Vancouver Island Golf Club and Vineyard Pairings


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Written by James Ellsworth Wednesday, 27 August 2008 12:27

Arbutus Ridge Golf Club and Cherry Point Vineyards, Where the Colours Matter 

Cowichan (Quw’utsum’) means “land warmed by the sun” and the region boasts Canada’s only Maritime Mediterranean climatic zone. That means the golf is fantastic and the combination of warm weather, sufficient rainfall, and rich clay soil allows the growth of unique cool-climate grape varieties. And the colours do matter.

Arbutus Ridge Golf Club is a “green” course with:

·         Audubon Society certification in environmental planning, one of only 7 BC courses to be so designated

·         a Greening Committee which is focusing on making the course more green, i.e., using enzyme-based cleaning products and donating its used vegetable oil to the local bio-diesel cooperative

·         measurements of Carbon Footprints, one of only 5 Canadian courses to do so

·         chef, Cory Pelan is a member of the Island Chefs Collaborative and practitioner of slow food principles, which means “locally acquired and seasonally inspired” (http://cookingresources.suite101.com/article.cfm/slow_food_chefs_victoria_bc).

 

Cherry Point Vineyards, less than 5 minutes away, focus on the reds and whites the Merlot and the unique estate grown, 4th generation Bête Noire are particular varietals to the vineyard its Northwest Wine Summit medal winning Ortega and Pinot Gris, are both estate grown

Add the beauty of the Cowichan Valley and a sojourn in Cowichan Bay and you are provided with a unique “up island experience”, which includes:

·          the Pacific Flyway of migratory birds

·          and the annual September Cowichan Wine and Culinary Festival.

 

Arbutus Ridge Golf Club also offers a package which includes an on site GBC Golf Academy golf improvement program with morning lessons and afternoon rounds plus accommodation at the Oceanfront Grand Resort in nearby Cowichan Bay, less than 10 km. away. The course is home to several tournaments and was voted Best Destination Golf Course in BC in 2006. It certainly lives up to its reputation of a fair, golfer-friendly but strategic course.

 

The best advice off of #1 tee is to aim for snow-capped Mt. Baker and there are several views of the Georgia Strait and Satellite Channel, especially between #3 and #4 and the approach to #9.  The wooded ravines on the right of #7, #9, and #18 will punish any wayward slices. Water on three sides of the long par-3 #17 is a challenge and is one reason it was voted among the top golf holes in BC in 2006.

 

Guests can also satisfy their culinary tastes at the Satellite Bar and Grille which also claims BC’s most scenic patio. Cory Pelan rotates his menu regularly and he has chosen wine pairings using as many BC wines as he can, especially Calona, Red Rooster, Peller Estate, and Cherry Point vintages. He is also known to set up private dining arrangements which may include the Japanese garden and waterfall and to entertain requests for special menus or wines, including Amarone.

 

Cherry Point Vineyards is along the way to Cowichan Bay from Arbutus Ridge. It includes a very generous tasting bar, vineyard tours and a special on-site bistro, with five special wine maker dinners scheduled. The Pinot Noir and Bête Noire are estate grown and the Cowichan Blackberry, made from Cowichan estuary wild blackberries is like an intense fruity sherry which reflects the warmth of the island summer. In fact, it won the bronze medal at the All Canadian Wine Championshps in 2007. The staff is knowledgeable, affable and provide ample opportunity to sample colour, aroma, and taste.

 

The colours of this pairing, golf at Arbutus Ridge Golf Club and wine at nearby Cherry Point, are quintessential green, red, and white and show off the up island experience of Cowichan Valley, a mere 40 minutes from Victoria.

 

By James Ellsworth, a free lance writer living in Victoria, BC who likes to sample wines and golf courses in equal measure.  He also welcomes comments on his articles at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .