I’ve had the distinct pleasure to host and produce Tasting Room Radio for 17 years.

Most weeks we consider featuring some of those stories on the podcast but music, arts and music history seem to carry the day.

These two interviews deserve to be featured because they tell the story of the current state of the BC wine industry.

The Okanagan has been burned by summer fires and choked by summer smoke, blocked by road closures at the peak of the summer season, deep frozen by two successive winters and disappointingly shunned by liquor governing bodies in Alberta.

All the while the BC wine industry is making better and better wines. So it all feels like three steps forward and two back

Kimberly Hundertmark, the GM of Okanagan Wine Festivals brings great news. Right now, they are kicking off the Spring Wine Festival all over the Okanagan Valley. It’s an amazing collection of events. Huge gatherings like 2024 BC Top 50 and the Wine of the Year. The TASTE series, carefully curated in locations North and South, the Naramata Bench this Sunday, June 2 and the District Wine Village in Oliver Sat-Sun June 8/9 and Saturday, June 8th at the Summer Sips at Spirit Ridge Osoyoos. Kimberly brings all the news and tips for making plans.

The complete list of events can be found at www.thewinefestivals.com

John Skinner is the co-owner/co-founder of Painted Rock Estate Winery, on the Skaha Bench in Okanagan Falls.

If you go to their website www.paintedrock.ca have a look at the wines and also the awards those wines have won over the years.

Pages and pages of awards and outstanding reviews.

John’s comments about his wines and two new releases – Rose and Chardonnay can be found on Tasting Room Radio. www.tastingroomradio.com

These comments by John are about the state of the BC wine industry – the good and not-so-good.

Above all, it’s John’s belief in BC Wine. He shows leadership and well-thought-out decision-making.

If you’re interested in supporting the BC wine industry – and I truly hope you are – then John brings clarity and commitment to all of us.

John Skinner reminds us that most of these wineries are owned by small farming families.

“support the little wineries first. Find your favourites and support them when you can”