Great wine is yours for the making

Wine store quality at a fraction of the price

Bottle with friends and meet new winemakers just like you!

Always have great wine on hand for every occasion

Welcome to the Wine Cottage

We at The Wine Cottage are here to help you enjoy a fun experience making your own wine and other adult beverages. We will help you select the style of wine and other beverages you enjoy, then leave the rest to us till bottling time. We’ll schedule you an appointment and then help you through the whole process of bottling. While bottling you can sample a small amount of your wine while snacking on cheese and crackers. This whole process only takes about half an hour depending on how much you wish to socialize. It is a wonderful time to catch up with friends & family.

We have been helping many wine and beer lovers for over 20 years and would like to take this time to Thank You all, for without you there would not be a Wine Cottage, so come on in and join the hundreds who continue to enjoy both the experience and there great beverages.

We offer the highest quality wine kits and specialty wines (Port, Ice Wine, Cabernet Franc Ice Wine Style, Sparkling Wine , Island Mist fruit flavoured wines and beer kits from Winexpert. Or bring us your own fresh or frozen fruit and grapes and we will make you 23 litres of delicious wine or cider which can be sweetened to your preference. Quantities of fruit required vary somewhat depending on the type so please call for guidelines as to the correct quantity you will need.

All our wine kits are 100% guaranteed

We also offer Brewhouse beer kits for the home brewer who wants more of a craft beer making experience. Or make it on the premises. Also in store we have a wide variety of wine based fruit flavoured coolers.

Wines made from Winexpert kits have won numerous awards annually at Winemaker magazine wine tasting competitions over a number of years, including many of our own bronze ,silver and gold medals.

We look forward to meeting you and showing you our wine making premises which we are very proud of. You can find us at our conveniently located store at the corner of Back and Ryan Rd.in Courtenay with plenty of parking.

We welcome all former Riverside Wines customers to check out our extensive selection of wine and beer kits. We have kits for every budget and taste preference. We also offer wine making services for your own grapes and fruit such as blackberries, blueberries, plums, etc. Please call or email for more information.

Ph: 250-338-2686

Email thewinecottage@shaw.ca

What's New

LE19

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF LE! LE19 marks the 30th Anniversary of bringing exclusive, premium limited release wines to the home winemaking world. This year’s selections were specially chosen for their outstanding varietals and exceptional quality. From the delicate...

Chocolate Raspberry Dessert Wine and Peach Icewine style

For a limited time only experience the flavours of warm cherries and plums supported by a racy zing of bright raspberry and luscious chocolate.

Limited Release Island Mist

Chocolate Orange is an irresistible new limited release featuring the same light body and alcohol you love from Island Mist with a smooth chocolaty twist.

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Special Offers

Weddings/Special Occasions

Is there a wedding in your future, or another special occasion such as a reunion, anniversary, or Open House? If so, we are the store for you! Not only will we create a great personalized package for...

New Customers

As a new customer, we would like to thank you for your business. To show our appreciation and gratitude, we would like to send you a Thank You gift in the form of $10 off of your...

Referral Program

Wine lovers unite! After you enjoy your experience and love the wine you bottled, we ask you to refer a friend. If a family member, co-worker, or friend comes into our shop for the first time, make...

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Wine Spotlight

YOLO White, California

RELEASE DATE: MARCH, 2020

YOLO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

YOLO is commonly known as an acronym for ‘You Only Live Once’; however, the origin of the name Yolo County is believed to come from Native American descent. This county is situated at the northernmost region within the Central Valley in California. Because of the deep and fertile soils found here, Yolo County is largely known for its agriculture, mainly its tomato production. The marine affects from the nearby Sacramento River provide cooler temperatures and the fog that rolls in and out of the vineyards daily, combined with the coastal winds, makes for ideal grape growing conditions. The climate contributes to the concentration of aromatic compounds found in the wines produced in this region.

YOLO White

Fruit-forward and slightly off-dry, the palate on this wine is inviting and well-balanced. The Chardonnay contributes vibrant green apple and melon flavours. The floral aromatics come from the Muscat, and the Chenin Blanc completes the wine with citrus flavours and high acidity. Pair with mild curry dishes, baked ham, Brie and Camembert cheese.

Alcohol:13%*
*Alcohol level based on following Winexpert winemaking instructions.

