<![CDATA[Harvest Wine - Ramblings...]]>Sat, 25 Apr 2026 05:02:18 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Best Skillet Steak]]>Fri, 05 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.harvestwineoutfitters.com/blog/best-skillet-steakPair this with a great red wine!
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]]><![CDATA[Win $$ for Shopping Locally!]]>Wed, 06 Dec 2023 00:44:29 GMThttps://www.harvestwineoutfitters.com/blog/win-for-shopping-locallyTwo Ways to Win this Month
First way...go to our local Bounce Radio Station
​to enter your chance to win a $100 gift card to our shop. 
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Second way is to shop locally at any of the participating businesses in Fort St. John. Get a ballot to drop off at the FSJ Visitor's Centre at the Pomeroy. Click HERE for more information.
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]]><![CDATA[Goat Cheese Wrapped Grapes]]>Sun, 19 Nov 2023 21:48:04 GMThttps://www.harvestwineoutfitters.com/blog/goat-cheese-wrapped-grapesPicture
Here's another popular and easy appetizer I made for a wine tasting.  This one we paired with the upcoming Global Passport 2024 Pinot Gris Sauvignon Blanc.

​You can find the original recipe HERE. 

INGREDIENTS:
Seedless grapes
4 oz. cream cheese
4 oz. goat cheese
1/2 cup shelled pistachios, unsalted

DIRECTIONS:
Rinse and pat dry the grapes. Set aside.
Combine cream cheese and goat cheese until mixed well.
Take a bit of the mixture, wrap it around each grape and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Repeat until you've used all of the mixture.
Chill the cheese wrapped grapes in the fridge for 15 minutes.
Finely chop pistachios and put onto a plate.
Once cheese wrapped grapes have hardened, take out of the fridge and roll in the pistachios. Return to baking sheet and chill for 45 minutes before serving.

VARIATIONS:
  • Use green or red grapes, but make sure they are bite sized
  • You can use just goat cheese or just cream cheese, if you don't have one kind
  • I like using Wonderful Honey Roasted Pistachios and just goat cheese. They are pre-shelled and give a nice sweet balance to the tangy goat cheese.
]]><![CDATA[Portobello Mushroom Bruschetta]]>Sun, 19 Nov 2023 20:11:47 GMThttps://www.harvestwineoutfitters.com/blog/portobello-mushroom-bruschetta PictureMy pics sucked so here's a photo borrowed from Once Upon A Chef
The first time I made this, it was for a wine tasting event we had for the upcoming 2024 RQ Collection. Since then I've made it for a couple of get-togethers and it's always well received. So I thought I'd share the recipe because everyone keeps asking for it!

The original recipe comes from the Food Network and can be found HERE.

INGREDIENTS:
4 cups assorted baby tomatoes, cut into quarters (use the multi coloured ones for a great visual effect)
1/4 cup red onion, minced
1/4 cup fresh basil, shredded
1/4 cup Olivia's 18 Year Reserve Dark Balsamic Vinegar*
1/4 cup Olivia's Olive Oil*
Salt and pepper

6 portobello caps, wiped clean
1 garlic clove, minced (I always add extra!)
2 tablespoons Olivia's Olive Oil
Salt and pepper

Crusty Italian bread (I used a baguette from Safeway)
1 garlic clove, peeled

DIRECTIONS:
Combine tomatoes, minced red onion, fresh basil, balsamic vinegar and olive oil together in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Let sit and marinade while you prepare the mushrooms.

Scoop out the gills of the mushrooms with a spoon and cut into small pieces. Heat oil in a frying pan and cook mushrooms and garlic until softened. Season with a little salt and pepper, if desired. Remove pan from heat.

Toast bread in the oven at 350F for about 10 minutes. After removing from oven, rub the toast with a clove of garlic.

Top the toasted bread with the mushrooms and then the tomato mixture, adding some fresh basil for garnish.

Pair this with the RQ 2024 Trebbiano Chardonnay or a nice medium bodied, dry white wine.

VARIATIONS:
  • Omit the toast and leave the portobello mushrooms whole. Brush caps with olive oil and grill for about 3-4 minutes per side.  Place tomato mixture in the mushroom cap, garnish with fresh basil. Eat while warm.
  • Top with some Parmesan cheese.
  • Drizzle with a balsamic glaze.

