Wine Event 2024: Tofino Oyster Fest

Effingham Oysters Love BC Sparkling Wine at Tofino Oyster Fest 2023

​"With a delicate balance of brininess, sweetness, and a subtle cucumber-like finish, Effingham Pacific Oysters showcase the terroir of their cool, coastal region. These oysters are renowned for their exceptional taste imparted by the nutrient-rich Barkley sound, and the waters in which they are grown. As a wine gal and East Coast oyster lover, I was pleasantly surprised by these West Coat gems. To learn more about Effingham oysters and a couple of wine pairings, read on. 

Tofino in November

When you think of Tofino in November, what comes to mind? If it's rainy, stormy days, hemmed in by a grey horizon, where the beach is best enjoyed from a dry outlook, perched high above with a warm fire, then history might be on your side. This past November, however, on the occasion of the Tofino Oyster Fest, we had blue sky and  sunshine that afforded long beach walks and plenty of outdoor enjoyment. It completely debunked the myth for me that storm watching is the only reason to visit Tofino in the winter. Despite the overnight temperatures that drifted below freezing the first few nights, the days warmed up to 10C. Sunshine from 8 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon amplified the light that bounced off the emerald waves, the golden beach and endless blue horizon. If that wasn't enough, the full moon rose over the beach filling the skies with light, giving access to parts of island rocks that usually remain submerged. It was a chance to explore colorful sea creatures and starfish that attach themselves to the rock bluffs on Mackenzie beach. These were rare moments that will always be associated with my new Tofino memories.  

---

Oyster Fest 2023

After the Covid Hiatus, the Tofino Oyster Fest is back. This three day event kicked off with a dress up party Friday, a Saturday evening Gala and a Sunday evening shucking contest. While it's role is to host "shuckers" from the Pacific North West to compete for a qualifying position at the "Worlds", the unique part of the festival is guest participation on all three days. I attended Saturday evening which was an opportunity to sample oyster creations from a dozen of Tofino's finest food establishments. The highlight was to taste and score the oyster offerings. Congratulations to "The Shed" - the winner in 2023.

Awards handed out at Tofino Oyster Fest 2023

The doors to the Tofino Community Center opened promptly at 7 pm Saturday eve. The room was  dressed in bright lights, a dozen food stations, two bars and a stage with a DJ spinning. The voices and music blended into songs of joyful celebration. The Charme de l'Isle from Unsworth Vineyards was flowing as we started our tasting in the coat check area where strategically we met and sampled The Shed, the first of many tastes that night. After an hour of tasting and contemplating we handed over our forms and more frivolity and tasting resumed along with refills of more delicious BC wine. By 9:30 pm, a hush came over the crowd just long enough to hear the winners announced. Then the dancing resumed. The party roared on into the night, filled with energetic locals and tourists alike, enjoying each other, the oysters and Tofino all at once. Shuttles offered safe rides home for everyone which made for a great evening and successful event.

Effingham Oysters are Effing Good

If you ask me to recommend an oyster, I always answer Malpeque. East Coast oysters are second to none and have been for a couple decades now. When you live on the west coast and only eat east coast oysters you might be considered an oyster snob. While I have to admit that East Coast oysters tend to cost almost double, the reason I like malpeques is the flavour profile and not the price. But then, in 2023 after a visit to Tofino Wine & Dine and then the BC Seafood Festival, I tasted Effingham Oysters. Wow. The flavours of sweet, saltiness that finishes clean with no metallic hints and no creaminess was perfect. Effingham oysters remind me very much of Malpeques and now if you ask me - you guessed it - the best west coast oyster is Effingham. Full stop.

What's the shuck? Effingham Oysters!

