MY PERFECT DAY IN VANCOUVER ISLAND
MORNING & LUNCH
Wake up to the gentle sounds of waves at Oceanfront Suites* in the charming community of Cowichan Bay. Stroll to nearby Leeward Cafe (@leewardcafe) for a quick breakfast sandwich and honeysweetened chai latte before browsing in the waterfront shops or, for the adventurous, taking to the water with Cowichan Bay Kayaking (+1 250 597 3031). In your rental car, head to Averill Creek (see p66) to enjoy one of three tastings that you have already booked – guided, self-guided or the full package, including private vineyard and cellar tour. You could stay and order from the snack menu, or head where the locals go: Hank’s Cowichan (hankscowichan.com), about 15 minutes’ drive away and a great sit-down stop for a homemade soup and sandwich. Alternatively from Hank’s, grab some Pickles’ Pantry (picklespantry.ca) paté or charcuterie items for an on-the-go snack — also to be found at the Duncan Farmers Market on Saturdays.
AFTERNOON
After a bite, continue to Blue Grouse Estate Winery (p66), only eight minutes’ drive from Cowichan. The modern tasting room is inviting and boasts panoramic views of the vineyards. From here, a 30-minute drive south gets you to the Malahat Skywalk*, where a spiral wooden ramp leads up to a 32m viewing deck. Soak up the breathtaking scenery of Mount Baker (above) and the Saanich Peninsula before taking the nine-second spiral slide to the bottom. Then make your way to the Mill Bay ferry to cross the inlet. The 25-minute journey runs nearly every hour until 6:30pm (from CA$32.60/£19 for car with two passengers).
EVENING
After docking at Brentwood Bay, drive 10 minutes to Church & State (p68) to taste traditional-method artisan sparkling wines. Afterwards, check in and relax at Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa*. Dinner options include the pub (a great chowder of local fish and clams) or the upscale Arbutus Room, where you can savour seared Hokkaido scallops or Saltspring Island mussels.
For more details of entries marked with an asterisk (*), see p69
outdoor terrace (when weather permits) offer stunning panorama views of its 13ha of vineyards on the sunny southeast-facing slopes of Mount Prevost. It’s the perfect spot to sip Averill Creek’s Joue Red, a blend of Foch, Gamay and Pinot Noir, or its wild-ferment Westholm Pinot Gris.
At family-run Rocky Creek (rockycreekwinery.ca),
in tourist season 30- to 45-minute tastings are available at a modest charge, and spring and summer are best for enjoying an informal picnic on the patio with wine purchased. But even during winter you can still enjoy a stroll through the gardens next to its estate vineyards before enjoying a local Cabernet Foch or wines from international varieties.
While most of Vancouver Island’s wine comes from Cowichan Valley, there are vineyards elsewhere, such as in the Saanich Peninsula, where Church & State Wines (churchandstatewines.com)
has its satellite property. Best known for producing elegant whites and bold reds from the southern Okanagan Valley (mainland BC), Church & State’s 8ha island estate (about 5ha planted) is focused on sparkling wines. Try the traditional-method, hand-riddled Gris de Noir, which comes from Saanich-grown Pinot Noir.
TASTE OF THE ISLAND
Vancouver Island boasts a robust culinary identity that draws foodies as well as wine lovers. Organic produce abounds and menus feature freshly caught Pacific salmon and succulent Dungeness crab, while farm-to-table dining showcases the island’s bounty of artisanal cheeses and grass-fed meats.
Wine festivals add another layer of allure. Averill Creek’s Noir Fest, in late June, celebrates Pinot Noir from across BC (averillcreek.ca/ noir-fest). In the warmth and full bloom of August, the Cowichan Valley Wine Festival (@cowichanwineries) spotlights local wines, dishes and live entertainment. Victoria Wine Festival (vicwf.com) wraps up the season around harvest time in late September, with winery dinners and events aimed at both consumers and wine trade.
Whatever the season, and whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or a casual sipper, Vancouver Island promises unforgettable experiences.