Cherry Point Estate Wines is located in a pastoral setting of rolling green fertile hills and majestic softwood rainforests in the Cowichan Valley. Mediterranean growing seasons and mild maritime winters make it the most important agricultural area on Vancouver Island. This is British Columbia’s newest wine-growing region. Xavier and Maria Bonilla purchased the winery in 2010.
The grapevines at Cherry Point were established in 1990 when the founders purchased 34 acres on a former mink ranch a few miles south of Cowichan Bay. The vineyard was planted with 14 different varietals suited to the island’s soil and climate. Cherry Point Estate Wines became one of the first licensed wineries on Vancouver Island.
The vineyard is planted on a glacial moraine, a gravel and stony hill, rich in minerals on top of the surrounding clay soils. South-facing slopes provide ideal drainage and solar exposure. A large pond catches the winter rain as it runs down the vineyard’s sloping hills and the mineral-enriched water is judiciously irrigated back onto the vines.
Today the vineyard is one of the largest on Vancouver Island. White varieties include Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Ortega, Siegerrebe, and Epicure. Red varieties are Pinot Noir, Zweigelt, Cabernet Libre, Agria, and Castel.
Solar exposure and ocean air circulation are fundamental elements in determining Cherry Point’s terroir. The farm is managed to reflect the character of the land, with the resulting flavours and aromas that give Cherry Point’s wines their uniqueness.
Winemaker
Liam Kidner is the winemaker at Cherry Point Estate Wines. He graduated in winemaking from the University of California, Davis. Liam has previous winemaking experience with Spearhead Winery in Kelowna and Chaberton Estate Winery in Langley.
2022 Harvest
The Wines
Cherry Point Pinot Gris 2022 ($29)
Pale yellow with lovely citrus fruit and spicy bouquet, juicy pineapple, mandarin orange and pink grapefruit flavour notes on the palate, with a long honeyed finish.
Delightful with poached salmon and white sauce, pasta primavera and crisp shavings of Parmigiano Reggiano from Italy.
Cherry Point Ortega 2022 ($30.80)
The Cherry Point classic is a pale straw colour and displays aromas of grapefruit and apricot with underlying floral notes, typical of the varietal. A full palate of ripe peach lingers with balanced acidity.
Pairs well with risotto, pasta and chicken.
Cherry Point Pinot Noir Reserve 2020 ($33)
Produced from a single vineyard block that was carefully tended to during the spring to ensure early ripeness. This Pinot Noir was aged in old oak barrels for nearly three years and has big cherry aromas with raspberry hints and clean cedar undertones. A silky mouth-feel is brimming with cherry, strawberry and raspberry flavour notes.
It is a perfect wine to pair with smoked salmon, roast beef or any favourite West Coast dinner.
Cherry Point Solera ($45)
Solera is produced by taking the Cowichan Blackberry Dessert Wine and gently applying the special Solera ageing process. It gives the wine time to age in barrels, making it elegant and smooth, combining delicate wood notes and rich mellow fruit. The process started in 2004.
It’s a very special wine. Plenty of fig, date, cigar, and whisky is on the nose. Great texture and excellent raisin flavours are produced. Long finish.
For the complete listing of Cherry Point Estate Wines, visit the winery website.
Note: Winery background and tasting notes provided by Cherry Point Estate Wines.