danipretto

The Canadian city best known as the epicenter of dirty tar sands oil is trying to green up its image by turning trash into vegetables for local food banks and farmers markets. McMurray, a city of about 60,000 people in Northern Alberta, is now producing lettuce and herbs via a process called containerized aquaponics – and the system will soon be totally powered by gasified garbage from the local landfill.

Read the rest of How Canada’s tar sands capital turns trash into vegetables

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Post tags: aquaponics, Climate Change, food, food security, fort macmurray, Gardening, gasification, gasifier, oil, oil sands, tar sands

(photo via andersonollie)

This is a series of photos of contortionist Julia Günthel, who goes by Zlata when she's on stage bending her head backwards between her legs or packing herself into a tiny acrylic box. Doctors have verified after a series of MRI scans that her ligaments are flexible as an infant's. My ligaments? My ligaments are stiff and bring me great pain. When I went to the doctor for my annual checkup he told me I have the body of an octogenarian. That's when I spit out the tongue depressor I'd been chewing on and told him I am NOT some fat sea-witch like Ursula. "GW? An octogenarian just means somebody in their 80's." Well sure, I know that now. Keep going for a bunch more shots, the last two of which WILL BLOW YOUR MIND (or give you the heebie-jeebies) and a clip from the Discovery Channel.

Photo by Paul Schraub

Husband and wife team Paul DeSomma and Marsha Blaker translate their oceanic inspirations directly into their collaborative glass sculptures, frozen glass waves caught mid-crash and appearing to spray surf from the contained vessels. The works exist as seamless gradients, dark blues circling the base while white froth circles the top of the pieces crafted from molten glass.

Although the couple works collaboratively on the vases, they also adhere to individual practices. Blaker focused on the textures and colors found within detailed marine environments while DeSomma’s work emphasizes the clarity and form of colorless and transparent glass.

The couple met at the esteemed Pilchuck Glass School in 1989, marrying shortly after and opening their studio in Live Oak, California in 2001. Together the couple is known internationally for their glass and ceramic work. (via Creative Boom and Amusing Planet)

Photo by Paul Schraub

Photo by Paul Schraub

Photo by Paul Schraub

Photo courtesy Laughing Dog Gallery

Photo courtesy Laughing Dog Gallery

Photo courtesy Laughing Dog Gallery

Photo by Russell Johnson

Photo by Russell Johnson

The GOODS from The Bottleneck

Vancouver, BC | The time has come again for dragons, daggers and dangerous love! That’s right folks – Season 5 of GAME OF THRONES will be premiering at The Bottleneck, live on the big screens in surround sound. Sunday, April 12th kicks off a whole a whole new season featuring tasty feasting, drink specials, and surprises every week. That’s right, we’ll be screening it every Sunday thereafter! No cover charge! Reservations are recommended so call 604-739-4540 to book your spot! Doors at 6pm / Show starts at 9pm / 870 Granville Street (directly beside The Commodore Ballroom).

Details

870 Granville Street | Vancouver, BC
Telephone: 604-739-4540
Web: www.thebottleneck.ca | Facebook | Twitter

Gallery

The People

Chef: Hugh Carbery
Promotions Manager: Juliana Moore
General Manager: Jason Coleman

About The Bottleneck

Located below the historic Commodore Ballroom at 870 Granville Street. You’ll find a beautifully restored modern tavern in downtown Vancouver. The interior is warm, rustic and full of woodsy motifs. Boasting excellent service, great music and miles of booze-filled bottles, the experience is warm and wonderful on every level. The dinner and late-night menu is West Coast seasonal, featuring size-specific plates prepared in-house with fresh, organic, locally grown ingredients. Open Monday & Tuesday from 11:30am – 6pm, Wednesday to Friday 11:30pm – 2pm, and Saturday 6pm – 2am.

Events are key to The Bottleneck’s community spirit. We feature music by local and international artists, weekly vinyl nights, Assembly: Sundays with DJ M!G!H! (free w/back alley entrance) and all sorts of other creative programming.