Effingham oysters are Pacific oysters (crassostrea gigal), that come from the Effingham Inlet in the heart of Barkley Sound, a part of the Broken Group Islands to the north of Vancouver Island. Effingham oysters vary in size with a 4 inch shells being optimum for the "raw" experience. Flavours of these oysters change with influences like time of year, depth of habitat and available plankton in the water column. Mica started growing oysters in Effingham Inlet in Barkley Sound in 2013. Over the last decade he has expanded our farms into other areas of Barkley Sound, Ritherdon Bay, San Mateo Bay and established relationships with harvesters in Useless Inlet. These are now all branded as "Effingham Oysters". Effingham Oysters can be purchased from this online store or picked up in Port Alberni. ​

BC Sparkline Wine Makes a Great Pairing 

Can we get to the good stuff? One of the best pairings for oysters is Champagne. But I'm not in France and in fact am happy to celebrate the growing popularity of BC bubbles. Here are two styles that I enjoyed at Tofino Oyster Fest that went well with the tasty and creative bites of Effingham oysters that we tasted and scored. ​

Unsworth Vineyards, Charme de l'Isle $29.90

Considered by many to be island Prosecco, Charme de l'Isle is a refreshing bubble made from estate fruit of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and a touch of Sauvignette (white hybrid grape) and made in the charmat method (tank). It's fruity nose, fresh balance of acidity and alcohol provide a balanced and delicious sip. The close proximity that Unsworth has to the Pacific Ocean (3 kms) seems to influence wine with a saline quality. Can you smell the salty air? Lower alcohol at 11% abv is part of the secret to the great balance of this sparkler. It's also priced right. If you have the chance to visit Cowichan Valley Wine Country, stop by Unsworth Vineyards for a tasting room and restaurant visit. You will not be disappointed.  

Nichol Vineyards, 2022 Blanc de Noir, Extra Brut $40

This fantastic bubble is made by Matt Sherlock from estate fruit at Nichol Vineyard on the Naramata Bench. It's made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier with a note that Pinot Meunier is a rarer variety in the Okanagan Valley. Extra Brut means the sweetness factor is at or below 6 grams per litre of residual sugar guaranteeing a racy, dry profile. It is considered a rosé because of the delicate pink hue, clear and bright. Magically clear yet unfined and unfiltered. At 11.5% abv, it contains slightly less alcohol than your favorite Champagne, but has excellent balance of freshness, texture, flavours and a great finish. From the 2022 vintage, which is now coveted for it's forest fire free summer, this is very small batch and limited in its availability. Call the winery or check in with your favorite private wine shop to see if you can secure a bottle. 

What to Pack, Where to Stay?

View of the Best Western Tin Wis from Mackenzie Beach as we watch the full moon rise.

If you go to Tofino in November, bring hiking boots, wool socks, a down filled coat, and plenty of layers to help you take advantage of the daily temperature fluctuation. Don't forget a bathing suit for cold plunging at 3 pm. Sunglasses and a hat for beach walks are a necessity and of course, bring along your smart phone to capture the natural beauty of both beach and forest that lie next to each other what is considered one of the most unique ecosystems in the world. 

If you love sunsets, then you'll love the Best Western Tin Wis on Mackenzie Beach. The rate was great for a room with 2 queen beds, full bathroom, and endless ocean views with glass sliding doors that opened to a full patio. The resort is right on the beach. Breakfast is included although options for good coffee are either at Tofitian (near Tacofino) or Rhino Coffee (great donuts) in Tofino proper. For dinner: JeJu Korean (great value); Wolf in the Fog (fantastic multi-course); Shelter (feels like Cactus Club at the Marina); and  The Pointe at the Wickaninnish Inn (other worldly exclusive). 

For an all day beach walk, enter the Pacific Rim National Park at Incinerator Rock or the main entrance further south, buy an all day pass and head through the short forest walk to the beach. 

Sunset over the beach island rocks on Mackenzie Beach

Thank you for reading. Will I see you at Oyster Fest 2024? Please leave a comment below if you liked the story and share it with your wine loving friends. Thanks to Tourism Tofino for providing tickets to the Saturday event. It was a blast. See you next time.