Cork & Barrel Spirit Merchants

06/12/2025

Had a fantastic night at Wine in the Courtyard last night at the first Oak Bay Summer Market of the season. Thanks to our fabulous suppliers for buying drinks for the community at of course to our great customers. Until July 9!

06/11/2025

Tonight’s the Night!

06/10/2025

Join us for Wine in the Courtyard tomorrow during the Oak Bay Night Market. Tastings begin at 3:30 pm

06/10/2025

C’mon out for the market, then join us at Athlone Court for Wine in the Courtyard, a festival of wine, cider and craft cocktails.

05/24/2025

The Lasser Family has been growing fruit in BC’s Similkameen Valley since 1988. Now they are making a fantastic line of ciders called “Lass Chance.” We have them open today from 2-6. Cmon in and find out what all the fuss is about.

05/09/2025

05/09/2025

Excited to be part of a vertical tasting of wines from Tenuta San Guido, home of Sassicaia!

04/26/2025

With the current political turbulence, many of us are looking for alternatives to our favourite American wines. Because their wine styles are very similar to US wine styles, there’s no better place to start your search than the wines of Australia. Today we are sampling three great Aussie wines for your everyday enjoyment. Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon is a wide-bodied Cab reminiscent of Sonoma cabs. Quarisa Caravan Petite Sarah is a decidedly New World take on an ancient French varietal. And Hardy’s Stamp Riesling/Gewurztraminer is an eminently quaffable backyard white. Open for tasting today from 2 to 6. Cheers!

04/19/2025

Nobody traces their roots in the Victoria Craft Beer scene like Hoyne Brewing's Sean Hoyne. The amateur brewmaster got his first professional job at Buckerfield's Brewery (Now Swan's Brew Pub) under the tutelage of Canada's first craft brewmaster, Frank Appleton in 1989. There he honed his brew-making chops until he helped open the Canoe Brewpub in 1998 and spent the next 13 years brewing award-winning beers and nurturing Victoria's nascent craft brew scene. But his dream to open his own brewery never went away, and in 2013 he opened Hoyne Brewing Co. So began a period of growth that finds Hoyne at the pinnacle of the Victoria Craft Brewing industry, winning five consecutive "best brewery" awards in the Times Colonist Reader's Choice Awards, and multiple medals in the BC Beer Awards and the Canadian Brewing Awards. This afternoon we're sampling two new brews from Hoyne, their Che Bello Italian pilsner and their Por Favor Mexican-style lager. Come in and catch up with the latest from a Victoria craft brewing pioneer today from 2 to 6. Cheers!

04/18/2025

Unsworth Vineyards' story is unique to Vancouver Islands' Cowichan Valley. After a life in the fishing industry, Tim Turyk and his wife Colleen were looking for a change. In 2009 they spotted a small winery and vineyard for sale and decided to take the plunge. in 2020 the world-famous wine family, The Jacksons, of California's Kendall-Jackson fame, noticed Tim and Colleen's work, and decided they wanted to be a part. They purchased the winery and vineyard, but left the management team in place, including Tim who continues as Owner and Founder Emeritus. We will be pouring Unsworth's wines at the Cork & Barrel today between 2 and 6, including their Unsworth Pinot Noir, which was awarded 91 points by Decanter Magazine.