Featuring only the best, ripest and most exciting flavours, The Bottleneck’s menu offers a selection of smaller share plates such as Crispy Chickpeas, Mushroom Ragout and Roasted Squash Raviolis as well as chef Hugh Carbery’s take on classics like the Wedge Salad and Margarita Pizza. Bottleneck’s food is also a venture into meatier, more substantial dishes including Mole Chicken Tacos, Roasted Sablefish and the beautifully sculpted Chinese “Hamburger.” Add a tall pint of Radeberger, a glass of pinot or our signature cocktail, the ‘English Garden’ for amplified yum.

Press & Accolades

Dinner with Fred Penner at The Bottleneck | Vancouver Is Awesome

Bottleneck offers chilled out place to eat under the Commodore Ballroom | Georgia Straight

Inside Bottleneck Bar & Restaurant | Inside Vancouver

Pull up a stool at The Bottlebeck | Ion Magazine

The post GOODS | Park Your Steeds And Sheath Your Swords For “Game Of Thrones” At Bottleneck appeared first on Scout Magazine.

“He’s taking a criminology course. When he got back we jokingly pointed it out to him and he got bright red when he realized the page he left it on.” - mcdngr

4gifs:

Yoink. [video]

“I can show you the world…”

Brunch Club | Restaurant Slang, Stereotype | A new and largely uniform style of boho-chic dress favoured by affluent young women who gather in groups of 4-10 on Saturday and Sunday afternoons at trendy Vancouver restaurants serving brunch. The Brunch Club costume adheres to a studied dishevelled look designed to suggest that the wearer “just threw whatever on” when she crawled out of bed an hour ago. Think floppy hats, toques, baseball caps, boyfriend jeans, heels, $80 t-shirts, multiple necklaces at once, and an iPhone on permanent Instagram-hunt mode. Mimosas are a dead giveaway.

Usage | “Dude, I almost got my head ripped off from seat 2 at that Brunch Club table. All I did was ask her who her favourite Yankee was. I guess she just likes the hat…”

The post VANCOUVER LEXICON | Brunch Club appeared first on Scout Magazine.

Notturno barman “H” creates a special monthly cocktail list and The Blue Nutter is on there for March. The admittedly odd-looking but delicious thing is a mix of bourbon, lemon, wild blueberry jam and peanut butter foam. Because why the hell not? The experience (in a martini glass) sells for $12.50.

Notturno | 280 Carrall St. | Gastown | 604-720-3145 | www.notturnogastown.ca

EVERY AWESOME THING WE DRANK 

The post AWESOME THING WE DRANK #684 | “The Blue Nutter” Cocktail At Notturno In Gastown appeared first on Scout Magazine.

by Shaun Layton | This is the fifth in a series of posts on building a home bar, five bottles and one drink at a time. I’ve listed bottles 21-25 below (see also 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20). Depending on how much you drink at home, or how many deadbeat roommates you have, a home bar can either take a long time to build or be done in a few trips to the liquor store. The bottles I choose aren’t necessarily the best in their respective categories. I’m just trying to use unique, readily available, and cost efficient brands. If you want to share thoughts or photos or ask any questions, fire away via Twitter (@shaunlayton).

21. Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum – The highest selling overproof in the world; it’s said that over 90% of rum consumption in Jamaica is good ol’ Wray. Bottled at 62.8% abv, this crystal clear, un-aged beauty adds loads of flavour in small doses. I dare you to add a few drops to the top of a Mai Tai or a Daiquiri and tell me it doesn’t make it sing! $34.00

24. Becherovka – If you follow me on Instagram (@shaunlayton) you know I love this Czech bittersweet elixir. Another good follow is @Becherovkavoyager, the man who preaches its gospel around Europe. The best way to describe it is “Christmas cake in a glass”. $27.99

25. Angostura Orange Bitters – THE quintessential orange bitters, you will see other brands out there, but don’t bother if you only need one kind. Sibling to the most famous of all aromatic bitters, Angostura aromatic (1824), they’ve been making orange since 2007. It’s produced from Caribbean orange peels sun-dried in Trinidad. Still available in supermarkets ($8-14), the Angostura brands are the best quality/value out there. Try the orange in a Martini. If you don’t already do so, it’s a game changer!

