This week's podcast features Jeff Guignard, CEO of Wine Growers British Columbia. Jeff officially stepped into the role on April 28, 2025. He is committed to member engagement and collaboration, and will lead advocacy efforts on behalf of the BC wine industry, which contributes $3.75 billion to the province's annual economic growth. We caught up in person with Olivier Humbrecht, MW, Consulting Winemaker at Phantom Creek Estates. Olivier is a distinguished figure in the world of wine, notably for his role as the proprietor and winemaker at Domaine Zind-Humbrecht. We discussed the white wines he is responsible for at Phantom Creek, which are truly a passion project: white wines from the Similkameen Valley, including Small Lot 2022 Riesling and 2022 Pinot Gris. Staying on the Black Sage Bench, we chat with Kaylee Barss, Winemaker at Red Barn Winery at Jagged Rock, about her passion for reimagining traditional Okanagan varieties such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc, while exploring exotic Italian grapes like Nebbiolo and Barbera. Plus, Harry Hertscheg, Executive Director of the Vancouver International Wine Festival, joins us to preview the 2026 Festival in March and the theme region of France.

<p>This week's podcast features Jeff Guignard, CEO of Wine Growers British Columbia. Jeff officially stepped into the role on April 28, 2025. He is committed to member engagement and collaboration, and will lead advocacy efforts on behalf of the BC wine industry, which contributes $3.75 billion to the province's annual economic growth. We caught up in person with Olivier Humbrecht, MW, Consulting Winemaker at Phantom Creek Estates. Olivier is a distinguished figure in the world of wine, notably for his role as the proprietor and winemaker at Domaine Zind-Humbrecht. We discussed the white wines he is responsible for at Phantom Creek, which are truly a passion project: white wines from the Similkameen Valley, including Small Lot 2022 Riesling and 2022 Pinot Gris. Staying on the Black Sage Bench, we chat with Kaylee Barss, Winemaker at Red Barn Winery at Jagged Rock, about her passion for reimagining traditional Okanagan varieties such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc, while exploring exotic Italian grapes like Nebbiolo and Barbera. Plus, Harry Hertscheg, Executive Director of the Vancouver International Wine Festival, joins us to preview the 2026 Festival in March and the theme region of France.</p>