Private Wine Store Series: Cascadia Liquor Stores

Interior of Quadra Village location. Photos by Deanna Ladret

It may as well be called ‘Candyland for Liquor Lovers’. For those who excitedly anticipate a trip to the wine and beer shop, who relish wandering the aisles for that special something to add to the collection or the perfect accompaniment for that night’s party, Cascadia Liquor Stores are the place to go.

British Columbia gins

With over 3000 different products between their Quadra Village and Colwood locations, Cascadia is a feast for the eyes as well as the mouth (watch your wallet, though, as it may become parched if you linger too long). Smartly merchandised aisles lit with oversized midcentury light fixtures at the Quadra St location are lined with gleaming bottles of obscure, unique, and high quality libations of all colours and flavours. Top it off with competitive prices and helpful staff, and browsing a liquor mercantile has never been more fun. Recently, the Colwood location has been newly renovated and is worth checking out.

Regional Manager and International Sommelier Guild graduate Pamela Sanderson is always on the lookout for new and exciting products, proudly brokering deals from wholesalers and small wineries with limited stock. Her store managers contribute a great deal to the beverage program, hosting weekly public tastings and writing about their latest favourites in Cascadia Liquor’s e-newsletter. Regular staff tastings, company-subsidized wine certification courses and opportunities to attend trade shows keep the employees well versed and eager to offer tips and suggestions.

Bryan Paler, Sommelier & Manager of Quadra Village store.

Some unusual standout items at the Quadra Street location that caught my eye included Blue Grouse Black Muscat (Vancouver Island), Hungarian Zwack, Elysian Brewing Co. Avatar Jasmine IPA (Seattle), Pemberton Distillery Schramm Vodka (Pemberton BC, Double Gold and Spirit of the Year winner at the 2010 World Spirits Award in Belgium), and Carpano Antica Formula vermouth. Also coming soon: the hotly anticipated Rogue Voodoo Doughnut Maple Bacon Ale.

Name: Cascadia Liquor Stores

Address & Phone:

            Quadra Village

4-2631 Quadra Street

(250) 590-1940

            Colwood

107-2244 Sooke Road

(250) 478-1303

Hours: Quadra Village 10am-9pm daily, Colwood 10am-11pm daily

Website: www.cascadialiquor.com

Twitter: @cascadiaLIQ

Parking: yes

Delivery: no

Employees: 30 in total, between both stores

Manager: Bryan Paler (Quadra), Cathy Carlson (Colwood)

Wine Buyer/Consultant: Regional Manager Pamela Sanderson

# SKUS: 3000+

Store Focus/Specialty: Vancouver Island producers, unique beer, hard-to-find spirits.

Public Tastings: every Thursday at both locations, as well as most Fridays and Saturdays at the Colwood store.

Membership/Loyalty program: No

Newsletter: Yes, via email (sign up online).