Category: Vancouver Island

BC Wineries Harvest Interview 2022

BC Wine Makers Harvest 2022 Interview

 mywinepal  December 5, 2022

The 2022 harvest is the first after COVID restrictions have been lifted.  I am sure that lifting COVID restrictions was appreciated by BC wineries.  We had a cool start to the growing season, followed by mere mm of rain between July and mid-October so I’d guess the weather has had an impact on harvest and fermentation, but we shall see…

Church & State Wines Gris de Noirs Brut 2019 and Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature 2018

Two Traditional Method Sparkling Wines from Church & State Wines

 mywinepal  October 14, 2022

Sparkling wines are always appreciated.  They pair with many dishes and can be enjoyed on their own.  I have two traditional method sparkling wines from Church & State Wines.  A Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature 2018 made with Chardonnay grapes from their Black Sage Bench vineyard and a Gris de Noirs Brut 2019 made with Pinot Noir grapes from their…

Wines of BC 2022 Harvest

Celebrating the 2022 BC Wine Harvest Now Underway

 mywinepal  October 6, 2022

The BC wine harvest was just starting as I was on vacation in the Okanagan the second last week of September.  The winemakers I spoke to noted that they are about a month behind for the start of harvest.  Wines of BC sent me this press release with more information about this year’s grape harvest in BC.  Give it a…

Blue Grouse Estate Winery Ortega and Quill Rosé 2021

Two Summer Wines from Blue Grouse Estate Winery

 mywinepal  August 4, 2022

Here are two BC wines for your summer enjoyment. Carpe diem as we are already into August! The two wines are from Blue Grouse Estate Winery in Duncan, BC on Vancouver Island. I tasted their Blue Grouse Estate Winery Ortega 2021 and their Blue Grouse Estate Winery Quill Rosé 2021. The Rosé is made from 100% Gamay Noir grapes. Both…

Tasting room at Beaufort Vineyard & Winery

A Quick Visit with Beaufort Vineyard & Estate Winery on Vancouver Island

 mywinepal  August 3, 2022

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…

Blue Grouse Estate Winery Quill Pinot Gris 2021 and Quill Pinot Noir 2020

The Latest Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris from Blue Grouse Estate Winery

 mywinepal  July 12, 2022

Have you tried the Quill series of wines from Blue Grouse Estate Winery on Vancouver Island.  Their Quill series grapes come from vineyards on the Island.  The winery can pick and choose and blend the wines from these grapes to bring out the best of Vancouver Island.  I received two Quill wines from the winery to review, their Blue Grouse…

Wine Growers of BC- BC Wine Regions Topo Map

The BC Wine Industry Welcomes Six New Sub-GIs

 mywinepal  June 30, 2022

In BC we relatively quickly learned that cooler climate grapes, like Riesling, did better in the north Okanagan, and warmer climate grapes, like Syrah, did better in the south Okanagan.  Similarly cooler climate grape varieties in the Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island.  And more.  But we have had a few decades now to further refine these generalized grape growing regions…

Blue Grouse Estate Winery

Blue Grouse Estate Winery Celebrates 10 Years of Accomplishments

 mywinepal  June 22, 2022

Congratulations to Blue Grouse Estate Winery for making wines and helping out charities for their 10 years of being in business.  It takes a lot of work.  In case you haven’t tasted Blue Grouse wines or visited them on Vancouver Island, here is a press release for you.  Cin cin. ~~~ This summer the team at Blue Grouse Estate Winery…

Wines of BC 2021 Vintage Preview

Let Me Tell You About the Wines of BC 2021 Vintage Preview

 mywinepal  May 18, 2022

2021 was a year of extreme weather conditions in BC, which had an impact on BC grapes and wine production.  Temperature records were shattered in many regions.  I’ve been told that Kelowna, Kamloops, Osoyoos, and Lillooet were among 60 cities that broke temperature records.  The heat dome in the summer causes grapevines to shut down until the weather cools off. …

Nourish Cowichan

Blue Grouse ‘threepeats’ In April, $1 from Every Bottle Sold Goes to Nourish Cowichan

 mywinepal  March 31, 2022

Help feed hungry children in the Cowichan Valley by buying a bottle of Blue Grouse or Quill wine in BC.  The press release from Blue Grouse Estate Winery is below. ~~~ [Duncan, BC] For the third year in a row, $1 from every bottle of Blue Grouse or Quill wine sold anywhere in BC goes to Nourish Cowichan to feed hungry children….