Famous filmmaker James Cameron is the 'high profile' buyer of Beaufort Vineyard and Estate Winery.
Although Beaufort's new manager Mark Timmermans couldn't give many details Wednesday, he confirmed Cameron is the new owner.
"James Cameron wants to carry on with the work that (Beaufort's founders) Susan and Jeff (Vandermolen) have started, and really carry on working with the community and producing great wine in the Comox Valley," said Timmermans, adding he expects more details will be released by Cameron sometime in the next few weeks.
The sale of the successful winery and vineyard closed on Feb. 6 and Timmermans just started his position at Beaufort on Friday.
Jeff told the Comox Valley Record last week that he and Susan — who started Beaufort in 2006 — will stay on at the award-winning winery and vineyard as winemakers and consultants for at least the next year.
Although Jeff couldn't say who the new 'high profile' owner was last week, he said that the buyer had purchased several other properties, too, and that they plan to develop a "sizeable agribusiness" in the Comox Valley.
Timmermans was unable to confirm Wednesday whether other Comox Valley properties were purchased by Cameron.
Cameron is a famous director, producer, writer and editor, whose successes include multi-award-winning movies Avatar and Titanic, among many others. He is also an ocean explorer and environmentalist.