Food & Wine: Lucky to Be Alive & Living in Whistler

There are those events that make you just feel lucky to be alive and livin’ in Whistler! In celebration of our hometown vino guru, Araxi pulled out the red carpet for Samantha Rahn who was just named Sommelier of the Year at the Vancouver International Wine Festival.

A virtual who’s who of Whistler swarmed the newly appointed Queen with toasts of fine champagne and delectable canapés in hand. Not only is it rare to see this award presented to someone outside of Vancouver’s hub of prestigious restaurants but it seemed all too ideal to cheers this power house of a lady on International Woman’s Day. The inside scoop is that this is the second time I have been honoured to see Samantha crowned as she took the title of Snow Queen back in her formative years in Banff. You have wonder what is next – the world!?

But in a tiny epicentre like Whistler, there is always another event waiting and this time was no different. I was off to the See Ya Later Ranch Winemaker’s dinner at La Bocca.

After quickly meeting the See Ya Later Ranch winemaker himself, Mason Spink, excitement to take our places at La Bocca’s Winemaker dinner was running high. Each course was exquisitely presented and service was friendly and informative. Great care was given to ensure the SYL Ranch’s nectar balanced the dish it escorted to the table. My favourite was the vegetarian spin Chef graciously gave his smoked beef carpaccio for me – a delicately sliced smoked beet topped with arugula. Its’ Pinot Noir partner hit it out of the ball park in my opinion though. As all good things come to an end, this high caliber Whistler evening wrapped up with a perfectly pleasurable pear galette and and sumptuous helping of La Bocca’s house-made honey thyme gelato-it left me craving summer ice cream dates which I may now have to pair with SYL Ranch’s Huney Late Harvest regularly.

Whistler serves up sweet experiences more regularly than most thanks to all the talented folks that make up our community’s virtual menu. A toast to that is well deserved!

Article source: http://www.whistlerisawesome.com/2013/03/15/food-wine-lucky-to-be-alive-living-in-whistler/