The lovely curve of the grouse’s head and neck inspired the roofline. With a focus on sustainable farming and grape varietals suited to this cool coastal climate,... Central Island Wineries. The current owner of the Enrico Winery is Jim Smith. The wineries are mostly along the eastern side of the Island with the exception of two in Port Alberni. He acquired the Vancouver Island winery from his dad, Harry Smith the original owner. The vineyard contains varietals such as Cabernet Libre, Castel, Siegerrebe, and Pinot Noir. Corlan Vineyard is the only commercial winery on Denman Island. Whether you’re marching through a city or exploring a rugged rural landscape, it’s important to ensure you’re traveling with comfortable footwear. The family’s passion and focus is primarily on agriculture and cultivating the land using the experience and expertise they acquired in the Okanagan. Capture your holiday on a quality camera. Guests can sip fine wine at Beaufort Vineyard’s cozy tasting room or outdoor picnic area, which overlooks the vineyard and Beaufort mountain range. The ocean inspires our everyday. There are additional wineries near Nanimo, Comox and on some of the surrounding islands like Hornby and Denman. Timeline Photos . Tim said, “Unsworth strives to make unmistakable high quality, cool climate coastal wines from Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and a small handful of other varieties that are grown and produced with upmost quality in mind. After searching for a place to live out our dream of growing wine and raising our family, we found this place that we now have to privilege to call home.”. The Cowichan Valley has Canada’s most moderate climate as it has the highest annual average temperature. Layne Robert Craig and wife Brenda Hetman-Craig purchased 40 Knots Estate Winery in July, 2014. With the help of designer Vasco Pavlov, Johnston embraced the opportunity to work with the inherent landscape, “Guided by gravity and slope, our facility incorporates three buildings structured together, allowing wine to flow down from one stage to the next without the need for pumps. 11/26/2020 . Turyk explained, “In August, 2020 the British Columbia government officially announced the creation of the Cowichan Valley sub-region on Vancouver Island. Unsworth Vineyards offers visitors various tours, from self guided to private tastings. This gravity flow method allows for gentle handling of delicate varietals – helping to retain their elegant characteristics,” said Johnston. The Vancouver Island winery gets its name from the fact that it’s located on the Coast and its first and most popular Blackberry wine. The up-and-coming wine region features two vineyards located a short drive outside of downtown Nanimo: Chateau Wolff Estate and Millstone Estate Winery. Today, the diverse lifestyle content on DOBBERNATIONLOVES is written by a team of Toronto writers who share the publications playful and professional ethos “Fancy Food. Harry searched over 300 locations ovrer three years to find the perfect micro climate to grow Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.”. The crop was selected for the soil as it is pure peat, perfect for growing blueberries. Tours can be organized year round with advance notice. From March to November, Church & State Wines operates a Tasting Bar and Bistro serving some of the best Vancouver Island Wines. No chemical herbicides, systemic fungicides or pesticides are used, only natural fertilizers with organic ingredients and composted pomace for the vineyard. The Cowichan Valley has the largest collection of wineries. Come discover the Island’s best – we are always happy to answer any questions to assist in choosing the tour that is right for you. The first winery on Vancouver Island was Zanatta Winery, which opened in 1992. Damali winemaker Kennedy Saville is currently working on his 5th vintage. Enrico Winery’s General Manager Lorin Inglis explained, “In 2009, we converted one of the original buildings into our tasting room. Life Style. The blueberries, sheep, and a unique vineyard, all add to the authentic experience enjoyed on this truly unique winery on Vancouver Island. In 2008, they expanded their operation, releasing their first vintage estate wine and opening their doors for public wine tastings. Timeline Photos . Today, the majority of Wineries on Vancouver Island are located in the Cowichan Valley and Saanich Peninsula. The restaurant is in a 100 year old farm house that we thoughtfully restored into Unsworth Restaurant as a venue to showcase our wines with delicious local food.”