Pig & Pinot

A pig roast is not for everyone. Slowly cooking a large hog on a rotisserie over a fire pit requires time, planning, and is a lot of work. However, for those brave enough to tackle cooking a whole pig, this becomes an amazing summer celebration event, which you will remember for years. Your friends will be impressed and, even more importantly, your taste buds will be tantalized! The sight and smell of a whole pig roasting over a fire pit is unforgettable and creates an air of celebration and good times. The glazed, golden skin is beautiful and delicious. It is truly a feast for all our senses!

On Canada day, July 1st 2010, Rocky Creek Winery celebrated with close friends and family by roasting a pig raised locally from Quist Farm in the Cowichan Valley. It was a splendid chilly evening watching the little piggy turn round and around until it cooked to perfection. People crowded around the spit to keep warm, and to watch the flavors ooze out of the crackly skin. You could smell the crackling roasting on the open fire for miles.

Rocky Creek Winery is a family run boutique winery in the heart of Cowichan Bay. Linda and Mark Holford – a husband and wife team, believe in sustainability, and manage their wines to be as eco-friendly as possible. The key to their success is their dedication to making the highest quality wines from grapes grown on Vancouver Island – all are BC VQA. It expands over 7 acres with 2 vineyards. In their four years of operation, they have received numerous medals.

Mark is an environmental engineer and for him “going green” is just standard practice. Their winemaking process involves as little intervention possible, using egg whites and bentonite for fifing. They are the first winery in Western Canada to use a new closure for their wines called Zork. It is recyclable and re-useable and does not require a corkscrew. It is designed for air permeability to enhance the wines even further and reduces waste.

The first ever Rocky Creek Winery pig roast was a grand success. Linda and Mark plan to make this an annual event open to all.

Rocky Creek Winery has a gift shop, tasting room and a picnic area where people can purchase the wines by the glass and enjoy them while overlooking the gardens and vineyard.

Wines that are available:

Ortega 2009

Pinot Gris 2009

Robin’s Rose 2009

Pinot Noir 2008

Wild Blackberry 2008

Katherine’s Sparkle 2009

Awards: 25 medals in 5 years – 5 Gold