BC Uncorked: Wine to Conquer Cancer

On June 20, 2009 I joined 1700 other cyclists and we embarked on an epic, two-day journey from Vancouver to Seattle. It was the inaugural Ride to Conquer Cancer in British Columbia and the event raised $6.9 million. Funds raised went directly to the BC Cancer Foundation to support research and patient care at the BC Cancer Agency.

As a Radiation Therapist I treat individuals with cancer every day, and I see firsthand the difference donations can make in the lives of patients and their families. Each year, The Ride to Conquer Cancer continues to raise millions of dollars to support cancer care and research in BC. That is why I was excited to learn about BC Uncorked, an annual wine and culinary event benefiting The Ride to Conquer Cancer.

John Gerum is the General Manager at West Coast Experiences, which organizes BC Uncorked each year. John holds an Advanced Wine Certificate and he is certified by the International Sommelier Guild.  During a telephone interview, John tells me that he has had a passion for BC wines for over 30 years. His passion began around the time that the BC government paid to have a large proportion of the vines planted in BC vineyards removed. The majority of the vines were hybrid grape varietals, such as Labrusca, which were not fit to produce wines that could compete on a world stage. Vineyards were then replanted with premium vinifera grapes, such as Chardonnay and Merlot. John has witnessed many changes in the BC wine industry over the years and he says that the progress which has been made in just one generation is “mind blowing” and he wants British Columbians to be proud of this growth. Thus BC Uncorked took shape as a means to showcase BC wines.

The first BC Uncorked took place 10 years ago as a fundraiser for the Port Moody Arts Centre; there were 120 people who attended. Attendance has steadily increased over the years and the festival quickly outgrew its first venue.

BC Uncorked began donating their proceeds to cancer care and research several years ago when John Gerum discovered that a colleague of his, Steve Parsons, was about to participate in The Ride to Conquer Cancer. Steve was riding in memory of his seventeen-year-old son, Taylor, whom he lost to brain cancer in 2003. Over the years BC Uncorked has helped raise over $150,000 for Team Taylor of The Ride to Conquer Cancer.

This year 600 people attended the sold out festival on Saturday, March 10, 2018. The event took place at the Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club in Coquitlam, with its warm, West Coast-inspired décor. The festival brought together over 45 BC wineries and more than eight restaurants and caterers. To highlight just a few of the tasty morsels we enjoyed: delicious Ahi Tuna Poke from The Boat House Restaurant; outstanding smoked salmon mousse on miniature English scones with micro kale and Meyer lemon crackle cookies, provided by Our Niche Catering + Events; and handcrafted, Sicilian Cannoli, compliments of Vancouver’s Cannoli King.

In addition to sampling some fantastic wine and food, there were plenty of great opportunities to further support The Ride to Conquer Cancer. A silent auction featured unique and intriguing packages from both wineries and restaurants. The ‘wine wall’ provided an opportunity to walk away with an incredible bottle of wine. It was better than a cakewalk, as each $25 donation guaranteed that you would take home a bottle of wine valued anywhere from $18-$60. Finally, raffle tickets were sold throughout the evening and the grand prize was a private, catered dinner for 12 in your own home, complete with a wine steward. If you weren’t lucky enough to win your favourite wines from the evening, the staff at Marquis Wine Cellars were there operating an online store for guests to order wine.

BC Uncorked provides a quality food and wine experience, but they are also committed to ensuring that their guests arrive home safely. The venue was accessible by transit and complimentary transit tickets were provided by the BC Liquor Store. Vancouver Beer & Wine Tours also gave guests a free shuttle from the venue to the Skytrain after the event.

Although there is no date yet for next year’s festival, I am told that we should look forward to a new venue and a bigger and better festival with a few surprises in store. Next year’s BC Uncorked will take place during the spring or summer, so stay tuned for more details.

A wine festival is not very conducive to writing tasting notes, but there are always several wines that stand out from the pack:

Orofino Winery
2015 Home Vineyard Pinot Noir $32.00

This was one of my favourite Pinot Noirs of the night. I feel it has some aging potential due to higher tannins and acidity.

Indigenous World Winery
2016 Viognier $21.99

Always enjoyable – aromas of pear, stone fruit, ginger and pineapple. It has the lovely viscosity that one would expect from Viognier, with flavours of pear, jasmine and thyme, while peaches linger on the finish.

Bonamici Cellars
2016 Sauvignon Blanc Viognier $27.00

The Sauvignon Blanc component of this wine jumped out of the glass at me with a wonderfully, pronounced nose of pink grapefruit and passion fruit.

Mt Boucherie Winery
2016 Gewürztraminer $18

This lovely wine is quite floral – a bouquet of roses and spice.

Rust Wine Company
2015 Pinot Noir $25

A small lot, single vineyard wine from the Lazy River Vineyard in the Similkameen Valley – red fruit, leather, dried figs and a good finish.

Meyer Family Vineyards
2016 McLean Creek Road Pinot Noir $40

This Pinot Noir is made using wild fermentation. First impressions: smoke, raspberry, strawberry jam, and a savory finish.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery
2015 Cabernet Franc $35.00

This wine is always a favourite of mine.

Summerhill Pyramid Winery
Cipes Brut Rosé NV $30.48

Made in the traditional method, this 100% Pinot Noir cuvée is crisp and refreshing with notes of red apple on the palate.