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Terremoto Tempranillo, Spain

RELEASE DATE: DECEMBER, 2019

VALENCIA, SPAIN

Valencia, a sunny region located in the heart of Spain’s east coast, is where one can find the Tempranillo grape. The Mediterranean climate of mild winters and very warm summers, combined with the gently sloping vineyards and permeable subsoils, creates the perfect growing conditions for this savoury grape. Valencia is also home to the famous annual Las Fallas festival which welcomes the arrival of spring with fireworks, pyrotechnics and colourful, giant paper-maché figures. Every day during the festival at 2 om, the city is filled with the sound of firecrackers, ultimately ending in the extraordinary finale called the Terremoto!

TERREMOTO TEMPRANILLO

The Tempranillo grape’s thick skin gives the wine a deep ruby colour and moderate tannins. Medium-bodied and savoury, Terremoto Tempranillo has flavours of cherry, dried fig and cedar, with hints of leather and spices. Whether you’re celebrating a big occasion like your 30″ anniversary, complete with fireworks, or just toasting the end of a workday, this wine is the perfect accompaniment. Pair with braised meats, chorizo sausage or roasted eggplant.

Alcohol:13.5%*
*Alcohol level based on following Winexpert winemaking instructions.

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Pecorino Pinot Grigio, Italy

RELEASE DATE: JANUARY 2020

PECORINO – ABRUZZO, ITALY
PINIT GRIGIO – VENETO, ITALY

The Pecorino grapes are sourced from Abruzzo, Italy which is a mountainous region located along the Adriatic Sea. It is also home to the highest point on mainland Italy, Corno Grande. Veneto is located in northeast Italy and is the source region for the Pinot Grigio. The Influence of the nearby Alps provides a cooler microclimate where fresh, crisp white wines flourish.

PECORINO PINOT GRIGIO

Pinot Grigio was originally established as Pinot Gris in Burgundy and although most famous in Alsace, France, made its way to Switzerland in the 1300s and eventually to Northern Italy where Pinot Grigio was born. Today it is Italy’s most popular grape. Pecorino has a bit of a different history; thought to be extinct in the mid 20th century, it was rediscovered in the 1980s by a local producer who then took cuttings and propagated them resulting in this grape’s resurgence.

Blending Pinot Grigio, the most popular Italian white wine grape, with the lesser known Pecorino grape results in a delicate white wine with high acidity, lemon, lime, and honeysuckle flavours, and an elegant floral aroma. Pair with steamed mussels, seafood risotto, and vegetarian spring rolls

Alcohol:12.5%*
*Alcohol level based on following Winexpert winemaking instructions.

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Pacific Quartet Red

RELEASE DATE: FEBRUARY 2020

PASO ROBLES, CALIFORNIA
MAULE VALLEY, CHILE
RIVERLAND, AUSTRALIA
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON

The Pacific Rim, encompassed by North and South America on one side and Australia on the other, has microclimates that match those from all over the world. From blazing sunshine to crisp mountain air, and with soils ranging from sandy loam to stony red clay to nearly pure limestone and everything in between, the range and variety provide the perfect terroir for almost any grape, especially those found in this charismatic red blend.

PACIFIC QUARTET RED

For our 30th anniversary, we’ve decided to put a spin on one of Winexpert’s most popular Limited Releases ever, introducing Pacific Quartet Red! We’ve selected the most revered red varietals from the same regions that are featured in Pacific Quartet. Blending California Cab, Chilean Malbec, Australian Shiraz and Washington Merlot and created the most delectable, full bodied wine. The combination results in a well structured, tannic wine with a bouquet of blackberry and cherry. The palate offers rich berry overtones with hints of currant and dark chocolate and a toasty oak finish. Pair with rich meat and bean stews, roasted leg of lamb with rosemary, or aged cheddar.

Alcohol:13.5%*
*Alcohol level based on following Winexpert winemaking instructions.

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Cape Blend with grape skins, South Africa

RELEASE DATE: APRIL 2020

WORCESTER, SOUTH AFRICA

The Worcester region in South Africa is located approximately 100 kms from Cape Town, in the Breede River Valley. It is surrounded by majestic mountain ranges and the Breede River runs though the valley on its way to the Indian Ocean. The hot climate and the protection provided by the mountains combine to provide perfect conditions for high-quality, fruitful wines.

CAPE BLEND

This exciting combination of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, and Grenache creates a wine that is truly outstanding and worthy of being a part of the 30th anniversary of LE! The dark berry flavours from the Cabernet Sauvignon balance nicely with the forward spiciness from the Shiraz. Pinotage, which is a grape varietal that is unique to South Africa, provides strong tannins and smoky, earthy characteristics while the Grenache contributes aromas of leather and licorice. Together, these elements offer a complex, full bodied wine that pairs well with roasted meats seasoned with marinades or savoury herbs and aged hard cheeses.

Alcohol:14%*
*Alcohol level based on following Winexpert winemaking instructions.

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