Beaufort Vineyard & Estate Winery

One way to deftly sidestep the gin v. vodka martini debate is to include both. Bond’s vesper is shaken of course, but this recipe deviates from the Casino Royale original and calls for a stir. If ever there was a cocktail to showcase the elegance of Vancouver Island’s craft spirits and vermouth, it’s Mike Norbury’s Nootka Sound. Photography and styling by Danika Sea - Art Direction + Photography Nootka Sound 1 oz Sheringham Distillery Seaside gin... 1 oz Beaufort vermouth oz Sheringham vodka 2 dashes Ms. Better’s Orange Tree bitters Stir all ingredients over ice before straining into a chilled coupe. Express the oil from a 1 piece of lemon peel over top and garnish with a dried rose bud (or a Nootka rose petal if the season allows). See more

Seems like a good time to share this one AND let you know that the winery store will be open on the following dates in December (10am to 3pm all dates): 4th-6th, 11th-13th & 18th-20th. While the STORE will be open on the above dates for wine and gift card sales and pick-ups, we WILL NOT be hosting tastings on-site this holiday season. Our tasting room is just too cosy (and the deck too chilly) to safely and comfortably host guests at this time of year. However, we still have ...a few virtual tasting appointments available check our website for details! But more about this Pinot. Freya used 100% Vancouver Island grown fruit (sourced from Cherry Point vineyard in Cobble Hill) for Beaufort’s first ever single varietal red Pinot. In the glass, it’s more deep pink than red; the nose is all cherry cola and cranberries, and those red toffee-dipped apples at Halloween. On the palate, Island acidity is a jovial counterpart to huckleberry, cranberry and clove. Some fine silky tannins add texture and just a little weight on the finish, balancing an otherwise bright mouthfeel. Aged in premium French oak barrels for 16 months. This is a Pinot to pair; try it with wild mushrooms or cedar plank salmon. ***WINERY EXCLUSIVE: ONLINE & IN THE STORE*** https://www.beaufortwines.ca/

Riffing on a classic Americano, Mike Norbury’s Zeballos Inlet is a delectable and thirst-quenching gin-based highball; bright, citrusy white vermouth and the delicate botanicals of Sheringham Distillery 's Kazuki are buoyed by the addition of lavender soda. Great anytime, as long as there’s a bowl of salty potato chips nearby! ( : Danika Sea - Art Direction + Photography ) Zeballos Inlet 1 oz Beaufort vermouth... oz Kazuki gin 3 dashes of Ms. Better’s Trans Canada bitters (or orange bitters instead) 4 oz dry lavender soda Build in a Collins glass and serve long, on the rocks. Garnish with a lemon wheel and add a reusable straw. See more

This one is a favourite. Reminiscent of a fancy cough drop in cocktail form, the Alpine Resort is a perfectly balanced combination of zingy ginger, zippy lemon and sweet honey syrup. Curating a small, high quality bar at home isn’t hard, and certainly doesn’t need to be expensive. Invest in some high quality tools and ingredients and you’ll be able to shake your way into anyone’s affections. Photography and styling by Danika Sea - Art Direction + Photography . Recipe by Mike... Norbury. Alpine Resort 1 oz Sheringham Distillery akvavit oz Beaufort vermouth oz lemon juice oz honey syrup* 1 coin of ginger 3 dashes of root beer bitters Combine all ingredients in a shaker, muddle ginger. Flash chill and double strain. Serve over crushed ice in a large rocks glass and garnish with a spanked mint sprig. *To make honey syrup at home, combine 2 parts honey with 1 part boiling water and stir well. Allow to cool.

This Mike Norbury original riffs on an old classic; the Tom Collins. It is a pretty fresh take of course, but we're okay with being iconoclasts. The recipe incorporates Beaufort vermouth and Sheringham Distillery ‘s vodka, and is named for Megin Lake in the northeast portion of Clayoquot Sound. Give it a go and tell us what you think! (: Danika Sea - Art Direction + Photography ) Megin Lake ... 1 oz Sheringham vodka 1 oz Beaufort vermouth oz lime juice oz vanilla syrup 3 strawberries 2 oz soda Place vodka, vermouth, lime juice, syrup and strawberries into a shaker, muddle the strawberries. Flash chill and double strain. Serve long, on the rocks, in a Collins glass, topping up with soda. Garnish with a lime wheel and add a reusable straw. #drinklocal #vancouverisland #beaufortwines #beaufortwinery #vermouth #bcspirits #bcvermouth #makeitasheringham #sheringhamdistillery #mikenorbury #vanisledrinks #buybc