. Visitors to Cowichan can enjoy unique wine tours, scenic biking and hiking trails, restaurant menus celebrating fresh seasonal flavours, kayaking and swimming in the Pacific Ocean and freshwater lakes in the valley and horseback riding. Donica Jeffery from Church & State Wines shared the meaning being the name, “it is meant to embrace the idea of the head + heart. Book the best local tours on Viator. Visiting wine lovers should skip over to the De Vine Vineyards tasting room to enjoy popular Vancouver Island Wine varietals Ortega, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris or Siegerrebe. The farmland and orchard became the backdrop for outdoor celebrations and feasts.”, Limousin added, “We are cider drinkers from way back, drinking ciders from around the world. The Cowachin Valley winery would be Tim Turyk’s retirement project from the fishing industry. Natalie shared, “The vineyard is one of the oldest on Vancouver Island. Coastal Black Winery is owned by Terry and Bonnie Ludwig and first opened its doors near Comox in 2009. The recently launched kitchen offers a comfy gathering place to enjoy jaw-dropping views of the vineyard, or sit by the blazing fire pit. Guests can create a platter topped with Vancouver Island cheese, charcuterie, smoked salmon, freshly baked baguette, crackers, chutney and wine jelly. The Canadian province is home to more than 250 wineries and 150 craft breweries. The region has some of the best weather on Vancouver Island, known to receive up to 2000 hours of sunshine a year. The onsite glamping tents are available for rent between May and September. We also wanted to have special food related functions on the farm so we built a commercial kitchen and an intimate dining room that could accommodate small gatherings of up to 16 people. Denman Island features one winery, Corlan Farm Vineyard, which you can visit before cruising on a ferry to nearby Hornby Island. Glenterra Vineyard’s farming practices include extensive canopy management to create airflow through our vineyard, which greatly reduces mildew and botrytis pressure, mechanical weed control under the vine rows to create a mulch which suppresses the weeds and creates organic matter and moisture as it breaks down. Giordano and Marilyn Venturi first established Venturi-Schulze Vineyards on Vancouver Island in 1988. While many tourists visit the region on a day trip, we encourage wine lovers to book an overnight stay so you’re not rushing through the wineries and cider houses of Cowichan Valley. Visit Morning Bay Vineyards on North Pender Island, Gabriola Island Winery and Hornby Island on the east coast of Vancouver Island is home to three wineries. We have the helping hands of a few long time employees and we bring on some volunteers for the celebrations of harvest.”. The first winery on Vancouver Island was Zanatta Winery, which opened in 1992. If you’re planning a road trip make sure to compare the best local car rental options. While working on the island in pulp and paper he saw the island was a growing wine region. Timeline Photos . If you’re visiting Victoria on holiday and pressed for time, head to the nearby Saanich Peninsula for a wine tasting day trip. She was a local resident of Victoria and Shawnigan Lake and introduced the family to the area. Add these and more to your travel plan The wheat grown and milled on-site is used to bake breads fresh daily. The scenic winery is one of the most romantic wineries on Vancouver Island to host an outdoor wedding. They purchased the Nanimo winery from the original owner, Harry Von Wolff, who planted the vineyard in 1991. Mead is “wine” made from honey and water, often flavoured with herbs, fruits, spices and other botanical elements. The Cowichan winery’s scenic pastoral ambience and bistro double as a venue for weddings and special events year-round. The wine-growing season here is long and characterized by temperate temperatures and low risk of frost. The 12 wine varietals produced are solely dictated by the land with respect to its soil qualities. Additional grapes are purchased as needed from vineyards that use similarly responsible farming methods. Right now we can boast having 25+ year old wines that are just awesome that not just anyone gets to have and soft light island wines that dance on your tongue!”. Divino Estate Winery’s owner Joseph Busnardo first opened the 40 acre vineyard on Vancouver Island in 1982. Owner Loretta Zanatta explained, “We participated in a provincial trial of grape varieties called the Duncan Project. Freya Timmermans is Beaufort Vineyard’s resident winemaker, “I guess I would say that I enjoy working with varietals that can surprise me with layers in their delicacy — like Ortega — or with an unlooked for aromatic like I can sometimes find in Pinot Gris. Both regions are shielded from the open Pacific Ocean to the west by the mountain ranges. The couple purchased the 21 year old vineyard in 2013. Vancouver Island wineries are concentrated in two main geographical areas – the Saanich Peninsula and the Cowichan Valley. “The approach to my winemaking career was quite premeditated. Bailey Williamson has been the resident winemaker at Blue Grouse Winery since 2012. Blue Grouse Estate Winery is home to the some of the oldest vines on Vancouver Island. Bailey guides the estate portfolio that includes Blue Grouse Estate Bacchus, Ortega, Pinot Gris, Siegerrebe, Black Muscat and Pinot Noir. The Comox Valley has a deep farming history – Beaufort was once a mixed use farm and cattle ranch. Our logo was laser burnt into old fir gate panels that previously hung just outside the building. The kitchen crafts a curated menu showcasing fresh local ingredients. "We took the Cowichan Valley - Local Food, Craft Beverages, and Estate Winery Tour by Vancouver Island Expeditions to take in Enrico winery." Guests can pair their wine with a locally produced cheese and charcuterie platter. In 2014, they sold their restaurant in Ontario and moved with their newborn daughter to revive the vineyard. Previously the vineyard had a very high quality reputation as a grape grower that supplied other wineries in the area. The Vineyard Bistro offers several Vancouver Island Wines by the glass, including Roost Farm’s Siegerrebe, Merlot & Syrah and Marechal Foch. Roost Farm Winery offers a popular bakery and cafe featuring fresh breakfast plates, homemade sandwiches, soups, pies and poutine. Located a short 5 minute drive from Departure Bay Ferry, Millstone is a fun and tasty tourist stop for those sailing to and from the mainland. