DINNER AT BACKYARD VINEYARDS

On a beautiful September evening my wife and  I joined another dozen people for dinner at the Fraser valley winery. We admired the sun setting over the vineyards with a glass of Blanc de Noir Brut. The appetizers were also enjoyable including Charcuterie, Cheeses,preserves, home made pickles and more.

We chatted with winemaker James Cambridge and co-owner Trent Blackwell.

Dinner was served at a long wooden table under a  log beamed gazebo. Chef Chris Whittaker from Vancouver's Forage restaurant provided a most delicious three course meal. The first course was a light picked summer Beet Salad, Wild Greens Okanagan Goat Cheese, Agassie hazelnuts and Black Pepper Praline, It was served with my favourite the 2013 Gewurztraminer

The second course was an Applewood Grilled Organic Ocean Sockeyed Salmon with roasted Squash and Chantrelles along with Mustard Spaetzle. The wine  was the 2011 Syrah. This wine has gained three silver medals silver medals in international competition. Made with grapes from the Osoyoos vineyard. It is a bold, dark wine with aromas of black cherry and plum leading to flavours  of plum and prune.


The final course was served with Porch a port style wine that went well withe Apple Crumple and Raw Honey Ice Cream.

WE had a really good time at this event the hospitality was  outstanding witha enjooy group of dinner guests including visitors from Ontario and Kim owner of Sardis Park Wines in Chilliwack

After dinner my wife and I enjoyed coffee in the tasting room with Trent who also showed me the under construction tasting room expansion. Backyard Vineyards a winery to watch in 2015.



previous visit

Wine and Dine On Vancouver Island

May we take a moment to recommend two wineries with dinning facilities for your dinning pleasure.
My wife and I had a very enjoyable experience at Unsworth Restaurant and the Muse Winery Bristo Muse Garden Restaurant

This past Wednesday after touring the winery we had lunch at Cowichan Valley’s Unsworth Restaurant. The restaurant is located off a picturesque country road winding through the working farms and rolling hills surrounding us in the heart of Cowichan’s wine country. The restaurant itself is located in a restored farmhouse built in 1895; with  both  outdoor patio and the interior dining room  from which you can enjoy views overlooking 12 acres of sustainably managed vineyard.

We had the please of meeting the manager Christle Pope and touring the restaurant. Its a very well designed with a nice menu.  My wife had a most delicious Scallop dish while I enjoyed the Potato Leak Soup and the pork Sandwich. All wonderfully prepared by Chef Steven Elskens.

The following afternoon we were at The Muse Winery in Deep Cove on the Saanich Peninsula. Our lunch began with a glass of Orta provided by owner Jane Ellmann.  Its a patio setting with tables nicely arranged between the tasting room and the vineyard. 

The food features local farmers, producers and fisherman. Barbara and I chose to select two dishes and share them.  It was hard to make a selection  so many good selections We finally choose the Bruschetta and Quinoa Salad over greens.  A most delicious lunch, good wines and  excellent service

See addition on our Island visit at www.winesofcanada.com