Harvest in a Glass
The islands' wineries and brewery
Owners of Mistaken Identity Vineyards raise a
glass to toast their opening in 2009
The growing of grapes and the creation of fine wines and ales have put the spotlight on the region as a great place to visit for that reason alone.
Here's the lowdown on island wineries and the brewery.
* Saturna Island Vineyards has been producing wine since 1998 on a 60-acre property, making it one of the largest winery operations in B.C. With a wine shop, tasting room and bistro, visitors can sample wines, enjoy a gourmet lunch and then carry home their favourite vintages for a future treat. The vineyard is popular with boaters as the dock is a 10-minute stroll away and transportation back can be arranged for those with heavy purchases to carry. Grape varietals include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer. The 2006 Estate Pinot Noir earned a gold medal at the 2008 All Canadian Wine Championships and the 2006 Vintner's Select Chardonnay picked up a silver. Sample them at the winery's annual harvest festival on September 18 in 2010 or visit www.saturnavineyards.com for more information.
* Salt Spring Winery, located in beautiful Fulford Valley, is just minutes away from the ferry by bus or by car. Joanne and Dev McIntyre, with winemaker Paul Troop, produce award-winning hand-crafted VQA wines totally from island fruit. They are committed to doing this "island-style," in a sustainable way for land and community.
Wines include KARMA, traditional method champenoise blended from estate chardonnay and pinot noir; Pinot Gris; Aromata; Millotage; and the other notable Pinot Noir reserve. Their Blackberry Port is becoming legendary.
Visitors experience warm Salt Spring hospitality, tasting wines paired with local foods, often with live music. Licensed picnic grounds provide a lovely pond setting to enjoy.
Watch for special events such as their Solstice Celebration in June and the Harvest Grape Stomp in October. Their phone number is 250-653-9463. info@saltspringvineyards.com; www.saltspringvineyards.com
* In 1999 Marcel Mercier and Elaine Kozak left the corporate world to follow their dream, purchasing a 100-year-old farm on Salt Spring Island and establishing the Garry Oaks Winery. Garry Oaks Winery produces a "Classics" series label, including Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Blanc de Noir, and an "Original" series with Prism, Fetish and Zeta products.
Among its most recent of numerous honours are silver medals for the 2008 Pinot Gris, 2008 Prism, 2007 Zeta and 2006 Fetish wines at the 2009 Northwest Wine Summit in Oregon.
Garry Oaks Winery is located at 1880 Fulford-Ganges Road and open daily from Victoria Day to Thanksgiving and by appointment from March through mid-May. It can be reached at 250-653-4687 or info@garryoakswinery.com, with the website at garryoakswinery.com.
* Partner couples Ian and Wendy Baker, Dave and Lenora Baker, and Cliff Broetz and Barb Steele opened Mistaken identity Vineyards to the public in June 2009. With a beautiful new tasting room, deck overlooking the certified organic vineyard and licensed picnic area, Mistaken Identity is proud to serve its clean and crisp wines.
Two medals have already been earned at the Canadian Wine Awards and the bar is set even higher in 2010. It's located at the corner of Norton and Lower Ganges roads, just a short distance from Ganges.
* Pender Island is home to Morning Bay Vineyard and Estate Winery, located at 6621 Harbour Hill Drive. Visit www.morningbay.ca for more information or call 250-629-8351.
* Gulf Islands Brewing Ltd., makers of Salt Spring Island Ales, is located in the Fulford Valley on Salt Spring. The small cottage brewery operates out of a purpose-built, 2500-square-foot wooden barn at the foot of Mount Bruce and the site of the brewery's natural spring.
Brewmaster Murray Hunter creates some of the most unique and delicious unfiltered and unpasteurized brews around with a local focus that works with island farmers to source and grow seasonal ingredients. From farm to cup, they aspire to create beers that embody the islands' flavour and character. Two-time national gold medalist at the Canadian Brewing Awards.
The ales are widely available on Salt Spring and southern Vancouver Island at restaurants, pubs and in liquor stores. Tours by appointment. www.saltspringislandales.com.
* If you can't make it to the doorstep of one of the islands' wineries, be assured that local liquor stores have a good selection of island-made wines and ales for purchase.