Owners & Proprietors
James Cameron & Suzy Amis Cameron purchased Beaufort Winery in early 2014.
From Jim and Suzy… “We’re excited to build on the strong foundation that Jeff and Susan created with their award winning family of unique wines. This is our first foray into winemaking and we’re getting to start at a high level. Our goal is simply to maintain the quality and the creativity, while growing local awareness of these excellent wines. What better way for us to become a part of the community here in the Comox Valley, and the Vancouver Island area, than to offer world-class wines at affordable prices to our new friends and neighbours?”
Vineyard & Winery Manager
Mark and Freya Timmermans have been in the vineyard, on the crushpad, and pushing the envelope at Beaufort since the Camerons took over in 2014.
Mark’s passion for organic farming, capacity for stewardship and the long view, and appetite for learning all find scope in this endeavour. The excitement of being part of a community of innovators, the potential of new fields, crop trials and experimentation are fuel for the work.
Together in the winery, Mark and Freya make a stellar team. Freya brings an attention to detail, a feel for fermentation, and a tendency toward tradition that stops just short of bringing mariachi bands into the cellar (so far). All Beaufort wines are 100% plant based – they are made without the use of animal products. Mark and Freya’s commitment is to continue making outstanding wines that strive towards the very best expression of the varieties they are working with. We handcraft our wines in small batches – our annual production is approximately 2000 cases.
Alongside the rest of the Beaufort crew, from pruning to harvest, from tank and barrel to the bottle, they get to experience the very real reward of a good glass of wine at the end of it all.
Vineyard & Farming
The Cameron Family Farms’ commitment to dynamic leadership in sustainable organic farming, and to health for people and the planet, is at the heart of everything we do at Beaufort.
For building soil and balancing fertility in the vineyard, we’ve been trialing a host of cover crops for our composting program with a view to finding ones best suited to our coastal climate. We use different mulches in the vineyard for building organic material and weed suppression. Biochar has been added to sandy areas to improve moisture holding capacity, increase carbon levels, and create a good environment for healthy soil microbiology. We’ll continue to explore and use innovative and sustainable growing practices for our grapes and other crops and we believe this is the foundation for bringing the very best wine to your glass. Our vineyard is certified ‘In Transition to Organic’ with PACS. Full Organic Certification expected in 2019.
