Wine column: Actor Jason Priestley back in the Okanagan wine biz

He may be best known as good boy heartthrob Brandon Walsh from the 1990s hit TV show Beverly Hills 90210.

But, actor Jason Priestley, who originally hails from North Vancouver, is also a celebrity player in the Okanagan wine industry.

Priestley was a co-owner of Black Hills Winery in Oliver before it was sold to Andrew Peller Limited in 2017.

Priestley's been on the lookout for a prime wine project ever since.

"After the sale, I continued to search for exceptional terroir capable of producing a peerless Bordeaux-style blend," he said.

"Throughout this journey, I merged paths with Terry (David Mulligan) and then Michal (Mosny). Together, we questioned what we already know, over and over again. After looking everywhere, all roads lead to one answer and the answer is once again in the Okanagan. This time, the difference is in the details, with a focus on elegance and finesse."

By the way, as you may have already figured out, the Q&A name is a reference to the trio asking where the best Bordeaux-style red can be made and the answer being: the Okanagan.

The resulting Q&A wine, vintage 2020 ($50), is a big and bold, but smooth, blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot made of grapes sourced from top Oliver vineyards Quails Wayside and Chahal.

The wine is made by Mosny, who owns and operates Winemaker's Cut in Oliver, in collaboration with Priestley and radio and TV broadcaster Mulligan.

Priestley and Mulligan also work together on another wine project -- Hollywood & Vines, a TV show about wine and the celebrities who love to drink it, which is distributed in 180 countries by Travel Channel UK.

In fact, winemaker Mosny said he first heard about Canadian wine by watching Hollywood & Vines years ago in his native Slovakia.

"They (Priestley and Mulligan's Hollywood & Vines) are the reason why I decided to move here with my wife in 2012 and make wines in the Okanagan Valley," said Mosny.

Q&A is now available for purchase online at qa.wine. and will also be sold at a limited number of premium stores that will also be listed on the website.

New-age flask

Apparently, the traditional, thin, curved hip flask is passe.

The new, best portable and discrete such vessel for on-the-go drinkers is the Torch Flask from High Camp Flasks.

The Torch Flask is so named because it's the shape of a small flashlight, or torch, and easily fits in your pocket or purse.

It comes in a myriad of colours and holds six ounces of liquid -- we're thinking a nice, Okanagan Merlot or Pinot Gris, but you can also go old school with any type of hard liquor, liqueur or even a cocktail.

Unlike a traditional hip flask that you drink directly out of, Torch Flash has an integrated, three-ounce shot glass that magnetically attaches over the top.

Torch Flask is made of 100% double-wall insulated stainless steel and the inside coated with Electroglass clean technology to preserve the integrity and taste of your beverage.

It also has a removable bottom cap for funnel-free filling and the addition of an ice cube or two, if you like.

Torch Flask is not cheap at $99 at HighCampFlasks.com, but it is touted as a quality product that could last a lifetime.

Sip and nibble

There's no shortage of Okanagan wineries offering elevated tastings this holiday season.

Two such are:

- 90-minute Winter Wine Experiences at Okanagan Crush Pad in Summerland today and tomorrow at 3, 5 and 7 pm for $15.

Sample wines and enjoy canapes in the decorated 'hospitality space.'

Reserve at OkanaganCrushPad.com.

- Holiday Inspiration Food & Wine Pairing tastings are being held at Nk'Mip Winery in Osoyoos today, tomorrow and Sunday as well as Dec. 16, 17 and 18 at 11 am, 12:30 and 2 pm.

Book at NkMipCellars.com.

Nk'Mip Dinner Series includes the Winter Solstice Dinner coming up Dec. 17.

The four-course, wine-paired dinner by chef Ian Stilborn is $125.

Steve MacNaull is a NowMedia Group reporter, Okanagan wine lover and Canadian Wine Scholar. Reach him at [email protected]. The wine column appears in this space every Friday afternoon.