Westview U-Vin U-Brew, a winemaking facility in the qathet region, has recently expanded its operations to include locally sourced aromatic whites for the connoisseur and curious alike.
Owner Jeremy East is intimately involved in every step of the process, from harvest to crush, promising a final product with quality and character.
“We’ve done a whole lot of trials and expansions, and now we’re getting some more consistent product, and this vintage is actually looking pretty darn good,” explains East.
Aromatic whites are sourced from a local grower in Wildwood.
“She has a small vineyard, two or three acres under vine right now, and is expanding,” he adds.
East collaborates closely with the vineyard owner on everything from planting to harvest, and the partnership is paying off.
“She does a fantastic job, and anytime she has questions, I can help with input,” says East. “We’ll continue to procure fruit from them as long as they’re willing to sell it.”
The wines, all aromatic whites, come in 15-bottle batches and are customizable for sweetness levels. East describes the wines as robust, extremely aromatic varietals exploding with flavour.
Preorders begin this week. Harvesting started last weekend and will continue for the next couple weeks as different varietals ripen.
“For the consumer, it’s about understanding their palate; everyone's palate is different. We offer the ability to tailor products to the customer.”
In addition to Westview U-Vin U-Brew, East has founded Appellation Consulting, a new venture offering services such as bar service, private wine tastings and large-scale events. It also includes a unique mobile crusher unit that can process fruit directly in customers’ yards.
“We saw a need for people to process their own fruits, and not everyone has the necessary equipment,” explains East. “We can process 100 pounds of fruit per hour, so we make it convenient for people to turn their excess produce into something useful.”
One of the company’s underlying principles is sustainability. Leftovers are sent to farms for feeding livestock or composting.
“All of our extras go back to the soil where it belongs,” he adds. “It’s an untapped resource, and we’re putting it to good use.”
For East, the quest for the perfect wine doesn’t stop. He plans to further his wine education, building on his already impressive resume.
“I have completed my intermediate sommelier and certified WSET Level 2 and will take Level 3 in the spring. The more I go down that road, the better and easier it becomes for our consumers.”
He gave a sneak peek into upcoming limited-release launches through WineXpert, where five select wines from some of the world’s most distinguished wine-growing regions are available for purchase as a kit. The wines can be reserved until November 12, and each offers a signature pairing recommendation.
Bobal Cabernet Sauvignon from Valencia, Spain: A medium-bodied red wine featuring a fruity palate and silky tannins. It’s well-suited for hot, dry climates and pairs well with skillet steak.
Winemaker's Blend from Italy: An off-dry, light-medium-bodied wine that combines varietals from various Italian regions. It offers a vibrant tapestry of fruit flavours and pairs nicely with pancetta egg pasta.
Nebbiolo from Lodi, California: A full-bodied red with strong tannins, fruit and floral undertones. It pairs well with prosciutto and olive pizza.
Semillon Sauvignon Blanc from Provence, France: A medium-bodied, dry white wine with citrus and grassy aromas. It is good for pairing with shrimp curry.
Tempranillo Shiraz from Riverland, Australia: A full-bodied, dry wine rich in fruit and spice that pairs well with smoky chorizo and chicken chili.
To reserve bottles of locally grown white wine or limited edition wine kits, email [email protected], call 604.485.0345, or stop by the store at #2-7030 Glacier Street.
