Food Vancouver - Food Vancouver Select Guide: Saturna Island Family Vineyards

Many think solely of the Okanagan Valley when it comes to sourcing British Columbian wines, but the Gulf Islands are actually home to several quality wineries. On Salt Spring you’ll find Salt Spring Island Vineyards as well as Gary Oaks, Pender Island is home to Morning Bay and Saturna Island has the scenic Saturna Island Family Estate.

Saturna's micro climate is similar the northern Mediterranean, allowing grapes to benefit from the proximity to mitigating ocean breezes. The nearby sandstone cliffs protect the vines from the north and absorb the sun’s heat to keep the area warmer at night. The sixty acres of vineyards are planted on an ideal plot, giving the estate wines a unique taste that can only be derived from growing on this particular Saturna Island terroir and with this particular climatic influence.

Saturna Island Family Estate Winery was purchased by the Page family in 1994. A man-made lake drawing water from underground springs equips the property with irrigation. The Pages cultivated the land in 1995 and there is now sixty acres of vines including Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Meunier, Gewurztraminer, Merlot and Chardonnay.

The buildings on the property include the old winery which is now a bistro and tasting room built with timber barged over from an 85 year-old horse-barn and finished with reclaimed wood from a warehouse in Vancouver – fitting right into the landscape. From May until September the winery is open daily and the bistro seats 36 in and 48 outside. Boaters can moor at the dock (ten minutes walk from the winery) and lunch on fresh soup, salads, sandwiches and Mediterranean platters leaving often with a few boxes of wine. This time of year call ahead for a weekend tasting if you are in the area, but unfortunately you’ll have to go elsewhere to dine (there’s a local pub and café).

This fall Saturna introduced their new winemaker, Danny Hattingh, who brings his international experience to the table (or cellar as the case may be). Hattingh trained at the Cape Institution and Wine Academy in South Africa. He has worked at Oregon’s well known Domaine Drouhin winery as well as logged time in Stellenbosch at Boschedal and Asara winery. He just finished the first harvest at Saturna and was pleased with the quality of the grapes, although noted that the volume of fruit brought from the vineyard was down from previous years.

If you are planning for a spring weekend or day getaway, Saturna Island is waiting. The BC Ferries and either Harbour or Seair are eager to escort you, and there are many delightful bed and breakfasts to accommodate you. The wine room reopens in May, so be sure to keep that in mind and leave enough time for a wine tasting at Saturna Island Vineyards, and long leisurely lunch once the on site Bistro. It is an experience not to be missed.

This unoaked Chardonnay is made on Saturna Island, with fruit sourced from the Okanagan Valley. The wine exhibits aromas of fresh green apple, citrus and flower. Flavours of apple, lime zest and peach predominate. A perfect companion to fresh BC prawns, BBQ chicken and roasted vegetables.

Okanagan fruit was used in the creation of this ripe Merlot. The nose is filled with black cherry, plum and hints of toasted oak. On the palate there is again black cherry, cassis and spice, with some descent tannins and hints of smoke. The wine would work well with BBQ ribs, roast pork, pasta in tomato sauce, and was ideal this past summer with the winery bistro’s lamb shepherd’s pie.

2007 marks the first year for the highly awaited “Vinsera”; a delicious and rich fortified wine made from 100% Saturna Island estate grown Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. This fortified wine has the typical nutty and butterscotch essences of port wine, with a rounded smoothness and full body. Oak aging enhances the toffee and caramel flavours and aromas. This Vinsera is an excellent accompaniment to cream-based desserts such as berry cheesecake, or classic crème brulee. Vinsera can also be served chilled, and enjoyed with toasted almonds, pecans, and pistachio nuts.

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Food Vancouver Select Guide: Saturna Island Family Vineyards