24. Tequila Cabeza – Produced by the 86’d, a group of former barmen from NYC. At $69.95, it’s not cheap, but this blanco can be your go-to for sipping, shooting (if you must), or cocktail tequila. It’s uncommon for a tequila to be over 40% (this beauty weighs in at 43%), but it’s got great backbone for mixing. Pick it up as a SPEC item at Legacy in Olympic Village.

25. Cynar – The “so hot right now in Toronto” ingredient, this artichoke-laced Italian bitter is popping up on cocktail lists and Instagram feeds all over the place. Because of its complexity and bittersweet profile (not to mention the fact that it’s only 16.5 percent abv), Cynar can be had in strong, stirred cocktails, aperitivo-style with soda, or alongside a frosty beer a la boilermaker. $29.99 (1L)

Cocktail – Bitter Marg

45 ml Tequila Cabeza
10 ml Cynar
5 ml Wray and Nephew
30 ml fresh lime
20 ml simple syrup

Method – Shake all ingredients (except Wray) with ice in a cocktail shaker, strain onto fresh ice in a rocks glass. Pour Wray on top. Garnish with a lime wheel.

——————————————————————————————

Shaun Layton has helped to maintain a top notch bar scene in Vancouver for ten years, and since day one at Gastown’s L’Abattoir, where he is the Bar Manager. He also runs his own consulting company, designing bar programs and training staff locally and as far away as St.John’s, NFLD. Layton has competed and travelled throughout the USA and Europe, touring distilleries, breweries and bars. He was recognized in 2012 as the Bartender of The Year by Vancouver Magazine.

THE DRINKER’S ARCHIVE

The post DRINKER | How To Build An Excellent Home Bar, One Drink (And Five Bottles) At A Time appeared first on Scout Magazine.

(photo via essmurph)

outrageauxbonnesmoeurs:

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I remember watching an Attenborough documentary and seeing elephant babies having a funeral for their mother and burying her in big leaves and stroking her face and crying. It was one of the most heartbreaking things I’ve ever seen I was literally sobbing.

Elephants, man.

i got emotional over this omg. :(

Elephants are the best ❤️

MY HEART JUST BROKE.

Kendrick Lamar's sophomore album, To Pimp a Butterfly, appeared on the iTunes shelves late Sunday night without warning. Lamar had promised the album would be released on March 23 but surprised fans by bumping up the release date a full week.

Lamar announced on Twitter that the album had been released without fanfare or warning:

TO PIMP A BUTTERFLY. http://t.co/jaMCXJ7SNG (explicit version)

— Kendrick Lamar (@kendricklamar) March 16, 2015

Fans have been on the lookout for a new Lamar album since he debuted "i" in September 2014.  Many expected him to release his second full LP in the fourth quarter of 2014. Instead, he stayed quiet and gave everyone "The Blacker the Berry" as a Valentine's Day present:

Lamar is one of the most interesting rappers in the game right now. His work has consistently drawn on both the history of hip-hop and its tradition of sampling. Hip-hop emerged as a form through deejays playing several turntables at once to create a varied and jerky sound over which artists could rap. Today — partially because the genre has evolved, and partially because of the complicated world of music licensing — hip-hop artists have transitioned from a heavy sampling culture to a heavy beat-making culture.

Lamar didn't make that transition. To Pimp A Butterfly uses carefully chosen samples featuring a range of artists and varying tempos to create an album that sounds much, much older than a 2015 release. It's a grooving album that depends as much on soulful, disco-esque layers as it does on Lamar's flow.

You can download the album in the clean or explicit versions on iTunes or listen to the explicit version on Spotify.

(via) It doesn’t look all that special from the street, but sandwich shop The Press, located in Shanghai’s old French Concession district, hides a dark and sexy secret: an easy-on-the-eyes speakeasy called Flask. Both spaces were conceived of by the same designer, Alberto Caiola, and yet the two spaces couldn’t be more different. Connected by an unassuming-looking vintage vending machine, one says eat and go while the other says drink and linger.

MORE RESTAURANT PORN

The post RESTAURANT PORN | Slick Sandwich Shop In Shanghai Hides Gorgeous “Flask” Speakeasy appeared first on Scout Magazine.

