Exploring BC’s Best Pinot Noir: An Afternoon of Wine, Discovery and Friendship

On Sunday, October 18, the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Vancouver and the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club (RVYC) came together to determine BC’s Best Pinot Noir.

The annual event is part of an ongoing initiative to offer members of the Chaîne and RVYC a premier wine tasting experience, showcasing the exceptional quality and diversity of British Columbia wines. Each year, members gather to blind taste outstanding examples of a selected varietal, compare their characteristics and discover which wines most appeal to their individual palates.

This year, the spotlight was on Pinot Noir, a grape that has found a particularly welcoming home in British Columbia. Six exceptional wines were selected, each offering a distinctive expression of the province's diverse terroir and winemaking craftsmanship.

Guiding participants through the afternoon were two distinguished wine authorities: Kwon Hyeokjin, Sommelier at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, and Brent Gushowaty, respected wine writer and authority on British Columbia Pinot Noir. Their knowledge, insights and engaging commentary added another dimension to the tasting, helping participants appreciate the subtle differences between the wines and the remarkable achievements of BC's winemakers.

Following a Champagne reception, members and guests gathered in the Club's main ballroom, where six unidentified Pinot Noirs awaited their assessment. Participants were invited to taste each wine, consider its individual characteristics and rank the selections from first to sixth according to one simple criterion: Which wines did they enjoy the most?

The tasting was complemented by carefully selected food pairings, additional wine and lively exchanges of impressions among fellow enthusiasts.

Once the rankings were collected and tabulated, the results were revealed. While all six wines represented outstanding examples of British Columbia Pinot Noir, Little Engine Gold Pinot Noir 2022 emerged as the group's favourite, earning the distinction of BC's Best Pinot Noir for 2026.

The sold-out event was a resounding success, thanks to the enthusiastic participation of members and guests. Many continued the evening with dinner at the Club, enjoying good food, friendship and a spectacular sunset over English Bay.

BC’s Best Pinot Noir was more than a tasting. It was a celebration of the remarkable progress of British Columbia's wine industry and an opportunity to appreciate exceptional wines in equally exceptional company.

We look forward to exploring another of British Columbia's outstanding wine varietals next year.

To accompany the tasting, we had prepared a comprehensive 11-page Pinot Noir Tasting Companion, offering wine enthusiasts a closer look at the producers, vineyards and characteristics behind each selection.

What's Inside the Guide?

The downloadable booklet explores:

• Understanding BC terroir: How the Okanagan's climate, soils, elevation and vineyard exposure shape Pinot Noir.
• Seven distinctive wines: Profiles from Blue Mountain, Carter Wine Company, Little Engine, Martin's Lane, Meyer Family Vineyards, Quails' Gate and Tantalus, including a traditional-method sparkling Blanc de Noir.
• Winemaking insights: The influence of vintage conditions, fermentation, oak aging and vineyard practices.
• Tasting notes and comparisons: A practical reference to help readers appreciate the nuances of each wine.

Whether you're a seasoned wine enthusiast or simply curious about BC's growing reputation for world-class Pinot Noir, this guide offers an informative introduction to the region's diverse expressions of this elegant grape.

Explore the wines, discover the vineyards and deepen your appreciation of British Columbia Pinot Noir.

Download the Complimentary Tasting Guide

Download BC's Best Pinot Noir Blind Tasting Companion (PDF)

Complimentary 11-page PDF | Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Vancouver × Royal Vancouver Yacht Club

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