British Columbia's Vancouver Island

Roger and Nancy Dosman operate this winery near Duncan (which used be named Alderlea) on the slopes above Quamichan Lake. Established in 1992 Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir are grown on the slopes of this Cowichan Valley winery. Other quality white wine varieties, Pinot Auxerrois and Bacchus and a dark full-bodied red Clarinet, made from 100% Marechal Foch grapes round out their varietal releases. Alderlea also produces a powerfully aromatic white blend. Angeliquend a very dark rich port style wine Hearth.

Roger often uses a method know as tending to aid in the ripping of the grapes. Polyethylene sheets are draped over the vines in spring to accelerate growth through a green house effect. This is an aid for late maturing grapes.

Winemaker: Roger Dosman
Philosophy: dedicated to growing high quality grapes and producing 100% estate grown wines

The Averill Creek Vineyard is the result of one man’s 30-year passion for wine. Over the past decade, physician Andy Johnston has been preparing for a dramatic career change by apprenticing in the vineyards of Italy, France, Australia, and New Zealand. Averill Creek is the vineyard of his dreams.

The winery is a 150 ton capacity winery built on the side of Mt Prevost.

Andy was drawn to Vancouver Island, in particular to the Cowichan Valley. This valley in the rain shadow of the Olympic Peninsula and the Malahat has long dry summers and very good grape growing soils; deep, with well-drained sand and gravel. The property has 46 acres on a steep southward slope. Over 1400 vines are currently planted, including Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Merlot

The Averill Creek Winery takes its name from the pretty little creek that cuts through the vineyard as it runs down the southern slopes of Mount Prevost into the Cowichan Valley of Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Averill Creek only uses screw tops to seal its wine. The wine maker believes this is the best way to preserve the natural quality of the wine over a long period of time. The wines

Signature wines: Pinot Noir and barrel aged Pinot Gris

Winemaker: Daniel Dragert
Philosophy Focus on Estate wines from the Pinot Family

Currently not producing new wines

 

Located on the beautiful Saanich Peninsula,the winery is owned by Jon and Lana Popham
actually operated under Winchester Cellars licence. The winery is named after their yellow lab named George.

Originally operating as a farm owned by Jon's parents. Jon's father Ed following his dream planted the vineyard 1977 . Ortega and Bacchus been the two main varitities. Newer varities include Pinot Noir and Foch. They began producing wines in 2005.

The winery is certified Organic signature wines are Ortega/Bacchus Blend and Dornfelder/Blackberry Port

Winemaker:

Philosophy:

May not be operating as a winery

Located 8km north of Courtenay the winery has a great view of Beaufort mountain range.
The wineries logo is the Moai statues of Easter Island. Owners Susan and Jeff Vandermolen sought out a local carver, Stan Skuse (X-Dream Sculptures) from Campbell River, and commissioned him to carve their Moai

The winery was licensed in 2007 and is the first in the Comax Valley.

Winemaker: Susan Vandermolen
Philosophy: Focus on high quality handcrafted wines
· Minimal inputs into the wine
· Use of detailed lab analysis to minimize additions and adjustments

Located on Blue Grouse Road in a country forest setting; established in 1989 they feature a red wine made from Black Muscat. Dr. Hans H Kiltz Winemaker states "Accepting the challenge to be a vintner on Vancouver Island requires making a commitment. To Blue Grouse this means that the character of our wines must reflect this unique location and complement the regional cuisine of the West Coast in the best possible way."

The soil at Blue Grouse Vineyards is mainly a mixture of clay and sand, however there are also areas of gravelly soil. The winery grows only Vitis Vinifera, the real wine grapes introduced from Europe which are primarily cool climate varieties such as Bacchus Ortega, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Müller-Thurgau.

Winemaker: Dr. Hans Kiltz

Muse Winery

11195 Chalet Road
North Saanich BC
V8L 5M1

Located in Deep Cove on the Saanich Peninsula. Specializing in hand crafted high quality wines. The winery has recently been purchased by Jane and Peter Ellmann. Peter has working in the industry for almost 30 year, most recently with Folie a' Deux winery in St Helena California.

The winery features a beautiful tasting room and patio.

