Dan Wright is the winemaker at Unsworth Vineyards in Cowichan Valley, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Part of Dan’s story begins with him looking for a cool-climate region to pursue the ethereal side of Pinot Noir. As Dan tells us, the full story is a mixture of luck and timing. And, of course, there was a girl: his wife had landed a job on Vancouver Island while Dan was working the hot 2015 vintage at Beaux Frères in the Willamette Valley.
Dan describes two big waves of luck in his career (so far): one with the Turyk family taking a chance on a young winemaker knocking on the door for a job, and the second that came with the opportunities following the purchase of Unsworth in 2020 by Barbara Banke and Julia Jackson. Since then, Dan has been involved in developing a new 40-acre vineyard and the construction of a new state-of-the-art winery, all while taking Unsworth wines to new heights and recognition.
Media Inquiries: Dan@unsworthvineyards.com | https://www.unsworthvineyards.com
What’s the ONE THING most unique, authentic, & memorable about your brand?
Unsworth Vineyards was purchased by Barbara Banke and Julia Jackson (of Jackson Family Wines), making us the 1st winery on Vancouver Island to see a large investment by members of an internationally acclaimed wine group such as JFW. As such we are leading the wine industry here from a small cottage industry to world class wine region.
Describe how and what you’d do with your winemaking career or winery business if you were not constrained.
I have a fantasy of owning a ~5 ac vineyard where I can do everything myself. I’d plant 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay and only make 1 wine of each. Try and sell everything online DTC and maybe a bit to restaurants. Appointment only. But I think the key parameter there is no financial constraint.
What is the One Wine most emblematic of your brand and/or winemaking style? Tell us its story.
Pinot Noir – the 2022 Cowichan Valley Pinot Noir. While we also make some single-vineyard Pinot Noirs, this wine tells the story of the Cowichan Valley. It’s delicate, yet has surprising structure and intense aromatics. When I first arrived to Vancouver Island and started looking for wine jobs, I dropped in to Unsworth. I got chatting with the owner, Tim Turyk and he generously opened a bottle of the Unsworth 2012 Pinot Noir. It was exactly the style I love – both to make and to drink. Read this Pinot Noir wine review here.
Bonus Question: What are your wholehearted convictions related to the wine business?
This question stands out to me so I’m drawn to writing something here but the truth is my personality type just doesn’t lend itself very well to “wholehearted convictions”. I am always questioning and re-thinking things, probably too much. Maybe that’s somewhat unique in the wine industry since perhaps the stereotypical winemaker is someone with a big ego and strongly held convictions.