Farm Friends Event Raised $6,000 For BC Hospitality Foundation

Farm Friends, an event that was organized in response to the recent boycott on the importation of BC Wine to Alberta, raised $6,000 for the BC Hospitality Foundation on Thursday, February 22, 2018. The boycott has now been rescinded, fortunately and coincidentally so, on the day of the event.

Mastermind behind Farm Friends and BCHF chair, Christine Coletta (also owner of Okanagan Crush Pad Winery & Haywire Winery), noted that the BC Hospitality Foundation was a natural fit to donate proceeds to, "As one of the founders of the BCHF, I am passionate about the work we do. I urge other industry businesses to think of ways they can help. In this case funds will be used to support the next generation about to enter the hospitality sector through scholarships".

This event was proof that businesses working side by side to find solutions over political grand standing is the way forward. With attendees which included the public, trade, and media, guests enjoyed Alberta foods such as beef and bison made by chefs at Granville Island’s Edible Canada, paired with wines from some of BC’s top wineries listed below.

Participating wines at Farm Friends event.

50th Parallel Estate Winery

Culmina Family Estate Winery

Dames Wine

Liquidity Wines

Okanagan Crush Pad Winery

Painted Rock Estate Winery

Poplar Grove Winery

Summerhill Pyramid Winery

Each winery generously donated $500 to the BC Hospitality Foundation, in addition to attending the event and pouring for guests. Owner of Edible Canada, Eric Pateman, proudly hosted this event to support the industry.

Congratulations to the brave hearts of our industry for reminding everyone that BC loves Alberta, and that we should always react with warmth rather than hate and opposition.  

Christine Coletta, organizer of Farm Friends and owner of Okanagan Crush Pad winery, with Lauren Skinner from Painted Rock Winery and Harriet Whitecross from Edible Canada, enjoying local BC wine while discussing details of Farm Friends event.

Western Canada's Largest Grocery & Specialty Food Show Returns with Expanded Show and New Lineup of Speakers Under One Roof

[Vancouver, BC] Western Canada's premier conference and exhibition, Grocery & Specialty Food West (GSFW) returns April 23 and 24 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West Building (1055 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC). 

Due to popular demand, this year's show has expanded its exhibition space and enhanced its programs to create an all-inclusive collaborative, networking and educational experience for everyone in the grocery and specialty food industries. In addition to workshops and keynotes, more than 300 booths of leading grocery and specialty food suppliers will be onsite to showcase their latest innovations and services to the 2,500 attendees.

As a fast-paced industry valued at $120-billion,  grocery stakeholders are always on the lookout for the latest innovations, insights and trends to differentiate themselves from their competitors. The GSFW show has become the trusted epicenter where thousands of key, decision-making retailers and manufacturers converge to discover insights and new products, share conversations and build relationships  

Highlights at this year's show includes, but not limited to:

• Canada's Finance Minister Bill Morneau.
   
• The role of artificial intelligence in grocery.
  • Gary Saarenvirta, CEO & founder, Daisy Intelligence.

• Technology's impact on grocery retailing.
  • Rory Capern, former managing director, Google & Twitter.
  • Stewart Samuel, program director, IDG.
     
• Shopper marketing best practices. 
  • Matthew Diamond and Fraser James, Mosaic Toronto. 
     
• Market analysis: Present and future of grocery industry. 
  • Mark Petrie, consumer and market analyst, CIBC World Markets.

• Consumer and grocery trends, such as meal kits. 
  • Katie Martin, editor, Progressive Grocer/Gourmet Retailer Magazine. 

Learn more about the full panel of speakers, conference details, New Product Showcase, tips for attending the show and more.

"Based on positive feedback from Grocery & Specialty Food West attendees and exhibitors in previous years, we proudly say with confidence that whether you are a conference attendee or exhibitor, you will walk away with a new business insight or network. The GSFW show is thrilled to be the platform that bridges these new opportunities to ultimately support sales." - Thomas Barlow, president and CEO, Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG)

Exhibitors:

With thousands of attendees expected, this is the only grocery and specialty food show to comprehensively connect you with like-minded grocery professionals while learning about the latest industry insights that supports your business. Remember, GSF is all things grocery and specialty food retailing. If it can be utilized in the day-to-day operations of the grocery store, you can find it all right here, under one roof. Exhibit now. 

Retailers & Buyers: 

Bring your entire team to this one-stop shop for anyone in the grocery sector. Be sure to take full advantage of GSF's trade show only Show Specials offered by numerous exhibitors (discounts and coupons for retailers offered only at the show). 

Full conference agenda available online. Register now.  

Media: 

For media accreditation (on assignment only), photo library and interview opportunities with experts, please contact Amy Chen for more information.  

Plan a Perfect Vineyard Wedding

Trends and Tips from the Experts on Planning the Perfect Vineyard Wedding

[Duncan, BC] A vineyard wedding offers the perfect earthy-chic ambiance, tied together with old-world charm. Planning it all can be daunting, so we spoke to seasoned professionals who frequently work with Blue Grouse Estate Winery for their tips and trends on how to host a dream wedding set among the vines. Follow these ideas for how to style your own.

Please browse our Blue Grouse Estate Winery photo gallery with photo credits to: Sweet Heirloom Photography. 

The Bride and Groom share a sweet moment on site at Blue Grouse Estate Winery. Photo Credit: Sweet Heirloom Photography 

Food:

Taryn Stewart of Truffles Catering says to impress with cheese cake.

No, we're not talking about any creamy, sweet Cheesecake Factory confections. Cutting-edge, food-loving couples today are opting for fanciful, multi-tiered cakes made out of gourmet cheeses such as chèvre, gouda, and a host of savoury charcuterie board staples.

"The trend is ideal for those that are looking to incorporate unique and distinctive wedding elements to their special day," Stewart shared. The opportunity to pair this with an array of award-winning Blue Grouse wines is surely the topping on the "cake".

Charcuterie from a wedding at Blue Grouse Estate Winery. Jeffrey Bosdet photo.

Rentals:

If you are getting married on Vancouver Island, the tenting, glassware, and more can be arranged by Dave Willie at Black and White Rentals. With more than 25 years of experience supporting Island weddings, Dave notes that gold cutlery, textured ceramic plates, chiavari chairs, and harvest tables are popular. 

Blue Grouse offers indoor and outdoor settings for a ceremony and reception. Here, Blue Grouse Estate Winery's Quill White awaits wedding guests. Sweet Heirloom Photography.

Event Planning and Florals:

Most couples today choose to have their ceremony and reception at the same venue. This is affordable, and allows a seamless transition from the ceremony to photos, mingling with cocktails, and dinner into dancing. "Staying in one spot allows more time with guests, and less stress for all by reducing travel and logistics," discloses Christine Smart of Smart Events. With a venue as vast and versatile as Blue Grouse Estate Winery, transitions are simplified and complicated coordination is eliminated. 

"Blue Grouse Estate Winery offers a stunning contemporary building which allows traditional table settings and florals to become a focal point", she adds.

The colour tones of the setting at Blue Grouse Estate Winery are natural and very easy to complement. With this in mind, those getting married have creative freedom for picking floral arrangements that are true to their style. Pantone's colour of the year for 2018 is ultra-violet, so purple lavender and pink or cream-coloured roses or peonies are on trend, but any one of your favourite flowers can be incorporated beautifully. 

Rich, jewel-toned blooms blended with cream-coloured peonies and natural greenery carry an air of vibrant sophistication and elegance. Thorn & Thistle photo.

Venue: 

Next to engagement rings and the bride's dress, deciding on a venue is one of the biggest aspects of planning a wedding. Boasting 65 acres of stunning property, Blue Grouse Estate Winery is the ideal venue to make the dream of a vineyard wedding become a reality.

