The Beaufort Vineyard and Estate Winery recently brought 27 medals home to the Comox Valley from the International Wine Challenge in London, England, the All Canadian Wine Championships (ACWC) and the NorthWest Wine Summit (NWWS).
Beaufort, owned and operated by Susan and Jeff Vandermolen, is in its eighth year of operation.
The International Wine Challenge (IWC) refers to itself as the world’s most prestigious and influential independent wine competition and is held annually in London, England.
“We believe it is one of the toughest competitions to get an award in, as the judging process is very stringent. We are therefore extremely pleased to receive any sort of medal there”, says Beaufort’s winemaker Susan.
Beaufort was one of only two B.C. wineries, the other being Poplar Grove, to get a medal of any kind for a 2010 vintage red wine.
The All Canadian Wine Championships (ACWC) was established in 1981, is held annually in Windsor, Ont., and is the oldest and largest competition created specifically for Canadian wines.
“This competition for Canadian wine producers, might be like the Junos to Canadian musicians," says Jeff. "It is very difficult to medal, so to receive any award here is an honour — and to bring home seven is humbling.”
Of the 14 Vancouver Island wineries that entered wines in the All Canadians, Beaufort received seven of 11 medals awarded for grape wines.
The NorthWest Wine Summit is held annually at Hood River, Ore., is open to all types of wines and spirits made or produced in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, Alberta and British Columbia.
“All of our wines have been judged alongside our U.S. counterparts for the past two years," explains Susan. "In 2012, we picked up medals for every wine we entered (eight) and were in the running for Winery of Distinction. This year we picked up medals for 19 of 20 entries, so needless to say we are overwhelmed.”
“Of course it is a great feeling to receive these awards for our wines, however we believe that it proves we can craft consistently high quality, world-class wines, year-on-year, right here in the Comox Valley — and offer it at a reasonable price," adds Susan. "Special thanks to our loyal customers, but also to everyone who supports their local producers.”
Susan and Jeff would also like to pass along their congratulations to all the other Vancouver Island, and British Columbia, Wineries who have shown well at recent wine competitions around the globe. “We are proud to have established the first winery in the Comox Valley, and set the bar for new entrants, but are equally proud to be part of the rapidly growing wine and culinary sector, which is an increasingly important contributor to our local and provincial economies,” Jeff comments.
Results from the recent NorthWest Wine Summit (NWWS), held in Hood River, Ore., have not yet been released, but those results will be posted on the Beaufort Winery website when they become available. Details of all Beaufort Winery awards can be found on their website at www.beaufortwines.ca/pages/wineshop.
— Beaufort Vineyard and Estate Winery