ABBOTSFORD – 2016 marks the twelfth year of the UFV Alumni Association commemorative wine, a unique tradition within the alumni community. Each year two limited edition wines are produced to celebrate the graduating class with labels designed by UFV alumni artists. The 2016 launch was held April 7, 2016 where Nav Bains, Vice-Chair of the Alumni Association, unveiled this year’s wines and the winner of the wine label artist competition.

The winning artist is alumnus Colin Mitchell (Dip ‘97). Mitchell graduated from UFV with a Fine Arts diploma (with honours), then continued on to the University of Lethbridge for his BFA in 1999.

Since then, he has continued working and exhibiting. His work often incorporates elements of sculpture, painting, and photography creating a contemporary stylistic fusion.

Mitchell took an unusual approach to creating the art that has been chosen to grace the labels of this year’s wine. “These two works resulted as a solution to damage done to photographs taken by my grandfather during his time in India during the Second World War. Significant damage had occurred, so I undertook to paint them and fill in the missing details, thus repairing and preserving them,” he says.

The 2016 commemorative wine is produced by the Chaberton Estate Winery. There is a smooth 2012 Reserve Syrah and a delightful 2014 Reserve Siegerrebe available for order. These limited edition wines make excellent graduation gifts, memorabilia, or prizes and proceeds go towards supporting the UFV Alumni Association.

2014 Reserve Siegerrebe
$20.00
Fraser Valley grown, this unique BC wine has an inviting nose of youthful elderflower and luscious orange blossom. The off-dry palate has flavours of zesty grapefruit and tangerine which are supported by a juicy long finish. Enjoy with spicy prawns, strong cheeses, and white meats.

2012 Reserve Syrah
$34.00
The grapes for this wine were selected from small plots through out the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys and aged 12 months in new French and American oak barrels. Aromas of blueberry jam, black currants and figs lead to a smooth palate of blackberries, licorice and dark chocolate. Pair with grilled red meats, lamb and rich savoury stews.

You can order your 2016 commemorative wine here. Available until March 2017.

To submit artwork for the 2017 label design contest, contact alumni@ufv.ca