Summary: <a class="a2a_button_facebook a2a_counter" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tastingroomradio.com%2Fjune-23rd-2018-a-tour-of-saanich%2F&linkname=June%2023rd%2C%202018-%20A%20Tour%20of%20Saanich%20%21" title="Facebook" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/twitter?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tastingroomradio.com%2Fjune-23rd-2018-a-tour-of-saanich%2F&linkname=June%2023rd%2C%202018-%20A%20Tour%20of%20Saanich%20%21" title="Twitter" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tastingroomradio.com%2Fjune-23rd-2018-a-tour-of-saanich%2F&title=June%2023rd%2C%202018-%20A%20Tour%20of%20Saanich%20%21"></a><br> A Four Stop Stroll through Saanich :<br> The SHOW<br> Saanich is that gorgeous stretch of farmland on the drive from the BC Ferry<br><br> Docks in Schwartz Bay, Vancouver Island into Victoria.<br> The idea for the show was suggested by <a href="http://www.coreywood.ca">Corey Wood</a>, transplanted Albertan.<br> (Corey is the tech/creative director for TRR and MulliganStew the show and<br><br> podcast)<br> He kept reminding me that he was surrounded by growers, farmers, and<br><br> artisans who should be recognized.<br> DeVine wines and spirits, Church and State Winery, the brand new<br> Deep Cove Winery in North Saanich and the award-winning Sea Cider.<br> <br> DeVine Wines and Spirits<br> Ken Winchester ( DeVine Wines and Spirits)<br> Devine was created by John and Cathy Windsor in 2007 out of a 25-acre piece<br><br> of land located in Saanichton on the Saanich Peninsula land. Originally a<br><br> grape farm supplying organic grapes to local wineries, the decision was soon<br><br> made to open an onsite winery and experiment with various types of grape<br><br> varietals to see which ones would thrive.<br> Early grape varieties included:<br><br> Pinot Gris and Noir, along with the Austrian white grape Gruner Veltliner.<br><br> The winery has since diversified to include other varietals over the years.<br><br> The first vintage was produced in 2009, and today, the farm produces over<br><br> 2000 cases of wine<br> <br> Distiller Ken Winchester has been experimenting with turning grapes into a<br><br> base spirit for gin and other spirits over the last couple of years. His<br><br> philosophy is focused on being a local winery and distillery, using<br><br> Vancouver Island ingredients first and wherever possible. The winery’s<br><br> grapes are now all grown locally making De Vine’s gins among the few using<br><br> island grown ingredients for their base spirit.<br><br> .<br> Ken Winchester has been a winemaker and distiller for more than 20 years.<br><br> Ken studied winemaking at the University of California, then planted<br><br> Winchester Vineyards in Paso Robles, California. Back in Canada, Ken<br><br> produced award-winning Pinot Noirs, consulted for other Island wineries, was<br><br> the first winemaker at Church and State and even came up with the name and<br><br> taught viticulture at UBC.<br> He studied distilling at Michigan State and<br><br> apprenticed at Bruichladdich Distillery in Scotland. In 2007 Ken launched<br><br> Winchester Spirits, the first distillery on Vancouver Island, and created<br><br> the iconic Victoria Gin. Ken has consulted for deVine since its first<br><br> plantings, and became its Winemaker & Distiller. deVine produces<br><br> terroir-driven, organic spirits including Gins, Whisky, fruit Brandies, and<br><br> Rum.<br> The great thing about the distillery is it doesn’...
