Did you know that Blue Grouse Estate Winery and Unsworth Vineyards in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island are owned by the Sonoma-based Jackson Family from California? The acquisitions, in 2022 and 2020, respectively, allow the family to grow their global portfolio, which includes vineyards in California, Oregon, Washington, Italy, France, Chile, South Africa, and Australia. They see tremendous potential in the Cowichan Valley, a cool-climate wine-growing region, to produce premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines.
In this article, I would like to concentrate on the wines from Blue Grouse Estate Winery, which I visited recently. A significant technical shift is currently underway as wine production from both wineries centralizes at Unsworth Vineyards. This synergy allows for a sophisticated interplay of fermentation vessels, including stainless steel, concrete tanks, and neutral oak barrels. The wines from this year’s harvest for Blue Grouse will be undertaken at Unsworth Vineyards. I am not sure what will happen with the past wine-making facilities at Blue Grouse. Perhaps it would be used to experiment with small-batch wines in the future? I will keep checking in to see how both these wineries evolve.
Sparkling wine production is a strategic cornerstone for Blue Grouse, utilizing the Charmat method to differentiate its offerings. While traditional method wines are produced, the Charme de l’île designation allows the estate to create approachable, fruit-forward wines that emphasize regional vibrancy. I tasted three sparkling wines along with several still wines, primarily from white grape varieties, at my visit. Here are my wine tasting notes.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Blue Grouse Estate Winery Sparkling Cuvee 2020 (BC $39.99) – A traditional method sparkling wine comprised of a blend of 55% Müller-Thurgau, 17% Pinot Meunier, 15% Pinot Noir, and 13% Chardonnay. Müller-Thurgau is used to provide aromatic lift, while Pinot Noir and Chardonnay offers structural backbone. After primary fermentation concluded, the base wine was blended, then bottled under crown cap with the addition of yeast and sugar then allowed to ferment and age on lees for over 4 years.
This wine has a medium lemon colour. Toast and apple on the nose. Dry, medium body with a thicker mouthfeel. High acidity leaving a tingle on your tongue. Tiny biting bubbles. Bruised apples on the palate. Medium length with a peppery finish. 
Blue Grouse Estate Winery Charme de L’ile Brut Sparkling White (BC $29.99) – Ortega, Schönburger, Pinot Gris, and Bacchus in this blend. The grapes are all fermented in stainless steel tanks before some sugar is added, and the wines are put into a sealed stainless steel tank for the second fermentation. This wine has a light lemon colour. Lighter aromas of pine needles and limes that continue to the palate. This wine is dry and fuller-bodied with a thicker mouthfeel. Creamy, medium-sized bubbles. Medium-plus acidity with a tart finish. – 
Blue Grouse Estate Winery Charme de L’ile Sparkling Rosé Brut (BC $29.99) – made from a blend of Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay grapes. This non-vintage sparkling rosé is crafted through a “rolling base cuvée” system. This technical approach involves blending current production with the previous year’s base to ensure a consistent house style year-over-year.
This wine has a peach colour. Flint and bruised apple aromas. Medium body with a smooth, thicker mouthfeel. Medium-plus acidity leaves a prickle in your mouth. Fresh red fruits and bruised apple flavours. Faint tannins. Some tart fruit flavours on the finish.
Blue Grouse Estate Winery Bacchus 2025 (BC $29.99) – Fermented in both stainless steel tanks to preserve fruit and in oak barrels to add depth. It has a pale, white with green tint colour. Medium-intensity aromas of pine needles and limes. Off-dry with a medium-minus body and soft, smooth mouthfeel. Medium-plus acidity. Peach and pine needles on the palate with a hint of sweet spices toward the finish. Medium-plus length with a touch of puckering on the finish.
Blue Grouse Estate Winery Ortega 2024 (BC $29.99) – Fermented in neutral oak barrels to help give the wine more body. It has a light lemon colour. Light stone fruit, pine needle, butterscotch, and stoniness on the nose. Medium body with a soft and silky smooth mouthfeel. Light peach flavour along with touches of butterscotch and pepperiness. Medium acidity.
Blue Grouse Estate Winery Pinot Gris 2025 (BC $30.99) – Fermented in a combination of 20% in neutral French oak, 10% in stainless steel, and 70% in concrete tanks. This wine has a light lemon colour. Light aromas of sweet peaches. Dry, lighter body with a soft, round mouthfeel. Medium acidity. Peach flavour plus some stoniness and honey. Fruit but not sweet. Medium length, finishing with some tartness. –
Blue Grouse Estate Winery Rosé 2025 (BC $29.99) – Primarily Gamay, with supporting roles from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris. Fermented predominantly in stainless steel to maintain a bright and fresh character. It has a light, translucent salmon colour. Light aromas of rhubarb, red fruit, and some toastiness. Off-dry, medium body with a soft, light mouthfeel. Tart red fruits along with some pepperiness. Medium acidity and tannins. Medium-length finishing with light puckering, some bitterness, and lightly drying tannins.
Blue Grouse Estate Winery Pinot Noir 2024 (BC $39.99) – 2024 was a cooler vintage, so it should be lighter bodied with more red fruit flavours and higher acidity. This wine has a very translucent red cherry colour. Nice light floral, cinnamon, and red fruit aromas. Dry, medium-minus body with a smooth, soft mouthfeel. Light tannins and medium-plus acidity. Red fruit and cinnamon on the palate. Tart red fruit on the finish. A delicate red fruit, scented and flavoured Pinot Noir.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
You can purchase these wines online from the Blue Grouse website. Most of these wines are available at Everything Wine stores. The Blue Grouse Charme De L’île White is available at Marquis Wine Cellars.
