The Chronicle
Latest dispatches
115 results across all types
- news
Back from the brink
The revival of wine’s forgotten varieties offers hope for the future Around the world, winemakers are rediscovering long-overlooked grapes—reviving history, boosting vineyard biodiversity and offering drinkers fresh flavours far beyond the familiar international varieties. For much of the late 20th century, the global wine industry marched toward uniformity. Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot became the […] The post Back from the brink appeared first on VITIS .
- news
The Welcoming Wine Nerd
Stephanie Mathis combines warm hospitality with deep knowledge Stephanie Mathis is one of the greats in the Vancouver hospitality scene. If you don’t know her already, please let me introduce you. Stephanie is a true wine nerd. She is quick-witted, hardworking and, in a world where ego sells, she leaves hers at the door. I […] The post The Welcoming Wine Nerd appeared first on VITIS .
- news
The beauty of Bourgogne
The region’s respect for the past is a promise for the future Burgundy is, famously, the home of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and some of the world’s most valuable vineyard land. It was a powerful medieval duchy that was annexed by France in 1477, but its history stretches back millennia, embracing the Celts, the Gauls, the […] The post The beauty of Bourgogne appeared first on VITIS .
- news
Go, grill
Your essential pairing guide for summer’s best foods If you’re anything like me, the minute the weather gets warm enough and dry enough, I pretty much want to move outdoors, especially when it comes to cooking and eating. That means it’s time to fire up the grill for burgers, chicken skewers, cedar-planked salmon, slow-cooked ribs […] The post Go, grill appeared first on VITIS .
- news
Passport to the Valley
Discover the wine region right in Vancouver’s backyard with the return of the popular Fraser Valley Wine Passport. This collaboration between Fraser Valley-based beverage producers, with support from Tourism Langley and Tourism Abbotsford, will run from April 1 through May 31, 2026 (excluding Mother’s Day, May 10). The Fraser Valley Wine Passport offers access to […] The post Passport to the Valley appeared first on VITIS .
- news
The Fraser Valley’s sparkling future
Cannon Estate is among the wineries defining the region While the Okanagan is typically the destination of choice for B.C. wine enthusiasts, a handful of boutique wineries in the Fraser Valley are offering a quality experience that’s closer to home for most. Here, visitors can find everything from the casual atmosphere at Backyard Vineyards in […] The post The Fraser Valley’s sparkling future appeared first on VITIS .
- news
Quails’ Gate: An Okanagan legacy
Five decades in, the winery focuses on Pinot and Chardonnay Few wines are as emblematic of the Okanagan than Quails’ Gate Stewart Family Reserve selections, which continue to highlight the top-tier varieties first introduced by the pioneering Stewart family some 50 years ago. Over the last few decades, “the Family Reserve line has always been […] The post Quails’ Gate: An Okanagan legacy appeared first on VITIS .
- news
Groovy glassware
It’s the annual summertime dilemma: You want to enjoy good wine in good glasses at your outdoor events, but you don’t want to risk broken glass all over your patio, not to mention how annoyed you’d be if someone smashed your precious Vinum stems. Luckily, acrylic glassware is getting better and better all the time, […] The post Groovy glassware appeared first on VITIS .
- news
Where sustainability rules
At Le Vieux Pin and LaStella, good practices lead to resilience in challenging times Ask award-winning winemaker Severine Pinte what motivates her unwavering belief in sustainability and she’ll tell you, “I’ve been doing it all my life.” It’s the foundation of good winemaking and sound viticulture, says Pinte who has been at the fore of […] The post Where sustainability rules appeared first on VITIS .
- news
Recognition for BC wine champions
Cheers to frequent Vitis contributor Rhys Pender MW, winner of this year’s BC Wine Industry Leadership Excellence Award, which was announced at the 2026 Canadian Wine Industry Awards earlier this month. Wine Growers Canada presents the awards each year, recognizing the individuals, organizations and businesses that have gone above and beyond to support and enhance […] The post Recognition for BC wine champions appeared first on VITIS .
- news
Phantom Creek Estates’ First Decade
New releases and special events in the works to celebrate an impressive milestone One of the South Okanagan’s most significant winery projects to date, Phantom Creek Estates is marking its 10-year anniversary with special events and exciting new releases. In the decade since it was established in 2016, Phantom Creek has garnered an impressive array […] The post Phantom Creek Estates’ First Decade appeared first on VITIS .
- news
The value of slow
There’s a lot to be said for taking it slow, for savouring life and supporting smaller, more sustainable communities and the people who make them thrive. That’s what Cittaslow is all about. The name literally means “Slow City,” inspired by the Slow Food movement. Some 308 communities around the world are certified as Cittaslow, including […] The post The value of slow appeared first on VITIS .
