Backyard Vineyards
We were proud to feature Backyard Vineyards in July 2022.
Since 2009, Backyard Vineyards has been producing award-winning varietals, blended, and bubbly wines from 100% B.C. grapes grown on-site in our own vineyard and complemented with fruit selected from the Fraser Valley and South Okanagan.
Utilizing a perfect blend of art and science, Backyard’s wines are handcrafted to be extraordinary. From big bold reds to bubbly sparkling wines, Backyard puts their pride and joy into every bottle they produce. From cellar to glass, they take great care to create impeccable wines, from their backyard to yours!
Tasting Notes
SOCIAL PINOT GRIS, 2020
Backyard Vineyards, Fraser Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietal: Pinot Gris
Vineyard: Northwest Oliver & Summerland vineyards
Alcohol: 13.3%
Residual Sugar: 1.9 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 698
Appearance: Pale straw in colour.
Nose: Peach pit nose.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, well-balanced flavours of peach and lemon. Well balanced and fresh on the palate.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now and through 2023.
Critic Rating: 90 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Fried mashed potato balls with sour cream, steamed mussels in a creamy white wine sauce, vegetable stir-fry with teriyaki, Mediterranean-style steamed salmon with lemon and fresh herbs, and spicy chicken curry.
SOCIAL CABERNET MERLOT, 2018
Backyard Vineyards, Fraser Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietal: Merlot (39%), Cabernet Franc (34%), Cabernet Sauvignon (27%)
Vineyard: Southwest Osoyoos vineyards
Alcohol: 14%
Residual Sugar: 2.4 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 350
Appearance: Deep purple colour.
Nose: Cedar, blackcurrant and black plum nose with oak spice.
Palate: Full-bodied, dry, savoury blackcurrant and plum flavours; nicely oaked, finishing on ripe tannins.
Quality: Very Good+ / Outstanding. Hold 1 – 2 years.
Critic Rating: 89 – 91 points – Tony Aspler
Awards:
Food Pairing: Wood-fired pizza with your favourite toppings, spaghetti and meatballs with homemade garlic bread, tomato salad with blue cheese and crispy shallots, smoked ribs with honey-barbeque sauce, and barbequed venison steak served with garlic mashed potatoes.
SOCIAL SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2020
Backyard Vineyards, Fraser Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard: Sumac Street Vineyard, Oliver
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 1 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 166
Appearance: Pale straw in colour.
Nose: Grassy, green plum bouquet.
Palate: Medium-bodied, crisply dry, grapefruit, green plum and passionfruit flavours. Elegant and lingering on the palate.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now.
Critic Rating: 90 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Gnocchi with Pomodoro sauce, crab cakes with dill aioli, frutti de mare seafood salad, chickpea fajitas, and sautéed asparagus with butter and parmesan.
SOCIAL SYRAH, 2019
Backyard Vineyards, Fraser Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietal: Syrah
Vineyard: Border Vineyard, Southwest Osoyoos
Alcohol: 13.9%
Residual Sugar: 1.9 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 260
Appearance: Dense purple in colour.
Nose: Smoky, crushed pepper and blackberry bouquet.
Palate: Full-bodied, dry, richly extracted flavours of black fruits with well-integrated oak and mellow tannins.
Quality: Outstanding. Drinking well now, but will reward holding for a couple of years.
Critic Rating: 91 – 93 points – Tony Aspler
Awards:
Food Pairing: Slow-roasted lamb with garlic and rosemary, BBQ bacon burger with gouda and fresh-cut fries, charcuterie board, bruschetta with black olives, and beef brisket served with coleslaw.
SOCIAL GEWÜRZTRAMINER, 2021
Backyard Vineyards, Fraser Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietal: Gewürztraminer
Vineyard: Northwest Oliver & Summerland vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 8 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 298
Appearance: Pale straw in colour.
Nose: Aromatic, orange blossom, lychee nose with a hint of ginger.
Palate: Medium-bodied, just off-dry with flavours of grapefruit and lychee. Classic Gewurz.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now or through 2023.
Critic Rating: 91 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Cheese fondue with fresh apples, sweet and spicy pork tenderloin served over steamed rice, crispy prosciutto di Parma, spicy seafood boil, and Thai red duck curry.
SOCIAL CABERNET FRANC, 2019
Backyard Vineyards, Fraser Valley Buy this wineTasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Border Vineyard, Southwest Osoyoos
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 1.8 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 300
Appearance: Deep purple-ruby in colour.
Nose: Cedary nose of blueberries and blackcurrants.
Palate: Full-bodied, dry, elegant, richly extracted flavours of blueberry and black plum. Firmly structured with powdery tannins carried on fresh acidity.
Quality: Very Good+ / Outstanding. Can be opened now but hold for a year or two to develop the bouquet.
Critic Rating: 89 – 91 points – Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Grilled lamb with mint sauce, garlic herb butter-roasted chicken, baked eggplant parmesan, slow-cooked duck with green olives and Herbes de Provence, and turkey sandwiches with cranberry spread.
RESERVE VIOGNIER, 2019
Backyard Vineyards, Fraser Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietal: Viognier
Vineyard: Webster Vineyard, West Osoyoos
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 1.6 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 85
Appearance: Clear. Bright. Light hay colour.
Nose: Peach, tangerine, lime, white flowers, vanilla, honey.
Palate: Medium acid, medium body. Peach, orange rind, lemon, lime zest, green apple, vanilla, hint of baking spice.
Quality: 90 points. Outstanding.
Awards:
Food Pairing: Mushroom and garlic spaghetti, pad Thai, chicken korma with coconut milk, veal scallopini piccata, and teriyaki tofu.
RESERVE SYRAH, 2018
Backyard Vineyards, Fraser Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietal: Syrah
Vineyard: Border Vineyard, Southwest Osoyoos
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 2.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 179
Appearance: Semi-opaque. Dark ruby colour.
Nose: Dark cherry, blackcurrant, savoury spice, leather, black pepper.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Black cherry, cassis, dark chocolate, savoury green herbs, touch of black pepper.
Quality: 90 – 91 points. Outstanding. Decant well or hold for 2 – 3 years.
Food Pairing: Bison burger with blue cheese, osso bucco, grilled ahi tuna with honey soy sauce, creamy gouda cauliflower bake, and duck confit.
NOSEY NEIGHBOUR RED, 2018
Backyard Vineyards, Fraser Valley Buy this wineGeographical Indication: BC VQA British Columbia
Varietal: Merlot (81%), Cabernet Franc (9%), Syrah (7%), Cabernet Sauvignon (3%)
Vineyard: Various South Okanagan vineyards
Alcohol: 13.8%
Residual Sugar: 2.1 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 500
Appearance: Semi-opaque. Dark garnet colour.
Nose: Red cherry, blackberry, plum, savoury green herbs, hint of menthol.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Red cherry, blackcurrant, blackberry, dark plum, earth. A touch of vanilla, smoke, and black pepper.
Quality: 89 points. Very Good+.
Food Pairing: Grilled chicken breast with avocado salsa, caramelized pork tacos with pineapple sauce, cheesecake with mixed berry compote, baked mac and cheese with bacon, and shrimp jambalaya.