La Mise en Abîme (2013, used oil, metal) / All photos courtesy We Find Wildness

Created by Swiss artist Romain Crelier, La Mise en Abîme (an idiom that communicates the same thing as “a curveball,” but means, roughly, “to have put into an abyss”) was a visually arresting artwork installed on the floor of the Bellelay Abbey in Switzerland back in 2013. The piece is comprised of two shallow pools of used motor oil that function as mirrors, reflecting the architectural details of the surrounding interior. The crude juxtaposition of recycled oil and the impeccably preserved aesthetic of a 12th century church wasn’t lost on the artist who referred to the piece as “monochrome paintings using a despised substance.” You can see more photos on We Find Wildness. (via We Find Wildness, This Isn’t Happiness, thnx Kathy!)

4gifs:

This ride, I like it. Another! [video]

samjoonyuh:

Perspective. 

Last year, I developed a painful case of tendonitis (inflammation of the tissue between my muscles and bones) in my feet. My toes wouldn't uncurl, and I spent the better of a week soaking them in hot water to appease my angry muscles. The culprit, my doctor said, was a combination of weak ankles and my not-very-supportive winter boots.

Winter boots? Yes. It turns out that heels aren't the only problem.

The Cleveland Clinic has helpfully broken down the best types of shoes for various kinds of foot problems:

(Cleveland Clinic)

Heels increase pressure on both feet and knees

When it comes to heels, chunky heels might be better than stilettos, but not by much, according to one Harvard study. Both significantly increase pressure on your knees (chunky heels by 22 percent, and narrow heels by 26 percent), which can cause pain and potentially strained muscles. High heels, which push your back forward, can also throw your spine and hips out of alignment, which can cause pain.

According to the Spine Health Institute, a one-inch heel increases pressure on your foot by 22 percent, a two-inch heel ups it by 57 percent, and a three-inch heel increases the burden on your foot by a massive 76 percent, which can also cause pain and injure your muscles.

Flats and flip-flops aren't much better

Flats don't give your arch enough support, which can lead to back, knee, and foot pain, and flip-flops do similar damage. Both can also lead to plantar fasciitis, a painful condition in which the tissue on the bottom of your foot becomes inflamed from supporting your arch without the help of shoes.

When you wear flats or flip-flops, you're forcing your body to change the way you walk to support itself. One 2008 Auburn study found that people who wore flip-flops took shorter steps than people wearing other types of shoes, and the researchers speculated the change in gait put extra strain on muscles, causing back, foot, and leg pain. People also curl their toes when wearing flip-flops, and that constant flexing of the foot can cause strain, as well.

If you want to wear flats, put in an orthotic insert to give your foot more arch support, experts say, and save flip-flops just for walking on the beach.

WATCH: 'What happens to your knuckles when you crack them'

If you ever find yourself betting on a fight between a killer whale and a sea lion, yes, you will want to side with the whale.

A video shot near Hornby Island, B.C. and uploaded to YouTube last week shows just how quickly orcas can kill.

The footage shows a pod of orcas on the hunt with a helpless sea lion's final moments in slow motion.



If that wasn't enough to give you the shivers, the video was shot from a kayak. (Presumably by a paddler with nerves of steel.)

On Friday, a Vancouver Island man caught another pod of whales on camera mid-feast. Chad Giesbrecht told CBC News the orcas "were close enough that they could nip your feet."

The videos are just the latest orca encounters in B.C.

The animals caused quite a stir in Vancouver last week when a pod cruised through the Burrard Inlet through to Stanley Park.

Another B.C. sighting captured northern resident orcas giving themselves soothing massages by rubbing along smooth rocks near Discovery Islands.

This most recent video, however, is a stark reminder that orcas aren't placid tourists or spa junkies — they're respectable hunters, first and foremost.

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Amuse Douche | Person/Sobriquet | Any server or bartender who behaves like a dick (or otherwise unprofessionally) from the moment you sit down in a restaurant, thereby leaving a terrible first impression. They tend to be more amusingly pathetic than threatening or offensive, but they can nevertheless ruin a dining experience and cause customers to never return.

Usage | “See that asshole in the suspenders with the curly moustache? That’s the Amuse Douche who tried to hit on me after he couldn’t remember the specials last night…”

The post VANCOUVER LEXICON | Amuse Douche appeared first on Scout Magazine.

