By Gail Johnson The Fraser Valley might be best known for produce like corn, berries and apples, but the region is increasingly gaining recognition for its wine. New and more established wineries are making the area a draw for those who like to sip red, white, rosé—or walnut. Walnut wine is indeed a thing. It’s the signature wine, in fact, of Langley City’s Vista D’oro Farms & Winery. That’s not to say that Patrick and Lee Murphy’s 10-acre farm overlooking the Golden Ears mountains doesn’t produce grapes; it grows many different types of vinifera grapes. But it’s walnuts that got really got the entire operation off the ground over a decade ago. The winery’s flagship 2008 D’oro, a fortified port-style wine, is a blend of Marechal Foch and Merlot, B.C. brandy, and fresh green walnuts. The walnuts grow on three mature trees that the original homesteader planted on the property…
By Gail Johnson It’s easy to find a reason to sip any kind of wine at any time of year, but fall and winter call for varieties that invite you in, to gather with kin and get cozy. Metro Vancouver wineries have several selections that would do quite nicely when the weather outside is frightful. Here are a few to consider the next time you’re pouring a glass in the great indoors. Cavallo Winery 150 – 19288 22nd Avenue, Surrey Cavallo’s wines are produced from select vineyards in California, including some Napa Valley standouts. When the weather starts to cool down but isn’t quite yet bracingly cold, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are ideal, says tasting room manager Luke Barker. Cavallo Chardonnay: Made from premium Chardonnay grapes sourced from Napa’s Beckstoffer Carneros Lake Vineyard, the wine is full-bodied, rich, and complex with hints of pineapple, citrus, and mango alongside vanilla, baking…
You don’t need to go far to visit the sprawling vineyards of top Metro Vancouver wineries. Have a look at what’s just an hour from downtown.
Photos by Michele Mateus Words by Alexis Baran Go to Part 1: Breakfast at Milsean Go to Part 2: Lunch at JD Farms A day spent trekking around farms and adding soil to your treads deserves a meal that takes all of what you’ve seen and wraps it into a smooth and elegant finish. And by that of course, I mean that wine pairings are imperative. At the Chaberton Estate Winery you can explore the vineyards and then head to the Bacchus Bistro for selections of wine made right there, alongside rich French cuisine using local ingredients. And then this is where the magic happens: Chaberton’s corks are also refined right next to the where the grapes grow. Once you’ve seen all the work that goes into the bottle, it’s time to work on getting it out of the bottle at Bacchus Bistro. The menu has a diverse selection of…
By Kristi Alexandra Tucked away in South Surrey on the near-rural Colebrook Road, a stone’s throw away from Highway 10 (and just 15 minutes from the Canada-USA border), are acres of fertile vineyard. Rows and rows of grape varieties at Vinoscenti Vineyards give Vinoscenti wines their flavour – but they’re also the focal point of the winery’s other offerings: guided winery walks, wine classes, and private events. I visited the thriving winery to find out more about their 20+ year-old vines and to see how the business’ recent makeover (the winery was formerly known as River’s Bend but re-opened in July 2017 as Vinoscenti under new ownership) is a growing renaissance. If you’re looking to peel off the road and enjoy a leisurely stroll through the vineyards, complete with a wine tasting and a slice of mango cake in the tasting room, you won’t miss the big oak barrels welcoming…