A Nosey Neighbour may be an unwelcome intrusion in your neighbourhood, but in wine-drinking circles it's embraced. In fact, it's the name of Backyard Vineyards' signature varietal – a great conversation starter, the perfect dinner companion, and equally delightful on its own. Not to mention, the life of the party. And what's a party without Gossip, the newest addition to their line of blended wines.
You may be surprised to learn that top-quality VQA wines are being produced in Vancouver's backyard. Located in Langley just 45 minutes outside the city, Backyard Vineyards handcrafts, ages and bottles all of their wines on-site. The winery works with growers from the Okanagan Valley and the Fraser Valley region, and also has its own five-acre vineyard on the estate where Pinot Noir grapes are grown for the award-winning NV Blanc de Noir Brut.
"Once the grapes arrive from the Okanagan they get processed immediately, there's no waiting," says Felicity Holmes, winery manager. "Everybody wears many hats, from bottle washer to picker – we're a hands-on unique team so everyone appreciates what's gone on in making the product."
While relatively new in the B.C. winery industry, Backyard Vineyards have made a splash and can be found, often on tap, at theatres, restaurants and bars throughout the Lower Mainland and beyond. Their tasting room is modern yet welcoming, industrial yet cozy, and large enough to fit many groups looking for either a tasting flight or something more long lasting, such as the tasting plates, specially designed to match their wines. Take one of these delicious dishes and a bottle of their Neighbour White to the outdoor patio in the summertime.