Fort Berens Estate Winery
Fort Berens Estate Winery
AboutFort Berens Estate Winery
Rolf de Bruin and Heleen Pannekoek began searching for vineyard land in 2005 and settled with their family in Lillooet, British Columbia. They established Fort Berens in 2009 as Lillooet’s first commercial vineyard and winery. Dry Creek was planted that year, followed by Red Rock in 2018 and 2019.
The vineyards occupy sagebrush benchland above the Fraser River, with free-draining soils of gravel, sand, loam and river rock. A Coast Mountain rain shadow brings dry, sunny summers, while cool nights help the grapes retain acidity. Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris grow alongside Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Pinot Noir.
Fort Berens 2024 Riesling
Canadian White
$32.99
Green apple, fresh lime and white peach lead with a subtle wet-stone mineral note. The palate is bright and fruit-forward, balancing a gentle touch of sweetness with lively acidity and clean citrus energy. The texture remains light and precise, carrying orchard fruit and minerality into a refreshing, quietly persistent finish.
Fort Berens 2023 Pinot Noir Rosé
Canadian Rosé
$29.99
Fresh watermelon, violets, red berries and redcurrant accompany juicy raspberry and herbs. Cranberry, citrus and red apple are also present. The palate has light tannins and a fresh finish. Made entirely from five clones of estate-grown Pinot Noir in Lillooet, the grapes spend forty-eight hours on their skins before pressing. Suggested pairings include barbecue salmon, pulled pork, bacon-wrapped scallops or Niçoise salad.
Fort Berens 2024 Small Lot Pinot Gris
Canadian White
$33.99
Pear, quince, melon and passion fruit appear with bright acidity and a mineral, stony character. The fruit comes entirely from Lillooet, including Dry Creek and Winch Spur vineyards. The grapes are destemmed and crushed; four hours of skin contact are used. Cool fermentation and four months on the lees take place in stainless steel. Pink grapefruit, lime blossom and tangerine are also present.
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2023 White Gold Reserve Chardonnay
Canadian White
$47.99
Half the Chardonnay was whole-cluster pressed. The remainder was crushed, destemmed and left on skins for four hours before pressing. Cold fermentation used natural yeast, followed by seven months in French oak and partial malolactic fermentation. Lemon zest, stone fruit, roasted nuts and honey blossom appear with a rich, buttery mouthfeel, fresh acidity, integrated oak and a long finish.
Fort Berens 2022 Reserve Cabernet Franc British Columbia
Canadian Red
$54.99
Cedar, dark cherry and black raspberry appear with sweet spice, sarsaparilla, dill, smoke and savoury rusticity. The wine has a smooth, medium-plus palate, bold character and a shorter finish. Partial whole clusters were used, fermentation occurred with native yeasts, and maturation lasted fourteen months in wood. Made from Cabernet Franc, the wine carries the British Columbia VQA designation.
Fort Berens 2022 Reserve Riesling
Canadian White
$40.99
Apricot, peach and elderflower form an aromatic, inviting opening. The palate is rich and creamy yet remains juicy, with measured sweetness balanced by lively acidity and a clean sense of freshness. Concentrated stone fruit carries into an off-dry, composed finish, showing enough structure and depth to continue developing gracefully in bottle.
Fort Berens 2022 Cabernet Franc
Canadian Red
$44.99
Black cherry, plum and blackcurrant set a generous dark-fruited tone. The palate is velvety and supple, with ripe fruit carried by a smooth, approachable structure. Subtle savoury notes keep the richness in check, while gentle tannins and balanced freshness lead into a composed finish with enough depth to develop further in bottle.