Cork & Barrel Spirit Merchants

10/24/2026

Haywire w**ery is one of a new generation of w**eries in the Okanagan pioneering low intervention w**emaking and regenerative farming practices. They were one of the first to use concrete fermentation vessels. They were hard hit this year due to the forest fires but they are unbowed. Come in today between 2 and 6 and support an innovative BC w**ery fighting back from fires and freezing winters.

10/17/2026

Who says craft cocktails can’t be healthy? Not Crafty Elk. This Canadian cocktail maker uses only real fruit juice and premium spirits in their creations. Their drinks are organic, gluten free, non GMO, and use no artificial sweeteners or refined sugar. They’re also quite yummy! Today we are tasting their Sunset, a blend of honey, mango, cranberry, blueberry and açai, and their mango/honey. Both on sale at three dollars off regular price and a great way to celebrate the last days of summer. Cheers!

10/16/2026

Anna-Sofia from MacAloney’s is tasting single malts from Victoria’s only single malt distillery today from 2 until 6. Aware winning whiskeys distilled and blended right here.

10/10/2026

Check out or October specials on the poster before then drop by the shop for more featured products. Cheers!

10/10/2026

10/10/2026

We have some treats open for tasting this afternoon. Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva is the OG of turkey w**es, with crispness and savoury and bright acidity to elevate those fabulous roast flavours. Mission Hill Reserve Chardonnay’s butteriness combines beautifully with the warm biscuity flavours of the stuffing and Mionetto Prosecco will get everyone’s spirits and appetites raised for the feast that awaits. Tasting today from 2 to 6. And may family, friends and gratitude grace your Thanksgiving table. Cheers!

10/09/2026

Blue Grouse W**ery in the Cowichan Valley is the original vineyard on Vancouver Island, planted by pioneering viticulturist John Harper in 1977, it was operated by the Kiltz family from 1988 until it was purchased by the Brunner family in 2012. Now owned by California’s first family of w**e, Jackson Family W**es, it continues to go from strength to strength, an unparalleled achievement for Vancouver Island w**eries. We are tasting some lovely Thanksgiving w**es this afternoon from 2 to 6. Cmon in and discover the Vancouver Island difference.

09/06/2026

A once in a lifetime tasting experience at Apoteck W**e Bar in Porto. Four iconic reds from four distinct Portuguese regions illustrate the power and finesse of Portuguese w**e making. All four are made with traditional Portuguese w**emaking techniques including foot stomping, fermentation in open lagares or concrete vats, long bottle-aging before release and sparing use of new oak barrels. All four from tiny producers who release just a few thousand bottles a year. I can’t do justice to all four but I will highlight one: a 1967 vintage Collares from Vuiva Jose da Silva. Collares is a coastal region where grapes grown in sandy soil produce high acid low alcohol w**e that only show its brilliance after decades of aging. This w**e was almost 60 years old but showed fruit and intensity of a youngster. The other three were also amazing, all from different regions, all showing amazing fruit intensity and persistent aromatics. I’m truly in heaven.