Winemaker: Michael Betts

Philosophy:

It is in our nature to prophesy – We do it intuitively when we are seeking out and growing quality grapes, French, Hungarian and American oak, Vineyard partners to conscientiously and meticulously grow & nurture the fruit we purchase as we do ours at Chalet Estate.

We profoundly believe that wine demands people adapt to the pace of nature: her great secret is patience. Global tradition is in our blood and adhering to it requires an abundance of time – time dedicated to everyone who acknowledges the reward from our instinctive prescience. We have all the time in the world to deliver excellent wines, but we have no time or place for mediocrity.

 

The vineyard at Cherry Point was established a few miles south of Cowichan Bay in 1990.Wine-growing was still new on Vancouver Island in 1990; consequently the vineyard was planted with several grape varieties in the search for the varietals that would grow best. After the grape trials, Cherry Point Vineyards became one of the first licensed wineries on Vancouver Island in 1994. In 2004 Cherry Point Vineyards was purchased by the Cowichan Tribes making it the forth winery in the world to be aboriginal owned. Today the winery is owned by Xavier and Maria Clara Bonilla

Today the vineyard produces award winning varietal wines from their main
varieties: Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Siegerrebe. They also produce highly popular blends like Coastal White and Coastal Red. The whites are crisp, and clean, brimming with varietal fruit. The reds have just a whisper of oak, allowing the true varietal flavour of these unique cool climate wines to shine through. The vineyard remains best known for its World Famous Cowichan Blackberry Dessert Wine and recently released a more aged version called Solera.

Open seven days a week for educational tastings April to October 10am to 5pm, seven days a week, November to March 10am to 4pm, Wednesday to Saturday. Guided vineyard tours are conducted daily from May to October. Come and enjoy the exquisite vineyard views, fresh local ingredients, innovative West Coast inspired cuisine, great Island wine and unmatched service. The Bistro is open April through December.

Winemaker : Dean Canadzichr
Philosophy: the production of hand-crafted premium wines made entirely on our own premises,
using 100% British Columbia grapes.

All by itself off the wine path in the northwest lies this new winery,owned and operated by Vaughan Chase and Ron Crema . The winery started by chance when some decorative Gewürztraminer did extremely well. This led to the planting of other varieties in 1996. Five acres in total. Hard work and difficult conditions plagued the winery for the next few years.

In 2003 the winery opened the its wine shop with only 150 cases but good wine sells and it provided some much need cash for future development.

The winery focus on German style wines that suit the local market of Port Alberni.

The winery currently has 12 acres of vines.

Opened May 2003 , as Victoria Estates located in the Saanich Peninsula on Vancouver Island. Described by noted author John Schreiner as One of the five best-designed wineries in British Columbia.

The winery was sold in 2005 to Kim Pullen. The winery has 25 acres with views of the valley and ocean; 11 acres are planted with Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris

The name Church & State Wines is intended to be representative of balance – the heart and the mind, traditions and technology, and the cellar and the vineyard. Balance is one of the defining characteristics of making a fine wine, and we feel our name pays homage to that.

The winery's Brentwood Bay location is well located for the many tourists who visit the area, and in one stop they get the best of two wine regions – Vancouver Island and the Okanagan Valley , where the majority of the winery's fruit is sourced. The winery sources Okanagan Valley fruit as Vancouver Island does not produce enough supply or diversity of classic vitis vinifera grapes.

Pullen has revamped the winery which is now a stunning salute to “modern meets rustic sophistication” in a grand room that utilizes natural timber and stone as well as gleaming metals and concrete. Large windows overlook the vineyard and invite the outside in, offering a deck with the perfect view of the surrounding landscape. Visitors to the winery seeking a light snack can order a plate of artisan cheeses, complete with fresh crackers and breads made onsite. Church & State Wines also offers a unique wine and chocolate program, where visitors taste four wines paired with chocolate truffles made locally. Pullen and his team invite people to the winery this summer to taste the new wines and have a wonderful winery experience

Church & State Wines has been named "2009 Winery to Watch" by Wine Press Northwest, "Top 25 Wineries in Canada" by Wine Access Magazine, and their 2006 Church & State Quintessential has just been named "Best Red Wine of the Year" at the 2009 All-Canadian Wine Championships.

