Islandwines101

Island Grapes and More

Draw a line due east from Victoria and eventually you’ll hit Burgundy. It’s a surprise to many visitors that Vancouver Island shares many of the growing conditions of northern France and Germany: warm summers, mild winters, gravelly soils, and just enough rain. Here are the varieties you’ll see most often in vineyard and tasting rooms.

Ortega

Named for a Spanish philosopher, Ortega is really a German cross of Muller-Thurgau and Siegerrebe (two other Island varieties). An early-ripening variety, Ortega produces a crisp, light white with a bright floral aroma and citrus flavours. The perfect match for local shellfish and crab.

Pinot Gris

A popular grape in both Alsace and Oregon, Pinot Gris is developing two distinct styles on the Wine Islands: unoaked Gris produces a crisp, light style that is sometimes finished off-dry; oaked Gris is richer and spicier, often with a distinctive coppery hue.

Pinot Noir

The great grape of Burgundy has become the Island’s most-planted red variety, and with good reason. Although notoriously temperamental (its nickname is the “Heartbreak Grape”), it produces a medium bodied, elegant and long-lived wine that pairs well with local specialties like salmon and lamb.

Marechal Foch

Usually just called Foch, is a hardy, cold-tolerant hybrid. It produces a full-bodied, earthy red with deep color and jammy flavours. Soft tannins make it easy to enjoy young. Pair it with heartier dishes like grilled meats or winter stews.

Blackberry

The gnarly wild blackberry decorates fields and fencelines throughout the Wine Islands. Picked by hand in the fall, the berries produce both dry table wine (sometimes blended with grape wine) and a luscious port-style dessert wine that has garnered international recognition.

Apples

The best cider is made from apples that are both sharp (high in acid) and bitter (high in tannin). Styles include dry “traditional” cider; sweet, rich Cyser; and strong, sharp Scrumpy —so named after farm workers who stole, or “scrumped” apples from the orchard.

Honey

Mead, or honey wine, is as old as grape wine, and comes in almost as many styles. The two meaderies on Vancouver Island rely on “herds” of bees to produce raw honey, which is fermented and often flavored with wine, fruit, or spices. Styles range from light, dry table wine to sweet, oak-aged dessert wine.

Saanich Peninsula

Saanich lies just a few minutes north of Victoria, yet it truly feels like a world apart. Driving along country lanes lined with arbutus and wild roses, gazing at the gently rolling landscape, it's hard to believe that a major highway, ferry terminals, and an international airport are nearby. Sandwiched between a sun warmed inlet and the island-dotted Strait of Georgia, the peninsula has a sheltered, mild, and temperate nature. This is reflected in the variety of fresh-from-the-field bounty—ranging from strawberries to sunflowers—sold at numerous roadside stands and markets. Saanich is also Vancouver Island's latest viticultural hot spot, boasting the island's only Certified Organic vineyard. Many of the chefs on the peninsula follow the ethics of Slow Food, using locally grown foods in their menus. Saanich winemakers produce fruit-forward floral whites such as Bacchus and Ortega and light-to-medium-bodied reds such as Pinot Noir and Marechal Foch. Others craft full-bodied fruit wines from farmgrown blackberries and kiwis. You can sample these in the tasting rooms along the Saanich Wine Route, or find them at restaurants and fine wine shops throughout the peninsula.

Sooke

The Southwest coast of Vancouver Island is edged with sparkling and protected bays and traversed with walking trails through the Sooke Hills and beyond. The views are spectacular, whether looking over the Strait to the majestic Olympic Mountains of Washington State, or gazing up into the canopy of a Northwest rainforest. Sooke hospitality is equally exceptional, with a choice of relaxed guesthouses and bed-and breakfasts or the world-renowned Sooke Harbour House. The abundance of year-round marinas and organic gardens ensure a bounty of fresh and seasonal ingredients for inspired cuisine.

Cowichan Valley

A breathtaking drive over the Malahat or a picturesque ferry ride brings you to the southern end of Cowichan Valley and the communities of Shawnigan Lake, Mill Bay, and Cobble Hill. Sheltered by a ridge of high mountains to the west and warmed by the Strait of Georgia to the east, the valley has long been called by local First Nations people 'The Warm Land'. Indeed the region boasts the highest average temperature in Canada, which creates ideal growing conditions for almost any crop. Approximately a quarter of Vancouver Island's cultivated land is found in the valley and it's a local tradition to sell products fresh off the farm. Keep an eye out for vineyards and orchards with “Tasting Room Open” signs, where you can sample traditional cider, fruit wines made from local berries, and elegant, aromatic wines that are nurtured by rich soil and the climatic combination of warmth and moisture. Local winemakers work with vinifera favourites such as Pinot Gris, Ortega, and Pinot Noir, along with lesser-known varietals carefully matched to the maritime climate. Foodstuffs such as jams and jellies, gourmet mushrooms, organic milk and meats, and specialty vinegars are sold in market gardens and farmstands.

