The Host's Selection Q2 2026
|
Wine |
Tasting Highlights |
Ideal Pairings |
Winery Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
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Painted Rock Red Icon 2021 |
Inspired by classic Bordeaux, 41% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec and 8% Petit Verdot. |
Grilled ribeye or prime steak Braised short ribs with red wine reduction Herb-crusted lamb Aged hard cheeses such as aged cheddar or gouda |
One of the Okanagan Valley’s benchmark producers, known for crafting Bordeaux-inspired wines. |
|
Poplar Grove Pinot Gris 2025 |
Dark blackberry, black pepper, subtle espresso, polished tannins |
Braised lamb, roasted game, mushroom risotto |
Okanagan Valley project emphasizing site-specific reds and thoughtful construction |
|
ORIXE SOTELO Tinta Alta, Tempranillo 2021 |
Black cherry, raspberry, and cranberry, layered with subtle sweet spice and earthy underbrush. |
Grilled lamb chops with rosemary, Spanish-style chorizo and manchego, Smoked tri-tip or barbecued beef, Mushroom and roasted red pepper paella, Aged Gouda, Manchego, or Mahón cheese |
Dedicated to exploring the potential of Spanish grape varieties grown throughout California. |
|
Joyce Syrah 2021 |
Palate is energetic and beautifully balanced, revealing layers of juicy blackberry, black cherry, and charred raspberry, accented by notes of cracked pepper, sweet tobacco, and cured meat. |
Grilled lamb skewers with rosemary Smoked brisket or barbecued pork shoulder Duck breast with blackberry reduction Wild mushroom flatbread Aged Gouda, Comté, or sheep’s milk cheeses |
Family-owned winery based in Monterey County, dedicated to producing site-driven wines that reflect the unique character of California’s Central Coast. |
Painted Rock Red Icon 2021
Okanagan Valley, BC
A flagship Bordeaux-style blend from Painted Rock Estate Winery, showcasing the depth, structure, and precision of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.
Tasting Notes
A powerful yet refined expression of Okanagan Cabernet-driven blending, this wine opens with layered aromas of blackcurrant, dark cherry, and plum, accented by cedar, graphite, and subtle baking spice. The palate is structured and concentrated, with polished tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, elegant finish that reflects both richness and restraint. 41% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec and 8% Petit Verdot. Alcohol: 14.6%
Ideal Pairings
Grilled ribeye or prime steak
Braised short ribs with red wine reduction
Herb-crusted lamb
Aged hard cheeses such as aged cheddar or gouda
Winery Significance
Painted Rock Estate Winery is one of the Okanagan Valley’s benchmark producers, known for crafting Bordeaux-inspired wines of precision, depth, and age-worthy structure that consistently reflect site and vintage expression.
Poplar Grove Pinot Gris 2025
Okanagan Valley, BC
Founded in 1993, Poplar Grove Winery is one of the original five wineries on the Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley.
Tasting Notes
Brilliant pale straw in color. The nose opens with generous aromas of ripe peach and honeysuckle. The palate is vibrant and fruit-driven with flavors of apricot, orchard stone fruit, and baked pineapple that reflect a classic Okanagan harvest. A refreshing and balanced finish keeps the wine lively and inviting. Alcohol: 13.5%
Winemaker Notes
This wine was made predominantly from Pinot Gris, with a touch of Viognier, Chardonnay, and Muscat to add body and aromatics. The Pinot Gris grapes were pressed after a short period of skin contact to extract additional aromatics. The various parcels of juice were inoculated with three specific yeast cultures to allow complexity and mouthfeel to develop, then slowly fermented at cool temperatures to preserve the signature fruit flavours. The final Pinot Gris blend was crafted to achieve a balanced profile of acidity, aromatics, and natural texture on the palate.
Ideal Pairings
Grilled halibut or white fish
Summer salads with citrus vinaigrette
Sushi and sashimi
Light poultry dishes
Winery Significance
Poplar Grove is widely recognized for crafting benchmark Pinot Gris and Cabernet Franc as well as multiple varietals and exceptional blends. Their flagship Okanagan blend of red Bordeaux varieties, The Legacy, first produced in 2003, is a wine that has the rare quality of being good at any age.
ORIXE SOTELO Tinta Alta, Tempranillo 2021
Napa County, Monterey County, CA
A distinctive California Tempranillo crafted by Orixe Sotelo, blending fruit from some of the state's most acclaimed vineyard sites to showcase the depth, energy, and versatility of Spanish varietals grown in California.
Tasting Notes
Bold yet remarkably refined, this Tempranillo opens with expressive aromas of dark cherry, blood orange, and subtle bay laurel, complemented by hints of dried herbs, cedar, and spice. The palate is full-bodied and vibrant, revealing layers of ripe red and dark fruit, delicate floral notes, and savory undertones. Smooth, juicy tannins provide structure and balance, while bright acidity carries through a fresh, persistent finish. A complex and energetic expression of California terroir. 98% Tempranillo, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. Alcohol: 14.27%.
Ideal Pairings
Grilled lamb chops with rosemary
Spanish-style chorizo and manchego
Smoked tri-tip or barbecued beef
Mushroom and roasted red pepper paella
Aged Gouda, Manchego, or Mahón cheese
Winery Significance
Orixe Sotelo is a California winery founded by husband-and-wife team Gustavo and Jackie Sotelo, dedicated to exploring the potential of Spanish grape varieties grown throughout California. Drawing inspiration from Gustavo's family roots in Northern Spain and his winemaking experience in Ribera del Duero, the winery focuses on site-driven expressions that bridge Spanish tradition with California terroir. The 2021 Tinta Alta combines fruit from five exceptional vineyard sites across Napa Valley, Amador County, Paso Robles, and Monterey County, creating a uniquely Californian interpretation of Tempranillo. Fermented with native yeast and aged for 22 months in French oak, the wine reflects the winery's commitment to authenticity, craftsmanship, and minimal-intervention winemaking.
Joyce Syrah 2021
Monterey County, CA
A vibrant, cool-climate Syrah from California’s Central Coast, showcasing the purity, freshness, and savory complexity that have become hallmarks of Joyce Wine Company’s approach to Rhône varietals.
Tasting Notes
Elegant and expressive, this Syrah opens with lifted aromas of brambleberry, crushed violets, dried forest floor, and subtle applewood smoke. The palate is energetic and beautifully balanced, revealing layers of juicy blackberry, black cherry, and charred raspberry, accented by notes of cracked pepper, sweet tobacco, and cured meat. Silky tannins and bright natural acidity carry the wine through a refreshing, spicy finish, creating a vibrant and exceptionally food-friendly expression of cool-climate Syrah. Alcohol: 13.8%.
Ideal Pairings
Grilled lamb skewers with rosemary
Smoked brisket or barbecued pork shoulder
Duck breast with blackberry reduction
Wild mushroom flatbread
Aged Gouda, Comté, or sheep’s milk cheeses
Winery Significance
Joyce Wine Company is a family-owned winery based in Monterey County, dedicated to producing site-driven wines that reflect the unique character of California’s Central Coast. The 2021 Syrah is sourced primarily from the Arroyo Seco AVA, with additional fruit from the Santa Lucia Highlands, where rocky cobblestone and gravel soils combine with cooling Monterey Bay breezes to create ideal growing conditions. Crafted with 60% whole-cluster fermentation using native yeasts and aged for approximately nine months in neutral French oak, the wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered to preserve its purity, texture, and sense of place. The result is a Syrah that balances savory complexity with freshness and elegance.
