MADE IN COWICHAN:
WINES & CIDERS
The Cowichan Region is the
heart of Vancouver Island ’s burgeoning wine country. A place
where you can spend a
day or two, sampling wine at more than a dozen vineyards,
visiting a local cheese maker, and dining in a cozy bistro.
The abundance of farm fresh produce and breathtaking
scenery have attracted world-class chefs and culinary
travelers from around the world.
Cowichan is located in Canada ’s only Maritime
Mediterranean climatic zone and boasts the warmest
temperatures in all of Canada. Even though grape growing dates
back to as early as the 1860 ’s,the region has been one of the
province ’s best kept wine touring secrets. The combination of
warm weather, just enough rain, and rich clay soil means that
unique cool-climate grape varieties and some of the most
flavorful produce in the Pacific Northwest thrive here.
> Visit Wine & Culinary
Festival website
Tips to Making the Most of the Cowichan Wine
and Culinary Festival Take the Wine Shuttle.
The shuttle stops at most festival participants. Passes are
limited so be sure to reserve early. Book Early. Most events for
the weekend are free or have small nominal fees. If you wish to
book one of the ticketed events make sure to book your space
early as tickets are sure to sell out.
Make it a Weekend Getaway.
Stay overnight and enjoy many of the evening activities. Pack a
Picnic. Many of the vineyards have public picnic areas where you
can enjoy a glass of wine and an amazing view. Bring the Family.
While people traditionally think of wine tasting as a grown-up
activity there are still plenty of things for families to take
part in. Many of the properties will feature free music
that will delight the entire family.
Touring Tips
Plan ahead. If you can, take along a cooler to store your wine
and produce in. Wines can be ruined by sitting in a hot trunk
all afternoon. Also, make sure to map out a route before you
leave with five or six stops along the way. This will save time
as you tour.
Designate a driver or hire a touring company for the day.
Call Ahead. Not all properties are open year-round and
some run out of product each season. It ’s also a good idea to
call ahead if you are a group of 6 or more. This will give the
property time to prepare for your group. Mix it up. Make sure to
take the time to enjoy other places of interest along the way.
Visit a glass blower, art gallery or artisan cheese maker.
Spit. You won ’t be offending anyone if you spit your wine into
the bucket usually provided. Spitting allows you to sample more
wines and to find the ones you truly can ’t live without.
Buy. Throughout your tour you will be lucky enough to
try products that are only available at the farm. Make sure if
you like a wine or cider to buy a bottle or two. It will save
you from having any regrets later.
Eat. Once you ’ve found your perfect wine try pairing
it with some of the local produce. Fresh tomatoes,
mushrooms, cheeses, seafood and poultry. The combinations are
endless.
> Visit Wine & Culinary
Festival website
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