Happy Anniversary Morning Bay Vineyard

I wandered over to Pender Island’s own Morning Bay Vineyard on Saturday to join in the celebrations — co-founders Barbara Reid and Keith Watt put on a party to celebrate the winery’s 5th Anniversary.

We were treated to some new wines and enjoyed some great food and music.  Congratulations to Keith, Barbara and staff — and thanks for putting on the party!

Here`s Barbara preparing herself to receive the masses at the tasting table.  Barbara and Keith presented us with 3 Fifth Anniversary Releases on the day:

2009 Morning Bay Bianco – An aromatic blend of 5 grapes grown here on Pender.  I took a bottle of this fresh taste/smooth finish home with me.  Howard and I enjoyed it with some wings, asparagus and garlic scapes from the charcoal grill.  Keith recommends pairing this with local seafood — the grapes are grown seaside, after all.

2009 Morning Bay Chiaretto – Described as crushed strawberries in a glass. A blend of 3 Pender grown grapes, made in a Blanc-de-Noir fashion (white wine from red grapes).  This is not that Kool-Aid blush wine from the 80`s, a la Crockett and Tubbs — it`s a seriously enjoyable wine.

2006 Morning Bay Syrah – A rich barrel-aged red wine in the Rhone fashion.  Smokey Oak and savoury spice.  A recommended pairing for barbecued meats.

Chef Seamus from Birdie`s Bistro at The Pender Island Golf & Country Club was in charge of the day`s food.  Flank steak and local lamb fresh off the grill, vegetable sides full of flavour and foccacia to scoop everything up.  Delicious, if just a bit messy…(we`re on Pender after all — disposable cutlery is frowned upon…)

Here`s the winery barrel room, complete with piano.  Weddings, dinner parties, art exhibits and musical benefits have all been held among the barrels…

Here’s one section of the vineyard…apparently, Keith and Barbara have been doing some wishful dreaming with regards to taking off on the open water…perhaps they’ve had enough of tying off the vines!

I hope not, because they are wonderful hosts and we sure wouldn’t want to lose them…perhaps you will join me next year for anniversary #6?

Until then, check their website for tasting and tour information.