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The previous owners for 30 years never sprayed, so the property has been at least 62 years an oasis free of chemical pesticides and herbicides.”. We are helping Vancouver Island and BC Wineries advertise their wineries for sale The Briar Hill Group at RE/MAX Camosun Operating as usual. The majority of Vancouver Island’s wineries are located in the Cowichan Valley, 45 minutes north of Victoria with many Cideries to explore along the way. Our small kitchen, which serves basic light meals keeps a smile on each customers face while they enjoy a wine tasting.”, Enrico Winery’s resident winemaker Daniel Cosman’s understanding of hybrid grapes has proven to be rewarding for the winery. Vancouver Island Wine Tours operates tours beginning early in the spring up until the end of harvest time in the fall. This makes the soils of the island extremely diverse even across a small geographical area. Keen to avoid driving so you can sip with glee? The 54 acre property was originally purchased in 1999, when the land was used as a livestock farm. Your support helps us to produce comprehensive content. Brenda Hetman shared, “We offer cellar tours where we crack open library wines and specialty wines led by the winemaker and guided vineyard tours where you can sip amongst the vines where the grapes in your sip are from. Visitors to the island should make sure to visit Hornby Island Estate Winery, Isla De Lerena Vineyard and Middle Mountain Mead. Today, there are 32 licensed grape wineries covering a planted region of 432 acres. We suggest the pocket-sized Canon Powershot G7 or professional SLR we shoot with Canon EOS 6D. Vigneti Zanatta (now called Zanatta Winery) was the first grape winery to open on Vancouver Island. The wee tasting room was designed by Victoria-based architect JC Scott and features locally salvaged maple and arbutus counters and windowsills created by local artisan Joe Gelinas. 11/02/2020 . We have some great smaller venue spaces we rent out such as our balcony and deep-seated lounge. Marilyn explained, “Our homestead was one of the first in the area, having been built in 1893. Matt Riga is Chateau Wolff Estates’ resident winemaker. He also owned the original Auchinachie Road Farm for more than 10 years. Seasonally, we are also happy to offer our wooden open beam Winery Crush Pad; a beautiful unique outdoor covered location of 1200 sq ft.”. We have added a few of our favorite "Tap houses" to the list of tasting rooms. The Deol family originally launched their winemaking business to supply grapes to local wineries. The 30 acre vineyard was first planted in 2001, with its first vintage available in 2004. The estate vineyard has been committed to sustainable growing practices since 2017 and will continue to ensure that its stellar Vancouver Island wines are a true reflection of the beauty that British Columbia has to offer. Rocky Creek Winery produces wines on the dry side. The Camerons enlisted the help of a small and dedicated team to manage the Vancouver Island winery and farm land. The 34 acre property is currently owned and managed by Xavier and Maria Bonilla. Looking to book a tour or VIP experience on holiday? The Zanatta family began experimentation of vinifera varieties in 1981. Explore the best wineries on Vancouver Island with a stop at Deep Cove near downtown Victoria. Its menu features West Coast Asian vibes such as soba noodle salad and prawn cakes. Dionisio Zanatta, my father, was very enthusiastic and believed in the Cowichan Valley as an optimal location for certain styles of wine.”. Discover the history and passion behind every bottle with the best wine tours in Vancouver Island. Our children had no desire for dairy farming but wanted to stay on the land and create their own enterprises. These award winning wines are vegan and gluten free. Chardonnay, Trebbiano, Castel, Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio form the core of the mix of varietals on the Busnardo Vineyard. During the Winter and Fall, guests can enjoy Soup Saturday from 12-3pm, where kitchen staff prepare homemade seasonal soups. Over the years the Vancouver Island winery has evolved to offer a range of activities including a vineyard, tasting room, gift shop, labyrinth and orchards. Visitors can skip into the retail store and wine bar, which is located in the original home of the Zanatta family. We are in an excellent location close to all amenities including world class private schools, outdoor recreation, shopping and only 45 minutes to Victoria. The Rathjen Winery and tasting room are housed in one third of the original honey