Although Mike Norbury spends a lot of his time behind the bar at some of Victoria’s most illustrious watering holes and eateries, he nonetheless found time to whip up 6 unique cocktails for us. Each recipe is an Island celebration, incorporating Beaufort vermouth alongside Sheringham Distillery ‘s world class spirits. Over the coming weeks, we’ll share all six recipes right here (and on Insta too!). To kick things off, try this exceptionally good riff on a Bronx at home.... (: Danika Sea - Art Direction + Photography ) The Comox Cocktail 1 oz Kazuki gin oz Beaufort vermouth 6 dashes Peychaud’s bitters oz grapefruit juice oz lemon juice oz honey syrup* Combine all ingredients and shake over ice. Double strain and serve in a chilled coupe. Garnish with a grapefruit twist. *To make honey syrup at home, combine 2 parts honey with 1 part boiling water and stir well. Allow to cool.

***JUST A HANDFUL OF 2020 WINEMAKER'S CASES REMAIN*** Every year, we put together a case of 12 Beaufort favourites (and the odd new release!) and offer the lot at a very tasty discount during the holiday season. This year is no different, and it comes with the added bonus of zero repeats. That’s right; 12 different Beaufort wines at a spectacular 20% off! CALL OR EMAIL US DIRECTLY TO RESERVE YOURS: 250-338-1357 or [email protected] For more info on pricing and what's in...cluded, head to our website... https://www.beaufortwines.ca/2020-winemakers-case/

No, we don't have a replicator (that's a Star Trek reference folks), but we can still host you virtually for a tasting in December! Click on our website to find out how... https://www.beaufortwines.ca/virtual-tastings/

Prepping the garlic fields a few weeks back. All the seed garlic is tucked in now. Another fall task complete! Now to put the vineyard nets away...

All smiles on day one of harvest 2020 The Siegerrebe is in and on the crush pad. A propitious beginning to the vintage we reckon! On many levels, it seems that we’ve been working towards this particular harvest for a very long time. On the back of our PACS organic certification in the vines last year, we will crush only estate grown fruit in 2020. While we’ve loved working with other small scale and sustainable growers on Vancouver Island, we are excited to raise a 100% estate grown line up this year. Anyone for a glass of Borealis?

Petit(e) Milo on the cusp of harvest (one week to go we reckon). Hybrids can be divisive in some wine circles, but when it comes to Petite Milo, we are flying the flag. This vinifera/amurensis crossing is popular on Vancouver Island both as a single varietal and as a blending grape. One of the so-called Blattner hybrids, Petite Milo is ideally suited to our cool, coastal region. With excellent fungal resistance and tiny, early ripening berries, it can produce wines with he...rbaceous aromatics, a lively palate, and a juicy lingering finish. Freya works her magic capturing the essence of the variety; our 2019 vintage delivers nettle, rhubarb and gooseberry on the nose, with an almost tingly jalapeno-like finish. This is a unique single varietal that is best mates paired with Ene Raw Food and Sake Bar ‘s Omakase Shokado. #thirdleaf #estategrown #pacscertified #certifiedorganic #bcorganic #petitemilo #blattnerhybrid #comoxvalley #bcwine #vancouverislandwine #hybridgrapes #beaufortwines #beaufortwinery #vancouverisland #harvest2020

Official heads up! Our last weekend for tastings this summer is Sept 4-6 (that’s next weekend folks!). Head to our website to book your spot. Why such an early close you ask? Well, we are a small team and will shortly transition to harvest and crush. Given the changes we’ve had to make to how we host guests in the time of COVID, we’re unable to offer tastings while we are harvesting and winemaking. Harvest is fun, but it can be loud and messy. It just won’t work to safely (a...nd comfortably) host tastings at the same time. But don’t worry. We will be offering private tastings during the off season and will let you know all the details as soon as possible. Watch this space. #vancouverislandwine #comoxvalleywine #bcwine #coolclimate #tastingroom #vancouverisland #bookahead #biggerspacesfewerfaces #drbonniehenryfanclub

We’re still a little ways off grape harvest, so here instead is a round up of what’s been keeping us busy at Beaufort. Hay and garlic. Then garlic. And then some more garlic. Cleaning, trimming and sizing about 60k heads. We smell great. Vampires beware!

