I finally had a chance on a recent trip to Victoria to make a side trip to the Cowichan Valley to visit Unsworth Vineyards and Blue Grouse Estate Winery. Unsworth is a bit closer to Victoria, so it was the first stop on my wine tasting day. The winery grounds look beautiful with a modern-designed tasting room with lots of glass so you can see outside, and their wine barrels in view. Just a few steps away from the wine tasting room is their restaurant. It had just reopened after undergoing extensive renovations. Unfortunately, I did not have time to have lunch there, as I had another winery to visit after Unsworth.
From my discussion with the host, the transition from the 2023 to the 2024 vintage highlights the region’s climatic volatility; specifically, the 2024 season experienced a notable late-season temperature dip that necessitated precise harvest timing. This environmental factor has dictated a “lighter and fresher” profile across the current releases, moving away from the higher sugar accumulation of warmer years toward a focus on bracing acidity and primary aromatic purity.
Here are my tasting notes for the wines I sampled at Unsworth Vineyards. Enjoy!
My Wine Tasting Notes
Both Charme de L’ile sparkling wines are made using the Charmat method using grapes solely from Vancouver Island.
Unsworth Vineyards Charme de L’ile, NV (BC $32.90) – a nice light, fresh stone fruit and citrus nose. Dryish with high acidity and small, biting bubbles. Crisp apple and stone fruit flavours. Medium length. Tart flavours to the finish. A touch of grape stem bitterness. A tasting and refreshing wine. 
Unsworth Vineyards Charme de L’ile Rosé, NV (BC $32.90) – Pinot Noir-dominant cuvée supported by Pinot Gris, Auxerrois, and Pinot Blanc. It has a very pale peach colour. Light toasty apple and red fruit aromas. Dry with high acidity. Small biting bubbles. Bright red fruit, tart cherries, and touches of apple and toast on the palate. Medium length with a tart apple finish.
Unsworth Vineyards Pinot Gris 2024 (BC $30.90) – light, bright lemon colour in the glass. Light, fresh stone fruit nose. Dry, light body with a soft mouthfeel. Stone fruit, crisp apples, and a touch of stoniness on the palate. Medium-plus mouthwatering acidity. A mix of tartness and some bitterness on the finish. – 
Unsworth Vineyards Saison Vineyard Gewurztraminer 2025 (BC $30.90) – light lemon colour. Nice aromas of roses, lychee, and sweet spices. Light body with a smooth and soft mouthfeel. Flavours of pears, lychee, and sweet spices. Medium acidity. A touch of pepperiness on the finish. Medium-plus length. A delicate and elegant Gewurztraminer.
Unsworth Vineyards Zanatta Vineyard Auxerrois, 2024 (BC $29.90) – This wine underwent eight months of aging in neutral French oak. It has a light, bright lemon colour. Light aromas of sweet spices and pears. Light body with a smooth, soft mouthfeel. Light flavours of pears, apples, sweet spices, and a touch of vanilla. Medium acidity. Very tasty.
Unsworth Vineyards Chardonnay 2024 (BC $38.90) – According to our host, the 2024 Estate Chardonnay marks a significant stylistic departure from the “buttery,” riper 2023 vintage. Aged for eight months in neutral oak, this release is leaner and has a low alcohol content of 11.7%.
This wine has a medium intensity and a bright lemon colour. Light, fresh aromas of apples along with a touch of vanilla. This wine is dry, medium-minus body with a lean, soft mouthfeel. Medium-plus acidity. Crisp apple with touches of sweet spices and butterscotch on the palate. Medium length. –
Unsworth Vineyards Allegro 2025 (BC $26.90) – a blend of Sauvignette, Petite Milo, and Amiel. It has a light lemon colour. Touches of apple and petrol on the nose. It is off-dry with light body and high acidity. Light flavours of apple, stone fruits, and capsicum.
Unsworth Vineyards Saison Vineyard Pinot Gris 2025 (BC $30.90) – a pale lemon colour in the glass. Nice light, fresh stone fruit nose. This wine is off-dry, medium-plus body with a smooth mouthfeel and a fresh, peachy flavour. Medium acidity. Lingering peach flavour on the finish. This wine has a nice mouthfeel.
The red winemaking philosophy at Unsworth is anchored in “vibrancy” and a strict avoidance of over-extraction or bitterness. This ensures the wines maintain their transparency and smooth tannin structures.
Unsworth Vineyards Pinot Noir 2023 (BC 40.90) – a light, translucent garnet colour. Light aromas of red cherries, floral, and sweet spices. Also a touch of floral on the nose. Dry, medium-plus body with a smooth, slightly thicker mouthfeel. Red fruit flavours, along with crunchy red cherries and some pepperiness and sweet spices. Light tannins. A wine driven more by acidity than tannins. Medium-plus length.
Unsworth Vineyards Unsworth Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023 (BC $74.90) – medium translucent garnet colour. Nice colour. Lighter cinnamon, candied cherries, and red cherries on the nose. Dry, medium-minus body with a lean, soft mouthfeel. Medium acidity. A mix of ripe red cherries and candied cherries on th epalate. Medium-minus tannins offer structure to the wine. Touch of floral and tart fruit on the finish. A medium-plus lingering finish with lightly drying tannins.
Unsworth Vineyards Saison Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023 (BC $75.90) – According to our host, the Saison Vineyard Pinot Noir is the “earthiest” and “boldest” red in the flight. It features a riper fruit concentration and a higher percentage of new oak (15%) compared to the Estate bottling.
This wine has a light, translucent garnet colour. Light aromas of floral, red fruit, along with touches of candied cherries and sweet spices. Dry, medium body with a soft, smooth mouthfeel. Red fruits, red cherries, and floral on the palate. Medium acidity and light, fine-grained tannins. Medium-plus length with some pepperiness and candied cherries on the finish. Tres elegant. –
Unsworth Vineyards Symphony 2023 (BC $35.90) – a blend of hybrid varieties, Cabernet Libre, Labelle, and Corivese. Hybrid reds provide the “boldness” and colour density that traditional Vitis vinifera may struggle to achieve in cooler vintages.
This wine has a deeper, dull ruby colour. Medium-intensity aromas of capsicum, black pepper, and black fruits. Dry, medium-minus body with a lean mouthfeel. Tart black and red fruit flavours. Medium-plus acidity and medium tannins. Medium length, finishing with some candied cherry flavour.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
You can purchase these wines online at the Unsworth Vineyards website. A selection of these wines are available at BC Liquor stores, Save on Foods, and Everything Wine stores.
