The Vineyard
Averill Creek Vineyard is located in the heart of Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley, a very cool climate region for BC Wine. The Cowichan Valley is one of BC’s top Pinot Noir growing areas. Nestled between the central range of island mountains and the Inside Passage, it has a proven microclimate for Pinot Noir.
The soil under Averill Creek is Royston-Qualicum (a blend of glacial sand and gravel) which is sloped and well drained, and with a little preparation – perfect for viticulture. A vertical shoot positioning system (Guyot) is used to allow for optimal photosynthesis, air circulation, and ripening.
Averill Creek’s 30-acre vineyard consists of small-lot plantings of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Maréchal Foch, Foch Cabernet, Cabernet Libre, and Merlot. The vineyard team cares for the vine by hand and prunes to yield only 2.5 tons/acre to increase the quality of fruit harvested.
The Winemaker – Brent Rowland
Brent graduated with distinction from the University of Adelaide’s Oenology & Viticulture program in Australia and has worked in renowned wineries such as By Farr in Australia, Calera in California, Escarpment in New Zealand and most recently at Pearl Morissette in Niagara. Now with over 21 international harvests, Brent’s focus is on producing quality Pinot Noir.
“The approach to my winemaking career was quite premeditated. I wanted to focus on Pinot Noir but didn’t want to go to Burgundy to learn a recipe. Instead, I chose to work at estates that I felt were the best at taking the Burgundian philosophy and adapting it to their specific region, make intelligent responses to the environment, while remaining loyal to Burgundian winemaking ethos.”
Brent Rowland
Brent jumped at the opportunity and to move across the country to work with the team at Averill Creek. “I feel that Averill Creek has all the components required to make quality, focused wines with complexity, amazing perfume, poise and restraint.”
Pinot Noir
With a rocky terroir similar to that of Burgundy, the slopes of Mount Prevost produces a perfect Pinot. Averill Creek is undoubtedly one of the leading producers in the area. It’s creator Andy Johnston is a vocal advocate of Cowichan Valley Pinot Noirs which he feels are capable of developing more complexity and subtlety than those in the Okanagan. His Pinot Noirs show a remarkable consistency that demonstrates the balanced and nuanced layers of both dark and red fruits the valley is capable of producing. The first vintage was 2004 and reserve wines have been made in 2009 and 2014.
Click here for a review of Averill Creek vertical tasting 2005-2012 by BCPinotNoir.com.
Averill Creek Pinot Noir 2014
This is a classic cool climate Pinot, edgy, intense yet well balanced. The wine has an aroma of dark berries and violets, subtle meatiness, cinnamon, wood smoke and maturing leather. The silky, medium-bodied palate features rich cranberry, cherry and plum flavours. The finish has well-integrated tannins. Suggested pairings are BBQ Salmon, turkey and lamb.
For the complete Averill Creek BC Wine portfolio please visit the winery website.
Source: Background notes provided by Averill Creek Vineyard.