Desert Hills Estate is a family owned and operated winery, brought to us by brothers Randy, Jessie, and Dave Toor. Farmers and grape-growers first, they have, as they say, learned the wine business literally “from the ground up.” Though the trio has been making wine for over 16 vintages now, they maintain their hands-on attention to detail in every step of the winemaking process: from Jessie as vineyard manager, to Randy as business lead, and Dave as product manager — and introducing Rajen Toor, Randy’s son and second generation to join the Desert Hills family team as lead cellar hand. So not only does this Okanagan winery have the unique touch of Canadian terroir, it has the unique touch of a boutique family affair.
Tag: wine
Anthony Buchanan 2016 Pinot Blanc
Tasting Canadian wine is already an adventure for me. Tasting Canadian wine from a hairdresser-turned-winemaker, well that just makes the experience all that more exciting. Anthony Buchanan left the world of hair design to study for his WSET levels 1 and 2 in the hopes of becoming a professionally certified sommelier. Through the course of these studies, he found his true passion was in the art of the winemaking science. So, Buchanan moved on to complete an oenology degree from Washington State, after which he returned home to BC, Canada to start his winemaking career. Today he is the head winemaker for Desert Hills Winery — also of BC, Canada — as well as owner and head winemaker of his eponymous label.
Celebrate the New Year 2018: Sparkling Wine Round Up!
We’re just a few short days from New Year’s Eve — and let’s face it, popping some bubbly is an international tradition. Luckily, I just ran a whole series dedicated to sparkling wine, so if you still aren’t stocked up for the big night, you’ve got a ton of options to chose from. Of course, make sure you read up on your Champagne 101 and Prosecco basics so you know how to chose the best bubbles for you and your crowd.
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM BRISCOEBITES!
Mezza di Mezzacorona – Italian Bubbly
I highly underestimated Mezzacorona’s sparkling wine. When I received the bottle, I fully intended to make a sparkling wine cocktail because I (incorrectly) assumed that compared to some of the more obscure bubbles I’ve been tasting, this quite popular “name brand,” with kind of a “party school” reputation would fall short of my sparkling wine bar. That’s not to say one couldn’t make a sparkling wine cocktail from this wine. Indeed, the Mezza website has a few fun cocktail recipes on their site. But one doesn’t necessarily need to. The Mezza di Mezzacorona Italian Bubbly may have a fun, quirky demeanor, but it can be enjoyed “seriously” as well. (However seriously one wants to take sparkling wine anyway…)
Yao Ming 2016 Napa Brut Sparkling Wine
With so many celebrities creating their own wine labels today, it’s hard to tell who’s making real wine and who’s just slapping their name on a bottle. Well ever since I tasted Yao Ming’s 2014 Cabernet, I’ve been dying to taste more. Lucky me, Yao Ming Family Wines came out with a sparkling wine just in time for the holiday season and — lucky me again — it was just as good as I wanted it to be…