You will have to indulge me as I wander off the well-trodden path of B.C. wines and onto a trail less travelled that led me into the world of B.C. Craft Distillers. But when the opportunity presented itself to speak with Christopher Noske of Heritage Acres Distillery and Legend Distilling Co. I couldn’t pass it up. Now before we start let me forewarn you, I could fill a large empty warehouse with what I don’t know about craft distilling. Thank goodness Chris is very passionate about distilling and has been generous with his time in sharing some of his experiences.
Chris comes to distilling from a 20-year career in the Canadian agriculture industry, in biologics, nanotechnology and recently in drone technology, exploring its applications in the agriculture field.
Being devotees of local wineries, craft brewers and distillers, it was during a family trip to the Okanagan several years ago that Chris and his wife Jen’s dream of a craft brewing or distilling business began to take shape. Over time it became a vision that would allow them to combine a craft distillery with their love of B.C. history.
Skipping ahead a few years, under the direction of veteran distiller Gursimran, call him G, Heritage Acres Distillery alongside several liqueurs including a small batch traditional Limoncello and a blend of coffee, vanilla and fine spirits, Jen’s current favourite locally crafted coffee liqueur they are producing award-winning Lonely Prospector Vodka, perfect in a martini or over ice and their light, refreshing Hurdy Gurdy Gin. Most recently they have released Quick Draw the Outlaw Whiskey, a traditional wheat style whiskey. The newest Heritage Acres product Roadhouse Rum is resting peacefully in the barrels with a scheduled release in 2026.
Early in 2024 they purchased one of the craft distilleries that they supported on those Okanagan family trips, Legend Distilling Co. moving it to their Mt. Lehman property. Currently you will find Heritage Acre Distilling and Legend Distillers Co. products in several independent liquor stores and a couple of restaurants on the mainland. Hopefully, we will be able to find their products in Island stores and restaurants soon. Currently, we can order them for delivery at heritageacresdistilling.com or legenddistilling.com
Meantime, plans are moving forward on an old town style tasting room, an integral part of combining Jen and Chris’ love of B.C. history and the craft distilling business, a vision for the Mt. Lehman property in Abbotsford that includes a cooperage shop where they’ll make their own aging barrels. They plan to grow as much of their own ingredients on the family farm, including cane sugar for their rum. What they don’t grow they intend to source from local farms.
A resident of Qualicum Beach, Chris Herbert is a wine enthusiast who enjoys sharing everything that B.C. wines have to offer. He looks forward to hearing from you with your questions and comments via email at spillthatvino@gmail.com