* Find quality gourmet oils and vinegars in our shop from Olivia's in Kelowna, BC
]]><![CDATA[Updated RJS Brochures]]>Fri, 21 Jul 2023 21:30:17 GMThttps://www.harvestwineoutfitters.com/blog/updated-rjs-brochuresUpdated Brand Brochures with Alcohol Content
Please be aware that RJS branded brochures have been updated to reflect the target alcohol levels that are based on the RJS Craft Winemaking instruction sheets. Any altering to the instructions will alter the alcohol percentage. 

Please follow this link to view brochures on our website: HERE
]]><![CDATA[North Peace Fall Fair 2023]]>Wed, 12 Jul 2023 21:49:12 GMThttps://www.harvestwineoutfitters.com/blog/north-peace-fall-fair-2023Once again we will be sponsoring the Wine/Liqueur categories in at the fair. There's a chance to win $50 gift certificates for our shop! Great to put towards another batch of wine, supplies or something from our gift shop.
GET THOSE ENTRIES READY!
There is a total of 6 categories:
K11 Liqueur
K12 White Wine
K13 Red Wine
K14 Any Country Fruit Wine (fresh)
K15 Any Fruit Wine (kit)
K16 Cider
***Make sure you enter the correct category. Since the wine is judged based on that category, points will be deducted for incorrect placement.
Example:  Red Wine category are traditional grape wines like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, etc. Not dark wine made with haskaps.
White Wine category are traditional grape wines like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, etc. Not a crabapple wine.
Country Fruit Wine (fresh) is made from your own homegrown/picked fruit. This is where you place your saskatoon, peach, cherry, etc.
Any Fruit Wine (kit) is a fruity flavoured wine kit, like Island Mist Blackberry or Orchard Breezin' Blush Crush. 
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]]><![CDATA[Peace River Area U-Picks and Orchards]]>Wed, 12 Jul 2023 21:21:03 GMThttps://www.harvestwineoutfitters.com/blog/peace-river-area-u-picks-and-orchards9302716Picture

Want to Make Wine but Need Fruit?!
​
*This list is a work in progress and will be edited, if needed. Contact U-Picks/Orchards directly for most up-to-date information. Please email or message us if you know of any others to be added.
Updated: July 17, 2024

Blue Acres - Saskatoons
Altona, BC (north of Fort St. John)
Click HERE for map for location
Call 778-256-1359

Grazeland U-Pick - Saskatoons 
Grandhaven area, near Fort St. John
Click HERE for their Instagram
​Webpage HERE
Contact via Facebook Messenger or 250-262-7616

Brown Bird Acres - "Northline" Saskatoons
Hwy. 29, towards Hudson's Hope, BC
For inquiries or to book an appointment, text or call Tara Brule at 250-263-7254
Wheelchair/walker friendly and offer senior discounts!
“Although we are not Certified Organic, for over a decade we have been mindful of the delicate balance of nature that plays out on our creek side property; we have been vigilant to keep our crops free of chemicals and always bee and bird-friendly.”

Bellamy Berries - Saskatoons
Top of the south Taylor Hill, BC
2 acre berry patch with 3 different varieties of Saskatoons
Contact Laurie for more information
Text:  250-793-1495
Email:  lbellamy@pris.ca

Beatton Hills Orchard - Rhubarb, Currants, Raspberries, Gooseberries
Baldonnel, BC
Click HERE for their Facebook page
Call 250-263-2678

Hillside Haskap Patch - Haskaps
9126 Caribou Hwy, Chetwynd, BC
24 km west of Chetwynd, towards Prince George
Contact Julie Harroff at 250-788-5284, or Penny Walker at 250-401-8871
U-pick hours 8am - 7pm, Sunday to Friday

Tower Lake Orchard - Strawberries
Between Fort St. John & Dawson Creek, BC
Click HERE for their Facebook page

Hasberry Farms - Haskaps 
Chetwynd, BC
Click HERE for their Facebook page
​Instagram HERE
www.hasberryfarms.ca 
Call 236-900-3100

