Cowichan Valley Grand Wine Tour

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

This Cowichan Valley wine tour is custom-made for "bon vivants." Meet friendly winemakers, learn about the winemaking process and sample lovingly crafted vintages at picturesque wineries set amidst Vancouver Island's lush valleys, forested mountains, and sparkling seascapes. Known as the Wine Islands, Cowichan Valley boasts many of the same grape growing conditions as that of northern France and excels in producing a wide variety of cool climate wines.

It all began in the 1920s. That's when Vancouver Island produced its first wine; not from grapes, however, but from loganberries! It took 50 years to establish the first commercial vineyard in the Cowichan Valley and modern-day winemaking really didn't come into its own until the provincial government stepped in. An official trial, named the Duncan Project, assessed about 100 different varieties between 1983 and 1990, and identified Pinot Gris, Auxerrois and Ortega as promising varieties. The rest is, as they say, history for today the Cowichan Valley is home to Pinot Noir, Merlot, Gamay, Ortega, Muller-Thurgau, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, and many others. You'll experience the best of their bounty as you visit three separate and distinct wineries on this easy full-day tour. Your guide is a local wine enthusiast who will lead you on a fun and informative grand tour of the largest, oldest and most prestigious wine producers in the region.

At your first stop, you will enjoy a winery tour where you'll have the opportunity to learn about and/or view aspects of the winemaking process from crushing to bottling. Then you'll meet in the tasting room where the vintner will pour his favorite selection of red, white and dessert wines to give you a broad exposure to the winery's finest labels. After, you'll enjoy another Cowichan Valley specialty: served with white or red wine of course! Sit outside on a beautiful stone patio to savor a picnic snack of wild Pacific smoked salmon with local cream cheese and crackers; and for the perfect dessert satisfy your sweet tooth with a luscious Nanaimo Bar – a treat made with coconut-chocolate cookie,, vanilla or custard-flavored butter icing, and melted chocolate. Relax and drink in the views!

Meet the owner, tour the winery, and enjoy another tasting at the second vineyard. Since this vintner boasts the highest number of award winning wines in the Cowichan Valley, you're sure to find a few personal favorites. At this stop you will be able to sample a selection of red, white, blush, sparkling and blackberry dessert wines. The last stop is the second oldest vineyard on the Island, fully developed with a exquisite interactive tasting room, bold reds and light whites.

With a complimentary wine glass and wine tote as a keepsake of your Cowichan Valley wine tour in hand, sit back and enjoy the scenic drive back to Nanaimo. Soak up the beauty of this remarkable part of the world: the abundant parks and forests and the potential for eye-catching wildlife. It all adds up to a paradise for those in search of the good life.

Special Notes:

Participants must be at least 19 years old and carry valid photo ID.

Snack: Wild Pacific smoked sockeye salmon, local cream cheese, crackers, Nanaimo bar dessert square, bottled water

Liability waiver is required to be signed in the presence of the tour operator.

Unaccompanied Minor Policy: Children under the age of 19 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.