Our days to enjoy “wine and roses” aren’t long cautions Ernest Dowson’s poem. In that spirit, RauDZ Regional Table complements its exceptional local farm-to-table cuisine with a focus on wine, curated by two well-educated palates: General Manager Wes Hunter and Co-Owner Audrey Surrao.
Surrao has listed Okanagan wines in her restaurants for over 15 years, and is well-known for her passionate support of the industry. She continues to participate as a wine judge in numerous competitions, notably BC Best of Varietal Wine Competition and Oregon’s Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition. Prior to joining the RauDZ Creative Concepts team, Hunter managed notable restaurants, developing award-winning wine and beverage programs to help put his restaurants on the culinary map. Both graduates of the industry respected WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) certification program, they’re committed to finding you your next favourite Okanagan wine.
RauDZ commitment to 100% Okanagan wine is evident in the by-the-glass and bottle list. The recently launched Cellar List highlights amazing vintages from around the world and exceptional bottles from BC including Quails’ Gate Stewart Family Reserve Pinot Noir 2008 and Checkmate Winery “Capture” Chardonnay 2013. These local cellar wines hold their own against wines from the Old World. Big and small, niche and well-known wineries and grape varietals are featured such as harder to pronounce and less popular varietals to discover like Zweigelt or Albarino and Trebbiano.
Challenge your wine palate over at micro, once monthly, at Liquid Sundays – 5 plates, 10 wines. Chef Chris Braun and Sommelier Hunter collaborate in a wine-paired dinner with the twist of two wines per course. Sometimes, it’s Okanagan versus Old World, and other times, two BC wines paired with the dish. Including taxes and gratuities, the all-inclusive tickets are $110. To stay informed about all the latest specials, follow @raudz and @microkelowna on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook or check out their websites.
(pictured Audrey Surrao)
~ Roslyne Buchanan