Backyard Vineyards
We were proud to feature Backyard Vineyards in April 2024.
Since 2009, Backyard Vineyards has been producing top-quality varietal, blended, and bubbly wines from 100% B.C. grapes grown on-site in their own vineyard in Langley and complemented with fruit selected from the Fraser Valley and South Okanagan. Winemaker, Liam Berti, is committed to producing exceptional wines that showcase the local terroir. Backyard has been recognized for their wines both locally and internationally, winning numerous awards and accolades for their wines including a platinum medal for their 2020 Reserve Syrah.
Wines included in your package:
Enthusiast Red & White: 2021 Reserve Viognier, 2020 Cabernet Merlot
Enthusiast Red Only: 2020 Cabernet Merlot, 2020 Reserve Syrah
Enthusiast White Only: 2022 Pinot Gris, 2021 Reserve Viognier
Expert Red & White: 2022 Pinot Gris, 2020 Cabernet Merlot, 2020 Reserve Syrah
Expert Red Only: 2020 Cabernet Merlot, 2020 Syrah, 2020 Reserve Cabernet Franc
Expert White Only: 2022 Bacchus, 2022 Pinot Gris, 2021 Reserve Viognier
Master Red & White: 2022 Pinot Gris, 2021 Reserve Viognier, 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, 2020 Cabernet Merlot, 2020 Syrah, 2020 Reserve Cabernet Franc
Master Red Only: 2020 Cabernet Merlot, 2019 Noisy Neighbour Red, 2020 Cabernet Franc, 2020 Syrah, 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2020 Reserve Cabernet Franc
Tasting Notes
RESERVE VIOGNIER, 2021
Backyard Vineyards, Fraser Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietal: Viognier (90%), Chardonnay (10%)
Vineyard: Various west Osoyoos vineyards
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 1.8 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 51
Appearance: Pale straw colour.
Nose: Minerally, aromatic honeysuckle and white peach nose.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, peachy-melon flavour with a fine spine of acidity. Lovely mouthfeel.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now and through 2025.
Awards:
Food Pairing: Black pepper beef with udon noodles, grilled lobster tail with smoked paprika butter, orange chicken stir fry, goat cheese crostini with rosemary and almonds, and turkey BLT panini.
CABERNET MERLOT, 2020
Backyard Vineyards, Fraser Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietal: Merlot (57%), Cabernet Franc (30%), Cabernet Sauvignon (13%)
Vineyard: Various Osoyoos vineyards
Alcohol: 13.9%
Residual Sugar: 2.4 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 276
Appearance: Deep purple-ruby in colour.
Nose: Cedary, spicy, blackberry and blackcurrant bouquet with vanilla notes.
Palate: Medium- to full-bodied, dry, richly extracted black fruit flavours supported by ripe tannins, carried on lively acidity.
Quality: 90 – 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Can be opened with pleasure now, but will reward with 1-2 years in cellar.
Awards:
Food Pairing: Chicken with Dijon sauce, balsamic pork chops with deep fried olives, ravioli filled with ricotta and spinach, veggie burger with halloumi and grilled pineapple, and braised lamb shanks with white kidney beans.
PINOT GRIS, 2022
Backyard Vineyards, Fraser Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Pinot Gris
Vineyard: Various west Oliver vineyards
Alcohol: 13.2%
Residual Sugar: 1.8 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 604
Appearance: Pale straw in colour.
Nose: Struck flint, peach pit nose.
Palate: Medium- to full-bodied, dry, peach and lemon flavours, beautifully balanced, with fresh acidity that gives the wine great length.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now and through 2025.
Food Pairing: Aged salami with apricot jam and crackers, mozzarella-stuffed meatballs, chickpea penne with vegan alfredo sauce, jicama salad with grilled shrimp and lobster, and beer-battered fish tacos.
RESERVE SYRAH, 2020
Backyard Vineyards, Fraser Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietal: Syrah (97%), Viognier (3%)
Vineyard: Vineyard in south Osoyoos
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 1.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 198
Appearance: Deep purple colour.
Nose: Intense, peppery, mulberry nose with oak spice.
Palate: Medium- to full-bodied, juicy blackberry flavour with black olive note carried on lively acidity.
Quality: 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drinking well now, but worth holding 1–2 years.
Awards:
Food Pairing: Seared ratatouille skewers, grilled corn-on-the-cob with pepper and parmesan, barbecued herb and garlic sausages, smoky beef stew with blue cheese and chives, and baby back ribs with hoisin sauce.
BACCHUS, 2022
Backyard Vineyards, Fraser Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Fraser Valley
Varietal: Bacchus
Vineyard: Various Fraser Valley vineyards
Alcohol: 12.1%
Residual Sugar: 6.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 490
Appearance: Bright. Very pale straw colour.