Sweeping valley views on the ceremony grounds at Blue Grouse Estate Winery. Photo Credit Sweet Heirloom Photography.

An outdoor ceremony at Blue Grouse Estate Winery can accommodate up to 130 guests, and can be tented. Alternatively, if you want to be indoors, the inside tasting room of the winery can accommodate up to 80 guests for a seated dinner reception.

Concerned about accommodations? The Grouse House offers a luxurious two-bedroom suite that is a convenient location to rent for pre-ceremony wedding party preparations and a beautiful post-ceremony rest. Upon booking your wedding, you will receive $100.00 off of your stay per night at Grouse House. 

For inquiries about booking a wedding at Blue Grouse Estate Winery and/or a stay at the brand new Grouse House, contact Jenny.

About Blue Grouse Estate Winery:

Family-owned, sustainably-farmed and award-winning, Blue Grouse Estate Winery is located in Duncan, in the heart of the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. The winery and surrounding vineyards are a sought after destination not only for sampling the winery's award-winning portfolio of wines, but also for events, picnics and family adventures.

The inspired winery facility was built with many sustainable elements including locally-sourced construction materials, the use of geothermal energy, onsite water collection and treatment, as well as other features that reduce energy consumption.

More information, including tasting hours and upcoming events: www.bluegrouse.ca/ 

Farm Friends: BC Wineries respond to Alberta's BC Wine Boycott with Love

Wineries to host public "Farm Friends" event with BC wine and Alberta beef

And call for supporters to make March 2018 BC Wine Month

Feb 8, 2018 [Summerland, BC] Alberta Premier Rachel Notley announced an immediate boycott on all imports of wines from British Columbia Tuesday, in what is becoming a growing inter-provincial spat over the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline.

Instead of reacting with hate and opposition, a group of BC wineries has decided to remind everyone that they love Alberta.

Christine Coletta, owner of Okanagan Crush Pad, makers of Haywire wine, is calling for people to support their local wine industry during the month of March, while continuing to purchase Alberta products. 

The idea kicks off with a walk around food and wine evening featuring BC wine and Alberta food at Edible Canada on Thursday, February 22nd. Tickets, $55 are available here, and are expected to sell quickly. All proceeds will be donated to the BC Hospitality Foundation.

Participating wineries include 50th Parallel Estate Winery, Culmina Family Estate Winery, Haywire, Liquidity, Painted Rock Estate Winery, Poplar Grove Winery and Summerhill Pyramid Winery; as well as Mireille Sauvé with the Dames Wineproject. Winery principals will be on hand to showcase their wines and talk to guests and celebrate the gains that the industry has made over the past two decades.

Their wines will be showcased along with Alberta foods such as beef and bison, and made by Edible Canada and guest chefs. 

For the past decade, farmers, wineries and food producers have worked hard to create an identity for Canadian cuisine across the country and take that message to the international world whenever possible to promote culinary tourism. 

"We want everyone to see that we are better together," says Coletta. "We do not want to do anything that could potentially hurt farmers or small family businesses, no matter where they live. "Working side by side to find solutions is ideal over political grand standing," she continues. "There are so many links and synergies between the two provinces that we need to remember and embrace."

Edible Canada is located on Granville Island in the heart of a thriving public market. The restaurant exclusively serves Canadian cuisine using local products and offers a gourmet artisan retail store. Owner Eric Pateman has been a tireless champion of Canada's culinary community and is proud to be able to host the event. 

SHARING IS CARING

Here's the Farm Friends tool kit you need to spread the word.

Summerhill's Organic Bistro Opens for 2018 with New Flavours

Summerhill Pyramid Winery's Sunset Organic Bistro Opens for 2018 With New Flavours and a Featured Culinary Team

[Kelowna, BC] The Summerhill Sunset Organic Bistro reopens this month with a new team and menu. Lauded British Columbia chef Jeremy Luypen joins Summerhill Pyramid Winery (Summerhill) as executive winery chef. 

