Triumphs at 2025 Wine Competitions

From the Cowichan Valley to the global stage, Unsworth Vineyards proudly celebrates award-winning results at three prestigious competitions: WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada, Decanter World Wine Awards, and the International Wine Challenge.

WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada

• 2023 Cowichan Valley Chardonnay – Gold Medal
  “Classic ripe fruit meeting a year of barrel aging for the most Burgundian way of executing Canadian chardonnay. Absolute nod to the motherland from a place where soils inclusive of (gravelly, sandy and perhaps also fossil-marine) surely fall into geological line. Cracker example from what is clearly a fine vintage for grape and place. When generosity and luxe character, including mouthfeel meet structure and spice than chardonnay's your uncle.” - Michael Godel (93 points)
   

• 2022 Cowichan Valley Chardonnay – Gold Medal
  “Very bright aromatic intensity of green apple, straciatell cheese and wet stones. Pristine intensity of aromas and a clear example of Chardonnay in a cooler climate. Palate is crisp, mineral, with laser beam-like acidity. Medium bodied, lots of weight from the leesy creamy notes flowing seamlessly into crunchy apple and lemon oil finish." - Kelcie Jones (93 points)
   

• 2024 Cowichan Valley Pinot Gris – Silver Medal
  “Pleasing, aromatic nose of lemon curd and peach, accompanied by a lively palate of citrus and yellow apple. Dry but juicy and a great illustration of the less is more take on pinot gris.” - Janet Dorozynski PhD (91 points)

Decanter World Wine Awards

• 2023 Unsworth Vineyard Pinot Gris – Silver, 91 points (Highest rated Canadian Pinot Gris)

• 2023 Cowichan Valley Pinot Gris – Silver & 90 points (Second highest rated Canadian Pinot Gris)

• 2022 Saison Vineyard Pinot Noir – Silver Medal & 90 points

International Wine Challenge

• 2023 Rosé – Silver Medal & 92 points (Highest rated Canadian Rosé)

• 2022 Cowichan Valley Pinot Noir – Silver Medal & 91 points

• 2023 Cowichan Valley Pinot Gris – Silver Medal & 90 points (Highest rated Canadian Pinot Gris)

Raise A Glass! The Cowichan Valley Wine Festival Returns for 2025!

CELEBRATE LOCAL WINE & THE SPECTACULAR KICKOFF PARTY AT MALAHAT SKYWALK

The Cowichan Valley Wine Festival is back this August, offering wine lovers the chance to experience the best of Vancouver Island's wine region. From intimate tastings to scenic views, this is your invitation to sip, savor, and celebrate.

Festival Highlights

• Exclusive tastings at Cowichan Valley’s top wineries, including Unsworth Vineyards.

• The spectacular Kickoff Party at Malahat SkyWalk – a one-of-a-kind evening with panoramic views.

• Your Festival Passport – your ticket to explore multiple wineries throughout August.

 Plan Your Experience

Dates: August 1 to 31, 2025

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the heart of Vancouver Island wine country. Gather your friends, grab your passport, and join us for a summer celebration like no other.

Now Open!

Introducing Our New Tasting Room

A breathtaking space for unforgettable wine experiences in the heart of the Cowichan Valley.

Where Modern Design Meets Cowichan Warmth

Step into a stunning space designed to showcase Vancouver Island’s premier wines. Featuring a dramatic floor-to-ceiling barrel wall, open seating, and natural light, the new Tasting Room reflects the character of Cowichan Valley while delivering a world-class experience.

What Our Guests Are Saying

“Absolutely gorgeous! The barrel wall takes your breath away, and the wine tasting was exceptional.” – Wine Club Member

“This is a must-visit on Vancouver Island—stunning space, knowledgeable team, and incredible wine.” – Guest Review

Unforgettable Experiences Await

• Tasting Experiences – Explore our award-winning portfolio through guided flights.

• Wine & Cheese Pairings – Savor local artisan cheeses paired with our wines.

• Chef's Pairing – A seasonal culinary experience showcasing Vancouver Island flavors.

Winery 'Update'!

The Cowichan Valley is amongst the best winegrowing regions in Canada. To help express and share the Cowichan Valley's unique terroir we are updating our winery and building a phenomenal new tasting room. 

Exciting winery additions include, a reimagined crush pad, dedicated red and white wine barrel halls, and a bottling area. On top of which, the relaxed and spacious new tasting room will allow for a wider breadth of wine experiences  – always, in our informed yet unpretentious manner.

