Vancouver Island puts the VI in Vino

Table Of Contents

Overview

Exploring Cowichan Valley's wine country, AKA the Napa of the north

You wouldn't think a little patch of land so far north would make for great viticulture. In fact, not many people did until the 1980s, when a few hobby vintners tipped the government that Vancouver Island was sitting on a veritable gold mine. People pay big bucks for wine. And the Cowichan Valley is really good for the main ingredient in wine: Grapes.

Sure, Islanders grew loganberry for wine as early as the 1920s. But grape farming for wine production didn't exist as an option until 1986, the year the Duncan Project summarized a trial based on that earlier tip. Among other things, the committee concluded that wine-grape production wasn't just viable on the island; it was downright favorable for certain uncommon varietals like Auxerrois, Maréchal Foch, Ortega, and Siegerrebe. The first winery opened its doors in 1992.

Since then, that number has grown to 32 according to www.winebc.com. While most of the 432 acres of grapes grow in the middle of the Cowichan Valley, farms dot the landscape around Nanaimo, Saanich Peninsula, and Victoria.

Cowichan's not-so-secret weapon is its weather. Its warm climate, 25-degree average summer temperature, and 2,000 annual sunshine hours inspired the Salish name Khowutzun, which translates to "Warm Land." This temperate climate—the warmest in all of Canada—also happens to make for fantastic outdoor life. Cowichan Valley boasts a network of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, freshwater lakes, and access to the Pacific Ocean.

It may not be the first name to roll off a wine snob's tongue; however, Cowichan Valley boasts some of the finest wine in the world, second in Canada only to Okanagan. To visit Vancouver Island without at least one stop for a taste truly would be a case of sour grapes.

Wineries

Alderlea Vineyards, Duncan

1751 Stamps Rd, Duncan, BC V9L 5W2, Canada

250-746-7122

http://www.alderlea.ca

Averill Creek Winery, Duncan

6552 N Rd, Duncan, BC V9L 6K9, Canada

250-709-9986

www.averillcreek.ca

Blue Grouse Vineyards, Duncan

2182 Lakeside Rd, Duncan, BC V9L 6M3, Canada

250-743-3834

www.bluegrouse.ca

Chase and Warren Estate Winery, Port Alberni

6253 Drinkwater Rd, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 8W6, Canada

250-723-9463

www.chaseandwarren.ca

Chateau Wolff, Nanaimo

Subd. A, 2534 Maxey Rd, Nanaimo, BC V9S 5V6, Canada

778-441-2625

www.chateauwolff.com

Cherry Point Vineyards, Cobble Hill

840 Cherry Point Rd, Cobble Hill, BC V0R 1L3, Canada

250-743-1272

www.cherrypointestatewines.com

Church & State Wines, Brentwood Bay

1445 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay, BC V8M 1J5, Canada

250-652-2671

www.churchandstatewines.com

Deol Estate Winery, Duncan

6645 Somenos Rd, Duncan, BC V9L 5Z3, Canada

250-746-3967

www.deolestatewinery.com

Divino Estate Winery, Cowichan Valley

1500 Freeman Rd, Cobble Hill, BC V0R 1L3, Canada

250-743-2311

www.divinowine.ca

Glenterra Vineyards, Cobble Hill

3897 Cobble Hill Rd, Cobble Hill, BC V0R 1L5, Canada

250-743-2330

www.glenterravineyards.com

Marley Farm Winery, Victoria

991 Wascana Parkway , Regina, SK S4S 2R3, Canada.

306-781-6987

www.marleyfarm.ca

Merridale Estate Cidery, Cowichan Bay

1230 Merridale Rd, Cobble Hill, BC V0R 1L0, Canada

250-743-4293

www.merridale.ca

Morningstar Farm, Parksville

403 Lowrys Rd, Parksville, BC V9P 2B5, Canada

250-954-3931

www.morningstarfarm.ca

Deep Cove Winery

11195 Chalet Rd, North Saanich, BC V8L 5M1, Canada

250-656-2552

www.deepcovewinery.ca

Rocky Creek Winery, Ladysmith

1854 Myhrest Rd, Cowichan Bay, BC V0R 1N1, Canada

250-748-5622

www.rockycreekwinery.ca

Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, Saanich Peninsula

2487 Mt St Michael Rd, Saanichton, BC V8M 1T7, Canada

250-544-4824

www.seacider.ca

Silverside Farm & Winery, Cobble Hill

3810 Cobble Hill Rd, Cobble Hill, BC V0R 1L5, Canada

250-743-9149

www.silversidefarm.com

Starling Lane Winery, Victoria

5271 Old West Saanich Rd, Victoria, BC V9E 2A9, Canada

250-479-4769

www.starlinglanevineyard.com

Tugwell Creek Honey Farm & Meadery, Sooke

8750 W Coast Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 1H2, Canada

250-642-1956

www.tugwellcreekfarm.com

Venturi Schulze Vineyards, Cobble Hill

4235 Vineyard Rd, Cobble Hill, BC V0R 1L5, Canada

250-743-5630

www.venturischulze.com

Victoria Estate Winery, Victoria

1445 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay, BC V8M 1J5, Canada

250-652-2671

www.churchandstatewines.com

Zanatta Winery, Duncan

5039 Marshall Rd, Duncan, BC V9L 6S3, Canada

250-748-2338

www.zanatta.ca