Wine Industry Professionals’ Home Gutted by Fire

This happened to my brother and his family in 2005, so I can well imagine the family's situation right now. Poor folks!

Call to action among industry to help

March 25, 2008 (NORTH VANCOUVER) On Tuesday March 25, 2008, the family home of DJ Kearney and David Scholefield was destroyed by fire. A public plea is being made to assist the family, and a trust account has been established at the North Shore Credit Union. Donations can be made to the “Kearney/Scholefield Fire Trust,” account # 179986-04 at any branch of the North Shore Credit Union; those not on the North Shore can also donate. Email fire@ccltd.ca for instruction.

The occupants of the home: Kearney, Scholefield and Kearney’s two teenage sons Sean and Alex, escaped without major injury, but sadly, the family’s pet cat perished, and the home and its contents are ruined. The family has insurance, which will cover the basics, but as in any emergency situation, there are essential and immediate needs to take care of.

“At this time the most important thing is that the entire family is safe,” said family friend Leeann Clemens. “Their immediate need is for practical items such as new identification and eyeglasses, clothing and a place to stay.” At the time of this release, the family has established a plan to stay with a family friend this evening, and were combing through the home’s remains to determine what can be recovered.

The house is located in North Vancouver near the intersection of Dollarton Highway and Old Dollarton Highway. As of late Tuesday morning there was still a lot of smoke coming out of the home, which burned as morning commuters crossed the Ironworkers’ Memorial Bridge. Fire investigators say the blaze started in a diesel furnace and the older home was well-involved by the time firefighters arrived.

Kearney and Scholefield are both prominent and well-regarded wine industry personalities, and the wine, food and hospitality industries in particular are being called upon to assist.

“We hope that we will see a wave of support and that our colleagues will spread the word,” said friend Christine Coletta. “We can all rally to see that the family has clothes and food and a roof over their head. If we can gather a solid base of donations, it will give David and DJ what they need to move forward.”

“I am just so glad they are OK,” said relative Julian Scholefield. “In time, the insurance will take care of everything, but it is sad to consider the irreplaceable items such as photos, their wine cellar or David’s extensive music collection. Hopefully we can all pull together to help them get back on their feet.”

For more information call Leeann Clemens at Coletta and Associates 604-904-9793 cell 604-603-9394 or email fire@ccltd.ca

MMMMMMuscato d'Asti

Agricola Gian Piero Marrone Muscato d'Asti

I love sweets, and I adore Muscat, so there was no chance I wouldn't adore this lovely Muscato d'Asti from Agricola Gian Piero Marrone.



Gian Piero himself poured it for me at the Vancouver Wine Fest. After I slurped it down I immediately ran off to the fest store and secured myself one of the last bottles. After a few weeks of gazing at it admiringly and petting it, I took it to a birthday party along with the Gres St. Paul Libertine Muscat Sec.

The 2006 Gres St. Paul wasn't as fragrant as the 2005 was, but it is still one of the most tasty dry whites I've ever had. Heaven.

But the whole point of this post is the Moscato d'Asti. It's sweet, oh, very sweet, as Moscato d'Asti should be, with gentle bubbles and very light on alcohol (5%). It's dessert in a glass -- what soda pop tasted like when you were a kid -- how fruit must taste in heaven.

It's layered with orange blossoms and honey, syrup sweet but somehow not cloying. It dissolves on your tongue and leaves you thirsty for more. Ah, the Italians know what they're doing. Italians know love.

I should mention that the other wines handsome Gian Piero Marrone poured were fantastic as well. And he paired the meaty main course red with a sniff from a bubbling pot of truffle soup -- just to give people an idea of how the red would pair with food. Ah, what class!

Run right out because you want this wine!

Vancouverites, on your feet. You need to get to Liberty Wine Merchants at Granville Island immediately and buy a bottle of Gres Saint Paul Libertine Muscat Sec (a dry muscat vin de pays). We reviewed it last year and fell head over heels in love. I was so thrilled to find it again.

Wait, what am I doing? Hell no, don't buy this wine, leave it all for me!

Wine Fest Windup

Whew! The winefest was a whirl. A crazy, wonderful time. I tasted probably 80 wines out of the more than 700 available in the tasting room. Talked to a lot of folks and learned a few things...

1. Wine fest fingers!
After three hours in the tasting room my right thumb and index finger were stained purple. Perhaps this is why some people carry their glass by the foot?

2. Wine people are the sexy!
I heard so many sexy accents in the tasting room. Portuguese, Spanish, Chilean, Australian, French, Italian. Yum.

3. Everyone loves to teach
I learned so much just by listening to people and asking a few questions. I think there are few things more enjoyable than listening to people who are passionate about what they do.

4. Folks are moving away from huge oak
Several times I heard people talking about consumer tastes moving away from big, bold, heavily oaked styles and toward more subtle and complex styles.

Top Faves
Here's an unordered list of wines and producers I got excited about. I tended to focus on the more inexpensive offerings, so you won't see any $60 bottles on this list.

Viu Manent winery from Colchagua, Chile. Great range of wines, including the Secreto Syrah 2006, Malbec Single Vinyard San Carlos 2006, Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2007, and Carmenere Reserve 2006. (All except the Malbec are under $20)

Castello d'Albola Chianti Classico Le Ellere 2004

Agricola Marrone in the Piedmonte, and expecially their 2006 Moscato d'Asti "Soleil d'Oro," because I am a big sucker for Muscat in any style.

Raimat Vinedos Albarino-Chardonnay 2006 (Spain) - really inexpensive ($13) and good.

Corte Giara (Italy)

Santa Carolina Reserva De Familia Carmenere 2006 (Chile)

Vina Santa Rita (Chile)

Katnook Estate Founder's Block Shiraz 2005, a surprisingly different style of Shiraz from Australia -- smooth and mellow. ($20)

Pfaffenheim "Black Tie" Riesling/Pinot Gris 2005

Ravenswood Vintner's Blend Zinfandel 2005