The Small Guys Festival is rockin’ it out with the Garagistes!
We had so much fun the first time we're doing it again - !
You’ve heard of the little gems, the boutique wineries, the cult followings and the maverick winemakers, but they are often hard to find or to get to. Now we showcase the small case lot artisan wines commercially produced–all gathered in one spot. What’s a garagiste (GAR-aH-jeest )? — It’s a label coined in France to indicate those who stepped outside the lines and broke the rules, taking risks and making small case lots or micro cuvees in their ‘garage’. We think you’ll agree that some interesting things are happening at the front edge of winemaking with these passionate winemakers and growers.
2019 brings you the event to sample these hard to find wines
Kelowna August 18th 2-4:40 PM The Small Producers Festival will be in Kelowna.
These events are organized by Garagiste North. It was born out of many conversations with small producers who are faced with the difficult realites of getting their wines to the public, and wine lovers who are always looking for those interesting and unique producers but often have difficulty finding them. It seemed like a perfect solution, and a great way to spend an afternoon or evening.
Hope you'll join the party!
Spring in wine country means vine time, and 2016 has blessed us with an early spring with great, mild weather allowing the wineries to get their vines tended to early. Many of our Garagistes are actually vignerons – the French term for a winemaker who is also the farmer. These wonderful winemakers are totally in tune with their vines, which we believe makes for better wines. Grape vines are plants and everyone knows that talking to plants makes them grow. “Hello little grape vine, you are soooo beautiful. I just know you are going to make the best Pinot Noir this region has ever seen!!”
So after pruning the vines, the Garagistes will be getting ready to bottle the juice that has been happily waiting in tank or barrel in the cellar, growing more delicious by the day. Those spring releases will be ready to take to Vancouver for the April 17th event and winemakers are super excited about the 2015 vintage! Some Garagistes will be bringing their wine in tank or pouring from a keg because they haven’t bottled yet – such a super cool tasting experience for wine lovers.
You are in for a TREAT! All of that crazy weather last year has resulted in amazing wines – thanks Mother Nature.
The Garagiste Vancouver Wine Festival tickets are selling well and the media are excited to have these talented winemakers back in town to taste their wares.
Tim Pawsey, celebrated journalist on the west coast, recently wrote about the festival saying “Garagiste North has to be one of the more intriguing wine festivals on the calendar”! We love to be intriguing and remember that the London Financial Times voted Garagiste North Wine Festival as one of the Top 5 Wine Festivals in the World in 2015. Click HERE to read Tim Pawsey’s entire article.
Here is a list of a few of the recent Garagiste wine award wins! High Fives!
Syncromesh –
Taste BC
BEST OF SHOW & GOLD - Four Shadows Riesling 2014
Anarchist Mountain Vineyard –
Taste BC
GOLD – Chardonnay 2013
BRONZE – Pinot Noir 2013
SILVER – WineAlign Chardonnay 2013
Maverick Estate Winery –
Taste BC
SILVER- Pinot Noir 2013
Tightrope Winery –
2016 Cascadia Wine Competition!!
BEST OF CLASS- GOLD - 2015 Riesling
DOUBLE GOLD - 2015 Tip-Toe, 2015 Rosé, 2014 Pinot Noir
GOLD - 2014 Viognier, 2014 Syrah
SILVER - 2014 Riesling, 2015 Pinot Gris
Black Market Wine Company –
Winefest People’s Choice Awards
Best White Over $20 & Runner Up Best Red Over $30
Remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We will keep you posted as to the exciting adventures of the Garagistes and news on upcoming events!
Mark your calendar for September 18th. The Garagistes will be back on Okanagan soil pouring at the Okanagan Garagiste Festival! Tickets are on sale now and we encourage you to buy early.
Vive Les Garagistes!!
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