Comox Valley’s own Blue Moon, Beaufort and Coastal Black Wineries take the medal podium yet again, bringing home a total of 38 medals from the 2012 All Canadian Wine Championships, 2012 NorthWest Wine Summit,
2012 SavorNW Wine Awards and the 2012 Finger Lakes Wine Competition.
The All Canadian Wine Championships, established in 1981 are held annually in Windsor, Ont., and is the oldest and largest competition created specifically for Canadian wines. Each spring, all commercial wineries
across Canada are invited to submit their very best wines for judging.
The NorthWest Wine Summit, is held annually in Oregon, and is open to all types of wines and spirits made or produced in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. This
competition attracts entries from over 1,100 wineries.
Established in 2000, the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition held annually in Rochester, NY, attracts commercial wines from around the world. It is
also the world’s largest charitable wine competition.
The SavorNW Wine Awards are designed to showcase Northwest wines and promote awareness of Pacific Northwest wine regions. SavorNW is a professional
single-blind judging of wines produced in the Pacific Northwest.
Asked how he felt about this recent success of Comox Valley wineries, George Ehrler, winemaker and co-owner of Blue Moon Winery, said, “Of course we are thrilled to have received this recognition for our Blue Moon wines; 10 medals is something to be proud of, particularly given the number of
extremely high-quality wineries and the wines represented.
“But we are also very happy for the other Comox Valley wineries that showed well. It demonstrates that our new wine region is on its way to taking
our place amongst the top Vancouver Island and B.C. wineries.”
Susan and Jeff Vandermolen, co-owners and winemakers of the Beaufort Vineyard & Estate Winery, located in the Comox Valley, brought home a total
of 12 medals including four gold.
Jeff noted, “Beaufort was also recognized as one of three B.C. wineries in the running for Winery of Distinction in the 2012 NorthWest Wine Summit, based on overall performance in the competition — we earned a place right up there with
Burrowing Owl so that’s good company to be in”!
Abel O’Brennan, owner and wine maker at Coastal Black, has brought in 16 awards in 2012.
“We couldn’t be more excited! It is such a wonderful affirmation for a winery that has only been open for two years to receive the medals we
have.
“It is so great to be bringing international medals into the Comox Valley. It speaks volumes about the wonderful product that is
available throughout our region!”
Ehrler added, “Competitions are important not only for the wineries, but for the regions they represent. These recent awards are a reaffirmation that our Comox Valley wineries continue to be on the right track, and are again proving that there is something very special going on in the Comox Valley from a food, wine
and culinary perspective.”
George concludes, “We’re extremely happy and fortunate to be living in the Comox Valley. This region produces some of the highest quality, and diverse, aqua and agricultural products
in the world.
“Our fabulous local restaurants are supporting these local producers by serving up these high quality local products, and they are truly making their mark as culinary hot-spot. Thanks again to all those people and businesses who support their local producers, but especially to the people in the Comox Valley and Vancouver Island who
keep coming back.”
Check out these award-winning wineries at:
• www.bluemoonwinery.ca;
• www.beaufortwines.ca;
• www.coastalblackwinery.ca.