Luypen is excited to be building plant-based menus focused on the abundance of local vegetables, especially those featuring ingredients from the winery's biodynamic gardens. 

"While we will definitely continue to serve Oceanwise products from Codfathers Seafood Market and grass-fed meats from Two Rivers Specialty Meats, we fundamentally believe a plant-based diet with better, not more meat, is the way to go", says Luypen.

"Always focusing on protein as the centre of the plate leaves vegetarians with the short end of the stick, so at Summerhill, we are doing the opposite."

More Information:

A seasoned chef with both extensive hotel and restaurant experience, many in the Okanagan recognize Luypen as the Okanagan Chefs Association president; and he comes to Summerhill from Predator Ridge, where he spent four years working closely with local farmers and growers. With extensive food and beverage experience across the Okanagan, he was executive chef at Hotel Eldorado in Kelowna, and Spirit Ridge Resort in Osoyoos.

As the original owner and executive chef of Terrafina at Hester Creek in Oliver, Luypen pushed Terrafina to be named Top 20 Winery Restaurants in the World by Wine Access Magazine. 

Outside of his paid work, Luypen frequently gives back to his community. He is passionate about training and education and also works as a culinary instructor in the Okanagan College's Culinary Arts Program, where he has developed classes of talented cooks and apprentices. Chef of the Year 2016 (from Okanagan Chefs Association) and BDO's Top 40 Under 40 in 2015 are only some snippets of Luypen's culinary accolades.

To book an interview with chef Jeremy Luypen, please contact Amy Chen, 778-998-0036.

About Summerhill Pyramid Winery

Summerhill Pyramid Winery, located since 1991 in the Lakeshore district of Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley, BC, is Canada's largest certified organic winery, BC's first Demeter certified biodynamic vineyard, and Canada's foremost producer of sparkling wine.

Winemaker Eric von Krosigk oversees the portfolio of BC VQA wines that have earned the winery the title of 'Canadian Wine Producer of the Year' from the International Wine & Spirits Competition in London, England. The winery, owned by the Cipes family, is also home to the Sunset Organic Bistro, a 200-seat, organic restaurant with a panoramic view of Okanagan Lake, serving food grown and raised by local organic producers, including Summerhill's own on-site permaculture-style biodynamic vegetable garden.

More background reading on Summerhill Pyramid Winery's organic and biodynamic farming practices can be found here.

For more information, visit www.summerhill.bc.ca.

Help your sales team sell more wine with a sales tool kit

Are you and your importer/distributor both eager to tell your story in a way that translates into sales? Consider equipping your sales team with consistent and professional materials (a sales tool kit) that tell your authentic story.

A sales tool kit is a toolbox, containing the items that make it easier for your customer to understand your wine, and make room for it on their shelves.

What’s in a sales tool kit? At the minimum it should include a portfolio sheet listing all of your wines, but a great sales tool kit will include several items that make it easier for the buyer to sell your wine to consumers.

Sales Tool Kit Checklist:

•   Portfolio Sheet/Booklet
•   Technical Information Sheets
•   Sell Sheets
•   Shelf Talkers
•   Neck Tags
•   Business Cards
•   Tasting Cards

So, how can you create a sales tool kit? Here’s the process we go through to create one:

1.     Strategy – The first step is to have a strategy and determine which pieces of information will be used where (such as what accolades or reviews you’ll want to use and if you want them on shelf talkers or neck tags). This will help inform which items you will need to make.

2.     Gather – The next step is to gather the content you’ll need to create the tools: your brand story, wine technical info (pH, RS, TA, alc%), harvesting information, awards/reviews, and product photos (bottle shots).

3.     Create – The last step is to create the materials. Portfolio sheets, tech sheets, and sell sheets, shelf talkers, business cards, and tasting cards.

Creating these materials in a professional, consistent and compelling way will help your brand stand out and make it easier on your sales reps and retailers to sell your wine.

