course in the language, wine and food of the region and a dream was sparked to one day live and work immersed in food and wine culture.
Her interest in food and wine led her to earn a Professional Culinary Diploma and study in the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at UBC as well as earning a certificate in winemaking from Guelph University. Now growing grapes and making wine for Little Farm Winery Alishan is furthering her winemaking education by taking the University of California – Davis’ winemaking program. She also recently completed the Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET).

Unfortunately, winery was closed so will have to make a point of trying to visit this coming summer. Said goodbye to Clan Sutherland here as they were continuing on to Spirit Ridge. After we waved goodbye, we stopped at Twisted Hills Craft Cider as Amanda had recommended it most highly, Again, not open so we have plenty of stops for next visit to the Similkameen, a burgeoning micro region, coming into its own, for sure.  

Back home to drop of my bike at Freedom where I discovered that I needed a new rear wheel as there was a hole, a little less than an inch square out of the inner rim! Staff assured me it would be ready for Saturday's ride to Osoyoos. Back home to shower and change and then Peter collected us for dinner at the Penticton Golf Club, (All three of us had the absolutely scrumptious liver, bacon and onions, washed down with a quite quaffable 2013 Hester Creek Merlot.), and then across the street to watch game 5 of playoffs. Funnily enough, Mary Lee, from hiking group), and her husband Paul, and Sandy, (from Flatlanders), and her husband, Norbert, (again, from hiking group), were sitting in the row in front of us! Had a great good time cheering local team on but, unfortunately, Penticton Vees lost 1/2 to West Kelowna Warriors! What a fab day with fab friends, old and new!

Hi Patrick Just to let you know that we have now eaten your butter and sold your water bottle and freezer packs on Craig's list. Polly left a message for Chloe to tell her the bad news and have not heard back yet. When are you coming down? We leave for porteau cove Tuesday and are back Wednesday evening. Cheers Mick 

Tummler and Corinne, thanks again for hosting the ragged north islanders at the Reach - with the crazy pup. We had a wonderful time - and the birthday dinner was way beyond the call. Loved the play by play of the snowshoe trip at Apex. Really great to see you both - your casita, your hood, some of your new friends... We will be back way sooner than you might think... Expect to host you here in the coming year. Jewellery found - sorry for the trouble. The easiest drop for you may be to drop the boots on Charlie's front porch. Jane may be in town when you are so maybe you could arrange a hand to hand drop? Love to all, G & J - and M