B.C. wine notes: Giovane Bacaro opens, dine with Oliver-Osoyoos wine, and New Stoneboat owners

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      Here’s a roundup of recent wine news from British Columbia, including an ownership change at a winery in Oliver, a wine pairing event that brings together Oliver and Osoyoos with Vancouver, and a new Italian wine bar that has opened its doors in Vancouver's Coal Harbour district.

      Stoneboat Vineyards
      Shari Saysomack

      New Stoneboat owners

      The Verhoeff Group of Companies announced on June 9 that it acquired Stoneboat Vineyards (356 Orchard Grove Lane), located on the Black Sage Bench in Oliver, B.C.

      The vineyard was launched in 1979 by the Martiniuk family and its portfolio includes pinot noir, pinotage, pinot gris, rosé, sparkling wine, red and white blends, and icewine.

      The business will retain the same name while changing hands from Julie and Lanny Martiniuk to wife and husband Kyla Richey and Rudy Verhoeff. Winery employees will also remain under the new ownership, including winemaker William (Bill) Adams and general manager Levi Gogolinski.

      Shari Saysomack

      Pascal Madevon is joining the team as consulting winemaker and will work with Adams in the cellar.

      The Verhoeff family, based in Fort Langley, has operated hospitality and event businesses including Red Door Events and Trading Post Brewing, and will soon open in Trading Post Brewing at the District Wine Village and a new winery, Valley Commons.

      H2 Rotisserie and Bar

      Dine with B.C. wine event

      For those in Vancouver interested in exploring the terroir of all four corners of Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country, a multicourse dinner event will provide a prime opportunity to do so.

      Savour the Sun: Vancouver will be held at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow (June 17) at H2 Rotisserie and Bar (1601 Bayshore Drive) at the Westin Bayshore Hotel.

      Chef Shaun Maclean is presenting a seasonal menu featuring Vancouver seafood and paired with eight wines from Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country.

      H2 Rotisserie and Bar

      The culinary journey will explore the terroir of the Golden Mile (Gold Hill Winery) and Black Sage Road (Nostalgia Wines) benches, Osoyoos (Bordertown Estate Winery), and one of the region’s newest wineries in the north, Ramification Cellars at Vaseux Lake.

      Plates will include hiramasa kingfish crudo, grilled kuterra salmon, bison tenderloin, and lamb shortloin.

      Seating is limited to 40 guests and are $159.74 (includes wine, dinner, gratuity, and GST). Health protocols will be in place (including staggered entry times, seating in designated pods, and more).

      For more details, including the full menu and tickets, visit the Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country website.

      Giovane Bacaro

      Venice in Vancouver

      In Coal Harbour, Kitchen Table Restaurants officially opened Giovane Bacaro (1029 West Cordova Street), a new wine-and-cicchetti bar inspired by Northern Italian culture, on June 10.

      Located in the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel, this new establishment is modelled after bàracos, or simple wine taverns in Venice, and features a menu consisting of Venetian cicchetti (small plates).

      The aperitivi menu includes cocktails, spritzes, and spirits that draw upon chilled Italian vermouths, artisanal amari, bitters, and prosecco. Wines range from selections from family-run wineries in Northern Italy to British Columbian offerings.

      Meanwhile, an espresso menu at Giovane Caffè (1049 West Cordova Street) also offers mandorlattes, marocchinos, bicerinsaffogatos, and more. 

      Giovane Bacaro
      You can follow Craig Takeuchi on Twitter at @cinecraig or on Facebook.

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