A no messing around guide to the coolest things to eat, drink and do in Vancouver and beyond. Community. Not clickbait.

DETAILS

Region: Victoria
1609 Fort St.
778-265-8375

Hours

Monday through Sunday, 9am – 11pm

GALLERY

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  • ross borland
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  • brent muller
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  • Sharon McLean
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  • Cru's Nest Classroom

THE PEOPLE

Ross Borland, Managing Partner
Brent Muller, General Manager
Jessica Grenda, Manager
Sharon McLean, Education Director

ABOUT Vessel

Definition : Vessel

  1. A container of liquids.
  2. A ship that travels on exploratory adventures, bringing back treasures.
  3. A transmitter of information, a communicator, “a vessel of knowledge”.

Vessel Liquor Store was founded to be these things.

Since opening the doors in December 2015, Vessel has become Victoria’s hub for all things wine, beer, spirits, cider, and the conversation and culture surrounding them. The locally-owned, independent company was built around supporting authentic products and producers, from our BC backyard and from around the globe. Back then, it was near impossible to source such things on the island, leaving the founders frustrated, and forced to travel to find interesting things to drink. There was also no place for wine students and professionals to gather and learn, so designing a customized classroom for wine tastings and training was key from the beginning. The Cru’s Nest Classroom, above the store, now offers regular consumer classes on wine, cocktails, and craft beer, and is the provincial headquarters for Cru Consultancy and their numerous accredited WSET and Wine Scholar Guild courses for trade.

Awarded Best Liquor Store in Victoria (five times!), Vessel remains even more committed to serving their community. In 2022 they greatly expanded the footprint of the store, allowing for hundreds more listings. And in 2023, they expanded provincially, with an extensive new website and online store, allowing customers from across BC to shop Vessel from home.

ACCOLADES

Voted Victoria’s Best Liquor Store 5 times by the Times Colonist Reader’s Choice Awards

Gold Certified BC Green Business (as of 2023)