Fraser Valley Wine Trail: Women, Wine and a Weekend Away

Langley Wine Trail:
Township 7 & Chaberton Estate

​​It’s Friday and I’m restless and dreaming of summer wine adventures. The gray skies of February have worn me down. And just like that a spark flashes. Wait, wine is only 20 minutes away. Why not check out the local vineyards and discover the quality of the experience and the wine. It’s possible that you might meet a few women in wine and be able to talk about sustainability. It turned out that my adventure begins in Langley at Township 7 Vineyards & Winery and finished at Chaberton Estate Winery, only 4 minutes away. The recommendation below is  waiting for every lower mainlander to take advantage of and come away with expert knowledge, a few bottles and strong confidence that this is “good wine” and great value. It's only two stops and can be accomplished in less than a day. Bottle recommendations included.

Meet the crew at Chaberton Estate Winery with 40 year old vines in the background.

I grew up in Abbotsford. At eighteen, I couldn’t wait to leave. The world felt bigger than the Fraser Valley, and I was determined to see it. I studied wine formally in 2012 - 2017, earning my Diploma through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, after which I travelled, and immersed myself in wine. I discovered and tasted the terroir of the most exciting places in France, Italy, Spain and Portugal, Hungary, Austria, Australia and the USA.

What I did not study was BC wine. It wasn’t on the curriculum. It wasn’t referenced in textbooks. This new world region wasn’t considered a serious wine country. No surprise then that the Fraser Valley wine scene remained under the radar. The only reference to Canada's wine regions was with reference to - you got it - “Icewine” and Ontario got a longer paragraph. LOL.

Wine regions evolve. Technology advances. Vineyard practices sharpen. Palates change, including my own. Today, the Fraser Valley is producing high quality, award-winning wines that deserve more than an eye roll or a dismissive glance. I hope you will share my enthusiasm. AND. Women are shaping that evolution of the Fraser Valley too. You could say, I’ve come full circle. ​

First Stop: Township 7 Vineyards & Winery — Bubbles, Whites & Reds

If you have not been following, Township 7 is building a sparkling wine program, winning awards like Top 50 BC Wines and crushing it with their Sirius Brut and Blanc de Blanc. Cool climate means acidity. Acidity means structure. And structure is what makes Traditional Method sparkling wine shine and leans into fresh oysters or a patio afternoon overlooking the lake.

Their Seven Stars program is not simply sparkling for the sake of having bubbles. These are wines built with intention. The 2017 Seven Stars Sirius (100% Chardonnay, 21 months on lees) shows fine persistent bubble, juicy citrus spine and layered complexity — the kind of bottle that reminds you why cool climate matters. So too does the the master creating the blend that will be foundational to the house style.

Winemaker Mary McDermott brings decades of crafting wine with technical clarity and confidence to the cellar. While the vineyard in the Fraser Valley is only 3 acres, it demands vigilance. Rainfall and mildew pressure remain constant threats. Sustainable practices aren’t optional here; they are necessary for long-term viability.

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Step into the tasting room and feel the elegance. It’s pure white. You'll no doubt be greeted by Kristina Trotzuk - wine club manager and Erica McCarthy - vineyard manager. These hosts will make you feel welcome whether you choose counter culture of standing and sipping works, or a seated experience like Saber & Sip. At $30 per person, Saber & Sip gives plenty to taste and an explosive, exhilarating moment. If you have not held a saber or had the experience, look no further. Sabrage is an art. It will change all future celebrations, not to mention your keen appreciation of world class bubbles. It's all in how you hold your tongue. Just kidding.
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Bubbles are the only sip worthy of tasting. I loved the Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc and so many more. There is no doubt that you will find everything you dreamed of right here at Township 7. Go. Taste. ​

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​Second Stop: Chaberton — Old Vines and Resilience

Meet winemaker Gary Zhygailo and assistant winemaker Simi Bering

​A short 4 minute drive from Township 7 brings you to Chaberton Estate Winery, the Fraser Valley’s longest-standing estate winery. Here, Vitis Vinifera were planted in the early 80s. The vineyard is now 42.5 acres in size, 40 years old and still driving change and innovation in the BC wine industry. I had called ahead and was greeted like a celebrity. The winter blues had subsided at Township 7 and now completely vanished. 

After shaking hands with GM Brian, Winemaker Gary and Assistant Winemaker Simi, Vineyard manager Alex arrived. The tasting and conversation began with this team in earnest. The tasting was extensive and included sparkling, whites, reds and rose. With 20 skus or more, it's a wine delight and a learning experience - can you say Reichensteiner? With white wine consumption on the rise and the desire for less alcohol, Chaberton Frizzante, White and Rosé wines have a place in your cellar. Easy to sip, versatile for food pairings and all around "good wine" - drinking above its price for this quality. 

