Attending the Vancouver International Wine Festival this year? There are 120 wineries from 15 countries, including 70 wineries from the west coast of North America. If you haven’t grabbed a ticket yet, act quickly, to grab some for main tasting room, the few remaining wine seminars and weekend lunches. This is your chance to try unique wines from all over the world, especially wines from the west coast. We’ve narrowed it down to a few of these wild west wineries to seek out in the tasting room and at some soon to sell out wine seminars. —Cassandra Anderton, Good Life Vancouver
Da Silva Vineyards, Naramata Vineyards, Okanagan Valley, BC
The Da Silva family has farmed in the South Okanagan since 1955 and focuses on crafting small lot wines, reflecting the unique terroir in their region. You can’t miss owner and winemaker Richard Da Silva as he has a commanding presence both due to his height and personality. Be sure to sample the Da Silva Vineyards Chenin Blanc 2013 and their Legado Nobreza 2019, a 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc blend.
Sage Hayward Vineyards, Saturna Island, BC
Sage Hayward is located on Saturna Island, one of BC’s Gulf Islands, with 76 acres of vineyards planted with vines that are among the oldest in this coastal region. When the current owners took over the property the vineyards had been unattended for almost a decade, but with some love and care they have now been producing wines for several years again. You’ll find Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, and Chardonnay planted here, and I’d recommend trying at least the Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, both 2022 vintages.
Unsworth Vineyards, Cowichan Valley, BC
Unsworth Vineyards is in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island and they are dedicated to crafting wines that reflect the unique soil and climate of the region. The winery offers a tasting room, and a restaurant that we’ve recently visited, and the locally focused menu is perfectly suited to their coastal wines. Chris Turyk, Unsworth’s Director of Marketing and Sales, will be at the festival. Take the opportunity to try their Charme de l’Ile NV, Rose 2023 and Cowichan Valley Pinot Noir 2022, while learning more about this island winery.
Citation Winery, Willamette Valley, Oregon
We know Oregon Pinot Noirs are exceptional, and their Chardonnays are worthy of your attention too. Citation Winery is bringing up some excellent examples of both, some right from their own 202-acre vineyard in the heart of the Willamette Valley. Owner Howard Rossbach is at the tasting table, be sure to try the Citation Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2015 and 2006. Hello back vintages!
Lingua Franca, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Lingua Franca is in Oregon and are known for their low-impact, organic, and biodynamic farming principles, even including Babydoll Sheep guarded by a Llama, that control vegetation in the vineyards. Josh Wludyka, the winery’s first intern, now the Director of Brand at Lingua Franca will be at the festival year with some wonderful Pinot Noirs and Chardonnay. Try them all but pay special attention to the Estate Pinot Noir 2022 and Estate Chardonnay 2021.
Beaulieu Vineyard, Napa Valley, California
This grand old winery continues to renovate with sustainability top of mind, runs almost entirely on renewable electricity and will be carbon neutral by 2030. Founded in 1903 Beaulieu Vineyard is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, and you will want to try the entire flight of Cabernets here, two from 2019 and one from 2015, as well as their Reserve Tapestry Red Blend 2018. Margo Van Staaveren, the Director of LUX Winemaking, is here from the winery and Vita has more about her in our women in winemaking article.
Orin Swift, Napa Valley, California
Founded in 1998, Orin Swift is famous for it’s non-traditional blends with exceptionally rich flavours. The winery blends varietals that usually don’t share a bottle together, think Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. Go for the Machete 2019, a Petite Sirah, Syah and Grenache, or the Palermo 2022, a straight Cabernet Sauvignon, when you get to the table where you’ll find Kori Butler, Senior Winemaker for Orin Swift.
Talbott Vineyards, Monterey Country, California
While California is known for blockbuster Cabernets, there are also Burgundian-inspired plantings – grown in the state’s cooler areas. Talbot Vineyards has been producing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the Santa Lucia Highlands, a sub-appellation within Monterey, for more than three decades. The region’s cool coastal fog and elevation provide the perfect conditions for these varietals. You can learn more about cool climate California in a wine fest seminar on Friday where Gallo’s Central Coast Director of Wine Making, Matt Steel, will present their Sleepy Hollow Pinot Noir. He’ll also be at the table in the tasting room presenting their Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay 2022 and Kali hart Chardonnay and Pinot Noir form the 2022 vintage.
Learn more about west coast wines at the West Coast Wine Allstars seminar on Thursday at 5:15 pm, the Cool Climate California on Friday at 5:15 pm and the West Coast Pairing Luncheon on Saturday. All available VIWF events are listed here.
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