Are you stuck in the steps to create your own kit? Maybe you don’t have all the content you need, like a compelling brand story, or you lack professional bottle shots. Or maybe you need help creating professional looking tech sheets and shelf talkers. Let us help un-stick you, and help you create a really successful sales tool kit.

We are Town Hall Brands, and have more than 21 years of industry experience, creating content and marketing materials for winery clients, successfully elevating their brands and helping their sales soar. We would love to do the same for you.

5 Valentine's Day Gift Ideas that are NOT a Box of Chocolates

Canada's food trend expert shares gifts that fill your heart and belly

Canada's food trend expert shares gifts that fill your heart and belly

News Angles: Valentine's Day gifts, gluten-free food, cooking classes, gourmet food.

Note to Media: To schedule an interview with food expert Angie Quaale, contact Amy Chen, 778-998-0036.

[Langley, BC] Angie Quaale has done it again. Quaale's Well Seasoned Gourmet Food Store  has you covered for Valentine's Day with five gift ideas that will keep you and your plus one happy, full, and wanting more. Gluten-free ideas are also plentiful without having to compromise the flavours. 

1. STAY IN for a Romantic & Hassle-Free Dinner for Two ($75 per order): New this year, food expert Angie Quaale has put together the perfect dinner IN. Skip the busy Valentine's Day restaurant reservations and pre-order your gourmet and gluten-free dinner set between February 8th-14th via Well Seasoned's online store. Have it delivered within 24 hours of ordering or pick-up at the Well Seasoned Store. Portions are extremely generous and will last until the next meal. Everything is gluten-free, super convenient, gourmet quality, and best of all, choose your favourite wine and Netflix show in the comfort of your own home! 

Each order ($75) includes a four-course dinner for two people:

Appetizer

A Cheese and Charcuterie Board for two featuring products from Winecrush with all of the appropriate accompaniments.

Salad

Organic Designer Greens with Strawberries, Goat Cheese, Candied Pecans and a Housemade Champagne Vinaigrette 

Main Course

Red Wine Braised Beef, Butternut Squash Puree & Rosemary Garlic Smashed Baby Potatoes  

OR

Sous Vide Chicken Breast, Mushroom Farro & Roasted Cauliflower
 

Dessert

Chocolate & Salted Caramel Pot de Creme 

2. Feb 14 Cooking Class ($225 per couple): A special collaboration of food and wine on this special night. Chef Carl will prepare the perfect meal and the KIS Consulting team will match each course with a hand-selected wine. Learn new skills, dine at Well Seasoned, take home recipes, and plan the perfect unforgettable date. 

Each class is $225 per couple (limited to 10 couples). Call to book: 604-530-1518. More information available on Well Seasoned's website - scroll down and select Feb 14. 

3. Ready-to-Eat Cookie Dough: Curl up on the couch and slowly devour spoonfuls of this delectable treat with your loved one. This special Ready-To-Eat Cookie Dough allows food-lovers to safely consume the "raw" dough. There are no raw eggs or unpasteurized ingredients - they are designed to satisfy the cookie dough craving without the risk. Now with the gluten-free recipe, those with dietary restrictions don't have to take a risk, either. Available for $6.99 ($7.99 for gluten-free version) in-store at Langley's Well Seasoned or online (ships Canada-wide), each dough is packaged in a single-serve container with a pair of accompanying wooden spoons.

4. Bacon Jam: The perfect blend of savoury and sweet flavours. Hand made by Chef Mari, with Johnston's Thick Cut Double Smoked Bacon. This delightful spread is the perfect addition to your cheese and charcuterie platters, spread on a burger or sandwich, and even mixed into your mac and cheese. Available for $7.99 in-store, or online (ships Canada-wide). 

5. Cooking Class Voucher: Memories last a lifetime, so give the gift of an experience. With demo and hands-on cooking classes happening almost daily, it won't be hard to find a time that works for you and your date. See you soon.