Vancouver Island: A Coastal Calmcation With Wine and Waves
With a vast coastline, temperate rainforest, and character-filled communities, Vancouver Island is a haven for laid-back living, fresh food and a deep connection to nature. Home to 50 diverse First Nations communities, the Island is alive with their stories, culture, and artwork, intertwined with land and sea.
Plucked from the Pacific Ocean and harvested from fertile farmland, fresh seafood, local produce and award-winning BC wines fill your table (and your glass). Here, amidst the kelp forests and old-growth cedars, Vancouver Island’s inspiring culinary endeavours and innovative winemaking have flourished.
From beachcombing to forest bathing to vineyard strolls through verdant valleys, the Island delivers on adventure al fresco. Surfing, biking, hiking, skiing, camping, and water sports are all part of the fun, but always with a no-pressure, no-rush approach. Whether you’re tasting wines produced in the “Mediterranean of Canada” or being awestruck by a breaching whale, slow it down, sip a little, and savour a true “Calmcation” in the Vancouver Island wine region.
Day 1: Savour the Saanich Peninsula
Begin your stay on the Saanich Peninsula, just 20 minutes from downtown Victoria. Jutting out from the urban centre, the area edges onto the Salish Sea. Along this stretch of land, you’ll find gardens, coastal walks, and an abundance of great food and drink. Start your stay with a quintessentially BC experience: whale watching. Though some whales frequent the area seasonally, resident orcas and many other marine mammals are found year-round.
Next, it’s time to celebrate your aquatic adventure in style with a visit to Church and State Wines Brentwood, a sister property to the Okanagan Valley winery. Their diverse whites include light and bright rosé, Chardonnay, Viognier, and sparkling wines; while layered depth is reflected in their Meritage blends and single-varietal Merlot. Enjoy a flight in the tasting room or book brunch, lunch or dinner in their bistro. The sprawling winery (the largest on Vancouver Island) hosts one-of-a-kind experiences throughout the year, including yoga, seasonal brunches and holiday dinners. They also participate in Artishow Victoria, a weekly summer show featuring local artists in residence.
Photo: Blue Grouse Estate Winery
Day 2: Explore “Canada’s Provence”
Southern Vancouver Island is dotted by vibrant gardens, with the Butchart Gardens being the crown jewel. Spend your morning strolling the vibrant displays, admiring art in floral form and soaking in the serenity. Then, as you make your way back around the peninsula and north along the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), be sure to stop at the Malahat Skywalk, a spectacular spiralling wooden structure that brings you to a viewpoint overlooking the ocean, mountains and rainforest.
Onwards, to the lush vineyards of the Cowichan Valley, a place described as “Canada’s Provence.” In this sub-region, known for its maritime Mediterranean climate, you’ll find whites with distinct citrus and floral notes and well-balanced reds.
Unsworth Vineyards is the perfect place to bask in the evening glow and stay a while. At Unsworth, winemaking is a family affair and their passion infuses every pour. Enhance your tasting with a cheese plate or chef’s pairing. Their on-site restaurant pays tribute to Vancouver Island gastronomy with locally-sourced and sustainable ingredients that bring out the notes in every glass. Eat, drink and toast Vancouver Island.
Meanwhile, just 15 minutes North, located on the outskirts of Duncan, Blue Grouse Estate Winery is a family-run, sustainably-farmed winery. They offer a variety of guided tours, ranging from a five-glass flight to a premium experience featuring an exclusive selection of Blue Grouse sparkling and reserve wines. Their signature Grape-to-Glass tour offers a sit-down experience, including food, an artisan charcuterie plate and a selection of wines. Summers at the winery bring live music, pizza, bottle specials and picnics, while seasonal dinner pop-ups introduce new and innovative wine pairings.
Day 3 Adventure & Wine On the High Seas
Head north from Cowichan to Comox in search of beachy adventures and local wine.
The Comox Valley encompasses three communities, Comox, Cumberland, and Courtenay, surrounded by fertile farmland on one side and the Salish Sea on the other. You’ll find farm stalls, markets, and plenty of nature activities in the area (think: mountain biking, forest walks, and watersports).
