Summer is upon us! The patios and vineyards are calling my name and I’m ready to chill with my friends with a glass of good vino.

The great thing about living in Langley is that it is home to some award-winning vineyards producing BC VQA (Vintners Quality Assurance) wines, with beautiful tasting rooms, patios, and picnic areas.

BC VQA wines are made from 100% BC-grown grapes that have been reviewed through a strict quality assurance program. One need not go to the Okanagan anymore to get that vineyard experience and those Langley wineries are just 45 minutes away from Vancouver.

Backyard Vineyards in Langley is both a winery and a vineyard and I had the pleasure of attending their event yesterday where they introduced their newest product – Méthode Cuvée Sparkling Wine, a BC VQA. Producing BC VQA sparkling wine is not new form them but with the Cuvée product, it’s more affordable ($30 / bottle) without compromising on quality. It was my favorite – light, fruity, overall pleasant with just the right amount of fizz. I would say it was was definitely the crowd favorite.

It was a great night and I learned a lot about Backyard Vineyard’s history, their wine process (that they grow their own grapes for their Pinot Grigio but source other grapes from BC for their other BC VQA wines). They have a passionate team and their wines are all produced in-house in their winery in Langley.

If you haven’t gone yet, give Backyard Winery a visit for a tasting or attend their many summer events. A Langley or Fraser Valley wine tour (there are some wineries in Abbotsford too) will make for a great bachelorette party or simply some time with your girls.

Backyard Winery is located on 3033 232 St, Langley Twp, BC, V2Z 3A8.