It鈥檚 been another banner year for Blue Moon Estate Winery, which won 18 medals at three competitions.

Blue Moon won its first double gold award for Moon Shine 鈥� an apple and pear table wine 鈥� at the All Canadian Wine Championships in Windsor, Ont.

It also picked up a pair of silver medals for Lunacy (blueberry/blackberry) and Sirius (apple), and three bronze medals for Dusk (blueberry), the Big Bang (raspberry port-styled wine) and Moon Light (Asian pear).

The winery cleaned up at the NorthWest Wine Summit in Oregon, highlighted by a gold medal and Best Value award for Sirius, along with six silvers and two bronze medals.

It also won bronze for Dusk and Khaos 鈥� a black currant port-styled wine 鈥� at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, held each year in Rochester, NY.

The winery has now won 52 awards in just four years.

鈥淚t鈥檚 pretty consistent with the best sellers at the winery this year,鈥� co-owner Marla Limousin said of this year鈥檚 winners.

She says fruit wines are gaining ground in the wine world in terms of respect and popularity.

鈥淭he liquor stores are starting to carry it whereas probably five years ago it was a pretty tough sell,鈥� she said. 鈥淢ost of our wine went out from here, and now we鈥檙e moving it down the Island.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 all small batch,鈥� her husband George Ehrler added. 鈥淚t鈥檚 as local as I can get the product. If I can get the product certified organic, I do.鈥�

The couple opened Blue Moon at Nature鈥檚 Way Farm five years ago. For a relatively new industry in the Comox Valley, Limousin says all local wineries have won awards at competitions.

鈥淭he Island is coming into its own,鈥� said Ehrler, who figures there are more than 40 wineries on Vancouver Island, including the Gulf Islands.

Besides wine, the farm yields value-added products including jams, pestos and preserves, which Ehrler and Limousin sell at the Comox Valley Farmers鈥� Market.

Impending legislative changes would help their bottom line if wine tastings and sales are permitted at markets and festivals.

The couple hopes to launch their first carbonated cider in conjunction with the June 21 solstice.

Blue Moon also hosts cooking classes.

鈥淚t鈥檚 food, farm and wine,鈥� Limousin said.

The winery hosts A Perfect Pairing July 20 from 1 - 4  p.m. The fourth annual event will feature recent work by Valley artist Juanita Olson.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a lovely afternoon of art and wine,鈥� Limousin said.

Blue Moon is located at 4905 Darcy Rd. off Condensory.

The tasting room is open Friday to Monday from 1 - 5 p.m. After June 15, it is open seven days a week.

Call 250-338-9765 or visit www.bluemoonwinery.ca for more information.

reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com