Familiarize yourself with the terroir first by getting out on the ocean, which heavily influences the region’s winemaking. Book a kayaking trip out of Comox and keep your eyes open for seals, bald eagles, waterfowl, inter-tidal creatures (and more whales). Spring offers the unique opportunity to witness the herring spawn, a keystone species that nurtures the circle of life in coastal BC. While out on the ocean, feel the soft breeze kissing your cheek and run your hands through the cool waters to fully immerse in the marine environment.
Next it’s time to taste the ocean in a glass at 40 Knots Winery, an aptly nautical-named haven perched in a serene setting amidst the lush grapevines. Every season brings something special. Visit in spring for their annual wine release party, or take in weekly music in summer, ranging from Vancouver Island Symphony to Spanish tunes. Fall brings the harvest festival. Stay a little longer for behind-the-scenes tours, winemaker meet and greets and themed wine and food pairings.
Day 4: Beach Strolls, Then a Bottle of Vino
Central Vancouver Island is a hidden gem for beach-goers. Visit the shorelines when low tide leaves long stretches of beach exposed; perfect for dipping your toes in the water and watching seabirds offshore. Goose Spit Park near Comox is a beautiful spot to perch and watch the world go by. Those who want to get the heart racing can hike the 200 stairs up Nob Hill to the viewpoint.
While you’re in the area, the iHos Gallery, owned by the K’ómoks First Nation, is a must-visit. The beautiful space showcases a wide selection of traditional and contemporary Northwest Coast artwork designed and made by Indigenous artists, including prints, jewellery and carvings.
Savour your last day in the Comox Valley at Beaufort Vineyard & Estate Winery, Vancouver Island’s first certified organic winery, with regenerative farming as a focal point. Their rustic farmhouse-inspired tasting room serves up a range of varietals, including Ortega, Petite Milo, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Noir. On sunny days, sit on the patio in an Adirondack chair and watch the world go by, framed by the vineyard and a mountain backdrop. Summers are bursting with activities, including book clubs, music, and food truck pop-ups. You can also get your creative juices flowing (on the canvas and in the glass) at their seasonal sip and paint nights throughout the year.
Day 5: Surf, Powder & Pours
Spend an extra day or two on Vancouver Island, the only place in BC where you can surf and ski in the same day (albeit a long day). Mount Washington, just 30 minutes from Comox, is a year-round mountain resort with slope-side accommodations and exceptional powder stashes. Tofino and Ucluelet, twin surf towns located three hours west of Comox, offer quintessentially West Coast vibes, beach breaks and a bastion of delicious eateries. Keep the BC wine tour going in Tofino and dine at The Pointe Restaurant, where you’ll find an inventive West Coast menu paired with local wines.
Where to Dine:
The Greater Victoria area is abundant with buzzing bars and restaurants, which offer ingredient-driven food and local craft beverages. Make your way to Victoria for a dining adventure at Hideaway Wine Bar or stay closer to the Saanich Peninsula to savour a seasonal menu with pairings at The Arbutus Room & Bar in Brentwood Bay Resort.
Locals Restaurant in Comox is a must for foodies and wine enthusiasts alike. Try their farm-to-fork and dock-to-dish seasonal menu for a taste of the Island.
Where to Stay:
On the Saanich Peninsula, Brentwood Bay Resort offers serene seaside views, a spa, and easy access to nearby wineries.
In the Cowichan Valley, Merridale Cidery & Distillery combines countryside charm with well-appointed yurts and farm-to-table dining. Meanwhile, Villa Eyrie is a historic European-inspired property perched atop Malahat Mountain. Take in the picturesque vistas of surrounding mountains and enjoy elevated West Coast cuisine and with BC wine at Alpina Restaurant.
Farther north, in the Comox Valley, stay at Kingfisher Pacific Resort & Spa, where the ocean breeze and coastal cuisine are the perfect way to cap off a spa treatment. Smith Lake Farm offers rustic-yet-cozy glamping tents, apiary tours, and peaceful nights under the stars.
Getting Here:
There are several ways to travel from BC’s mainland to Vancouver Island, a launchpad into The Infinite Coast. If you’re driving, BC Ferries offers sailings to the Island from Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay (reservations are strongly recommended). For a quicker trip, floatplanes and Helijets depart downtown Vancouver and land right in Victoria’s Inner Harbour or Nanaimo Harbour, where you can pick up a rental car to begin your road trip. You can also fly into Victoria, Nanaimo, or Comox airports from Vancouver International Airport, as well as from several other regional airports.