A good time on Pender Island

Dave Rave gets everyone on their feet

I'd just like to add to Stacey's post about Winestock 2009 (click for details). We're big fans of Keith and Barb, proprietors over at Pender Island's Morning Bay winery. For wine island tourists, what these two have built over on Pender is impressive. It's a fantastic state-of-the-art winemaking facility, nestled in the woods just a stone's throw from one of their vineyards.

There's a big, beautiful barrel room where they often invite entertainers to tickle the ivories on the piano. Morning Bay specialize on a few varietals, including a Gewürztraminer, a Pinot Noir and 2 Merlots. The Gulf Islands are enchanting for visitors, and add some fine wine and it's too much to resist.

The Winestock event surprised us when we attended last Labour Day weekend. It's a genuinely fun and intimate concert experience, sitting in the field beside the winery with a couple hundred fellow audience members. Bring a blanket or a comfy chair, and just sit back and enjoy the music from acts like Dave Rave (formerly of Toronto's Teenage Head). In the performance I recorded last year, he had a whole lotta people up on their feet.

I'll also mention that it's a great event for all members of the family.