Unsworth's current Tasting Room & Restaurant will remain open during the renovations and we hope you will join us in our eager anticipation!

Designed by Vancouver based Simcic Architecture Studio, our new winery is a state of the art fusion of function and form. As you approach, the outside features a low slung roofline, blending into the bucholic farm landscape. Beneath ground are separate red and white wine barrel cellars to allow our wines to mature properly in constant and correct conditions. Unsworth also worked with process flow engineer Gerard de Villiers for the flow of the winery. A resident of South Africa, Gerard has designed process flow for Graham Beck, De Toren, Boschendal, Hamilton Russell, and has also done process design work with the new sparkling wineries for Nyetimber and Gusbourne Estate.

This new phase sets up the winemaking team to continue the luxury of keeping all our vineyards and clones separate throughout winemaking until the final blends are determined. These small lots are hugely important to us as we continue to unlock the many secrets our various vineyards and clones have in store.

Whether you're a first time visitor or an old friend, you'll be welcomed into the tasting room which provides the ideal environement for enjoying Unsworth alongside family and friends. The adjacent patio is a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere to soak in Cowichan's majestic beauty surrounded by thoughtful landscaping.

In crafting Cowichan's coastal legacy, this is an exhilarating next step

A Sparkling Day in Cowichan

Dive into the essence of the Island this Summer at Blue Grouse Estate Winery and Unsworth Vineyards. Immerse yourself in the coastal flavours of Cowichan sparkling wines presented harmoniously with tidal inspired bites.

Sparkling Launch Party at Blue Grouse

Kick off the Summer of celebrations hosted at Blue Grouse Estate Winery with our Sparkling Launch Party! Celebrate with a coastal experience as we toast to the start of Summer with an array of exquisite Island sparkling wines and tantalizing seafood. Immerse yourself in an ambiance of joy and relaxation, surrounded by friends, laughter, and the shimmering allure of the season.

[CLICK TO BOOK]

A Sparkling Day in Cowichan at Unsworth Vinyeards & Blue Grouse Winery

Your reservation ensures an intimate and exclusive experience with priority seating amidst stunning vineyard landscapes. Explore the art of sparkling winemaking and acquaint yourself with the fundamentals of food and wine pairings, all within a suggested duration of 90 minutes for just $25 per person.

Unsworth Vinyeards

Taste each of our Charme de l’île sparkling wines with an upscale seafood pairing from our Restaurant. Finish your experience off by our pond with a Sparkling Picnic basket, which includes a bottle of your favourite Charme, alongside several perfect snack pairings from our Restaurant and other local producers.

[CLICK TO BOOK]

Blue Grouse Winery

Experience the essence of the Island with a curated flight or three sparkling wines, complemented by three coastal inspired bites from the Restaurant at Unsworth. Enjoy priority seating with an exclusive vineyard views. 

[CLICK TO BOOK]

Decanter Magazine Travel Feature on Vancouver Island

Unsworth Earns 5 Medals at the 2023 National Wine Awards of Canada

In WineAlign's recent series of announcements on the 2023 National Wine Awards of Canada winners, Unsworth stepped up to the podium with 5 medals:

GOLD
2021 Pinot Noir: 92 points
Review from Evan Goldstein, Master Sommelier: "Riper red fruit aromatics and a kiss of mintines. Crunchy and bright with nuances of sandalwood and conifer." 
SHOP status: available now for purchase

SILVER
2018 Cuvée de l'île*: 91 points
Review from Jon Szabo, Master Sommelier: "Clean and yeasty in the traditional method. Pronounced, moderately aggressive bubbles, yeasty finish. Good complexity, quite dry and crisp. Good length. Well made, good quality."
SHOP status: Released in the 2022 UV Wine Club Collector case; available for purchase in fall 2023 (pending remaining stock)

BRONZE
2022 Rosé: 89 points
Review from Michaela Morris: "As delicate in hue as it is in aromas Unsworth’s dainty Pinot Noir rosé hints demurely at cherry blossoms and cherry pits. While not terribly concentrated, it is light and lithe with a stony, steely backbone and zippy lemony acidity prolonging the finish. This intentional and sincere rosé with modest alcohol will deliver plenty of summer sipping satisfaction."
SHOP status: available now for purchase

2022 Sunnydale Vineyard Rosé: 89 points
Review from Sharon McLean: "A delicate, juicy rosé that shows restrained orchard fruits wrapped round a core of minerality."
SHOP status: sold out

2021 Chardonnay: 88 points
Review from Heather Rankin: "A nuttiness and oak spice define the nose with fleshy apple notes. On the palate, rounded fruit framed with supporting structure and cleansing acidity."
SHOP status: available in the 2023 fall UV Wine Club Collector case

Unsworth Earns High Praise in the 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards

Decanter World Wine Awards—the world's largest and most influential wine competition—offers a definitive guide to the dynamic world of wine.

