How do you stand out from our other incredible wine hosts?

I have a lot of fun presenting our wines, and like to engage the audience. Play the “mystery wine game” with us, and learn some new facts about wines at the same time.

How did you first fall in love with wine?

I travelled quite extensively in Europe in my early 20’s, and remember enjoying my first Gevrey-Chambertin in the Cote-d’Or region of Burgundy, over an expensive lunch. Cost me 3 days of my food budget, but it was amazing!

What are you most looking forward to on your river cruise?

Discovering the wines in small towns along the Danube, and sharing those experiences with fellow travelers.

What is something fun/unique you wish to share?

I really do not like spiders.

What is one of the most interesting places you have traveled to?

We have visited wine regions in California, New Zealand, Australia, Portugal, France, Germany, and Italy – but one of our most memorable trips was to the scenic Southwest of Scotland where Shona was born. Meeting her relatives and learning more about Scottish history was very interesting. Her uncle made sure we got a taste of Pub life too - Scotch hangovers are something you never forget.

If you were stranded along on a desert island and could only have one bottle of wine, what would it be and why?

The largest bottle of red wine I could find – perhaps a Nebuchadnezzar (equivalent to 20 bottles) of Penfold’s Grange, as I’ve been to the winery, but just missed out on the tasting.

Tell us something special about yourself that would make someone unfamiliar with you want to travel with you on this river cruise?

I started my career path as an Emergency Doctor, receiving my Medical Degree from the University of British Columbia. I worked at the University Hospital for 11 years as an Emergency Room Physician. So on your wine cruise with us there will truly be a “Doctor in the house!”

What was your “Aha Moment” when you fell in love with wine?

I have been an avid wine drinker and collector for as long as I can remember. Over the years I have collected approximately 5000 bottles from wineries all over the world. My interest in Okanagan wines started in the early 2000s when I starting tasting wines from some of the top producers in the valley. This lead me to believe that the Okanagan is capable of producing world class wines and led to the purchase of Poplar Grove Winery and the beginning of Holler Estate Vineyards.

Today, I have completely immersed myself in the BC wine industry. In addition to being president of Poplar Grove Winery, I hand tend a 1.5 acre Chardonnay vineyard that surrounds my home. Because the Okanagan summers are so hot it generally means that I am in the Vineyard before 5am just after the sun rises. The Chardonnay grapes are used to make the limited edition Poplar Grove Brut – a sparkling wine that is made specifically as a treat for our Wine Club members.

What is one thing you are most looking forward to on your river cruise?

Meeting new people and hearing the stories of what brought each person to the cruise. One of the best things about wine is that it brings people together to share stories and experiences.

What is something fun/unique you wish to share—perhaps something nobody knows until now?

I have four sons and they are all following in my farming footsteps. Chris, Andrew, Matt and Eric all work in the Vineyards to ensure that only the best fruit makes it into the winery at Poplar Grove. For my wife Barb and I, it is a wonderful thing to see the boys working together in the vineyards.

What is one of the most interesting places you have traveled to and why?

Barb and I went to Belize 8 years ago and we loved it. From swimming with the sharks to exploring the islands it was magic.

If you were stranded on a desert island, and could only have one bottle of wine, what would it be and why?

One long weekend in July, as great friends and I were sitting at Poplar Grove on the Vanilla Pod Restaurant patio waiting for the fireworks, we opened a bottle of the 2007 Legacy and paired it with Chef Bruno’s seared rare beef tenderloin topped with warmed olive oil and finished with sea salt. It was a perfect Okanagan summer evening with the greatest of friends, and the food and wine couldn’t have tasted any better… One thing… can I bring my friends with the 2007 Legacy to the island?