Unsworth Vineyard is a beautiful tasty visit!

A beautiful, warm-ish sunny day in April, so, what better way to spend it than to drive up to Cowichan Valley for a wine tasting?  We hadn’t been to Unsworth Vineyards for a few years, and thought it time.  This post shares our wine tasting experience at Unsworth Vineyards.

There is a lot going on at Unsworth.  They are in the process of building a new Tasting Room along with some exciting winery additions.  We were told that they are hoping to be ready to open it in June!  It looks very exciting.  More information is available on their News page.  

Climate

With a cool maritime climate, the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island receives mild winters and moderate summers for grape growing.  Ocean breezes prevent frost and regulate vineyard temperatures. There are a wide variety of varietals – both white and black – grown on the island.  You will typically see pinot noir, pinot gris and chardonnay along with cabernet sauvignon. 

Cowichan Valley has a long growing season so lovely reds are possible along with dessert wines.  

Wine Tasting at Unsworth Vineyards

The Tasting Room is right at the entrance to the vineyard, and has both inside and outside seating.  There is a long bar as well.  Besides the availability of glasses of wine, you have two other tasting options, along with some nibbles.  

For today’s visit, we tried the Collector Tasting.

2023 Unsworth Vineyard Pinot Gris

• Pale lemon in colour
• Medium aromas of floral – possibly violet, citrus, and orange peel
• On the palate, dry, with lovely, high acidity.  Medium abv (alcohol), with a medium finish.  This is a good pinot gris and easy to drink on a warm day.

2022 Unsworth Vineyard Chardonnay

• Medium lemon in colour
• Pronounced aromas of butter, lemon and grapefruit
• This chardonnay has undergone a full malolactic conversion!  On the palate, additional notes of spice, hazelnut and lemon zest along with chalk.  Pronounced flavour, and a long finish.  An outstanding chardonnay.

2023 Sunnyvale Rose

• Pale pink in colour.  Aromas of red berries such as raspberry and strawberry.  This rose is made from 100% pinot noir grapes, from land in Sunnyvale and given a very small maceration.  However, what makes it quite different is it has had some time in a neutral french oak barrel.  
• On the palate, some further notes of vanilla and resin.  It is very dry, medium acidity, with a medium alcohol level.  A bit more of a savoury bite to it than what is typical.  It is a good rose.

2023 Unsworth Vineyard Rose (on the Signature Tasting sheet)

• Pale pink in colour.
• Aromas of red raspberry, strawberry, red cherry.  Very fruity, fresh.
• On the palate, more pronounce fruit flavours – clearly from a 100% pinot noir grapes, minimal maceration, but no oak treatment here.  A good rose for hanging out on the deck in the sun.

2022 Pinot Noir – Unsworth Vineyard

• Medium ruby in colour.
• Aromas are medium butter, red cherry, raspberry and redcurrant.  
• On the palate, additional notes of violet, dry, with medium tannins.  
• The tannins do linger though along with the flavour – a medium + finish.  A good pinot noir.  The acidity seems somewhat higher than one would expect.  

2022 Saison Pinot Noir

• Medium ruby in colour 
• On the nose, aromas of fresh ripe berries – strawberries, blackberries, red cherries.  
• On the palate, dry, medium tannins, with medium abv.  Additional notes of black cherry and chocolate.  Finish is long and flavours medium +.  A very good pinot noir.

In addition, we enjoyed lunch in the restaurant.  To pair with mine, I had a glass of the 2022 Symphony.  Deep garnet in colour, with medium + aromas of sage, lavender, black cherry and vanilla.  On the palate, dry, medium + acidity, and medium + tannins.  Additional flavours of blackberries and toast.  Medium + finish and medium plus flavour.  A very good red blend.

Summary of Wine Tasting at Unsworth Vineyards

Another enjoyable experience at Unsworth!  Last time we visited we enjoyed tastings and lunch with friends.  It will be wonderful to see and experience the new tasting room once it is open for business.

Enjoy more of our wine tasting experiences!