Just last week, there was a surprise announcement made by the Turyk family of Vancouver Island’s Unsworth Vineyards – they’ve sold their winery to the Banke-Jackson group from California.

Considering global warming and climate change, it should be no surprise that Napa and Sonoma investors are looking northward for opportunities.  This started a decade ago in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, and has continued into the wine regions of Washington state, Canada’s Okanagan, and now Vancouver Island’s new Cowichan Valley Sub-GI.

It’s no small feat to sell a winery, so good on the Turyks.  That said, I’m relieved that there are no changes apparently planned for the foreseeable future.   We can continue to see wines like this Gamay-Pinot Noir blend come from winemaker Dan Wright’s efforts.

The colour is a pretty, translucent ruby with delicate alcohol, and perfumed aromas of field berry with floral meadow and rhubarb.  The palate has lip-smacking acidity and more berry, with ripe cherry, pomegranate, solid white pepper, and a flash of fresh tobacco.

This is a tasty wine -excellent with everything from charcuterie, to salmon, to the lamb croquettes and beet salad I enjoyed it with at the Unsworth restaurant just recently.