Tag: Fort Berens Estate Winery

Wine lovers often talk about “Old World vs. New World,” but the comparison becomes far more interesting when you look at two regions that share a deep respect for terroir while expressing it in completely different ways. British Columbia and France may be separated by an ocean and centuries of winemaking history, yet they meet at the intersection of climate,…

Once prized in the courts of Europe and poured for royalty, Riesling was long considered one of the continent’s most noble wines, especially in regions along the Rhine River. In the 19th century, top bottles from Germany often commanded prices rivalling the great growths of Bordeaux. Today, Riesling is revered by knowledgeable wine drinkers for its remarkable range, from bone-dry…

I have two Chardonnay from Lillooet’s Fort Berens Estate Winery.  One wine, made in 2023 comes from their estate grapes, while their 2024 Chardonnay grapes come from WA state, with the wine made in Lillooet.  Lillooet, as well as the Okanagan, was hit hard by the 2024 winter cold snap, killing many grape vines, necessitating the purchase of grapes from…

Although the winters of 2021-22 and 2022-23 were extremely cold in Lillooet, Fort Berens Estate Winery was able to harvest grapes from their two vineyards.  Here are two wines from Fort Berens Estate Winery coming from their estate fruit.  These two wines come from their Reserve level, which typically means coming from estate grapes, with the grapes getting longer hang…

Earlier this summer, I had a chance to visit Fort Berens Estate Winery in Lillooet, BC.  I have admired their wines since they started, and I’ve been letting wine lovers know that they are producing excellent wines in Lillooet.  There are two wines that I did not have a chance to try on my visit.  Luckily, co-owner, Heleen Pannekoek, gave…

2017 was the last time I visited Fort Berens Estate Winery in Lillooet, along with other wine writers.  The winery was still young, but the quality of their wines were notable.  Almost every year since 2018, I interviewed their current winemaker to find out about their grape harvest.  And every year, I tell people how they should try Fort Berens’…

What do you know about BC Pinot Noir?  Do you have a favourite winery or wine region in BC for Pinot Noir?  In today’s seminar, the Possibilities of Pinot, we were brought up to date on the state of Pinot Noir in BC.  Our Moderator for this seminar was Barb Philip MW.  Our panellists were either owners or winemakers from…

It’s time for our BC wines to be recognized by our peers.  The results from the 2023 British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards have been announced. Here is the press release.  Pick up the bottles that won as soon as possible as they will sell out soon! ~~~ (KELOWNA, BC) – April 18, 2023: On April 3 through 5, 2023,…

Wines evolve with time in the bottle.  People talk about how they drink their aged Bordeaux and Burgundy wines.  Never drinking them young.  In BC many people think that our wines are best enjoyed young.  Not thinking about ageing them for a few years, or longer. This masterclass by the Wines of British Columbia had us taste a young and…

If you have not had a chance to try the wines from Fort Berens Estate Winery in Lillooet, now is your chance.  Did you know that the climate in Lillooet is very similar to Oliver, in the south Okanagan?  You get ripe grapes with excellent flavour for wine.  You can try their wines at a winery dinner at Burnaby’s Hart…