Winemaker Tom DiBello gone from Cedar Creek

Cedar Creek's winemaker Tom DiBello seen at last year's Playhouse Intl Wine Festival

BCWineLover.com was a little surprised by the news reported in February that Tom DiBello has moved on from Kelowna's Cedar Creek winery after nine seasons. The chain smoking DiBello made a strong impression at last year's Playhouse International Wine Festival, where British Columbia was the theme region. He's clearly proud of the fine products he's helped to produce there over the years.

Eric Degerman of Wine Press Northwest writes:

DiBello and his trademark ponytail spent nine harvests at the showpiece winery along the east bank of Okanagan Lake.

He helped prove that remarkable Pinot Noir can be produced in British Columbia. The most recent example was the 2006 Platinum Reserve Pinot Noir, which won a gold medal at the 2009 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition before, ironically, earning a Platinum in Wine Press Northwest's 2009 Platinum Judging.

We'll feature a short video clip of Tom speaking at last year's wine festival in an upcoming post. The cellar will be managed by assistant winemaker Bill Pierson as the winery considers a replacement for DiBello.