Winemaker: Master Winemaker Bill Dyer, Jeff Del Nin

A fruit winery located in the Comox valley at the base of Mt Washington.

At Coastal Black we have an overwhelming passion for wine that can be enjoyed by any and all people whenever the mood should strike you . They also produce Mead.

winemaker:

 

Surgit Deol's family immigrated to Canada from the Punjab in 1980, and spent a few years in the Cowichan Valley In 1999, the family bought a former dairy farm north of Duncan and, starting the following year, developed a 23-acre vineyard (Gamay, Maréchal Foch, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and a few odds and sods). The winery open fall of 2008

winemaker: Daniel Cosman

 

When Joe Busnardo retired from his winery in the Okanagan he relocated to Vancouver Island and started a new winery in Cobble Hill. They are located close to the Trans Canada Highway not far from Cowichan Bay. Joe was a successful owner and winemaker in the Okanagan before selling his winery and moving to his cooler Island location. Their wine shop is open only Friday and Saturday afternoons.

Located in Glenora area ( near Zanatta & Godfrey-Brownell ). Owned by Albert Brennink and his son Edward. They operated a farm cultivating Scottish Highland cattle before realizing the potential of their land for growing wine grapes. Their consultant is Eric Von Krosigk. They started by planting a small experimental vineyard of 1 acre with 40 varieties. The best varieties will be planted covering 20 acres.  Currently growing 5 acres of Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer . Planting 6 acreas of Chardonnay, Kerner and Chasselas. This winery may have closed

Winemaker: Edward Brennink

Located just south of the Malahat Drive in Mill Bay (Cowichan valley) is the new winery (2010) Enrico . Enrico is the owners name (Harry Smith) but in Spanish. Harry’s wife, Maru Harper, is Spanish and has been calling Harry ‘Enrico,’ for years. The farm was purchased in the year 2000, for mixed farming purposes; but always with the intention of one day turning it into a vineyard

The signature wine is estate grown 2009 Pinot Gris . Currently 14 acres have been planted with Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Ortega, Cab-foche & Cab-libra. A new winery tasting room is planted with full production schedualed for 2012.

Winemaker:Sarah Cosman
Philsophy : We’re really striving for quality wines. Working with our regions identity, finding balance and making the connection between viticulture and winemaking.

May 20th 2000 marked the official opening of John Kelly and Ruth Luxton's Winery. Glenterra Vineyard is located on Cobble Hill Road. They started out in almost perfect fashion winning a Silver Medal at the All Canadian Wine Championships for their Pinot Gris.

Winemaker : John Kelly

Located in the Cowichan Valley near Duncan. The owner is Dave Godfrey. "The valley is clearly a cool climate area, with all the advantages (and dangers) that designation implies. With a very short history (and global warming), nobody can really say what varieties will triumph, but our early choices indicate how we've placed our bets on the roulette table: Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir, Chardonnay, Bacchus and Marachél Foch."

Winemaker: Dave Godfrey
Philosophy: We want to make wines of fundamental quality that people enjoy.
We attempt to keep the whole process, from vineyard to bottle, as natural as possible. Organic, biodynamic, eco-agro, whatever term you want to apply, there seems to be clear evidence that the healthier the terroir, the better the wine potential. The warm winters of the valley make it very easy to ferment and age without artificial intervention.

The gods made the land; the land makes the grapes; the grapes make the wine: the winemaker's task is to make sure he's as invisible as possible.

Honeymoon Bay Blackberry Winery

9940 South Shore Rd
Honeymoon Bay, British Columbia
Canada V0R 1Y0

Lorne Tomalty has developed his vineyard on the steep slopes of the Malahat. He has five acres on the southeastern slope. It may be the highest vineyard in Canada.
Ortega and Pinot Noir make up 80 percent of the vineyard.

Winemaker : Lorne Tomalty

Located in the tranquil Mount Newton Valley of the Saanich Peninsula above Victoria
the Marley family's dream came true. The vines were planted in 2000 and the winery opened in 2004.