warehouse. A Vancouver Island Road Trip of Crisp Wines and Gigantic Trees On southern Vancouver Island, among some of the world's most ancient forests, Jayme Moye … 1854 Myhrest Rd, Cowichan Bay, BC V0R 1N1, Canada. Beyond wine, Venturi-Schulze Vineyards also produces balsamic vinegar using an ancient method from Modena, Italy. Since 1999, Hornby Island Estate Winery founders and owners, John Grayson and Joan Costello, have been producing delicious wines, ports, and sherry made with local British Columbia fruits and berries. At wineries around Nanaimo, Parksville and the Alberni Valley you’ll find delicate, crisp white... Cowichan Wineries. Damali also produces fruit and grape wines, some of which are even flavoured with lavender! To the northwest of Saturna Island is Thetis Island, location of Thetis Island Vineyards. The wines here are natural and also feature the currently trending orange method. Symphony Vineyards first opened its doors as a Vancouver Island winery in 2012. If you’re planning a road trip of the island, stay at one of these beautiful accommodations in Victoria or the Cowichan Valley. The valley area wineries, near the town of Duncan, are 50 miles from the extreme weather of the Pacific. Guests are invited to enjoy the winery’s beautifully landscaped tasting room patio as well as a pizza patio with a vineyard viewing area. 40 Knots is one of the largest wineries on Vancouver Island, farming biodynamically on 24 stunning acres. Our tasting room is a favourite on the island for visitors as it offers a warm and friendly feel. Layne has the hands-off approach in the cellar and a hands-on approach in the vineyard, with the philosophy that great grapes make great wine. Ocean Friendly Island The slow conversion to a winery began in 2003 with land clearing and prep for the planting soon to follow. Vancouver Island Wineries ~ Saanich Peninsula - South Island ~ Cowichan Valley ~ Central - … Today, Hornby Island Estate Winery’s orchard is 20 years old, producing juicy heritage English and French cider apples. The Parsell and Miles families arrived on Vancouver Island as early pioneers and farmers in the late nineteenth-century, and by the 1920s were growing loganberries for the peninsula's first wineries. Glenterra Vineyards is located in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, this is a very well established area with the largest concentration of wineries on the coast and has shown substantial growth in recent years. Glenterra Vineyards, a popular Cowichan Winery, maintains 5 acres of sustainably dry farmed vineyards. 7 E 7th Ave. Mount Pleasant. There are also wineries in Victoria, Saanich, Nanaimo, Sooke, Port Alberni, and the Comox Valley. Nibble on all-natural products such as charcuterie, smoked salmon, cheeses, fresh-baked baguettes, chutneys, roasted nuts and dried fruits, and the winery’s famous pickled grapes. The winery’s name pays homage to the original name of the town of nearby Duncan. If you have time we suggest hopping on a car ferry bound for Denman and Hornby Island, located just south of Comox. The Divino Estate Winery was constructed using the wood from the trees felled to plant the grapes. Alderlea Winery and Vineyards ~ Duncan . We lined the feature walls with the old white cedar siding that used to be on the exterior. De Vine Vineyards is unique on Vancouver Island for offering both fine wines and locally distilled craft spirits. Our favourite Isla De Lerena Vineyard wines worth sipping on a visit to Hornby Island include Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer. 40 Knots Vineyard farms biodynamic and makes its wine using traditional methods. So yes, these Vancouver Island wines are vegan friendly! The onsite restaurant highlights wine tastings and food pairings, which can be enjoyed in the dining room or scenic verandah. Due to its proximity to Vancouver and Victoria, the booming wine region on Vancouver Island has enjoyed a boost in popularity as a tourist destination and for people looking to relocate from the expensive Lower Mainland. Abundant sunny days give vines a unique growing opportunity, allowing the Isla De Lerena winemaker to handcraft small batches of superior wines. The Damali vineyard was originally planted in 2006. He makes small batch wines that are distinctly Vancouver Island. On Fridays, guests are invited to Friday Night Flights where three, 3oz glasses of wine are offered for $8 with accompanying food options that rotate weekly. Township 7 Vineyards & Winery, Langley. Vancouver Island Wineries & Vineyards. Roost Farm is one of the best Wineries on Vancouver Island for families. Winemaker and Master distiller, Ken Winchester, lives on site to lovingly watch over the vintage German copper pot still, Brünhilde. The Cowichan Valley was historically a diary farming community and has been since the late 1800s. Coming from the commercial fishing industry we wanted the production area to be simple and functional. The winery building is a former home, which was redesigned a few years ago to increase the spacing in the tasting room. The winemakers of Vancouver Island have discovered the varietals that flourish in the local terroir, earning … The winery also produces unique port-style wine and vin d’cure from botrytis Pinot