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Up
the Malahat just
north of Victoria,
on Vancouver Island, is the newest home to wine producers
in British Columbia. These six vineyards are all situated
near the city of Duncan,
with one exception a little further north at Nanaimo.
In November the newly minted Cowichan Valley Wine Festival
takes place in the area.
The Vancouver Island wine route begins at Mill
Bay, at the Merridale Estate Cidery, and then heads
north to Cowichan
Bay / Cobble Hill
and the Cherry Point Vineyards. Next stop is Venturi-Schulze
Vineyards and the nearby Blue Grouse Vineyards. It is
a fifteen-minute drive north to the southern end of the
city of Duncan and the Vigneti Zanatta Vineyards. Just
north of the city is Alderlea Vineyards. A half-hour drive
north to Nanaimo is the Chateau Wolff Vineyard, and the
northernmost tip of the Island’s wine growing region.
Located in the lee of Vancouver Island, between the island
and the mainland of British Columbia, are the Gulf Islands,
and their near Mediterranean climate. On Saturna
Island are the Saturna Island Vineyards, the only
island vineyard and winery in Canada with a resort and
restaurant facilities.
To the northwest of Saturna Island is Thetis
Island, location of the new Thetis Island Vineyards,
established in November 2000.
British Columbia is fast becoming the California of the
north in its production of exceptional wine, where oenophiles
can find their appetites sated, and the rest of us can
sip some excellent vintages at decent prices.
Most wineries invite visitors for wine tastings and tours.
Some even serve delicious food to complement the wine.
As you tour, you may view the entire process from crushing
to bottling, each winery uniquely different. What better
place to sample and select your favourite beverage than
the winery itself. Be sure to take home a bottle of the
region's finest when you leave. The Okanagan Valley is
the oldest and most prolific wine growing region in the
province and, in fact, is responsible for putting Canada
on the vintner’s map.
Vineyards
on Mainland British Columbia - Visit BritishColumbia.com
Throughout the world, wine producing countries have
set standards by which to judge their products and recognize
the best. The VQA put British Columbian wines to the test
of meeting premium-quality standards. This seal is awarded
to British Columbia's superior wines, and is an assurance
to the consumer of a certain standard in wine excellence.
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