Zanatta Damasco Winery of Vancouver Island deserving of accolades

Dear Wine Ladies

In your Friday November 6, 2009 24 Hours newspaper column a question was asked about the white wine Zanatta Damasco as well as the Averill Creek Pinot Noir, both from Vancouver Island.

Dear Wine Ladies

In your Friday November 6, 2009 24 Hours newspaper column a question was asked about the white wine Zanatta Damasco as well as the Averill Creek Pinot Noir, both from Vancouver Island. Although you went into great detail describing Averill Creek, very little was said about Zanatta Winery. They deserve top billing as well, as they were the first vineyard on Vancouver island and produce some amazing wines. Is there any chance of you expanding on Zanatta a little for us too.

Kim

Dear Kim,

Thanks for your question, we are always pleased to hear what’s on our reader’s minds and we would be happy to oblige.

Indeed Zanatta Winery is a major player on Vancouver Island and deserves great recognition as well as accolades for their wines and their accomplishments. The winery is located in the Cowichan Valley
and is a part of a 120 acre farm of which approximately 30 acres are planted with vines with the remaining 90 acres devoted to old fruit orchards, pasture, hay fields and forest. The Zanatta family has been producing wines since 1990, first from their original 5 acres which were planted in 1986 and then from the additional 25 acres, which is comprised of a variety of grapes including Pinot Grigio, Pinot Nero, Muscat and Madeleine x Sylvaner just to name a few. All of Zanatta’s wines are made exclusively from the fruit of their own vineyards, allowing the terroir and the character of the site to be reflected in every bottle. The winery has a particular affinity to producing sparkling wines, several in the traditional method of Champagne including one made from Pinot Gris, a popular varietal, called Fatima Brut, as well as a rose, of which we are fans, they call Allegria Brut Rose.

The winery also boasts a wonderful restaurant and wine bar called Vinoteca, located in the family’s 1903 farm house, which has been restored and reflects both the simplicity of country life, as well as the personal touch of its creator, Ileana Zanatta.

For more information and wine availability please visit www.zanatta.ca