Marley Farm Winery is a family-run boutique winery, owned by Mike Marley, the second cousin of musician Bob Marley, and Mike's wife Beverly. Together with winemaker Eric von Krosigk, the most medalled winemaker in Canada , the Marleys produce both traditional grape wines as well as fruit wines, using produce from their farm and local growers. Marley Farm Winery is the only fruit winery on Vancouver Island . Resident sheep and geese help to weed and fertilize the 5-acre vineyard and Marley Farm is also home to chickens, turkeys, ducks, horses and horse-drawn carriage trials.

The vineyard was planted with Pinot Grigio, Ortega and Pinot Noir, being the best suited varietal's for our micro climate, soils and exposure. Fruits wines are also produced at the Marley's farm.

Winemaker: Eric von Krosigk

Philosophy: Make great wines.  Keep it simple.  Have fun

Merridale, nestled in the mouth of Vancouver Island's Cowichan Valley, is a destination the whole family can enjoy. Located in Cobble Hill, just 40 minutes from Victoria The cider house provides a unique venue, surrounded by the orchards.

Merridale is said to be BC's first estate cidery. Founded by Albert Piggott in 1987 and is now owned by Janet Docherty and Rick Pipes who took over the cider house in 2000.  They wanted the business to be something they would be passionate about and provide a healthy lifestyle for their family

Some of the varieties of apples grown include Dabinett, Tremlett's Bitter, Frequin Rouge, Hauxapfel, Chisel Jersey and Bulmer Norman, to name a few.

Signature Ciders: Scrumpy, Summerset

In 2007 the Brandiehouse was opened to produce fortified wines - Brandy. Aging is an important factor in producing fine quality brandy. The process of aging in oak enhances many of the characteristics of the brandy and slowly adds a distinctive caramel colour. The choice of barrel is important in the end product. Some of their brandies will be aged in French Oak, others in American Oak. Merridale will also be the first to age some brandies in Canadian Oak. They will call the brandies Oh de Vies a play
on eau de vie or water of life.

Cider Master: Rick Pipes
Philosophy: Merridale Ciders are handcrafted, all natural and made from 100% undiluted juice.

Mooberry Winery

 

403 Lowry’s Road
Parksville, BC
V9P 2B5

Clarke and Nancy Gourlay own and operate Little Qualicum Cheeseworks on their Parksville farm
They decided to add the winery to their business as an additional income. After all wine and cheese go together.
The winery was originally called Morning Star Creek.

They produce fruit wines with Blackberry as their signature wine

Winemaker:
Consultant : Ron Taylor

 

MT St Michael Winery

 

2350 Mount St. Michael Road, Saanich ton, BC V8M 1T7

Opening 2010

Owned by Kerry Spanier a native of Winnipeg. His parents moved to BC in 1967 and later retired to Vancouver Island where Kerry decide to also move to. Kerry and his wife Cindy purchased land acreage on the Saanich Peninsula and planted Gewürztraminer.in 2003

Kerry received training as winemaker at University of California. Working with consultant consulting winemaker Todd Moore the first vinathe was produced in 2005

Winemaker: Kerry Spanier

 

The winery names after the creek which borders the property owned by Holford Family. Linda is the general manger and Mark is the winemaker.

Mark is a third-generation winemaker. After making amateur wines for over 20 years, we decided to establish a winery because of many requests from people who wanted his wine and winemaking experience. The winery is currently producing 4500L with plans to achieve 10,000L per year by 2009

signature wines : Pinot Noir, Ortega, Blackberry Port
Wine label are designed by local artists.

Winemaker: Mark Holford
Philosophy. We are a boutique winery. The key to our success is our high quality wines from grapes grown on Vancouver Island . We expect our wines to meet VQA quality standards. We uphold uncompromising quality standards and operate our business with consistent integrity, excellence and honesty.

A unique winery in Cobble Hill  producing Raspberry, Blueberry & Blackberry wines. Bill & Jeanne Aten bought the farm to operate as a mixed farm in 1982 and it has seen many changes from raising animals to producing raspberries and blueberries and now fruit wines. The plan is to keep the winery small scale and manage the quality of our product.

