Lunch at Chaberton Estate Winery

The oldest and perhaps most popular winery in the Fraser Valley is Chaberton Estate Winery. Chaberton opened its doors in 1975, popularity has grown over the years, mostly due to the fine cellar of wines. The parking lot has been increased in size three times to accommodate visitors to the site which includes a lovely picnic area and a large tasting and wine salesroom

Chaberton is best known for its Bacchus and Ortega wines; the Madeleine Sylvaneris is gaining popularity. The 2017 Tribute Fortified is a must-buy, as is the 2017 Estate Grown Dessert Siegerrebe.

Having been curtailed in winery visits over the last couple of years Barbara and I were delighted to make an August 27th lunch date with our good friends Jane and Ken at the Bacchus Bistro. The bistro is rated as one of the top three Fresco restaurants in Metro Vancouver. WinesofCanada.com rates it among the very best dining experiences in the province.

The picnic grounds were full, most of the visitors were enjoying a "flight", which is four wines presented to you at the same time, usually on a wooden glass holder.

We had booked our reservation well in advance knowing how busy the bistro could be, we were right, both the restaurant and patio were filled with happy diners. We were shown to a very nice patio table. The restaurant is renowned for its Baked French Onion Soup and Beef Bourguignon. I have enjoyed the Bourguignon the last four visits; it was time to try something different.

We started with a bottle of 2020 Bacchus, Jane was very impressed and declared she was going to be taking a couple of bottles home; I had to agree with her assessment. The Bacchus features fresh citrus flavours featuring peaches and pear.  Chaberton Bacchus is among the very best white wines in Canada.
Ken and Barbara are staunch red wine drinkers but agreed the Bacchus hit all the notes after tasting it.

For our meal, we all chose the Chicken/Bacon Pannini and were not disappointed; Ken and I went all out and added the Baked French Onion soup. Barbara and Ken also enjoyed a glass of the Valley Cab 2019 leaving Jane and me to finish the Bacchus, we did not complain. 

Overall the service was excellent, the ambience perfect, and the food scrumptious. 

Chaberton Estate Winery
1064 -216th St
Langley, BC

 In the heat of the summer, Barabra and I decided to re-introduce ourselves to Matches. The restaurant at the Langley casino. The restaurant features a very nice patio. The seating is most comfortable.

I like Matches as it serves one of the lower mainland's best Beef Dips. 

Parking is always easy at the casino. where a three-story parking structure provided shade for the car. It is also a short walk to the patio. Where we were nicely greeted by the manager who directed us to the hostess. She in turn provided us with a very nice table.

Being a Wednesday the wine was half-priced. I had the Jackson-Triggs Reisling-Gewurztraminer. It was nice some good fruity notes but a little too sweet. Barbara had the Wayne Gretzky Cabernet Syrah, which missed the mark. Barbara did not finish her glass.

On the food side, Barabara ordered the Macaroni and Cheese. She was disappointed in the disApparently the receipt had been changed since she last enjoyed the dish. Pulled Pork had been added, which Barbara did not want. The sauce was not as creamy this time.

My Beef Dip was served on a wooden plater. I do not approve of wooden platers. The receipt was also changed by adding a horseradish aioli sauce. To me, a Beef dip is a slightly toasted bun smothered in melted buttered. The beef thinly shaved and dipped in hot au jus before been piled high on the bun. No additives at all.

The service was excellent. We had a very charming waitress.  Overall it was relaxing .

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