It’s here! 2018 vintage Zephra in the store (IRL and online) from this weekend. 100% estate grown Ortega. Zephra spent 12 months on the lees before disgorging. On the nose, we find a riotous little mix of honey and flint. Exceptionally lively on the palate with tart Granny Smith, stewed rhubarb and sweet lime. Dry, of course, with oodles of bubbles and a very generous mousse. Huzzah! We extol the virtues of Zephra paired with poutine ALL the time in the tasting room. Give ...it a try. Report back. On the Island, our cool coastal climate is a tremendous asset in the production of traditional method sparklers. Our limited growing degree days (the accumulation of heat over the growing season to ripen fruit) allow for the slow and steady development of grape sugars. As a result, acidity remains uncompromised. For Zephra, we selected Ortega grapes a little earlier than usual. Acidity provides backbone and complexity; and the aromatic profile is a fun deviation from the typically tropical, and sometimes floral, expressions of Ortega on the Island. Don’t forget that tastings are by appointment at Beaufort. We are STRICTLY adhering to all provincial health orders governing tasting rooms. Head to our website to book!

Keeping a healthy home cellar just got a whole lot easier. Our new online wine store is up and running! We had a stealthy launch last weekend and are chuffed to see the first cases head out the door today. Click on the link below to order your selection. Shipping is in 6/12 bottles to select Canadian provinces. See our website for full T&Cs. HUGE thanks to the wonderfully patient and talented team The Update Company in Cumberland for their help with this project Beaufort’...s integrated e-commerce site is supported by the BC Government’s Buy BC Partnership Program; delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC with funding from the Government of British Columbia. https://www.beaufortwines.ca/online-store/

Day 2! The Farmer’s Kitchen Food Truck will be at Beaufort again today (Sunday) from noon until 5pm. Don’t let a little rain put you off Such marvellous goodies awaitcheck out that menu! The Farmer's Kitchen Food Truck is a celebratory seasonal kitchen that supports small scale growers, makers, farmers and fishers in the Comox Valley.... No appointment needed for the food truck. Simply pop by for take out, or enjoy your meal with a bottle of wine in our picnic area.

There are just a handful of tasting appointments left for this coming long weekend. We are open Friday to Sunday from noon until 5pm for tastings. View availability and book your tasting on our website. And don’t forget we’ll have The Farmer’s Kitchen Food Truck on site Saturday and Sunday. You can read all about that below!! https://www.beaufortwines.ca/1275-2/

Hosting our guests for tastings on the deck has been such a treat. Just look at that view. We are so grateful to our visitors for being so kind and so patient. We know things aren’t as they have been in previous years; tastings are by appointment these days and we are scrupulous when it comes to physical distancing and sanitization. This has meant that we simply cannot host everyone who stops by. For some, it has also meant a short wait in the store or picnic area while we a...ssist other guests or sanitize high traffic areas and high touch items. We understand that this can be a little frustrating, awkward even, but such is the way of things for now. We’ll not be cutting corners nor making exceptions; we will not put you, or our staff at risk. If we are unable to host you for a tasting on the fly, we hope you’ll book for another day. We really want to pour for you, but only when we know we can absolutely adhere to the provincial health orders governing liquor service establishments. In the words of the inimitable Dr. Bonnie: be kind, be calm, be safe.

The Farmer’s Kitchen Food Truck will be at Beaufort on August 1st & 2nd. This is a first foray into food truckery at Beaufort and we are so lucky to have Chef James showcase the very best local produce from farms and market gardens in the Comox Valley. With a focus on fresh and vibrant vegetable-based dishes, The Farmer’s Kitchen is just thata celebratory seasonal kitchen that seeks to support small scale growers, makers and farmers in our region. Hurrah! See photos for more info. Also, a quick reminder that all tastings at Beaufort are now offered by appointment Fri-Sun. See our website to book!

Oh Ontario.... http://www.winelaw.ca//n/367-ontario-shuts-down-dtc-reform

Sometimes it’s just too pretty! Visit www.beaufortwines.ca to book a tasting appointment. We’re looking forward to seeing you!

