Things to Do Vancouver Island: Where to Drink, Eat & Stay

If you’ve only experienced Vancouver Island through its wintry landscapes on TV survival show Alone, you might not know that the region boasts some of the warmest year-round weather in Canada. Shielded by mountains, the island’s south is home to rainforests, fertile paddocks, productive vineyards and, since the early 1990s, wineries producing varietals including pinot gris, gamay and German-origin whites such as ortega and bacchus. Base yourself in Victoria, an easy-to-navigate harbour city of heritage buildings and lively pubs, a 30-minute flight or four hours by car and ferry from Vancouver. From there, it’s about an hour’s drive to the Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island’s biggest wine region. Book a ride with LA Limousines and prepare for a day of discovery.

Where to drink on Vancouver Island

Cherry Point Estate Wines

One of the island’s first licensed wineries, this estate in Cobble Hill produces character-filled drops from 14 varietals. Pull up to the tasting bar and explore ortega with its peach top notes, the easy-drinking Gitano Coastal Red and a seafood-friendly siegerrebe. The La Terraza bistro operates from May to September on the sheltered terrace, serving relaxed dishes such as 10-hour lamb shoulder medallion with minted yoghurt and pickled lemon.

Blue Grouse Estate Winery

Planted since the 1980s with varietals including bacchus, black muscat, ortega and of late, chardonnay and pinot noir, Blue Grouse in Duncan (pictured above) has a spacious tasting room with an elegant curved roof. Just metres from the vines, you’ll find sunny outdoor tables perfect for sipping charme de l’île, the local sparkling. Book the Grape to Glass tour, where you’ll be shown through the winery before a five-varietal tasting paired with local charcuterie.

Merridale Cidery & Distillery

The leafy grounds of British Columbia’s oldest estate cidery at Cobble Hill (pictured above) make a solid case for stretching out under the apple trees and savouring pizza and chicken pie from a menu designed to match the house libations. On a tasting experience, you’ll sample a range of ciders, from the extra-dry Traditional to the sweet and fruity Merri Berri. While you’re admiring the hand-hammered German copper still on a distillery tour, you might encounter French distiller Laurent Lafuente tinkering with his creations among the glass demijohns. A bottle of craft spirits is a great take-home option, although the honey-based Cowichan Rhumb is so delicious it might not last.

Where to eat on Vancouver Island

Unsworth Vineyards

This welcoming venue in Mill Bay has a picnic area and pond next to its newly expanded tasting room, which offers snacks and wines by the glass (try the signature Saison Vineyard pinot gris). The property’s 100-year-old farmhouse now features a smart restaurant with a shady courtyard where you can enjoy panko-topped local brie with apple butter or larger offerings like crisp-skinned steelhead with sweet pea pearl couscous and creamy parmesan custard. Both are perfect with a glass of Cowichan Valley chardonnay.

Where to stay on Vancouver Island

Fairmont Express

This stately hotel has presided over Victoria’s harbourfront since 1908. Of its 431 rooms and suites, 88 are part of the Fairmont Gold offering, with Harbour View options the pick of the bunch. Linger over breakfast and drinks in the Gold Lounge and on the terrace, ideal for watching the tiny ferries scooting around like ducks. Afternoon tea is a must in the historic Lobby Lounge, where the same pastry chef has produced scones for 45 years. Settle in at the dark-wood Q at the Empress for oysters and sockeye salmon with smoked potato and lemongrass velouté or take a wander through the manicured gardens.