Where does this passion for wine come from?
Jason Priestley: When I was 21, I started drinking wine and building a wine cellar, which is truly the story of a lifetime [il a eu jusqu’à 3000 bouteilles] ! I was fortunate to live in California at a young age and be able to experience the Napa Valley and Sonoma. I tasted different grape varieties in order to understand the uniqueness of each region, I discovered different California winegrowers, and little by little, it became a real passion and it became part of my life. What learning! Being interested in wine and getting involved in a vineyard is an opportunity and a real pleasure for me. On salmon fishing trips with my friend Terry David Mulligan, I brought lots of bottles of wine and all I talked about was wine with him! This is how I passed on my passion to him. We also hosted the television show together for a few years Hollywood and Vines about wine and vineyards around the world.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Jason Priestley and Terry David Mulligan, with winemaker Michal Mosny, center
Why embark on the adventure and make wine?
Jason Priestley: I’m originally from British Columbia, born and raised there. In 2007, I joined the ownership group of Black Hills Estate Winery in the Okanagan Valley and we managed to produce the very good Nota Bene red wine. The vineyard was sold in 2017. So I wanted to embark on another adventure. We learned that a winemaker from Slovakia had been inspired by one of our episodes of Hollywood and Vines which focused on the Okanagan Valley and that he had decided to leave his country to settle there! I found it completely crazy to change lives and continents, so we met Michal Mosny and the three of us joined forces.
Michal Mosny: I was watching the show and I had wanted to change countries for a while. I was already working in the vineyards in Slovakia and when I saw the sumptuous landscapes of British Columbia, the Pacific Ocean, I said to myself: “This is where I want to live!” » My wife and I sold everything and moved to the Okanagan Valley. Canada gave me this chance to pursue my dream, and I am very grateful.
What’s so special about the Okanagan Valley?
Terry David Mulligan: This valley is very sunny, very protected, there are many types of grape varieties: merlot, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, pinot gris, riesling…
You can’t imagine to what extent wine production has exploded over the past 15 years in the region! There are over 200 vineyards, and the quality is exceptional.
There are also more and more hotels and restaurants, it is a destination for wine tourists, and a place to visit. Winegrowers from all over the world settle in this valley. We should be proud of our wine in Canada, celebrate it more… and it should be more accessible here in Quebec!
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
The two wines produced by Q & A
Describe your Q&A wine, the white and the red.
Michal Mosny: The white wine (2021) is a typical wine from the Rhône Valley, but whose grapes grow in the small town of Osoyoos, British Columbia. It is a blend of grape varieties (Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier). It is a different white wine, with a more oily texture, a generous nose of honeyed apricot and candied lemon, but also aromas of orange blossom and oak. It’s a winter white. This is a fantastic wine to accompany fall and winter meals. The red wine (2020) is Bordeaux type, it is a blend of grape varieties (cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, petit verdot), there are aromas of cherry, wild blackberry and cedar. It is a wine that drinks very well.
What is the most difficult thing about making wine?
Michal Mosny: The most difficult thing is to grow the grapes well and make wine from them. It’s like having children: if we push them too much to become what we want them to become, it won’t work, but if we accept their choice and what they want to do with their life, the result will be much better ! We must let them live, the grapes… and the children! [rires]
Are you involved in wine making on a daily basis?
Jason Priestley: No ! We have a life and a career to lead [rires] ! The three of us discuss a lot about grape varieties and what will end up in the bottle. We are very involved in the choice of aromas and we want our wine to stand out, so we work hard… and we hope that the 2021 vintage will be a success!