Gris. Continue driving north from Cowachin Valley to Comox and you’ll find the scenic oceanside city of Nanimo. His favourite varietals to work with are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay because they are versatile yet demand a high level of attention to achieve optimal results. Vancouver Island Wine Tours. DOBBERNATIONLOVES is an award-winning lifestyle site created by Toronto-based writer and photographer Andrew John Virtue Dobson. It was a local institution and I have customers coming in all the time regaling me with stories of the Babe’s Honey era. The 1903 farmhouse features a wrap around verandah, where wine lovers can sit and sip their glasses. Rathjen Cellars first vintage was in 2015 and its first wines were released during Christmas in 2017. Church & State Wines is a Vancouver Island Winery that first opened its doors 15 years ago. Launched in 2006 as a culinary tourism diary, Andrew’s informative and entertaining food and travel stories documented his three-year trip around the globe. In addition there are now smaller diversified vegetable and mixed agriculture operations. OUR WINE Located in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island BC, Emandare Vineyard sits on a unique south sloping hillside in the rain shadow of Mount Prevost overlooking Somenos Lake. These cluster of wineries near Victoria are conveniently located near the airport and ferry terminal to Vancouver. Glenterra Vineyards is proud to have been farming Cowichan Valley Winery property in this eco-friendly manner for over 20 years. Isla de Lerena Vineyard is another one of our favourite Hornby Island Wineries. About Vancouver Island Wine Tours - Tours Offering afternoon or day wine tours in Victoria and Cowichan Valley wine regions. If you’re feeling hungry, Glenterra’s Vineyards is one of our favourite Cowichan Valley Wineries offering an onsite restaurant. Matt and Natalie Riga are the owners of Chateau Wolff Estates, one of the few wineries on Vancouver Island near Nanimo. Six acres are planted on the estate farm, producing plump Vancouver Island Wines like Ortega, Pinot Grigio, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, and fruit trees. The estate-grown vineyard is certified organic and has been farmed without pesticides or sprays since day one. Visit Damali Winery and you’ll find a farmstead-style building constructed with rustic wood, built in part with lumber fell from the land. Dan was inspired by working at Beaux Freres Winery in Oregon, which makes some of the best Pinot Noir in the world. Vancouver Island Wineries and Distillers. Look beyond the vinis vinifera vines and you’ll find a gorgeous glamping site, Hornby Islands most unique accommodation. Pair a glass of wine or cider with locally sourced meats, cheeses, veggies and chips. The wine shop, which stands in front of the Vancouver Island winery was an old workshop. The Strait of Georgia separates Vancouver Island from the mainland. Symphony Vineyard planted its first vines in 2004 and focussed on crisp dry aromatic white wines, rosé, and lightly barrel aged fruit forward reds. Jim Moody is the resident winemaker, joining the business when he married Loretta in 1992. With some of the most beautiful vineyard landscapes, wine tastings and tours are a fantastic experience for all. Luxury Travel. Inside the tasting room, a curved ceiling reminds visitors of a grouse’s belly, and the entrance highlights a beautiful shade of blue from the grouse’s tail feathers. Saville shared, “with combinations of estate grown fruit, grape, and flower, our wines are certainly unique and we’re not afraid to break the molds of traditional wine-making.”. Explore our Golf and Wine packages for the ultimate pairing of golf and wine touring. Selwyn and Patricia Jones moved to Denman Island in 2006, clearing the land on their property so they could plant their first vines in 2008. Busnardo most enjoys producing traditional Italian-style wines with no added sulphites. Nestled with a view of the glacier and adjacent to the Salish Sea, enjoy our Cellar Tasting Lounge, Balcony, Vineyard Terrace, and stroll in our vineyard. The Cowichan Valley winery is unique in that it is the only vineyard on Vancouver Island also growing lavender. Resident winemaker Arnaud Thierry has been tending the vineyards since January, 2019. That’s when Colin and Mike started scheming about what to do with the 10,000 sq foot honey warehouse at the bottom of the property.”. However, Canada’s westernmost province is also witnessing an explosion of cideries, and some of the best are on Vancouver Island. Gay Magic.”, Receive Updates When New Stories Are Posted. Lavender remains a key facet of the business. Timeline Photos . There are plenty of great ways to explore the wineries on Vancouver Island. To me these tend to be lower in alcohol, have bright acidity and something other than just fruit going on such as minerality or spice.”. Many of the original materials like the beams, posts and siding were saved and reincorporated into the modern barn design. Southern Vancouver Island is the second-largest wine region in British Columbia, after the Okanagan Valley . We also took silver for our blackberry dessert wine.”. 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