Cafe Medina supports B.C. Hospitality Foundation

Brunch hot spot Cafe Medina celebrates its first decade by shelving its no-reservations policy for the Front of the Line Fundraiser for the remainder of February.

A maximum of three tables — one per time slot — is available to be booked each day at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Tables may be booked for two to six people for a $25 donation (weekdays) or $35 (weekends) to be given in full to the British Columbia Hospitality Foundation.

Once all guests have arrived, the party will receive the next available table.

Tables will not be seated until the full party has arrived. Front of the Line donations are nonrefundable.

To book and make your donation visit medinacafe.com

B.C. Wine Studio has launched Neighbour’s Blend Riesling/Viognier wine in support of the B.C. Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program and its important local food security mantra.

The program offers vouchers for fresh local farmers’ market foods to thousands of deserving B.C. residents including low-income families, expectant mothers and seniors.

To support the cause, B.C. Wine Studio’s owner/winemaker Mark Simpson is donating $5 from every bottle sold to the program.

The bottle is wrapped in original artwork created by Vancouver artist and farmers’ market manager Laura Gibson, who has taken the signature mermaid of B.C. Wine Studio’s flagship Siren’s Call wines, and set her in a garden of market produce.

B.C. WINE OF THE WEEK Van Westen Vineyards Vivre la Vie 2014, Okanagan Valley $30 | 89/100 UPC: 626990097266

This is good version of what is usually a heady, perfumed Merlot. As big as the 2014 is, it offers some hints of violets and minerality before the full force of its dark, potent, black fruit. Cassis, black plums and freshness carry the story on through to a warm spicy finish. Don’t be fooled by the soft edges; this is a big Merlot with a fine future.

WINE FOR THE CELLAR Black Swift Vineyards Cabernet Franc Desert Valley Vineyards 2014, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley $54.99 | 90/100 UPC: 626990227281

The Black Swift Franc grows on the Golden Mile Bench subappellation in Desert Valley Vineyard. In 2014 it is a dense, muscular, round and ripe-fruited red that is a pleasure to drink. The soil it is grown on is mostly rocky, an old river bed, and the result is a mineral, stony red, and a black raspberry fruited wine with a sagebrush undercurrent. Impressive now, but this will continue to improve in the bottle through 2020.