- news
Sip, savour and stay on the Westside Wine Trail
Sixteen wineries. One unforgettable stretch of wine country. Winding along the volcanic slopes of Mt. Boucherie and overlooking Okanagan Lake, the Westside Wine Trail is where historic vineyards, destination dining, and relaxed lakefront living come together. This is a place to slow down, explore deeply, and savour every moment. From rolling vineyard hills and lakeside […] The post Sip, savour and stay on the Westside Wine Trail appeared first on VITIS .
- news
Taxes, trade, trying times
It sounded like good news, but is it really? The federal government recently announced a two-year extension to the excise duty relief that was set to expire this April. Certainly, the news could have been a lot worse. But critics insist the tax—which increases year after year automatically—is unfair by its very nature. And with […] The post Taxes, trade, trying times appeared first on VITIS .
- news
The future of wine is clairet
Fifty years ago this spring, on May 24, 1976, the wine world was stunned when two California wines beat their top French counterparts in a blind tasting that famously became known as the Judgment of Paris*. Several events are being held in commemoration, including a US$3,500-a-head dinner at The French Laundry in Napa. If you […] The post The future of wine is clairet appeared first on VITIS .
- news
Grilled Summer Peach and Burrata Salad
This recipe from the Okanagan Eats cookbook highlights the valley’s famous peaches. True, they are long gone by fall, but while waiting for next summer’s bounty, you could replace them with early autumn pears or use preserved peaches and skip the grilling step. Reprinted by permission of Figure 1 Publishing. Serves 4 Suggested wine pairing: […] The post Grilled Summer Peach and Burrata Salad appeared first on VITIS .
- news
Maritime climate
Hybrids and hope mark Canada’s newest wine-producing region One of my favourite home-entertaining hacks is to surprise guests with an elegant and fresh sparkling rosé that’s a perfect expression of the terroir found in Moncton, New Brunswick. Folks in my Toronto-based kitchen are surprised, to say the least. But, to be fair to my pals, […] The post Maritime climate appeared first on VITIS .
- news
Stelvin
The twisty science of screwcap closures From freshness keeper to age-worthy ally, Stelvin closures are twisting tradition in all the right ways. Once upon a time, a screw cap meant “cheap plonk.” Today, the Stelvin closure can be as much a sign of quality as a grand cru label. But what’s actually happening under that […] The post Stelvin appeared first on VITIS .
- news
Outside influence
Imported talent is just part of the Okanagan Valley’s unique blend When Mission Hill Family Estate owner Anthony von Mandl lured New Zealand winemaker John Simes from Montana Wines in 1992, it marked a pivotal moment proving that the Okanagan was capable of attracting significant talent from elsewhere. Just two years later the owner’s bold […] The post Outside influence appeared first on VITIS .
- news
Making bubbles in the name of Mother Nature
You could say that fighting for what is right comes naturally to Telmont Champagne. The acclaimed house was founded in 1912 by Henri Lhôpitel, one of the leaders of the 1911 Champagne Riots, who battled to uphold the region’s high quality standards. Four generations later, as Telmont Champagne enters the Canadian market, the fight for […] The post Making bubbles in the name of Mother Nature appeared first on VITIS .
- news
Value Vintage
The rules for finding bargain bottles on a wine list may not be what you think they are When I was young, my mother told me of the holiest commandments. Thou shall not add ice to your wine. Thou shall not drink red wine with fish. And when buying a bottle, thou shall order the […] The post Value Vintage appeared first on VITIS .
- news
Designed to swirl
The way the story goes, Maximilian Riedel came up with a line of stemless wine glasses when his beautiful Vinum stems wouldn’t fit into the cupboards in his New York kitchen. The “O” series he launched was fun, practical, affordable and solved a common problem. So what to make of the Aequilibrium wine glass by […] The post Designed to swirl appeared first on VITIS .
- news
Future in the vines
Sustainable farming for generations to come When Christine Coletta and Steve Lornie purchased a previously undiscovered 320 acres tucked away in the hills behind Summerland, they were struck by its natural beauty. And while the land that’s now become Garnet Valley Ranch suited their purpose of establishing a unique, high-altitude vineyard, they knew from the […] The post Future in the vines appeared first on VITIS .
- news
Leading sommeliers step into new roles at Le Crocodile and L’Abattoir
Two of Vancouver’s established sommeliers join new restaurant teams this month Vancouver’s wine scene is seeing a shift this month, as two restaurants welcome well-known sommeliers into new roles. At Le Crocodile by Rob Feenie, Andrew Forsyth has stepped into the role of wine director. Forsyth is the 2025 CAPS Best Sommelier of BC and […] The post Leading sommeliers step into new roles at Le Crocodile and L’Abattoir appeared first on VITIS .