Soigné | Adjective (Restaurant Industry) | Pron. swan-yay | A reassuring term employed by (typically fine dining) restaurant staff to communicate the polished state of something, such as a plate of food or an entire dining experience. French for “immaculate”.

Usage | “Make sure the edges of those plates are soigné before they go out…”

The post VANCOUVER LEXICON | Soigné appeared first on Scout Magazine.

Eco-conscious homeowners have a lot of options when it comes to flooring, and we’re quite smitten by the new sustainable line of eucalyptus flooring from Cali Bamboo. Although they deal primarily in bamboo products, Cali Bamboo has found that eucalyptus is just as sustainable, strong, attractive, and surprisingly affordable. Cali Bamboo boasts that their flooring isn’t just sustainable and beautiful; it’s also goat-proof! The eucalyptus planks are strong enough to withstand the pitter-patter of little hooves, as their ‘office goat’ Geronimo demonstrates. Their new cocoa shade offers an eco-friendly alternative to dark walnut flooring, without causing you to lose sleep over your home renovation‘s environmental impact. Check out their website for a wide range of sustainable flooring options.

+ Cali Bamboo

Images via Cali Bamboo

The article above was submitted to us by an Inhabitat reader. Want to see your story on Inhabitat? Send us a tip by following this link. Remember to follow our instructions carefully to boost your chances of being chosen for publishing!

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Post tags: cali bamboo, eco-friendly wood flooring, eucalyptus flooring, green design, green flooring, green home decor, sustainable flooring, sustainable wood flooring

A San Francisco superdad is in the running for father of the year after building a 180-foot long, fully-functioning roller coaster in his backyard! Father of two Will Pemble came up with the idea after visiting an amusement park with his 10 year old son. After experiencing one of the tallest and fastest roller coasters in the U.S., his son asked why they couldn’t build one of their own, which inspired Mr. Pemble to head to the local lumber yard for the necessary supplies.

Read the rest of San Francisco superdad builds homemade roller coaster in his backyard

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Post tags: backyard roller coasters, diy backyard projects, DIY roller coaster, diy roller coasters design, roller coaster design, San Francisco roller coaster, the Coaster Dad Project, Will Pemble

California is drying up and it’s happening faster than you think. The Los Angeles Times reports that January of this year was the driest on record since 1895. Groundwater and snowpack levels are also at an all-time low and according to NASA satellites, all of the water in the Sacramento and San Joaquin river basins—all of it—is 34 million acre-feet below normal. Reports indicated that, last year, California had approximately two years of water remaining, and the water depletion is right on schedule, as estimates now suggest that just one year of water is left in the coastal state.

Read the rest of California has just one year of water left

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This is a heartwarming video of Iron Man Robert Downey Jr. presenting 7-year old Alex, who was born with only a partially formed right arm, with a new Iron Man robotic arm. The arm was 3D printed by the Limbitless project, and presented at zero cost to Alex's family. That's a pretty sweet looking arm. Me? I just gave myself HULK arms. "You spraypainted them green." You're very observant. Now hop on my back, Alex, and let's go do whatever it is superheroes do. "Fight bad guys?" Okay how about we play video games instead? Keep going for the video.

VeinViewer is a handheld system developed by the Christie Medical Holdings company that uses near-infrared light to detect the location of a patient's veins, then project them on the skin in real time so doctors and nurses don't miss when they stick you. Personally I've never had a problem with doctors and nurses finding my veins, but that's because they stick out like...I dunno, above ground tree roots? Grosser looking than that though. Usually by the time the nurse comments on how ripe my veins are for sticking I've already passed out and fallen off the exam table. I don't like getting stuck with needles. Or knives and swords, just so we're clear. Keep going for one more shot and a video of the system in action.

The GOODS from Painted Rock Estate Winery

Okanagan Falls, BC | A jewel of the Okanagan Valley, our modern tasting room and events facility sits on a picturesque bluff overlooking our estate vineyards and Skaha Lake and offers a view and a line-up of premium wines that are not to be missed when visiting the Okanagan Valley.

See why Painted Rock was named Winery of the Year at the 2014/15 InterVin International Wine Awards by tasting our portfolio of wines including our Rose, Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot and flagship Red Icon blend.

