To celebrate its fifth year of offering Beaufort wines and tastings at their on-site tasting room and wine shop, the Beaufort Vineyard and Estate Winery has launched a new red wine called Beauhemian, complete with label artwork by Cara Baird of Comox.

Baird, who attended Emily Carr College of Art & Design and worked as a graphic artist in North Vancouver, branched out on her own to produce privately commissioned works and to explore the world of painting.

鈥淚 feel blessed to live in this beautiful valley, and continue to be challenged, inspired and driven by the creative process,鈥� she said.

Her latest work is at www.carabaird.com.

The wine itself is described as a unique, big, bold, red wine that defies convention, and represents the counter-culture bohemian lifestyle that Beaufort owners Susan and Jeff Vandermolen admire.

鈥淔or such an interesting wine, we wanted a unique label so we contacted Cara, whose artwork we love, to come up with a label that captures the spirit of the wine," Jeff said. "Not only has she done that, but our customers tell us that this is one of the most stylish and hip wine labels they鈥檝e seen.鈥�

鈥淭he local support and positive response to our wines over the past five years has been a humbling experience,鈥� Susan said. 鈥淚t is particularly enjoyable for us to be able to reciprocate and show our support for our fellow producers, as well as various artists who live and create here in the Comox Valley.鈥�

The winery opened its shop and tasting room on May 30, 2008. Since then, the Vandermolens have offered tastings of their award-winning wines to more than 9,000 visitors.

鈥淎lthough our tasting room is quite small, we enjoy the intimacy of it, and so do our customers," Jeff said. 鈥淥n many occasions, our tasting room is like a friends and family get-together 鈥� a fun and casual environment.鈥�

Besides the Beaufort website (www.beaufortwines.ca) and winery,  Beauhemian is offered exclusively at Martine鈥檚 Bistro in Comox. The wine shop and tasting room open for the spring and summer season Friday and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.