What if you owned a winery that was situated in a place so beautiful, so fertile, that the famed food critic James Barber once called it “Canada’s Provence”? What responsibility would you feel towards that land? If you’re the Turyk family, and the winery in question is Cowichan Valley’s Unsworth Vineyards, that sense of responsibility … Continued
Never heard of Alberta-made wine? Grande Prairie’s Joosed Moose Winery is on a mission to change that. With award-winning Saskatoon berry wine and major ambitions to expand their fruit wine selection, Joosed Moose is creating the culture, day after day. And they’ve been at it from day one. Founder Jason Halwa was part of the … Continued
When Zac Brown and Julie Powell took ownership of Alderlea Vineyards in 2017, it was already one of Vancouver Island’s oldest and most respected vineyards. Former owners Roger and Nancy Dosman had “laid it out meticulously,” says Julie. “It was a very healthy vineyard that produced wine with a great reputation.” And it was clear … Continued
NÜTRL Vodka. We only need to say those two words for you get a sense of Goodridge&Williams Distilling’s impact on the spirits industry. NÜTRL which is only one of the BC-based distiller’s sub-brands has taken the world by storm with its crafted vodka sodas. At this point, their white minimally designed cans are nearly as … Continued
Most North Americans have no idea how fun it can be: a mug of mulled wine cheer, warming your hands before it warms your whole body. At a pub on a winter day? At a ski-slope? Come on! FireVines founder Ben Andrews hails originally from the UK, so he knows just how much delight the … Continued
Bruno Kelle and Stella Schmidt, co-owners of the Okanagan winery Castoro de Oro, were at a winemaking conference when they discovered an unlikely solution to their problem. For six to seven years, they had been releasing their small-batch, handcrafted, 100% BC wines to hotels in half size bottles perfect for in-room dining. But the 375-millilitre … Continued
When the news of COVID-19’s full impacts started spreading, the family-run Black Widow Winery was in the midst of their springtime bottling. “Fortunately, we have a big wine club,” says founder and winemaker Dick Lancaster. His son and fellow wearer-of-all-hats James Lancaster concurs. “During the month of April, we are only open Saturdays and Sundays. … Continued
In March, when COVID-19’s implications for the hospitality industry began to sink in, Township 7’s Vineyards & Winery, Assistant General Manager Trevor Allen felt overwhelmed—but grateful. Despite everything, the South Langley and Naramata Bench based winery was well-positioned to continue serving customers. “We had processed our club member shipment, so we were able to first … Continued
How does a single moment factor into an ongoing story? That’s the poetic way Little Straw Vineyards’ winemaker Barb Hall conceives of her work. Wine captures a single season, but at the same time, it never stops evolving. It keeps telling a longer and longer story about the people who made it and those who … Continued
Festina Lente, the Langley-based winery and meadery, is named after an intriguing old saying: “Make Haste Slowly”. This saying reflects their philosophy of taking the time to accomplish things with diligence the first time and taking pride in the simple things done well. But perhaps the story of Festina Lente Estate Winery itself will shed … Continued