Peace Haskap & Honey at the Fellers Farm - Haskaps
13615 251 Rd, Cecil Lake, BC
Click HERE for their Facebook page
Contact Julia at: 250-794-8863
​
Ravenwoodfarm - Raspberries, Black Currants, Rhubarb
Groundbirch, BC
Click HERE for their Facebook page
​Instagram HERE
WEBSITE 
Call 778-691-9905

The Rustic Market - Strawberries, Raspberries
Hudson's Hope, BC
Click HERE for their Facebook page
​Webpage HERE
Call 250-793-6691

Peace Cherry Ranch - Saskatoons, Cherries
Berwyn, AB
Click HERE for their Facebook page
​Call 780-618-1604 or 780-618-1449

Fragaria Acres
Worsley, AB
Click HERE for their Facebook page
fragariaacres@gmail.com
​Call 780-834-8270

Dawsonview Farm - Saskatoons 
Pouce Coupe, BC
Click HERE for their Facebook page
Call Bruce at 250-467-2063 for an appointment

Nourished Homestead - Haskaps, Strawberries, Black and Red Currants
Sunset Prairie, BC
Click HERE for their Facebook page
Instagram HERE 
Call 250-793-0508 for appointment and directions

Dunvegan Market Gardens - Strawberries 
Fairview, AB
780-835-4459
Click HERE for their Facebook page

Bridgeview Gardens Shaftesbury
Peace River, AB
Call 780-624-1335
​Click HERE for their Facebook page

Haskap Berry Farms - Haskaps
Wembley, AB
Click HERE for their website

Broken Tine Orchard - Haskaps
Beaverlodge, AB
Click HERE for their website
]]><![CDATA[Rhubarb Lemon Fizz]]>Sat, 10 Jun 2023 19:52:07 GMThttps://www.harvestwineoutfitters.com/blog/rhubarb-lemon-fizzPicture
2 oz. vodka
1 oz. rhubarb simple syrup*
1 oz. fresh lemon juice
Sparkling wine

Pour vodka, syrup and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously.  Strain into a large iced filled glass. Top up with sparkling wine.  (For a mocktail, substitute sparkling wine with club soda or sparkling water.)

*Rhubarb Simple Syrup Recipe
1 cup water
1 cup chopped rhubarb
1/2 cup sugar

Combine all ingredients into a saucepan and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer until mixture has thickened (about 20-25 minutes). Strain into a jar, let cool and store in the refrigerator until needed.
]]><![CDATA[Rhubarb Wine]]>Tue, 30 May 2023 22:34:35 GMThttps://www.harvestwineoutfitters.com/blog/rhubarb-wine
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The first wine of the season!

Although rhubarb is a vegetable, it is often put to the same culinary uses as fruit. The leaf stalks can be used raw, when they have a crisp texture (similar to celery, although it is in a different family), but are most commonly cooked with sugar and used in pies, crumbles, and desserts.  We love the plant for... WINE. Raw rhubarb is 94% water, 5% carbohydrates, 1% protein so it's easy to see why it would be a great wine making ingredient!

Rhubarb is a herbaceous perennial that grows from short, thick rhizomes. It is a hardy plant for our area and can be found on many farms, and in many city yards. They are a great landscaping plant as they can grow quite large! NOTE: The large, triangular leaves are toxic, making them inedible. Do not eat them or feed them to your animals.

To harvest, simply grab a bottom stalk close to the plant.  Give a twist and pull.  The stalk should pop right off.  If you're pulling your plant out of the ground, your soil is too loose. Stalks can be harvested when they are 7-12" long, depending on the variety. Crisp stalks will always provide more juice than wilting, floppy stalks. Don't over harvest.  Two-thirds is a good amount to remove to allow your plant to rejuvenate itself for further harvests. Remember to toss those leaves in the compost bin!

Two basic styles can be found in our area. Green rhubarb never develops into deep red stalks but could have a slight red to pinkish hue, and the internal color is green. Red rhubarb has stalks that can turn deep red and have an internal color of red or pink. The flavour can also vary between plants - from quite sour to slightly sweet.

