The Averill Creek Vineyard is the result of one man’s 30-year passion for wine. Over the past decade, physician DR. 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.

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 of Mt Prevost. 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.

Dr Andy Johnston worked for many years as a MD in Edmonton establishing a chain of primery-care clinics. Andy is the founder and owner of Averill Creek.

Andy developed an intense interest in wine, which lead him to a role as a Wine Educator in his spare time. The 80s and early 90s were focused on raising a family and growing the business, but by the late 90s, he was ready to change directions completely towards his other great passion.

Andy gained experience working at wineries in Tuscany (Villa Delia), Australia (McGuigan Wines), France (Chateau de Terride), and New Zealand (Trinity Hill, Escarpment). Lured by its dry summer and subtropical-Mediterranean climate, Andy settled in the Cowichan Valley. 

 His favourite place to be is in the vineyard, pruning vines by hand with the rest of the Averill Creek crew. He also enjoys sailing.

Averill Creek opened in 2002. It has achieved its greatest success under winemaker Brent Rowland who joined the team in 2018. He formerly worked at Pearl Morissette in Ontario.

I his early twenties Brent's was a deadicated surfer in the day and worked as a Sommelier at night. In his thirties he decided been a winemaker was more to his liking.

Brent graduated with distinction from the University of Adelaide’s Oenology & Viticulture program and has worked in renowned wineries such as Alpha Box & Dice and By Farr in Australia, Calera in California, and Escarpment in New Zealand.

Brent and Andy first connection was in NZ they both worked at Escarpment Winery  under winemaker Larry McKenna.

Rowland’s wine making style is self-described as ‘neoclassical’, “doing it how they did 300 to 400 years ago with the luxury of all the tools available now. I prefer wines that are cleaner, that have personality and expression, and energy. I am making natural wines because they make better wines.”

The vineyard manager is Yonadav Anbar. He is originally from California. bounced back and forth between Sonoma and BC. He graduated from the University of Victoria with a BSc in Biology and a BA in Environmental Studies, and proceeded to study viticulture through the Oregon State University Viticulture & Oenology program.

Yonadav believes Soil plays a critical role in resolving some of our most pressing environmental challenges, and a farmer can be at the forefront of the solution.

“Winemakers and consumers wax poetic about soils and terroir, and I see this as a perfect opportunity to leverage their obsession to make farmland more resilient. If we farm better now, we can drink more wine later.”

A Winnipeg Girl Courtney  Ponte came to Averill Creek to help out, in the cellar, during the harvest in 2018 and 19. She liked it so much she moved to the Island becoming the Winery Operations and Event Manager.

Nearly 20 years in Food, Beverage, and Event Management. She built wine and cocktail programs at several Winnipeg institutions including Segovia Tapas Bar (Enroute Magazine Canada’s top 50 restaurants) and Hy’s Steakhouse. In her spare time she co-founded Winnipeg Supper Club, working to raise funds for community based organizations by creating unique pop-up events.

She now oversees many aspects of the winery operations, the Tasting Room and Events. She is responsible for the Summer Dinner Series, NOIR Fest, and has also recently introduced our new food program. She is continually developing new experiences for guests visiting the vineyard.

The Tasting Room Team.

If you can find it take home their Charme de L'Ile Sparkling wine.

Cowichan Valley Wineries

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