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EVENT RECAP: Farm Tour and Potluck at Blue Grouse Winery

On August 21st, 2025 a group of farmers, aspiring food growers and wine-lovers gathered at Blue Grouse Estate Winery for a tour and potluck. Nestled amidst rolling hills and wide open fields, Blue Grouse Estate Winery provided a gorgeous location for an evening of good food, good company, and artfully crafted local wine. This event was hosted in partnership with the Cowichan Agricultural Society & Farmer’s Institute, which provides educational and networking opportunities for farmers in the Cowichan Region.

The first commercial wineries on Vancouver Island were established in the 1920’s and predominately focused on fruit wines. Early wineries in the Cowichan Valley were able to expand in the early 1980’s with support from a provincially-funded project, which helped fund trials that aimed to develop grape varieties that were suitable to the region’s short, cool summers. Using the early results of these varietal trials to guide his crop selection, Dr. Hanz Kiltz, and his wife Evangeline, established the first grape vines in 1989 at what is today Blue Grouse Estate Winery.

Today, the spirit of innovative viticulture is continued at Blue Grouse by viticulturist, Felix Egerer, and winemaker Stacy Hornemann. Both Felix and Stacy are excited about growing wine grapes in challenging conditions and supporting efforts towards developing more regionally-adapted grape varietals in the Cowichan Valley.

The evening began with Felix and Stacy sharing some of the history of wine grape growing in the Cowichan Valley, as well as some reflections on the current challenges and opportunities within Vancouver Island’s wine industry.

Just like farmers and ranchers across the region, viticulturists are also having to navigate the challenges that come with increasingly unpredictable climate conditions. The Cowichan Valley in particular has been subject to a series of lengthening drought seasons. For grape growers, this has a marked effect on the ease with which they can establish new vines, the ripening time for fruit on existing plants, and the quality of the grapes that are produced. These conditions, combined with expanding desire for locally-produced products, require  viticulturists and winemakers to be adaptive.

At Blue Grouse, this adaptation has looked like replacing much of property’s original pinot grigio vines with varietals that are more drought-resilient, such as sauvignon blanc or pinot noir. It has also looked like scheduling pruning and trellising work in the early mornings and evenings to ensure that staff are not working during the hottest parts of the day.

Despite the many challenges that the industry faces, Stacy and Felix share a deep love for their work at Blue Grouse and are always keen on trying innovative new techniques for growing wine grapes in one of the westernmost grape-growing regions of BC. Their passion for the industry was evident as we walked through the vibrant rows of carefully-tended vines.

As the tour came to a close, attendees had the opportunity to introduce themselves during an intro circle and learn a bit more about the Cowichan Agricultural Society, Young Agrarians, and the various other farms and food projects that were represented by folks in attendance!

These conversations continued as the evening concluded with a shared potluck dinner, offering a chance for participants to connect, exchange ideas, and celebrate a day well spent on the land. Thanks so much to Felix, Stacy, and all the other folks at Blue Grouse Winery, as well as our co-organizers at the Cowichan Agricultural Society!

Check out Blue Grouse Estate Winery online:

Website:  https://bluegrouse.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluegrousewines/#

UPCOMING VANCOUVER ISLAND EVENTS

  • NOV 8, 2025: DUNCAN, BC – Land Linking Workshop (Save the date!)

More information about this Land Sharing Workshop will be coming soon – keep an eye on the Young Agrarians Events page!

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