Wine lovers can sip to their hearts' content at Langley's increasingly well-regarded, and award-winning wineries. Rainfall is reportedly 30 percent less in this region than in nearby Vancouver, which creates an excellent microclimate for Langley's lush vineyards.
Fort Wine Co
Located 5km/3.1mi east of Fort Langley in Glen Valley, the Fort Wine Co (26151 84th Ave) has specialized in fruit table wines and dessert wines since 2001. Housed in a Wild West saloon-style building, the winery is surrounded by farmland and cranberry bogs, from which it harvests the berries for its tart Mighty Fraser red cranberry wine and dry Ghost of the Bogs white cranberry wine. Strawberry, blueberry, and apple table wines are also available.
Chatting with the personable proprietors is almost as much fun as enjoying a tasting at the bar crafted from 100-year-old Douglas fir.
Domaine de Chaberton
Domaine de Chaberton (1064-216 St) is the Fraser Valley's oldest and biggest winery, occupying 55 acres and producing 47,000 cases of wine a year. Established in the early 1980s, it grows six varietals of cold climate grapes on site. In the chandeliered, tile-floored tasting room, savour Domaine de Chaberton's signature Bacchus white wine, whose fruity Riesling-style flavours captured a gold medal at the 2007 Tasters Guild's 21st International Wine Judging. Shop for wine, gift baskets, and glassware.
The on-site Bacchus Bistro dishes up French-inspired cuisine with West Coast ingredients, such as Salt Spring Island mussels with Dijon mustard. Check Domaine de Chaberton's website for hours of operation.
Township 7 Vineyard and Winery
Since 2001, Township 7 (21152 16th Ave) has built up its reputation with a line that includes flavourful, balanced versions of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon, Merlot, and Syrah. Reflecting Langley's reputation as a horseback riding mecca, the wine shop charmingly resembles a stable from the exterior. Township 7's wines recently won two gold medals, one silver medal, and one bronze medal at the 2009 Kelowna Wine Festival.
Vista D'Oro Farms & Winery
Traditional techniques and old world values that go into producing Vista D'Oro's artisanal preserves are also used in their hand-crafted wines on this 10ac farm. Made in small batches, their flagship fortified walnut wine, 2007 D'Oro, and Pinot Noix (a blend of North and Central Okanagan Pinot Noir and Fraser Valley Green Walnuts macerated in brandy) are a must-try in the tasting room. Proprietor Patrick Murphy's walnut wine comes from a French family recipe that dates back to 1796 - Vin de Noix is still consumed in France as an aperitif.
More Wineries
More wineries and tasting rooms are slated to launch in Langley in 2009. Inquire at the Visitor Centre in Fort Langley (9234 Glover Rd) for advice on self-guided wine tours.