There’s something to be said about drinking with the dolphins.
The “Winery of the Year” celebration hosted at the Vancouver Aquarium honouring Sandhill Winery and Master Winemaker, Howard Soon, brought an entirely new meaning to the saying, “drinking like a fish”. There was certainly no shortage of wines to sample at the Monday, January 18th event, which welcomed a gamut of guests ranging from wine reps in their best tight skirts and heels, to the money backers sporting their most recently acquired tans, as well as several local renowned wine educators and media types.
“Never before has a winery won Winery of the Year, White Wine of the Year, and Red Wine of the Year,” noted International Sommelier Guild instructor, Barb Philips. Philips, a former Master of Wine pupil under Sandhill’s Howard Soon, had the honour of introducing the man most would agree is solely responsible for the winery’s new batch of Canadian Wine Awards.
Howard Soon has spent over 30 years working in the Canadian wine industry, getting his start with Calona Vineyards back in the day. Over the years, he’s managed to cultivate a more sophisticated and refined approach to Sandhill’s viniculture right here in BC with the introduction of a more upscale and boutique wine program entitled “Small Lots”.
“Our Small Lots Program provides a glimpse into our winemaking future, capturing the essence of small batches of promising new varietals,” remarked Soon.
Several of these special blends and single varietals were showcased at the event, with mini tasting stations set up amongst the tropical and cold water fish tanks. A venture into the Tropic Zone unveiled flights of floral varietals, such as Canadian White Wine of the Year winner, Small Lots 2008 Viognier, and its complementary curried seafood buffet next door. And a wander down the hall to the shark tank unearthed the roast beef and accoutrements carving station, alongside a host of bold reds offering Small Lots 2006 Two, a blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah, a particular crowd favourite.
A heartfelt congratulations to all at Sandhill Winery on their sweep of the 9th Annual Canadian Wine Awards, as well as to the Vancouver Aquarium, whose magical West Coast setting set the perfect tone for the evening’s festivities. ~ Katherine van der Gracht
