Vessel Liquor Selects Four Made in BC Beverages to Pick Up This August

The Goods from Vessel Liquor

Victoria, BC | Since opening doors in December 2015, Vessel has become Victoria’s hub for all things wine, beer, spirits, cider, and the conversation and culture surrounding them. Our locally-owned, independent company was built around supporting authentic products and producers, from our BC backyard and from around the globe.

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

In honour of BC Day, and our proudly locally opened and operated community store, we’re highlighting four BC producers in our picks this month:

BEES DO IT

Humblebee Meadery ‘Prettay, Prettay Good’ Jasmine & Lemon, Vancouver ($4.99 / 395mL)

This fragrant jasmine and lemon kissed mead is just the refreshing and light (5.5%) sipper to partner with summer sunshine. Aptly placed citrus lifts the subtle honey sweetness, creating an able (pocketable) pairing partner for spicy noodles. Find it online.

THE LAST ASCENSION

Søren The Ascension Syrah 2022, Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley ($34.99)

From Osoyoos’ Golden Mile Slopes comes this fresh, characterful syrah. Sadly, this is the last vintage of this wine, as the vineyard didn’t survive the cold snap of December 2022. Super peppery throughout, seasoning black cherry, blackcurrant, and charcuterie, with a darting dark violet note for intrigue. Acidity is easily lofted, and tannins are long and finely textured, hugging this sleek wine to a peppery finish. Slight, but not shy, this is a charmer. Find it online.

HONEY HOW YOU THRILL ME

Holocene Distilling Project ‘Honey, I’m Home Gin’, Cobble Hill, Vancouver Island ($49.99)

Currently on batch #24, this gin infuses locally harvested stinging nettle with wildflower honey, thistle, yarrow, apples, and more resulting in a subtle botanical sweetness of fresh green herbs and clover. Tastes like Vancouver Island in the sunshine. Find it online.

BELLA MAKES IT BETTER

Bella Wines King Family Farms Reserve Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs 2019, Naramata, Okanagan Valley ($59.99)

This special Bella black label Reserve bottling is entirely Chardonnay from Naramata’s King Family Farms, with extra time on lees (54 months) to build complexities. Powerful and confident, with burnished lemon peel, toasted nuts, crisp green apple, and a savoury, saline finish, this is a serious sparkler for serious imbibers. 600 bottles produced. Find it online.