We are pleased to waive the $10 tasting fee for tour groups visiting Painted Rock. We offer personalized barrel and vineyard tours at $20 per person

Perhaps your guests would like to take in the stunning view from our patio while they enjoy a glass of wine and a Premium Picnic Lunch made with fresh local ingredients from Brodo Kitchen. The lunch boxes feature an artisan sandwich, a piece of Okanagan fruit, a sweet treat (bar or cookie) and a bottle of water, all conveniently packaged at a cost of $20 per person* (reservations for lunch must be made 24 hours in advance).

We will also be serving a daily charcuterie plate with our wines by the glass.

Bring your own picnic and enjoy wines by the glass while you soak up the sun on our picnic grass.
Add things together with our Lunch and Learn Package which includes an educational session, tour, tasting and a picnic lunch featuring local ingredients paired with Painted Rock wine at $80 per person* (reservations for the Lunch & Learn Package must be made 24 hours in advance).

Group dinners can be organized with our event coordinator using one of the fabulous local caterers. Please contact Kirsten Munro at 250 486 5175 or email events@paintedrock.ca.

TASTING ROOM HOURS

May 1 – October 31 daily from 11:00am-5:30pm
November 1- April 30 by appointment, please call 250 493 6809

SEASONAL EVENTS & WINE DINNERS

Attending one of our seasonal wine dinners will give you the opportunity to meet Painted Rock’s proprietor John Skinner and find out why he is so passionate in his pursuit of excellence in wine making and his ambitions to put Canada on the world wine map.

THE ART OF PAIRING | May 1-3, 2015
Join us from 11:00am-5:30pm on May 1st to 3rd at Painted Rock’s stunning tasting room as we open for the season. Enjoy tasting each of our wines perfectly paired with gourmet cheese and charcuterie from Oyama Sausage. Learn about the art of pairing food and wine to highlight, enhance and elevate the overall taste experience. This event is complementary.

FLAVOURS OF OKANAGAN FALLS | MAY 30, 2015 -SOLD OUT-
Joy Road Catering Cuisine du Terroir is paired with the best wines and hospitality the region has to offer as you visit Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars, Meyer Family Vineyards and Painted Rock Estate Winery.

This exciting evening begins as the Mavety Family welcomes you to Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars for the first course of your culinary adventure served with their famed, Brut NV “Gold Label” Sparkling and Estate Chardonnay. Enjoy the iconic view of McIntyre Bluff as you learn about the history of Blue Mountain Vineyards.

From here, you will be transported to your second dining adventure. You will be whisked away by Top Cat Tours to Meyer Family Vineyards for the successive course with Jak and Janice Meyer featuring the freshest, locally-produced seasonal ingredients available, paired with their Single Vineyard Chardonnay & Pinot Noir.

The finale to the evening is at John Skinner’s ultra-modern tasting room at Painted Rock Estate Winery. Guests will enjoy the final course paired with Painted Rock’s estate grown Syrah & flagship blend the Red Icon, while enjoying the view of Skaha Lake.

ALFRESCO SUMMER CELEBRATION | JULY 12, 2015
Join John Skinner as he teams up with Dana and Cam from Joy Road Catering. Joy Road takes great pride in producing “food of the earth” with the unique flavours imparted to food by a region’s specific climate, soil, weather and growing conditions. A great pairing for Painted Rock’s estate grown, terroir driven wines.
Tickets are $140 per person including gratuity, taxes are additional. BUY TICKETS

BUILDING A LEGACY | AUGUST 2, 2015
This event is exclusively for Wine Club Members
Join the entire Skinner Family for a backyard “farm to table” generational dinner. Guest Chef Chris Van Hooeydonk will be pairing back vintage Painted Rock wines with his extraordinary food. Chris’s approach to sustainable eating is always locally sourced and seasonally inspired. Chris and John are both “creatively inspired and passionately motivated” which will ensure a truly unique, Okanagan wine and culinary experience.
Tickets are $120 per person including gratuity, taxes are additional. BUY TICKETS

FALL FEAST | SEPTEMBER 18, 2015
Guest Chef Paul Cecconi of Brodo Kitchen joins Painted Rock proprietor John Skinner for a delicious and hardy fall meal. Paul’s food features fresh, locally harvested ingredients, that when combined create a meal that is quintessentially the Okanagan Valley. An evening sure to be delicious.
Tickets are $140 per person including gratuity, taxes are additional. BUY TICKETS