Duncan

The Warm Land continues to Duncan, one of Vancouver Island's best places to explorethe art and culture of the regions original inhabitants. The town itself is dotted with dozens of traditional totem carvings and the Quw'utsun' Cultural Centre showcases First Nations history. You can stay for the unique experience of a traditional salmon feast, or seek out other fare in one of the city's fine restaurants. Chances are your dinner will feature some of the local bounty, from herbs to organic vegetables to exotic game.

Cowichan Bay

Houseboats bobbing gently on the water, kayaks gliding by, working fishing vessels—all of these provide real-life entertainment from the picturesque shoreline at Cowichan Bay. Wander the streets of this charming seaside village, stopping at your leisure to browse in an eclectic boutique or watch an artist at work in the studio. Sip wine and enjoy freshfrom- the-ocean seafood on a dockside restaurant or sample handcrafted cheeses as you overlook the bay. Or pack up a basket with fresh-baked bread and find your own favourite picnic spot in Vancouver Island's quaintest community.

Salt Spring Island

Salt Spring Island might just be the ultimate gastronomic getaway. Over 200 growers tend the meadows, fields, and valleys of this largest of the Gulf Islands, cultivating everything from sheep to bamboo to grapevines. Island artisans produce hand-crafted goodies such as cheese, chocolate, roasted coffee, and fine wines made from island-grown grapes. The town of Ganges is a showcase for the island's bounty, especially on Saturdays in the summertime in a fabled market that is part commerce and part celebration. Accommodations range from lakeside cabins to elegant country inns.

Outer Islands

Dotting the waters between mainland BC and Vancouver Island are hundreds of smaller islands - each with individual character that ranges from funky to sophisticated. Among the largest are Pender and Saturna, where you can travel by ferry for a day trip or stay for a while in a full-service luxury spa hotel or family friendly resort. With the development of wineries on both islands, you can enjoy some island wine as you settle into island time.

Central Island

Each of the communities on this stretch of coastline sports its own charm and character. Bustling Ladysmith is a favourite with gourmands and antique-seekers alike. Shoppers delight in the streets lined with heritage storefronts. If you prefer to sample wine and local farm produce, head to Yellow Point. Or, if galleries are on your agenda, carry on to the artist's studios and funky sculpture gardens of Cedar. The next jewel on the coast is the thriving City of Nanaimo, which boasts a lively cultural scene, and a great selection of restaurants. A typical day might include boating in the harbour's protected waters and anchoring at a floating pub for lunch. The afternoon might find you strolling the lanes and pathways around the Old City or along the 5-kilometer waterfront walk, discovering hints of the town's colourful history, or listening to an open-air concert in a festival plaza. Or you might check out one of the city's favourite pastimes— watching races in the harbour (whether dragonboats, sailboats, or bathtubs). To top of a day of outdoor activity, you can satisfy your craving for ethnic specialties, homestyle pub grub, or fresh Northwest cuisine. To work up an appetite, head to Parksville and nearby Qualicum for beachcombing on sandy shores, exploring teeming tide pools, or simply strolling along a lively seaside promenade. A wide range of accommodations is available to suit every visitor, along with an equally compelling mix of boutique shops, restaurants, and gourmet food producers.

Comox Valley and Hornby Island

From the sandy shores of the Pacific to Vancouver Island's highest peak, the North Island has an incredible array of outdoor adventure opportunities. The Comox Valley is a dream destination for 'foodies', as inspired growers and farmers work with farmer's markets, restaurants, and speciality shops to create amazing culinary experiences. The theme here is quality food, with such delicacies as fresh wasabi, artisan cheese, organic pork and chicken, hand-made chocolates, and fresh shellfish. There's more island-hopping to be had here, too. Just off the coast lie two of the regions' best-kept secrets —the islands Denman and Hornby. You must traverse one to reach the other; but it's a worthwhile trip with plenty to savour on the way. Stop in at a sun-kissed rose nursery or a sheltered organic farm; hunt for clams and shrimp on pebbled shores; or tuck into homestyle pizza and Hornby Island wine or mead picnic-style while listening to local musicians.