Nose: Gorgeous aromatics of honeydew melon, grapefruit, and goldenberry.
Palate: Medium acid, medium- body. Nicely balanced with mouthwatering flavours of gooseberry, mandarin orange, and hints of savoury green herbs.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Scalloped oysters, umami-mayo roast chicken, risotto with asparagus, pulled-pork puttanesca, and roasted tomato tart with goat cheese and olives.
SYRAH, 2020
Backyard Vineyards, Fraser Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietal: Syrah
Vineyard: Various vineyards in Naramata and west Osoyoos
Alcohol: 13.6%
Residual Sugar: 1.4 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 280
Appearance: Deep purple colour.
Nose: Cedary, spicy, peppery, mulberry nose with oak spice.
Palate: Medium- to full-bodied, dry, savoury, blackberry flavour. Well-integrated oak and mouth-freshening acidity.
Quality: 90 – 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Can be opened now, but another year in bottle will enhance the bouquet.
Awards:
Food Pairing: Smoked pork chops with baked apples, braised chicken thighs with tomatillo sauce, peppercorn rib-eye steak with creamed spinach, roasted cauliflower steaks with black lentils, and aged prosciutto with pecorino.
SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2022
Backyard Vineyards, Fraser Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard: Various west Oliver vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 0.4 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 300
Appearance: Bright. Pale straw colour.
Nose: Peach and citrus fruit aromas with a savoury green note.
Palate: Medium+ acid, medium body. Dry, green apple, lemon candy, and lime leaf flavours.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Grilled rosemary chicken with fried zucchini, spicy crab tacos with tequila-lime sauce, raspberry and cheese danish, peach caprese salad, and Greek nachos with hummus and tzatziki.
RESERVE CABERNET FRANC, 2020
Backyard Vineyards, Fraser Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Vineyard in southwest Osoyoos
Alcohol: 14%
Residual Sugar: 1.5 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 171
Appearance: Deep purple colour.
Nose: Cedary, spicy, plum and blackcurrant bouquet.
Palate: Full-bodied, dry, well extracted flavours of black plum and currants. Beautifully balanced with firm tannins and fresh acidity, finishing on a note of bitter chocolate.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Hold for 1-2 years.
Food Pairing: Baked Camembert with soft pretzels, falafel wrap with tahini sauce, French dip sandwich with caramelized onions, roasted rosemary and herb pecans, and grilled hangar steak with Worcestershire sauce.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2021
Backyard Vineyards, Fraser Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA Okanagan Valley
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard: Various east Osoyoos vineyards
Alcohol: 14.3%
Residual Sugar: 0.7 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 318
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Dark garnet colour.
Nose: An intense, smoky bouquet with notes of cherry, savoury green herbs, and menthol.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Notes of black cherry, dark raspberry, smoke, and hints of pepper spice. Good structure with round tannins.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Filet mignon with béarnaise sauce and sautéed asparagus, lamb souvlaki with yogurt dipping sauce, black pepper tofu with sesame bok choy, blackened chicken with roasted sweet potatoes, and rice pilaf with mushrooms.
CABERNET FRANC, 2020
Backyard Vineyards, Fraser Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietal: Cabernet Franc (92%), Merlot (8%)
Vineyard: Various west Osoyoos vineyards
Alcohol: 14.1%
Residual Sugar: 1.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 320
Appearance: Semi-opaque. Bright. Dark ruby red.
Nose: Notes of blackberry, licorice, and black pepper on the nose.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Dry. Luxurious flavours of blackcurrant, a green vegetal note, savoury green herbs, and black pepper. Firm tannins with a pleasant finish.
Quality: 90 – 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Decant and drink now or hold 1-2 years.
Food Pairing: Brisket poutine, butter chicken roti, chorizo and cheddar on a bun, sautéed mushrooms with balsamic vinegar, and jambalaya.
NOISY NEIGHBOUR RED, 2019
Backyard Vineyards, Fraser Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietal: Merlot (42%), Syrah (30%), Cabernet Sauvignon (17%), Cabernet Franc (11%)
Vineyard: Various Okanagan Valley vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 2.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 500
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Ruby red colour.
Nose: Bold aromatics of cherry jam, licorice, green pepper, savoury green herbs, and smoke.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Dry. Well-integrated flavours of black cherry, blackberry, cassis, licorice, and black pepper with grippy tannins.
Quality: 89 – 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Very Good+ / Outstanding. Drink now or hold 1-2 years.
Food Pairing: Pork tenderloin with shallots, figs, and balsamic glaze, pan-seared duck breast with blueberry sauce, lentil Bolognese over mashed potatoes, grilled chicken with thyme and caramelized onions, and olive and gouda skewers.