Vista18 x CedarCreek – Winemaker’s Pairing Dinner

Description

Set against the panoramic skyline views of downtown Victoria, this wine pairing dinner brings together the wines of CedarCreek Estate Winery with a four-course menu created by Chef Mike Dunlop exclusively for the evening. Throughout the night, we’ll explore the different expressions of CedarCreek’s estate + crafted wines through a menu designed to highlight their character and complexity. Each course is carefully balanced so the food and wine elevate one another while offering you an immersive dining experience above the city.

Event Details Event:
Date: Friday, March 27th
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Vista 18 Restaurant + Lounge
Price: $125 per person All-in pricing (includes taxes and 18% service charge).

Event Menu
>>Welcome Sparkling: Platinum Sparkling Chenin Blanc (5oz)

**amuse**
BAY SCALLOP CARPACCIO
sweet green pea + mint emulsion, yuzu pearls
>> Paired with: PLATINUM SAUVIGNON BLANC (4oz)
The 2024 vintage was sourced via Marlborough, New Zealand and was an outstanding vintage marked by a hot, dry summer resulting in vibrant, high-quality fruit. This expression of Sauvignon Blanc has gooseberry and herbaceous notes on the nose with subtle hints of tropical fruit.

**starter**
HOUSE SMOKED PORK BELLY
chili rub, charred strawberry BBQ, parsnip purée
>> Paired with: PLATINUM SOUTH KELOWNA SLOPES PINOT NOIR (6oz)
This Pinot is a blend of Home Block and Simes vineyard Pinot Noirs. These two sites complement each other well and result in an expression of Pinot which is quite elegant and fresh, showcasing notes of cherry, holiday spice and plush tannins.

**main**
SEARED DUCK BREAST
saffron + preserved lemon risotto, wild salmon berry demi, shaved asparagus salad
>> Paired with: PLATINUM EAST KELOWNA SLOPES PINOT NOIR (6oz)
The East Kelowna Slopes site is further from Lake Okanagan which results in this vineyard getting quite warm during the day. This leads to darker fruit flavour and more dense tannins. This expression of Pinot is brooding on the nose with dark fruit and bramble notes, and showcases a firm yet supple tannic structure on the palate.

**dessert**
SMOKED BLUE CHEESE CHEESECAKE
Italian meringue, sweet phyllo cookie, lemon curd
>> Paired with: PINOT NOIR ROSÉ (4oz)
The 2024 vintage was sourced via Willamette Valley in Oregon and benefitted from warm early conditions in the Valley leading to early harvests – the Pinot showcases excellent fruit expression paired with vibrant acidity. This expression of Pinot Noir Rosé is ripe and round with hints of residual sugar and on the palate showcases hints of strawberries and lemon zest.

Hosted by Andrés Gálvez Pizarro – Winemaker
Leading the evening is CedarCreek winemaker Andrés Gálvez Pizarro, whose path to the Okanagan began in Santiago, Chile. Andrés first developed his passion for wine while working in vineyards in Chile and New Zealand before bringing his experience to British Columbia in 2016. At CedarCreek, Andrés focuses on crafting wines that express the individuality of each vineyard site and each vintage. His philosophy is simple: wine is shaped by nature as much as it is by the winemaker, and every harvest tells a slightly different story. Throughout the evening, Andrés will share insights into CedarCreek’s vineyards, the wines being poured, and the journey behind each bottle.

About CedarCreek Estate Winery
Located in the heart of the Okanagan Valley, CedarCreek has long been known for producing wines that reflect the character of their vineyards and the unique conditions of British Columbia’s wine country. Their approach is rooted in careful farming, thoughtful winemaking, and a belief that great wines should express where they come from. The result is a collection of elegant wines, from vibrant Sauvignon Blanc to layered Pinot Noir, that showcase the diversity of the Okanagan’s landscape and growing conditions.