In the Roaring Twenties, the larger than life Richard da Silva might have been the guy scrutinizing the mugs wanting to enter a speakeasy, using a subtle nod or shake of his head to relay his decision. Today, though, he and his wife Twylla are the genial hosts at Misconduct Wine Co., likely to be found opening the door for customers eager to sample Misconduct wines with names like Misfit, Massacre and The Big Take.
Born to Portuguese parents, long time Okanagan farmers, da Silva has enough years in the wine and hospitality business to know what he likes and doesn’t like.
“I think it’s time for BC wineries and growers to focus on what we really grow well here,” he says. “That means grape varietals like Merlot, Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Syrah, Malbec being grown South of Oliver and varietals like Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, and Alsace varieties grown further North of OK Falls and Penticton. And even these will need to be pared down”, in his opinion.
He’s proving to have a deft touch in the winery, creating big-flavoured wines that reflect the personalities of him and Twylla. Expect complexity instead of fruit bombs, subtlety instead of the overt.
Serious about winemaking and playful about the winery’s image, the da Silvas are their own label designers (ask about the hidden message on the Suspect labels) and marketers. They refer to their family of wines as The Uncrushables, a subset series of which is the Suspects – ready to be lined up and put away!
New to the winery, The Kitchen, focusing on European style foods. Rustic, casual dishes like Portuguese Buffanas and Paella, along with braised meats, match perfectly with Misconduct wines.
~ Lorne Eckersley