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Unsworth Vineyards

Frequently Asked Questions

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Visiting Unsworth

Does Unsworth host weddings?

Unsworth does not host weddings. We recommend Merridale Cidery and Bird’s Eye Cove for your special day.

Can I bring my dog?

Well behaved, leashed dogs are welcomed on our Tasting Room Terrace. We cannot accommodate dogs in our Restaurant & Patio due to provincial health regulations.

When are you open?

The hours for our Tasting Room & Terrace as well as our Restaurant & Patio can be found on our Contact page.

Can I buy wine “by the glass” in the Tasting Room & Terrace?

Yes! We are pleased to offer a wide selection of Unsworth wines by the glass at our Tasting Room & Terrace.

Do you have food available in the Tasting Room?

Unsworth Tasting Room & Terrace is always about the wine, but we do features local cheese, charcuterie, crackers, nuts and other small bites. Guests looking for more substantial food offerings are encouraged to make a reservation just steps away at Unsworth Restaurant where we have a full food service program. 

How can I make reservations?

Reserve a Tasting Experience.

Make a reservation in Unsworth Restaurant.

Can I see the current Restaurant menu?

Yes! Visit our Menu page

When can I get pizza?

Our pizza oven is part of our outdoor patio, which is open spring through early fall when the weather is appropriate for outdoor dining. During pizza season, our Pizza Menu is available on our Menu page.

Does the Restaurant have GF, vegan, other dietary sensitive options?

Yes. We have menu items that are built with common dietary requests in mind. Most dishes can be modified slightly to accommodate for dietary requests. Please feel free to let us know your requests prior to dining by emailing the restaurant.

Can I work at Unsworth?

We are always on the lookout for the next great vine star! While we aren’t always hiring, we would love to hear from you and see if there is a fit. Please email your resume and a brief intro via email.

Vineyard & Winery Information

Are your wines vegan?

Winemaker, Dan Wright’s mission is to handcraft the highest quality wines possible. He does this by using his calculated experience and a combination of age-old techniques and modern innovation. Sometimes this means the wines are vegan, and sometimes not. Our Tasting Room and Restaurant teams are happy to share any information with guests during visits. If you are unable to visit the Tasting Room, please feel free to contact us with questions about specific wines.

Where can I find out more about your wines?

We have detailed tech sheets about each wine on our Media & Trade Resources page

Do you grow all your own fruit?

Unsworths currently owns and farms two vineyards, our 10 acre estate vineyard in Mill Bay, and a new 43 acre in Sahtlam, located 5 minutes west of Duncan. Both of these vineyards are certified sustainable by Sustainable Winegrowing BC. We also farm two other leased vineyards, Isle de Cobre Vineyard in Mill Bay, and Bohemia Vineyard in Cobble Hill. We also work with fruit we purchase from other vineyards throughout the Cowichan Valley and one on the Saanich Peninsula.

Do you grow your fruit sustainably?

In April of 2024 the 4 vineyards that our vineyard team farm are certified sustainable by Sustainable Winegrowing BC. The two we own are our estate vineyard in Mill Bay and our new vineyard in Sahtlam. The other two sustainable certified vineyards we farm are leased, one is in Mill Bay and the other in Cobble Hill.

Since inception in 2009, Unsworth has had sustainable farming at the forefront of our mindset. Our initial vineyard planting in 2011 was with unique new varieties to global viticulture which were chosen to grow premium fruit in our cool coastal northernly location without intervention from high energy inputs. With warming temperatures, we are noticing that we can farm Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and a few other classic varieties with the same sustainable methods as our initial vineyard plantings.

Our estate vineyards are fertilized with compost that we make onsite from our pumice (grape pressings after harvest) and manure from our neighbouring farm. We operate our vineyard in a no-till manner which increases soil biodiversity, minimizes CO2 release into the atmosphere, and saves tractor emissions.

Working with 8 other grape growers around the Cowichan Valley—as well as the Saanich Peninsula Gulf Islands, and Fraser Valley—makes it difficult to use blanket statements about all the various farmers philosophies, however Unsworth is committed to making top quality wines for generations to come, while continuing to improve and provide the ideal environment for our community and beyond.

Why is the Restaurant using wine kegs?

Many of the wines served in The Restaurant at Unsworth Vineyards are in a keg format vs. bottle because having our premium wines in kegs, and served on tap, ensures they are in the highest quality, most protected state with no variation from bottle to bottle.

Kegs also allow us to substantially reduce our carbon footprint and needless waste, as the shipping of glass is by far the most energy and carbon-intensive part of the wine industry. Estimates from many studies show a waste reduction of over 80% when using kegs vs. glass bottle alternatives.

Premium wines in kegs are growing in popularity, and Unsworth continues to be a leading example of this delicious and sustainable alternative to glass bottles where possible.

UV Wine Club

What are the membership requirements?
  • Members must be 19 years of age or older.
  • Members must provide a valid shipping address.
  • Members must provide a valid credit card on file for annual shipment(s).
  • UV Wine Club memberships are for a minimum of one year. 
When can I expect to be billed for my UV Wine Club shipments?

Signature members will be billed 10 days prior to shipping your case every spring season; Collector members will be billed in spring and fall 10 days before each case ships. You will receive an email notification prior to the billing of your shipment.

I have been charged for my UV Wine Club case shipment, when will I receive it?

Shipping takes place about 10 days after the billing period , unless otherwise specified. Vancouver Island shipments are typically delivered within 2-4 business days. Vancouver Lower Mainland shipments can take 3-5 business days. The balance of Canada can take 5-10 business days. When your case is shipped, you will receive an email with tracking information.

Can I pick up my UV Wine Club shipment at the winery?

Absolutely! If you live locally or plan on being in the area, you can select to have your Club order held at the tasting room for pick-up for up to 30 days. If your order is not picked up within 30 days, shipping will automatically be charged to the card on file and the case will be sent to you.

What is the Cancellation Policy?

UV Wine Club memberships are for a minimum of one year. After one year, you may cancel your membership at any time. Cancellations are required in writing to info@unsworthvineyards.com at least two weeks prior to case shipment.

Life happens and we get it. If you are moving, on vacation, or otherwise unable to receive your Wine Club Shipment, please let us know as soon as you can so we can skip your shipment or pause your membership until you are ready to resume with the UV Wine Club.