Each year’s results offer surprises and revelations, highlighting growth in quality and consistency—or lack thereof. With 18,244 wines judged from 54 countries, this 19th edition of the competition set an an all-time record for wines tasted.

Unsworth was honoured with the following two medals:

• Our 2019 Pinot Noir earned 91 points and a Silver Medal. Not only is it the highest score ever for a Vancouver Island wine, it’s one of a select few Canadian Pinot Noirs to get 90+ points.

• Our 2019 Chardonnay earned 88 points and a Bronze Medal. Given it was Unsworth’s first crack at Chardonnay, we’re extraordinarily proud of this recognition as well. (Note: the 2019 vintage is now sold out, however the 2020 Chardonnay is available and getting enthusiastic nods of approval as our Winemaker, Dan Wright, continues to find his groove with this most noble grape.)

[COMPLETE DECANTER WINE AWARD RESULTS]

Nine British Columbia wines that you need in your collection

The Globe and Mail - Christopher Waters - September 22, 2021

More than 350 wineries spread across British Columbia are actively monitoring their vineyards, looking for signs that it’s time to harvest grapes to make the 2021 vintage. Vintners are keeping tabs on sugar and acidity levels – sugar levels increase and acidity decreases as grape ripen – as well as flavour and seed development in a bid to determine the best moment to bring in their fruit. This year’s harvest got off to its earliest start on record in August, but rain and cooler temperatures have slowed things somewhat.

With more than 80 different varieties planted in more than 900 vineyards that spill over more than 10,000 acres, there’s a lot of ground to cover – and it’s impossible to make blanket statements regarding B.C.’s wine country. Conditions in the Okanagan change dramatically from Vernon to Osoyoos, which is home to more than 80 per cent of the province’s vineyards, to say nothing of differences between Vancouver Island, Fraser Valley and the Lillooet. That said, an almost-universal theme this year is that wineries are facing a third short crop in a row.

Due to unseasonably hot temperatures when grape vines were flowering, fewer clusters of grapes formed. Winemakers are happy with the quality potential they’re seeing, but they wish grapes were more plentiful. There are also continuing concerns about potential issues with the quality of the wines due to exposure to smoke created by this summer’s wildfires. Last year, the yields in the Okanagan Valley, and the other interior regions, were down by 25 per cent to 30 per cent.

Running short at a time when interest in the wines made in B.C. continues to increase – both across Canada and internationally – means that consumers will need to monitor the releases from their favourite wineries almost as closely as the vintners watched their vineyards come to fruition.

This week’s recommendations feature nine wines from B.C., many of which were tasted last week during The Globe and Mail’s Okanagan Valley Wine Tour.

Burrowing Owl Pinot Noir 2019 (Canada), $35
RATING OUT OF 100: 91
True to Burrowing Owl’s ripe and rewarding red wine style, this is a richer model of pinot noir. The warmth of the Wyse family’s estate vineyard location on the Black Sage Bench makes for an intense and complex red, with a mix of ripe and dried fruit flavours that are rounded out by coffee, savoury and meaty notes. Drink now to 2025. Available in B.C. or direct at the above price through burrowingowlwine.ca, various prices in Alberta, $47.99 in Saskatchewan, $39.95 in Ontario (2018 vintage).

CheckMate Knight’s Challenge Chardonnay 2017 (Canada), $95
RATING OUT OF 100: 91
CheckMate’s dynamic array of chardonnays produced in the Okanagan each year boasts tremendous depth, richness and vigour. This one comes from a vineyard located on the Black Sage Bench and offers a mix of ripe fruit, oak spice and a hint of sage/herbal notes common to wines grown in the southern Okanagan. The round and creamy character makes for one of CheckMate’s most accessible styles each year. Drink now to 2027. Available direct through checkmatewinery.com.