HARVEST DINNER | OCTOBER 10, 2015
Join guest Chef and Sommelier Mark Filatow of Waterfront Wines for a truly memorable evening of food and wine pairing. Mark uses the bounty of the Okanagan in his stylish seasonal cooking that pairs perfectly alongside Painted Rock wines. Come experience why Mark’s food continues to earn him rave reviews in the emerging Okanagan food scene.
Tickets are $140 per person including gratuity, taxes are additional. BUY TICKETS

DETAILS

Painted Rock Estate Winery Ltd.
400 Smythe Drive, Penticton, BC V2A 8W6
Telephone: Winery 250-493-6809 | Sales 604-765-4538
Web: www.paintedrock.ca | Facebook | Winery Twitter | Proprietor John Skinner Twitter

GALLERY

KEY PEOPLE

John and Patricia Skinner, Proprietors

The son of a Canadian Forces fighter pilot, John was born in 1958 on a Manitoba military base. “I moved 20 times by the time I was 20,” he says. He was working his way through college with a job in a lumber mill when he noted that a friend who had become a stock broker was much more prosperous. So he left university and embarked on a career in the brokerage industry.

John was a stockbroker in Vancouver for more than 25 years, during which time he became an avid wine enthusiast. John and his wife Trish dreamed of having their own vineyard after spending time exploring wineries in the South of France with their family.

In 2004, recognizing that the quality of wines in this region was improving dramatically and driven by both his passion for wine and his desire to create a legacy business for his family, he purchased the land in south Penticton known locally as “The Blackhawk.”

Perched high on a bench on the east side of Skaha Lake south of Penticton, backing up against the famed climbing bluffs. Once an apricot farm, it had been fallow for 17 years. He planted in 2005 and 2006 and now has roughly 25 acres under vine, all of it Bordeaux reds or Syrah except for a block of Chardonnay. On the advice of consultants, he has planted multiple clones of every variety, giving his winemaker good blending options.

John was confident that this terroir and its site influences presented “a unique opportunity to create exceptional wines” and that he had “both the opportunity and the obligation to do this property justice.”

John and Trish’s vision was and remains to grow exceptional grapes in their estate vineyard to produce ultra-premium wines that reflect the perfect marriage of new world fruit and old world processes, employing the best modern technologies and expertise, while respecting old world traditions.

Most satisfying of all is that the whole family is involved. Trish handles the entire back office of this fast growing enterprise; daughter Lauren just received her MBA in Bordeaux with a focus on luxury brand management, food, and wine; and son Riley just spent the summer working for the winery in Vancouver while finishing his degree at UVIC.

Alain Sutre, Bordeaux Consultant | BIO
Barry Green, Vineyard Manager | BIO
Gabe Reis, Cellar Master | BIO

ABOUT PAINTED ROCK

Painted Rock offers exceptional wines for a world audience. Envisioned as a family-run estate winery, Painted Rock draws its inspiration from proprietor’s John and Trish Skinner. The Skinner’s philosophy is rooted in the simple idea that wine should be made for friends and family to enjoy. With a dedication to quality and a respect for the terroir, Painted Rock ensures that each grape is of superior quality, proving that the best wines are made in the vineyard.

Painted Rock embraces the traditions of the old world and the imagination of the new world. Set in the Okanagan Wine Country of British Columbia, Canada, Painted Rock has arrived at an opportune moment in time. The Skinner’s knew that the Okanagan was starting to gain international interest, and they recognized it’s potential to produce serious wines. The Okanagan’s combination of hot, dry summers, cool mountain air, and unique microclimates makes this a spectacular place to produce wine.

“There is something magical happening on our site. Everything comes together in that perfect way.” Proprietor John Skinner.

Painted Rock sits on a spectacular bench overlooking the eastern shore of Skaha Lake in Penticton, B.C. This 60-acre property has a unique microclimate that is particularly suited to the production of premium wines. Since the early 1900’s, this orchard harvested apricots until the orchard was felled due to a gypsy moth infestation in the late 1980’s. The property, known locally as “The Blackhawk”, laid fallow while under the ownership of another winery until John Skinner and his family acquired and contoured it in 2004, and then began planting in 2005. This family-owned estate winery aspires toward a single vision of excellence that maintains the integrity of the wine and never homogenizes the brand.