Building Domaine de Chaberton was a giant risk. When the Violet family were pioneering BC wine in the mid-1980s, Blattner varieties were chosen. Bacchus, Siegerrebe, Madeleine Angevine because they had been proven in Germany and Switzerland (elsewhere) to withstand cold winters and hot summers. Despite a smart choice, the challenge was that many wine professionals overlook these grape varieties because they lack international prestige. Even today. Don't let that stop you from trying. You will be rewarded.

Assistant Winemaker Simi Bering works alongside winemaker Gary Zhygailo to craft wines that feel balanced and intentional.  Gary is styling beautiful Rosés that suit fresh soft cheese and a patio with your besties. The bottles are beautiful as well, which makes these great gifts for any of your wine loving friends.

Simi's first solo project is 2024 Madeleine Angevine ("Mad Angie"). It delivers lovely aromas of tropical Lychee fruit, white blossom and fresh herbs with a rich profile and round finish. It's got a balance, mineral quality and freshness that make it perfect for seafood dishes like Oysters Rockefeller.

Gary has a pedigree of winemaking dating back decades. He patiently explains the process and style of his wines, the oak and ageing program for reds, as well as long term contracts in the Okanagan Valley that keep Chaberton producing about 40,000 cases annually. The estate vineyard plays a key role in the success of Chaberton and that is where Alex Keevil comes in.

Alex explains the pressures in the vineyard and how they work to reduce chemical inputs and solve problems with organic solutions first. Alex Keevil worked with me at Liberty Wine Merchants Park Royal almost a decade ago. Today he is shining in his element of sustainable systems, including organic sprays, reduced-waste cellar practices, reflecting Chaberton's long-term commitment to farming responsibly in a demanding environment. Keeping 40 year old vines producing is part of his job.

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​Together we walked to Block 1 Bacchus vines - the 40 year old vines. This alone deserves more recognition. It belongs in the Old Vines Registry, an initiative by OIV to collect the details on historic vineyards around the world. Honestly, maybe this is wine geek speak, but I was thrilled to see the gnarly vines and hoist a bottle of Dry Bacchus (delicious btw) onto the head of the trunk. If you have not yet had the pleasure to taste and explore, do it.

Chaberton estate grown wines are under the radar. They deserve your attention and the value is over the top. If you haven't tasted recently, check it out - 2023 and 2024 vintages don't disappoint.

Fun Idea: Taste the Dry Bacchus and Reserve Bacchus side by side. Notice the structure, the floral lift, the texture that only mature vines can offer.

Or sip the 2024 Siegerrebe. It's fantastic.

​Stay for lunch at Bacchus Bistro. It's a perfect lunch stop to give some sensory rest to your eyes, nose, palate and soul. Make a reservation if you are planning a weekend adventure. This is a busy spot. This ends the weekend Fraser wine adventure to Langley. Let me know if you go!

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Bottles That Make the Drive Worth It

2021 Seven Stars “Polaris” – Township 7 $40
Traditional method Blanc de Blanc, with classic aromas and flavours (brioche, apple, lemon, honey). 100% Chardonnay. 12.5% abv.

2023 Gewurztraminer - Township 7 (Wine Club Exclusive $25)
Surprisingly fantastic. With the classic nose of lychee, rose petals, rich and oily, with spice on the finish. Wow! 14.2% abv. Naramata Bench Fruit.

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New Release: 2025 Dry Bacchus – Chaberton Estate $25
Rare 40 year old vines feature in this dry,  mineral driven wine. Classic structure and balance with aromas and flavours of poached pear, citrus and stony minerality. 12.8% abv.

2024 Siegerrebe - Chaberton Estate $20
Wow, beautiful aromatics of stone fruit, citrus and ample body, great balance of acidity and richness. It's slightly off dry but this brings the balancing act that makes this wine a show stopper. 12.5% abv. This wine won Double Platinum at the Great Northwest Wine Awards.

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​Plan Your Fraser Valley Wine Trail

Plan Your Journey to the Fraser Valley

• Township 7: Book a Tasting | Join the Wine Club | Shop the Collection
• Chaberton Estate: Bacchus Bistro Reservations | Join the Family | Shop Estate Wines

Book ahead. Travel mid-week if possible. Join a wine club. Ask about vineyard pressures. Taste with curiosity. The Fraser Valley rewards those who travel with purpose. And good wine is always worth the journey.

​Thanks for reading. Support BC wine. Buy Local. Cheers!