We adore this family run, Vancouver Island winery in the beautiful Cowichan Valley. You’re not likely to find a more tranquil setting than Unsworth Vineyards. We are pleased to add Unsworth to our #ShiptoSip campaign encouraging our readers to order wine direct from the winery.
Receive free shipping on orders of cases delivered to Vancouver Island and Lower Mainland locations and a 50% discount on other areas of Canada also on case orders.
For now the restaurant at Unsworth, one we very much enjoy, is doing Take Out, including both a brunch and dinner for Mother’s Day which you can order for pick-up.
Here we present a short list of our very #FavouriteThings for your sipping pleasure.
Charme de L’île 2018
Charme De L’île (charm of the island) is the regional name shared with Vancouver and Gulf Island wineries for the sparkling wines made using the charmat method and representative of the local terroir.
Straw in colour with bright, green apple and citrus, delicate autolytic character and wet-stone minerality. Dry with beautiful balance and a fine, persistent mousse
On sale at $24.00 available online
*Online wine orders must be in multiples of 12, mixed cases are accepted.
Rosé 2018
Coastal BC Pinot Noir Rosé with a classic Provençal profile.
Vibrant, wild strawberries, and delicate, dried herbs with pronounced minerality. This dry Provençal- styled Rosé is wonderful by itself and loves to be paired with Mediterranean fare.
On sale at $22.00 available online
*Online wine orders must be in multiples of 12, mixed cases are accepted.
Allegro 2018
Allegro is a musical term referring to a cheerful, playful and lively tempo. We craft our signature dry and bright white blend with this definition in mind.
Pronounced honey, apple, and ripe peach with animated citrus and pineapple. Nice balance, medium-body and a rich finish.
On sale at $22.00 available online
*Online wine orders must be in multiples of 12, mixed cases are accepted.
Pinot Gris 2018
Elegant and traditional Pinot Gris style, Cowichan Valley expression.
Bright, fresh pear, green apple and citrus with delicate notes of fennel and herbs with distinctively pronounced Vancouver Island minerality.
*Online wine orders must be in multiples of 12, mixed cases are accepted.
Mother’s Day from Unsworth!
Mother’s Day Brunch
Pre-order Before 1pm Saturday May 9th
Available For Pick Up Between 11am-3pm Sunday May 10th
Breakfast Quiche
Bacon, Breakfast sausage, Mushrooms, Spinach, Smoked Cheddar
Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes
Raspberry Compote, Chantilly Cream, Maple Syrup
Fried Green Garlic & Rosemary Potatoes &
House Salad With Lemon Vinaigrette
Selection of Macaroons
Raspberry, Chocolate, Lemon
Comes with a chilled bottle of Sparkling Brut and orange juice to make mimosas.
For Two $50 + tax For Four $90 + tax
Call to order: 250.929.2292 ex 1
Mother’s Day Dinner
Available 12pm-7pm May 10th.
Polenta Fries
Smoked Cheddar, Lemon Paprika Aioli
Selection Of Two Pizza’s Margherita Pizza
Roasted Tomato Sauce, Buffalo Mozzarella, Fresh Basil
Tre Carne Pizza
RoastedTomatoSauce, Lonzino,
Pork & Fennel Mince, Pancetta, Parmesan, Arugula
Fungi Pizza
Mushrooms ,Thyme , Garlic, Haltwhistle Tomme De Vallee
Wicklow Beet Salad
Wicklow Farms Greens, , Pickled Beets, Mixed Nuts, Goat Cheese, Lemon Vinaigrette
Selection of Macaroons
Raspberry, Chocolate, Lemon
Comes with a Bottle of Charme de l’île, Allegro or Gamay Pinot Noir $80 + tax
Call to order: 250.929.2292 ex 1
TEMPORARY HOURS –
FRIDAY-SUNDAY – TAKE OUT ONLY 12-7
Call to order: 250.929.2292 ex 1
Vineyard views, delectable menu, award-winning wines and more.
Welcome to Unsworth Restaurant – a culinary celebration of all-things Vancouver Island. From a seasonally inspired menu showcasing fresh, local, sustainable ingredients, to exceptional service and award-winning wines, we give bold, new meaning to farm-to-table cuisine.
Take it all in.
Located off a picturesque country road winding through the working farms and rolling hills in the heart of Cowichan Valley’s wine country, Unsworth Restaurant is whimsically nestled in a restored early 1900s farmhouse – warm and welcoming with plenty of charm and heritage. Relax and enjoy panoramic views that change with the breezes. Both our dining room and outdoor patio overlook 12 stunning acres of vineyards, an ancient apple and walnut orchard, and our own organic herb and vegetable garden. Also a spectacular setting for intimate celebrations and events.
As local as it gets.
While Cowichan Valley tends to keep a low profile, it’s gaining a reputation as an exciting destination in wine and foodie circles that’s almost definitely local. As Chef Maartyn Hoogeveen and Manager Mark Niven will attest, it’s about simple delights created from local love and ingredients. Over the years, we have fostered relationships with many neighbouring farmers and producers.
THE MENU
Enjoy refreshingly delicious and interesting choices that deliver the essence of casual meets elegant vineyard dining. We offer a selection of small plates for those who prefer smaller portions, or for tables that like to share. We also offer more traditional large plates, featuring bistro classics. And of course, our wine list features award-winning wines from Unsworth Vineyards, as well as a selection of carefully chosen British Columbia wines that mirror our own values in winemaking. Like our menu, the wine list changes with the seasons, creating the perfect balance of food and wine flavors.
Called ‘warm land’ for a reason.
No question, rain is in play on the west coast and a big reason why it’s so green and beautiful, but what makes Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley so special is best said by the First Nations Salish translation of ‘Cowichan’: warm land.
There’s a Mediterranean-like microclimate here that makes grapes (and winemakers) very happy – especially the mild, year-round average temperature that’s warmer than anywhere else in Canada.
As part of our commitment to sustainable vineyard practices, we grow varieties that are suitable for our unique climate and require the least amount of intervention. These include disease tolerant, early ripening varieties that have been developed in the coastal region, for the coastal region.
The perfect collaboration of hand & land.
Committed to making wines that reflect the exceptional soil and growing conditions of the Cowichan Valley, winemaker Dan Wright and his team currently farm 12 acres of grape varieties at Unsworth Vineyards. The oldest block is Marechal Foch, which was planted in 2007 – the grape behind our award-winning Ovation.
In the summer of 2011, several Blattner varieties were planted, which have become big players in the orchestration of our Allegro and Symphony blends.
While wine enthusiasts may initially pause when introduced to these new wine varieties and innovative blends, one taste typically does it. More mainstream Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir were planted in 2013 and will soon supplement grapes grown for us by neighbouring vineyards.
A traditional and artisanal winemaking philosophy.
After harvesting the grapes once the flavours have reached their peak and the tannins are at their softest, that same artisan philosophy is applied to winemaking: taste and instinct reinforced by science and method.
Using leading edge equipment, we roll up our sleeves and diligently tend to every stage of the winemaking process.
Small production by design, we focus on handcrafted wines of distinction using signature Techniques that showcase the very best of the fruit we grow.
Tasting notes, bottle shots, image and information courtesy of the winery.