Clos du Soleil Fumé Blanc 2020 (Canada), $20.90
RATING OUT OF 100: 91
This enjoyable aromatic white is a blend of sauvignon blanc and semillon grown in Oliver. A mix of tank- and barrel-fermented lots were used to create a wine with refreshing fruit character and flinty and floral accents. The riper, tropical fruit flavours and rich texture make for an easy-to-appreciate wine that’s enjoyable on its own or with a meal. Drink now to 2025. Available direct through closdusoleil.com, various prices in Alberta, $24.15 in Quebec (2018 vintage).

Mission Hill Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2020 (Canada), $22.95
RATING OUT OF 100: 90
A wine with attractive freshness and intensity, this well-made sauvignon blanc comes from estate vineyards in Oliver and Osoyoos. It’s a wine that’s been consciously made to capture an enticing array of fruit flavours, with different harvest dates and a mixture of fermentation vessels (stainless steel tanks, concrete and oak) to contribute to the texture and character. A stylish white that’s ready to drink. Drink now to 2022. Available in Ontario at the above price, $21.99 in B.C. and direct through missionhillwinery.com, various prices in Alberta, $25.49 in Saskatchewan.

Mt. Boucherie Summit 2018 (Canada), $54.95
RATING OUT OF 100: 90
Summit is the flagship red wine from Mt. Boucherie, allowing winemaker Jeff Hundermark to select grapes from the best vineyard blocks available to him from the Okanagan and Similkameen and the best barrels of wine in the cellar. This year’s model is a mix of merlot, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, syrah and malbec, which combine for a rich and powerful red wine with winning complexity and age-worthy structure. Decant for best enjoyment if you’re planning on opening soon. Drink now to 2030. Available at the above price in Ontario, $59.99 in B.C. or direct through mtboucherie.com, various prices in Alberta.

Painted Rock Merlot 2018 (Canada), $39.99
RATING OUT OF 100: 92
Painted Rock has established itself as one of the Okanagan’s most ambitious estate wineries, producing a range of small batch wines from its vineyards overlooking Skaha Lake in Penticton. This merlot from the 2018 vintage is developing nicely, with a ripe core of berry and plum fruit flavours that are nicely layered with cedar, spice and savoury notes. The winery’s style has always focused on delivering ripeness and refreshment, which makes this flavourful and polished red an attractive style to enjoy now or later. Drink now to 2030. Available at the above price in B.C., various prices in Alberta, $50 in Quebec (2015 vintage) or $34.99 direct through paintedrock.ca.

Phantom Creek Estates Merlot 2018 (Canada), $42
RATING OUT OF 100: 91
This refined and fruity expression of merlot is produced from Phantom Creek’s vineyards on the Black Sage and Golden Mile benches in the southern Okanagan. There’s a charming mix of floral and spice notes that adds interest to the ripe core of dark fruit. A supple texture and nicely balanced structure (thanks to fresh acidity that counters the sweet ripe fruit flavours) make it approachable now, but I suspect this will reward your patience if you choose to cellar some bottles to enjoy later. Drink now to 2030. Available direct through phantomcreekestates.com.

Quails’ Gate Dijon Clone Pinot Noir 2019 (Canada), $45
RATING OUT OF 100: 91
Part of Quails’ Gate’s retooled Distinction Collection, this richly concentrated pinot noir showcases specific vineyard clones (varieties named 777 and 828 that are prized for the quality of wines they can produce) from estate vineyards in Kelowna. The family-owned winery was amongst the first to plant pinot noir in the Okanagan. The combination of a ripe core of fruit flavours and attractive fragrance makes for a terrific expression of pinot noir to drink or hold. Drink now to 2027. Available direct through quailsgate.com.

Unsworth Vineyards Pinot Noir 2019 (Canada), $34
RATING OUT OF 100: 90
Pinot noir is one of the most important grapes at Unsworth winery, located in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. It is used to produce the base wines for the various sparkling wines produced each year while the very best vineyard blocks are used to create this expressive red wine. This is a lighter and brighter style of pinot noir, with bright and juicy berry notes and a silky texture that makes it enjoyable. Chill and serve with a meal. Drink now to 2023. Available direct through unsworthvineyards.com, various prices in Alberta.

NOTE: To read the original article click here, however please note that a Globe and Mail subscription is required.

Mulligan Stew Podcast with Terry David Mulligan

On his popular podcast—Mulligan Stew—Canadian actor and radio and television personality, Terry David Mulligan, talks to the Unsworth team about food, our acquisition of 60 more grape-growing acres, the exciting purchase by Jackson Family Wines and what it means for Unsworth's wine expansion plans.

