Beaufort Vineyard & Estate Winery is a small family-run winery (by Sylie Senay and Rolland Tanguay and their son, Alex Guertin) in Courtney – Comox on Vancouver Island. I had not heard of the winery, but as I was nearby I thought I would check-in. The winery is certified organic and also follows regenerative and sustainable agriculture. They grow 10 different varieties on 12 acres; Ortega, Siegerrebe, Pinot Gris, Petite Milo, Gewurztraminer, Schonburger, Marechal Foch, Leon Millot, Lucie Kuhlmann and Pinot Noir.
I was fortunate to taste a flight of wines with their winemaker, Freya Timmermans, who works along with her husband, Mark, who is the General Manager. We sat in the barrel room together as Freya opened each bottle and told me about the grapes and the vintage. Freya did not start off as a winemaker I found out. She originally made ciders and then was convinced to make wine at Beaufort. She is very passionate about the wines she crafts.
Here are a few of my favourite wines from the wines we sipped together. These tasting notes are initial impressions and not as detailed as my notes from home.
A Few Wines I Enjoyed at Beaufort Winery
Beaufort Vineyard & Estate Winery Epic 2019 – made from the Blattner hybrid grape “epicure” that is new to me. I read that it is a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Resistenzpartner. Freya fermented 10% of the grapes in neutral Hungarian oak barrels and has 20% Ortega grapes to soften and round out the wine. This wine had apples, stone fruit and honey aromas. Medium-minus body, lighter mouthfeel with light stone fruit flavours and some green pea and honey. Fresh acidity. A touch of oak at the very end. 
Beaufort Vineyard & Estate Winery Ortega 2020 – Stainless steel fermented. This wine has a very light apple and stonefruit nose. Light body, dry and mineral, with medium acidity and tart fruit flavours. Crisp apple, citrus and not quite ripe orange. Drying tannins on the finish. 
Beaufort Vineyard & Estate Winery Borealis 2021 – a blend of Siegerrebe, Schönburger, and a touch of Pinot Gris. Herbal, pine needles, sweet spices, and a touch of stone fruit on the nose. Smooth and round with lower acidity. Medium-minus body. Herbal, sweet spices, floral and a touch of stone fruit on the palate. 
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Beaufort Vineyard & Estate Winery Petit Milo 2021 – Petit Milo is an early ripening, disease-resistant, white wine grape that has pink skin. It is a Blattner hybrid, that is a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon, Riparia and Amurensis. It can achieve high sugar levels while retaining good levels of acidity. A few BC wineries make wine from this grape and it is a wine you should try.
It has light aromas of pears, green fruits, and nettles. Medium body with a nice thicker/round texture. Flavours of pears and crisp apple, plus hints of stonefruits and citrus with air. Give this wine some time to warm up in your glass to appreciate what it has to offer. A nerdy wine.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
You can purchase their wines through their website.
Movie Trivia
Do you know who first owned Beaufort Vineyard & Winery? A famous movie director. Make your guess before you click this link.