When the Skinner’s and their team first began assessing the property, they noticed the unique air movement on the site. Because the land lay fallow for 17 years before being acquired by Painted Rock, they were able to contour the entire property, promoting the air movement and ensuring that there were no undulations in the landscape or inconsistencies in the soil. To fully exploit the site’s potential, the Skinner’s brought in renowned viticulturalists and wine consultants from California and France who helped devise the 2004 planting strategy. Recognizing the success of Bordeaux varietals, they prepared the soil for the finest vinifera from Bordeaux. Along with the primary red components of the classic Bordeaux blends, they included a small planting of Malbec and Petite Verdot to provide spice for their blend and to broaden their blending options. They also planted a single block of Chardonnay.

The primary influence on the Painted Rock grapes is the cool air that flows down from the mountains. This wind ensures that nothing sits still, creating an active site that reduces rot and infestation in the vineyard. The cool mountain air then collides with the lake, making for warm days and cool nights, a perfect recipe for ripening grapes and retaining bright acidity. The amphitheatre of rock cushions the land, creating another formidable site influence that encourages heat retention. With the sun bouncing off the lake, Painted Rock reaps the benefits of being on a sloped hill so close to the lake. When the sun goes down in the West, the reflection and glare from the lake impacts the fruit, especially the Malbec and Petite Verdot varietals that gain complexity and colour from the magnified light. This reinforces the saying that great wines are produced near great waters. With more sunlight hours than neighbouring wineries, Painted Rock is literally drenched in light.

“What distinguishes Painted Rock from other wineries is as simple as the dirt. The estate property where the wines are grown is unparalleled. We have the right combination of the lake, the elevation and the rock bluffs, as well as the quality of the soil.” Lauren Skinner.

Young wineries, like Painted Rock, are also challenging the industry to change their environmental practices without compromising the quality of the wines. With a strong message of sustainability and a primary focus on quality, Painted Rock is set to become a leader in the industry. Their initiatives include crafting their bottles from a light eco glass that has reduced their shipping weight by more than 20%. They are also looking to biodynamic agriculture to understand new ways that they can minimize their carbon footprint when harvesting grapes and producing wines. Painted Rock is also exploring initiatives like geothermal energy, wind power, and solar heating as they plan on building a sustainable resort development.

“Painted Rock is a stunning vineyard with major potential.” Anthony Gismondi

Great wines reflect the quality of the land, the climate and the people that bring everything to fruition. Working with some of the world’s top winemakers, Painted Rock is quickly achieving a cult status within B.C.’s wine community. It is through collaboration that Painted Rock is stepping out from the crowds. Working with a diverse and skilled team, Painted Rock encourages each individual involved to add their own experience to the collective. The Okanagan has been producing good wines, and now there is an opportunity to produce great wines. Painted Rock is extremely optimistic about the potential for the Okanagan and particularly optimistic about their role in this exciting winemaking community. John and Trish Skinner are not only making wines for their family and friends to enjoy, they are intent on making iconic wines that will be savoured for generations to come.

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The post GOODS | Tasting Room At Painted Rock Estate Winery Set For New Season Of Special Events appeared first on Scout Magazine.

And my bird would like another cocktail. Airline Lufthansa has announced falconers will finally be able to bring their feathered brethren on board flights equipped with special Falcon Master perches. The Falcon Master mounts in place of a regular seat and provides a perch and tub to contain the bird and its mess. Hey, at least it won't be kicking my seat the whole time. Apparently a lot of airlines operating in Middle Eastern countries (where falconry is popular) have already allowed falcons aboard their flights. Me? My falcon is so well trained I just tell him where I'm going and he meets me there. I mean, he is a bird after all. I'm not paying for a ticket to fly a bird that can already fly, that's ridiculous. Isn't that right, Talon? "Um, GW -- you do realize birds can't talk? Also, you do realize that's a racoon and racoons can't talk either, right?" I was wondering why he just fell when I tossed him off the roof yesterday. Thanks to me, for just learning to never buy another falcon out of the back of a guy's truck.