Surprise! In the tasting room from today, FRIDAY June 26th. 2018 Ca Beautage We’ve been so looking forward to this onea brambly dark blend of estate grown Marechal Foch and Leon Millot. Blackberries and blackcurrants on the nose, soft tannins and a delectable plummy finish. Coles notes for now, but we can dig in deeper with glass in hand2018 Ca Beautage will be on hard repeat in the tasting room all weekend (as will Gil Scott-Heron). Come visit! We’ll save some for you, but don’t forget to book your tasting. As BC enters phase 3, our tasting slots are filling up fast. Head to our website to book

One of us pulled the longest straw and got to spend a day on the water with our pals Campbell River Whale Watching and it was PHENOMENAL! We saw whales and dolphins and eagles and porpoises, and lots of seals too. CRWW offer both land and sea tour options so you can sip wine or see humpbacks, or both! Great care from Steve and Robin and a super diligent approach to COVID safety measures. It’s always fun to play tourist in your own back yard! Thanks for the day guys!

We know you have missed being able to enjoy a picnic at Beaufort, so we are delighted to tell you that our picnic area will be open again from Friday June 12th. We are so grateful to our guests for helping us navigate recent challenges; with your help we have swiftly and safely adjusted to a tasting by appointment model. Thank you! Our guests are once again welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawn after a tasting. We can sell wine by the bottle, and provide all glasses... and an ice bucket (if necessary). Feel free to bring a picnic blanket and/or your own camping chair as we may not always have enough garden furniture, especially during busier times. Please note that our picnic area is entirely en plein airthere is no covered area in the event of rain (or very hot sun!). Click on the following link to book your tasting (Fri-Sun between noon and 5pm)... https://www.beaufortwines.ca/visit-us/book-now/

Some good news! We are ready to welcome you back for tastings. Things will look and feel a little different initially, but only because we need to ensure our guests and staff are safe. Our new normal looks like this: Tastings at Beaufort are now by appointment only. Head over to our website to book. Tasting are offered on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, between noon and 5pm. Max of 6 per tasting group. Picnics are suspended for the time being.... Our wine store is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 5pm. Call/email ahead and we can prepare your selection for pick up, or simply pop in to select your bottles. No appointment necessary for wine sales. Free/discounted delivery continues in BC and select Canadian provinces. Check our website for more info. Our COVID-19 Safety Plan is posted on our website. Feel free to review it for a detailed understanding of the changes we've made. Please always refer to our website for the most up-to-date info on store hours and tastings. And of course, we truly can't wait to see you!

Our brand new vintage releases are ready for their debut! Pre-order your selection for pick up during our DRIVE-THRU VINTAGE RELEASE on Saturday May 16th. Here's a link to a pre-order form: https://forms.gle/DdjF3DBtno9sJeWF8 Head over to our website (beaufortwines.ca) for a full description of each new release, or scroll through each image here.... In other news, our wine store will be open from Friday May 22nd; Friday to Sunday, from noon until 5pm. Call ahead and we can prepare your order, or simply pop in to select your own bottles. Please note that due to rules governing restaurants, bars and tasting rooms in BC during the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot offer tastings at the moment. Physical distancing measures will be in place within the store from May 22nd.

We’re having to do things a little differently this year. But we are still going to make it fun! Pre-order your selection for pick up during our DRIVE-THRU VINTAGE RELEASE. Our brand new vintage (and brand new labels!) will be released on Saturday May 16th. Pre-order and prepay for your selection, then swing by the winery between noon and 5pm on May 16th for pick up. No need to leave your vehicle! Delivery is also possible. Link to order form below. We know that you love ...having a wee taste on vintage release day, but that isn’t possible right now. Tasting rooms, as with bars and restaurants in BC, remain closed due to COVID-19. We truly cannot wait to see you at the bar again soonwe will let you know as soon as we are able to pour. https://docs.google.com//1FAIpQLSd9USbdRGMl6FKEy/viewform

Our spring release is just around the corner, and with it, a brand new look! ... Our vineyard takes its name from the Beaufort Range to the west. Albert Edward’s snowy peak (as seen from the tasting room) features front and centre on the new label. Below that, a gentle chevron speaks to the soils in our vineyardtruly millions of years of history, stratified. It’s a very new look - with some very ancient features - and we couldn’t be more excited to share it. ... Our spring newsletter is on its way to inboxes tomorrow. If you want in on the latest from Beaufort, sign up on the website or DM us your email - we’ll add you! If you’re already signed up, please add [email protected] to your contacts (so we don’t end up in a pesky promo folder...).

OUR TEAM. If you've been following along on Instagram, you'll have seen us pop up in your feed over the last little while. Here we all are, a small but harmonious septet; Mark, Freya, Cohen, Dav, Katie, Jacinda and Linda! We miss you, and look forward to the time when we can huddle close in the tasting room again. Stay well everyone!