When we talk about BC wine, many people think about the Okanagan, which does have a majority of our vineyards and wineries. But, there are other regions across BC with wineries. The Fraser Valley around Abbotsford is one of those areas. Tourism Abbotsford helped organize a trip for me to visit a few wineries and a cidery so that I can let you know about them as well. Abbotsford is only a one-hour drive from Vancouver (depending on where in Vancouver you live). It was an easy drive, getting me to my first winery to visit, Cannon Estate Winery.
This winery was not on my radar at all. I did not hear about this winery until I discussed wineries to visit with Tourism Abbotsford. From meeting with the winemaker, Jacob Mederios, I was told the winery officially opened in 2022, which is at the tail end of the COVID pandemic. It was unfortunately kept at a low profile due to that reason. But I am happy to have visited, as the winery, their restaurant, “Calibre”, and their wines are top quality. Let me tell you more about this winery and my visit with Jacob.
Cannon Estate Winery is dedicated to creating top-calibre wines and demonstrating that the Fraser Valley can be an exceptional place to produce wine. “Cannon” comes from the moment in time when an idea takes hold and there’s no going back. When the idea sets in place, there’s no going back. “The wick is lit.”
In 2016 or 2017 the owners, Andi and Justin Manuel, purchased the property and started planting grapes in 2018. Both Andi and Justin were born and raised in the Vancouver lower mainland.
My Talk With Jacob Mederios
Here is a little background about Jacob. Jacob began his winemaking career at Chaberton Estate Winery in the Fraser Valley. His growing passion for wine then led him to complete a Master of Science degree in Viticulture and Oenology specializing in the chemistry of sparkling wine. Jacob worked at Two Sisters Vineyards in Niagara, Ontario, which is well-known for their sparkling Blanc de Franc wine. In 2023, Jacob was approached by their original winemaker and viticulturist, Patrick, to contribute to the growing wine production at Cannon Estate Winery. And now, Jacob is the full-time winemaker and viticulturalist.
Jacob was processing Cabernet Foch grapes he purchased from the Kelowna area as I arrived. He was going to make this into The Wick Whizz Kid wine. I did get a chance to help rake the grapes from bins into the destemmer, which then went into the press.
They have a mix of 16 different varieties of hybrid (20%) and vitis vinifera (80%) grapes combined; 24 acres of property, and 22.5 acres planted in vines on soil that is a mix of sand, loam, and clay. The clay helps retain water in the soil so they do not have to irrigate the vines. Grapes planted include Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Siegerrebe, L’acadie Blanc, Frontenac Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Chardonnay, and Gamay Noir, and more. Jacob uses organic sprays to manage the vineyard’s health. They compost their pomace and grass clippings and spread the compost as fertilizer the next year in the vineyard. Jacob noted that the hybrid grapes look very promising in their vineyard. Most of the grapes in the vineyard were doing very well when I visited; not affected by the last two cold winter snaps.
All the grapes are hand-harvested. In 2023 he made six different sparkling wines in the Traditional Method, which is quite amazing for such a small winery and having him as the sole winemaker. 4,000 bottles of sparkling wines were made last year. This year his goal is to make 6,000 bottles of sparkling wines. The winery has two labels: Cannon which is French-inspired and The Wick which is BC-inspired. Their The Wick brand is VQA while their Cannon wines are non-VQA.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Cannon Estate Winery Bonhomous 2021 (BC $24.95) – Sancerre-style Sauvignon Blanc blend. This wine has a light, bright lemon colour. Light green fruit aroma with hints of lime, peach and flint. Dry, soft and smooth with a medium-plus body. Thicker mouthfeel. Light peach, green fruit and minerality on the palate. Medium acidity. Finishes with green apple. 
Cannon Estate Winery Jouissance 2021 (BC $31.95) – A premium Burgundy-style Chardonnay Blend. It is aged for 12 months in 100% new French oak barrels. It has a medium-intensity bright lemon colour. Light apple and white blossom aromas. Dry, medium-plus body with a thicker, silky smooth mouthfeel. Soft flavours of apple, butterscotch, nutmeg and other sweet spices. Medium-plus acidity. Medium length with tartness toward the finish. An elegant wine. Can be aged 6-8 years.
Cannon Estate Winery Rapture 2021 (BC $24.95) – A Merlot-based rosé wine. It has a clear, deeper, rose petal colour. Light aromas of blackberries. Dry, medium-minus body with a smooth mouthfeel. Juicy blackberries and other berries, along with nutmeg on the palate. Very light tannins. A fresh wine that has a tasty sweet spice component.
Cannon Estate Winery Reverie 2021 (BC $24.95) – A Syrah-based rosé made with 30% new French oak barrels. It has a pale candy floss colour. Light aromas of flint and strawberries. Medium-plus body, round, but not mouth-filling. Medium-plus acidity and light tannins. Strawberries, red fruit plus touches of flint and oak. Medium length. A refreshing wine led by its acidity.
The Wick Whizz Kid 2021 (BC $19.95) – The grapes for this wine come from the Keremeos area. It is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. The wine underwent a stainless steel ferment. It has a medium intensity, clear garnet colour. Medium-intensity nose showing meatiness, red fruit, red cherry and light oak.
The Wick Bootstrapper 2021 (BC $27.95) – A mix of Keremeos and Penticton grapes; Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. The wine spent 12 months in oak barrels, 30% new. This wine has a deeper, clear garnet colour. Lighter aromas of green pepper, leather and red fruits. It is fuller-bodied, and smooth with lower acidity and light tannins. Juicy berries, ripe black cherries and light peppery flavours. Some leather on the finish. Medium-plus length. A seductive wine.
The Wick Sparkling White 2022 (BC $32.99) – Made in the Traditional Method. This wine makes lots of small bubbles in the glass. It has a toasty, citrus / lime, and crisp apple nose that continues to the palate. This wine is dry with very tart flavours. There are also gooseberry flavours to add to the previously mentioned fruit flavours. Tiny biting bubbles on your tongue. Medium-plus length, with a lingering lemon-lime, tart finish.
Calibre Restaurant For Lunch
I also had lunch at their Calibre Restaurant, where I sampled their pork belly, which was succulent, served with fingerling potatoes and grilled brussel sprouts, and their freshly baked bread with herbed butter and roasted garlic. So stop by taste some wine in their tasting room and then have a light lunch.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
You can purchase these wines through the Cannon Estate Winery website. These wines are also available at a variety of stores across BC. The winery has an interactive map where you can locate the closest store.