Last week, a small group of media were invited to sample Krause Berry Farms’ latest goods: fruit wines from their newly-launched estate winery. Several fruits from Alf and Sandee Krause’s 50-acre farm in Langley have now been cultivated to create various wines by winemaker Sandra-Lee.
Set in the middle of some of the best field fruits of the Fraser Valley, The Krause Berry Farms Estate Winery is a modern facility, one that can easily can produce 10,000 cases of table, dessert, and sparkling wines per year. The spanking-new winery is the latest addition to the 40-year-old business, one of BC’s most successful agricultural operations.
At present, four tanks are onsite, each with a 3,000 litre capacity. Much of the fruit comes in frozen, an advantage being not having to wait until picking season to produce wine.
Alf Krause explained that Krause Berry Farm is an sustainable farm. The best products used to kill pests or keep crops disease-free may not always be the organic ones. They also don’t limit to mono-culture crops by growing asparagus, corn, squash and other veggies to provide a good rotation to the berries. Irrigation is done via drip and overhead sprinklers.
Krause Berry Farms is known for its 200 acres of berries, u-pick fruit and flowers, seasonal market featuring locally grown vegetables, home made breads, famous pies, fruit preserves and more. And as of this writing, the winery is officially open to the public.
In case you haven’t yet tried Krause Berry Farm’s homemade treats, there’s now a refreshing glass of fruit wine to whet your palate.
In keeping with their desire to offer their guests a fun, relaxing, and family-oriented experience, owners Alf and Sandee Krause will bring visitors back to the Old West with their new wine room and indoor/outdoor seating.
The winery’s tasting Saloon, KB Corral (where live music will get underway in the summer), and licensed Flower Garden are inspired by the days of the Golden West; here you will find a “Howdy pardner, come and enjoy the country!” hospitality to be enjoyed with family and friends.
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[Sandee’s custom made boots with love from San Antonio, Texas]
Berry season starts in mid-June. What a better way to enjoy lunch than with a splash of fruity apple, blueberry, strawberry or raspberry wine? A blackberry port (aptly named Blackberry Port-toe) is also in the works, due to stock the winery shelves at Christmas. This wine will be double-fermented rather than fortified, giving the port a smoother finish.
I look forward to seeing what the winery will do in the coming year, as plans are underway to create additional fruit wine varieties. Think rhubarb, blackberry, and strawberry-rhubarb wines!
In addition to the winery is Cookies Kitchen, featuring a Western style menu with a distinct focus on what is produced both at Krause Berry Farms and its neighbours. We sampled quesadillas with farm-grown corn, and for dessert, some of the coveted mouth-watering pie and donuts mentioned above.
Sky Helicopters has teamed up with the farm to give visitors custom tours of the area. For $750, you and a friend will be able to take a short flightseeing adventure from the farm, visiting three of Fraser Valley’s award-winning estate wineries: Vista d’Oro, Blackwood Lane, and Krause. Our preview allowed for a great overview of the farm and surrounding valley green. A quick five-minute Fraser Valley jaunt can be booked for $29.95.
In September, Krause will offer cooking classes with Chef Wolfgang. Stay tuned to their Facebook page for details.
[Three cheers to the Winearita!]
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Krause Berry Farms and Estate Winery is located at 6179 248th Street in Langley, BC.