Rhubarb is a great filler to any Country Fruit Wine that might need a little more fruit. Although rhubarb has a taste, it is one that can compliment or be easily hidden by almost any other fruit it's paired with.  Rhubarb will lighten up and brighten up the flavour of a wine.  Add a bag or two to your next batch to see the difference. 

Our favourite rhubarb wines:
1) Strawberry Rhubarb - by a landslide.....!  Do 3 parts strawberry to 2 parts rhubarb for the best strawberry flavour
2)  Crabapple Rhubarb - 1/2 and 1/2 mix can make a light and refreshing summer sipper
3)  Raspberry Rhubarb - Annamari likes 2 parts raspberry to 3 parts rhubarb.
4)  Plain Rhubarb - of course! Choose a red rhubarb for a pretty pink colour to your wine.  Green rhubarb will make a white wine.

Tips for making your own rhubarb wine:
  • Freeze or juice your rhubarb for winemaking. Fresh rhubarb doesn't release much juice for a great wine.
  • You can used cooked or canned rhubarb for winemaking but be aware that heat processing can change the flavour.
  • Don't cut your pieces too small for freezing.  One to two inch pieces are just the right size. Too small and the plant fibers can impact the clarity of your wine.
  • Always use pectic enzyme. Rhubarb is notorious for being hazy and this will help ensure a clear wine.
  • Try Lalvin EC-1118 or K1-V1116 yeast
Make at Home - 1 Gallon (4L) Rhubarb Wine Recipe
3lb. rhubarb
2 cups white grape concentrate
14 cups water, approximately
1kg. white sugar
1/4 tsp. tannin
1 tsp. yeast nutrient
1 tsp. pectic enzyme
1 pkg. wine yeast
​
Wash, drain and cut rhubarb into 1-2" pieces.  Freeze until solid.  When ready to start your wine, remove from freezer and place into large bowl or container to thaw.  Reserve all of the juice. The fruit can be placed into a large mesh bag to help remove the fruit at a later date. In your primary fermenter, dissolve your sugar in a small amount of warm water. Add your rhubarb and reserved juice. Crush 1 campden tablet and add to the mixture. 

Let sit for 24-36 hours before continuing to the next step, but stir a couple of times during this period.  This is important! If you do not wait the time needed, the campden will kill your wine yeast.  

Stir in the concentrate, tannin, yeast nutrient and pectic enzyme. Add enough water to make a gallon (4L), and then add about 1 cup more. Stir well and use your hydrometer to record the specific gravity.  Add yeast by sprinkling it evenly over the mixture. Cover your primary fermenter with something that will allow gas to escape while it ferments. 

Once a day, stir the mixture and record the specific gravity with your hydrometer.  Once it reaches S.G. 1.01-1.00, syphon your wine into a secondary vessel, leaving the sediment behind. Your secondary should have a narrow neck and the ability to attach an airlock. This is where a good seal is needed to keep oxygen out of your wine. Always make sure your airlock never dries out!

Now you can let your wine to sit and clear naturally.  This can take a few weeks to months. If you want to speed up the process there is ingredients you can get from your local winemaking shop. You might want to "rack it" a few more times while you wait for it to clear. If so, adding another crushed campden tablet to the wine is a good idea.  Always try to keep your wine topped up and keep your headspace minimal.

You might prefer your wine dry or a bit sweeter.  If you like it dry, know that you might have to let it age for the wine to be something smooth to enjoy.  If you want to drink it earlier, a little sweetness can make it much more drinkable.  There's ingredients you can get at the wine shop to stabilize your wine so adding sweetness will not create another fermentation.  

Need more than a gallon of wine? We can help you make 15 or 30 bottle batches in our shop. As always, if you have any questions, you can call or stop by our shop for some help.
]]><![CDATA[Excise Tax Exempt]]>Tue, 28 Mar 2023 22:02:49 GMThttps://www.harvestwineoutfitters.com/blog/excise-tax-exemptDid you know that when you make your own wine/cider/beer, you are exempt from the Excise Tax?  This is a tax that is placed on alcohol when made at a commercial winery or brewery. This is the MAIN REASON making your own wine/cider/beer is more affordable. But here's a few other reasons, if you need them....
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