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Unsworth Vineyards

Unsworth Vineyards
 
August 1, 2023 | Unsworth Vineyards

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

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

Time Posted: Aug 1, 2023 at 11:01 AM Permalink to Unsworth Earns 5 Medals at the 2023 National Wine Awards of Canada Permalink
Unsworth Vineyards
 
June 12, 2023 | Unsworth Vineyards

Live Entertainment at Unsworth - July 2023

Enjoy Live Sunday Entertainment at Unsworth in July!

Relax and enjoy live, outdoor entertainment on the Tasting Room Terrace on Sundays from 2pm to 4pm in July. The ultimate way to savour a summer Sunday and a glass of Unsworth!

Dates & artists:

July 2 - Thomas Kueks - local artist playing flute along with vocals over finger style guitar

July 9 - Dale Manason - a Mill Bay, one-man tribute to some of the musicians who shaped Dale's musical taste and; influencing his guitar and vocal style, including Santana, Knopfler, BB King, and Clapton
[more on Dale] 

July 16 - On the Hat - a new ensemble of musical friends, featuring vocals, flute, and piano

July 23 - Broke and Blue - back again this year, a light jazz group featuring music of Claude Bolling, Moe Koffman, more.  (Diane Berry, flute; Kathryn Le Gros, piano; Ryan Tandy, bass)

July 30 - Lip Forest - another returning performer from last summer, this solo artist specializes in creep folk
[more on Lip Forest]

Time Posted: Jun 12, 2023 at 6:27 AM Permalink to Live Entertainment at Unsworth - July 2023 Permalink
Unsworth Vineyards
 
May 15, 2023 | Unsworth Vineyards

Dim Sum + Chardonnay Pop-up Event: June 24 & 26

Dim Sum + Chardonnay Pop-up Event: June 24 & 26

There will be plenty of corks popping during this 2-day, Dim Sum + Chardonnay pop-up event at Unsworth Tasting Room spotlighting Sommelier and Dim Sum Chef Van Doren Chan from Vancouver's Dumpling In a Box.

Tickets available now for a menu of Dim Sum classics with a delicious, modern twist paired with a flight of premium Chardonnay, including Unsworth’s Cowichan Valley Chardonnay.

  • $50 per person
  • 11am-5pm on Sunday, June 25 & Monday, June 26
  • Link to reserve desired time included with ticket order confirmation

[INFO + TICKETS]

Time Posted: May 15, 2023 at 11:01 AM Permalink to Dim Sum + Chardonnay Pop-up Event: June 24 & 26 Permalink
Unsworth Vineyards
 
March 16, 2023 | Unsworth Vineyards

DINE & SIP Cowichan

DINE & SIP Cowichan at Unsworth

There's still time to indulge in DINE & SIP Cowichan, on now through March 26th at participating venues, including Unsworth's Tasting Room and Restaurant. 

TASTING ROOM
Drop-in for a flight of 3 wines for $6
Unsworth Sauvignette, Rosé, and Pinot Noir
Buy a 3-pack of those wines and get 10% OFF

RESTAURANT
Weekly 3-course Dinner
Fresh Sheet
$60 per person
[reserve now]

For every Dine & Sip Cowichan meal purchased, Island Savings will donate $5 to The Full Cupboard for the Cowichan Food Bank.

Time Posted: Mar 16, 2023 at 4:43 PM Permalink to DINE & SIP Cowichan Permalink
Unsworth Vineyards
 
February 27, 2023 | Unsworth Vineyards

Pinot Noir Masterclass with Winemaker, Dan Wright

UV Wine Club Member Exclusive

Friday, March 10th—4pm to 6pm
Cost: $60 per person, including local artisanal cheese & charcuterie

[MORE INFO + TICKETS]

Time Posted: Feb 27, 2023 at 4:35 PM Permalink to Pinot Noir Masterclass with Winemaker, Dan Wright Permalink
Unsworth Vineyards
 
January 18, 2023 | Unsworth Vineyards

Share the Love at Unsworth - Valentine's Dinner

Take the guesswork out of Valentine's Day and reserve now for a relaxed, romantic evening at Unsworth Restaurant, featuring a debut dinner event menu by Chef Dan Bain—available:

Saturday, Feb 11
Sunday, Feb 12
Tuesday, Feb 14

$75 per person | $35 optional wine pairing

RESERVE NOW
 

Time Posted: Jan 18, 2023 at 11:44 AM Permalink to Share the Love at Unsworth - Valentine's Dinner Permalink
Unsworth Vineyards
 
December 9, 2022 | Unsworth Vineyards

Holiday Open House Weekend

OPEN HOUSE ON HOLIDAY CHEER!
December 17 & 18 - 11am to 5pm

We’ve decked the halls and polished the extra stemware, and although our Tasting Room Supervisor, Draysen, looks lonesome above, he’s practising for our Holiday Open House Weekend—Dec 17 & 18—and you’re invited! 

Winemaker, Dan Wright, and Assistant Winemaker, Morgan Newington, will be on-hand pouring flights and chatting about all things wine. Festive highlights include live music by Danielle Lebeau Peterson in the afternoon; artisan gift selections from Miller + Co. Wood Studio and Pottery; and hand-crafted Symphony Truffles by local Chocolatier, Elena Fredericton, of Folklore Chocolates—a decadent pairing with our dessert wine, Ovation.

No RSVP required—simply drop by between 11am and 5pm. We look forward to raising a holiday glass with you!

Time Posted: Dec 9, 2022 at 1:37 PM Permalink to Holiday Open House Weekend Permalink
Unsworth Vineyards
 
June 21, 2022 | Unsworth Vineyards

Cowichan Valley Wine Festival

August 1-31, 2022

"Relax and experience summer in the vineyards, taste award-winning wines, and meet the winemakers just as special as the wine they produce (including Unsworth!). All on a self-guided tour of the world-class terroir called Cowichan."

[MORE INFO + TICKETS]

Time Posted: Jun 21, 2022 at 10:48 AM Permalink to Cowichan Valley Wine Festival Permalink
Unsworth Vineyards
 
June 21, 2022 | Unsworth Vineyards

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]

Time Posted: Jun 21, 2022 at 10:23 AM Permalink to Unsworth Earns High Praise in the 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards Permalink
Unsworth Vineyards
 
October 6, 2021 | Unsworth Vineyards

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.

Time Posted: Oct 6, 2021 at 4:28 PM Permalink to Nine British Columbia wines that you need in your collection Permalink