Family, Grapes, and Good Times: Our 2024 Harvest Is Here

Family, Grapes, and Good Times: Our 2024 Harvest Is Here

 

Last week, we received our fresh Cabernet Franc grapes from Meeks Vineyard in Washington, shipped straight to our importer at Casa Jim Canil. These clusters arrived bursting with vibrant colour and sweetness—irresistible even before they hit the press! Casa Jim Canil was a hive of activity, with folks eagerly picking up their harvest. The destemmer-crusher team kept everything running like clockwork, ensuring a smooth operation.

Handling grapes is truly a labor of love—emphasis on labor. Every harvest is a unique adventure, as the grapes can vary year to year, and the magic truly happens in the fermentation. Starting with beautiful fruit, we use specific yeasts tailored to bring out each grape’s character. For the French Colombard (now sold out, sorry, folks!), we used 118 Champagne yeast to create a crisp, dry white packed with tropical notes… move over, Chardonnay! For the Cab Franc, we opted for RP15 yeast, and for our Grenache-Mourvèdre blend, we crafted a custom yeast mix that’s bound to bring out the best of both varietals. 

One of the best parts of the experience at Casa Jim Canil is working with Jim and Nick, the dynamic duo behind the operation. Jim, a hilarious retired school teacher, is clearly passionate about getting these grapes into good hands. His enthusiasm is infectious and makes every visit a joy. Meanwhile, Nick is always smiling and incredibly helpful, ensuring everything runs smoothly. The whole vibe at Casa Jim Canil feels like a small family business, and we can relate to that camaraderie.

Once the grapes arrive at the shop, it’s all hands on deck to ensure they get the attention they need to shine. Throughout each day, our team carefully tends to the grapes, “babysitting” them as they go through the early stages of fermentation. Punching down the cap by hand several times a day keeps the grape skins in contact with the juice, enhancing colour and flavour. And this is truly a family affair—our two-year-old, Juniper, is always excited to jump in on the action. This year will be her second year of helping with the harvest. Sure, it can get a little messy, but that’s part of the joy! For us, winemaking is as much a family sport as it is a craft.

Once fermentation wraps up, we’ll be moving these wines to barrels, where they’ll age to perfection until they’re ready for bottling in 2025. We’re thrilled with how this year’s harvest is shaping up and can’t wait to share these wines with you.

If you’re interested in joining the fun next year and being part of the harvest experience, make sure you’re subscribed to our mailing list. You’ll be the first to know about grape arrivals, events, and exclusive opportunities! Stay tuned—this year’s vintage is just the beginning

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Cork It Wine Making

Pickup available, usually ready in 24 hours

1427 Crown Street
North Vancouver, BC V7J 1G4
(604) 986-7475

Hours:
Tuesday 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Wednesday 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Thursday 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Friday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday Closed
Monday Closed

Closed Long Weekends