They also make jams, jellies, syrups and vinegars. The tasting room is also an art gallery featuring work by local artist Jean Aten as well as gifts made by local craftspeople.

signature wines: Blueberry Port

Winemaker: Bill Aten
Philosophy: To make the most tasty product available

Starling Lane is a partnership of three families all vineyard owners,founded on the belief that quality wines begin with a commitment to produce high quality grapes in their small vineyards locate in Saanich just outside BC's Capital Victoria. The owners are Jerry and Sherry Mussio; John and Jacqueline Wrinch; Ken and Sue Houston.

The winery is located at the site of Heritage Farm The historical background of this piece of land dates back to the days of the infamous “Hanging” Judge Begbie who acquired this parcel of land in 1859.  

Look for their Wild Blackberry Port-style dessert wine.

signature wines : Ortega, Marechal Foch, Pinot Noir

Winemaker: John Wrinch
Philosophy:good wines are produced in the vineyard

Located in Cobble Hill, Giordano Venturi and Marilyn Schulze-Venturi are committed to growing the highest quality grapes without pesticides or herbicides, and are crafting world class wines. Michelle, Marilyn's daughter also plays an important role at the winery.
The family also produces balsamic vinegar. The vinegary, or acetaia, was expanded by 2,000 sq. ft. in 1999. It houses dozens of large "nursery" barrels and 108 ageing barrels custom made in Italy from chestnut, cherry, acacia, ash and oak.

Philosophy: Each wine is an adventure woven around the season, the soil and the personalities of the varieties and winemakers. We add minimal amounts of sulphide at bottling to some of our wines. None is added to our Brut or dessert wine. To retain as much of the character of the grapes as possible, we neither fine nor sterile-filter, so storage temperatures become important: we recommend 10° to 12°C (50° to 55°F). All 750 ml bottles are closed with a crown cap instead of a cork. After so much effort in the vineyard and winery, we are not willing to compromise on quality by putting an unpredictable piece of bark in the neck of the bottle.

The Zanatta family operates a 25 acre vineyard in the northwest corner of the valley. Their historic family home was built in 1903. The 120 acre farm was originally the site of a dairy farm when the Zanatta's purchased it in 1958. Since then 30 acres have been planted in vines, including Ortega, Cayuga, Auxerrois, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Nero, Muscat, Merlot, and Madeleine X Sylvaner. The remainder of the farm is in pasture, hay fields, forest and old fruit orchards.

Winemaker Lorrete Zanatta
Philosophy:Our goal is to produce quality wines with exceptional regional character. We achieve this by using only Vancouver Island grapes and unrushed winemaking techniques which allows for complete expression of the wines.

Vinoteca, food and wine bar was established in May of 1996. This new venture for Vigneti Zanatta allows us to explore the fascinating art of pairing simple country cuisine the wines. Vinoteca was Ileana Zanatta's creation. She took the family's 1903 farm house, restored it as closely as possible to its original character, added her own unique style and created an eclectic place to dine or sip your afternoon away.

We're taking a break from making Winchester Cellars wine this season
to concentrate on producing Victoria Gin - BC's only handcrafted premium gin.

Winemaker:
Winemaking philosophy.

22 is the lucky number for the owners of the winery Jeff MacLeod and his wife Lisa are one of four couples behind the winery. They own the property where the winery is located. When the land was cleared for the vines  22 OAk tress were still standing. Another owner has a birthday on this date another owner a pro hockey players number is 22,Greg and Judy Adams. the third couple is third couple is Doug and Tracey Bodger. Doug also played pro hockey . The forth couple is Jerry and Ronnie Doman

Planting began in both vineyards in 2007. Jerry has just over two hectares (five acres), with three clones of Pinot Noir on a sun-drenched knoll and a little room left over for white varieties, likely Ortega. Jeff’s 1.4-hectare (3½-acre) vineyard is planted primarily with Cabernet Foch and Maréchal Foch, with small blocks of Merlot and
Sauvignon Blanc. As well Jeff planted 120 Tempranillo vines, a variety in which he has taken a special interest.


Scheduled opening summer 2009
The tasting room and the winery’s patio have views across the vineyard, which
slopes toward Quamichan Lake, a shallow but picturesque lake just east of Duncan.

Winemaker: Jeff MacLeod
Winemaking philosophy.