[LISTEN NOW]

Charme de L'Île

Edible Magazine - Summer 2021

Vancouver Island's signature bubble is the zesty sipper you need for all your summer soirées.

[read full article]

[pick up a FREE hard copy of Edible in your area]

Secrets and Lives–And The 7 Sins with Chris Turyk

Boulevard Magazine, Central Island - Spring 2021

Currently holding the titles of marketing director and sommelier at Unsworth Vineyards in the Cowichan Valley, Chris Turyk has been involved with the family-run business since its inception. Tim and Colleen Turyk (Chris's parents) bought the land and a sweet old farmhouse in 2009 with the idea of trying their hand at winemaking. It quickly grew into a much larger enterprise than they'd anticipated.

"We had no idea or thoughts to creating this size of business," says Chris. "It wasn't the grad plan, but it took o a life of its own, and there was no going back."

[read full article, including the "7 Sins"]

Western Living Names Turyk Family 2021 Foodies of the Year

Western Living Magazine - March 2021

Well it's been a year, hasn't it? The industry has been turned upside down by the pandemic, businesses have closed, jobs disappeared. But throughout it all, there were many bright lights, and here, in our 14th annual celebration of the best food folk in the West, we feel privileged to be able to shine the spotlight on a few worthy souls (and a toast to all our finalists).

Cheers to the Foodies of the Year!

[all winners]
[Turyk Family article]

Farming for the enlightened consumer

Silkandcoupe.com - Chris Turyk

Upon reading the Canadian Organic Standards and transcriptions of Rudolf Steiner’s lectures on Biodynamic philosophy, practical farming knowledge left much to be desired. What they lack in concrete procedures, they make up for in vague, verbose and mystical nonsense.

Hungry to understand my connection to food and the environment from which it originates, I enrolled in the University of British Columbia’s practicum in sustainable agriculture at the UBC Farm. With hands in the soil...

[read full article]

What Is In The Bottle

Cowichan Valley Voice - January 2021 Issue - Chris Turyk

Packaging decisions are historically intrenced in the wine industry; largely based on consumer perception, very little thought has gone into the environmental impacts these decisions make. Sustainability in the wine industry goes well beyond seeding a cover crop, metering water usage and embracing renewable energy. Manufacturing and transport of glass bottles accounts for roughly 60% of the carbon footprint of the wine industry. For those who like to open a nice bottle of local wine, this will be hard to swallow—but it's true. Fortunately, there are a myriad of packaging decisions a winery can make to reduct their carbon footprint.

[read full article]

Unsworth’s new owners bring global attention to Vancouver Island and Canadian wine

Globe & Mail - January 6, 2021 - Christopher Waters

Chris Turyk was enjoying lunch in the Napa Valley with some fellow students from the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone when he heard his family had purchased a small vineyard in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. His father, Tim Turyk, had retired recently from a long career in the fishing industry and was looking for a new venture. During a visit to Vancouver Island, where the family of his mother, Colleen, had vacationed for generations, his father made an offer on an attractive piece of land.

[read full article]

High Praise

The judges for Canada’s WineAlign National Wine Awards did things a little differently this year, tasting 860 wines in 15 categories from their Toronto headquarters. The Guide to Canada’s Best Wines is now published, and Unsworth is proudly on the national wine radar with our 2019 Rosé earning top 10 status and 90 points based on these reviews, and our 2018 Pinot Noir with 91 points and these reviews.

[see complete guide]

Stir Sips: Charme de L’île makes for distinctly BC bubbles

IT SOUNDS OH-SO-FRENCH, but Charme De L’île is in fact hyperlocal. The name (meaning “charm of the island”) describes sparkling wines made by Gulf Island and Vancouver Island wineries using the Charmat method and that reflect their terroir.

To achieve effervescence via the Charmat method, the carbonation process captures bubbles in the wine in large, pressure-resistant stainless-steel vats. (The méthode Champenoise, by contrast, is a bottle fermentation process.) The origins of the charmer’s approach apparently go back to 1895, when an Italian named Federico Martinotti devised it, but French inventor Eugène Charmat later improved on the method and laid claim to it.)

The style, sometimes called a local Prosecco, is slowly becoming more popular in B.C., with Mill Bay’s Unsworth Vineyards being a pioneer.

[read full article]

We’re Open!

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

White Wine and Sunshine

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.