The first vines were planted here in 1995, making it one of the oldest vineyards in the coastal region. They are rooted in dense soil, a complex of sand and loam resting on clay permeated with ancient marine sediment.  These rich compounds infuse our terroir with a hint of the Salish Sea.    To the north is Brown’s Ridge, a near-vertical exposure of massive sandstone.  Its steep bluffs create a heat trap that benefits the fields below, radiating additional warmth down onto the ripening grapes.  The soil remains saturated through the winter months and then gradually dries out through the rest of the year until the rains begin again in late fall.  Fir, arbutus and juniper trees are abundant; lavender, rosemary, yarrow and sage grow around the vineyard perimeter alongside blackberries and wild roses. 

The climate here is designated cool maritime Mediterranean: mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers with enough growing-degree days to support several vinifera varieties.  Pinot noir, Pinot gris and Pinot meunier all flourish here, along with Gewurztraminer and Chardonnay.  From these vines, select fruit is hand-picked and pressed to create Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Nuance (our aromatic white blend), and Camellia a dry Rosé.  In 2023 we will release our Pinot noir Reserve and Verve, a traditional method sparkling wine, both from our 2021 vintage.

This unique and remarkable property is of utmost importance to the Sage Hayward team.  It is managed attentively and thoughtfully, with all actions measured against the long-term health and vitality of our soil, our island ecosystem and our fruit.  It is said you grow vineyards for your grandchildren, a statement which gives perspective to every decision.  Our vineyard is populated by bees who forage in the old orchard amongst the flowers, and sheep who eat weeds and deposit fertilizer as they meander up and down the rows.  We augment our soil with seaweed and compost to nourish the vines.  Clover, mustard and vetch are planted as cover crops to discourage invasive plants and fix nitrogen.  Falcons and owls are encouraged as predators, and our vineyard dog, Kaiya, keeps the vole population in check.  Chemical herbicides and pesticides will never be used here – instead of introducing harmful elements, we work to find natural solutions that maintain a balanced ecosystem. Healthy soil is the beginning and end of our farming practices.