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Cowichan Valley Wine Country
Cowichan Valley Wine region
Where ocean breezes shape the vines, and every season invites exploration on land and sea.
Located just outside the city of Victoria, the Cowichan Valley is flanked by verdant agricultural land on one side and wild coastline dotted with idyllic towns on the other. With terroir unique to this part of Vancouver Island, vintners here produce citrusy, floral whites and soft-structured red wines that reflect the rhythm of the seasons. Tour Cowichan Valley’s boutique wineries, many of which are family-run and steeped in local charm.
The culture of the Quw’utsun’ (Cowichan) First Nation is deeply rooted in the region, reflected in towering totem poles, hand-knit Cowichan sweaters, vibrant artwork, and Indigenous-owned tours. Visit Duncan, the area’s largest community, to explore public art, bustling markets, and fresh-baked local fare. Just 40 minutes out of town, the Malahat SkyWalk is a must-see attraction featuring a spiralling wooden ramp that brings you to a spectacular viewing deck with panoramic views. Given its temperate climate, outdoor adventures in the Cowichan Valley are a year-round affair: forest bathing, mountain biking, and hiking await on land, while kayaking, boating, and whale watching top the list at sea. However you spend your time, mark each moment with a glass of Vancouver Island rosé in hand.
Warm and Dry Year-Round
The Cowichan Valley’s unique microclimate makes it the warmest and driest region on Vancouver Island. Protected by surrounding mountains, the area is shielded from Pacific storms, resulting in mild winters, minimal frost, and an extended growing season. A distinctly Mediterranean climate, which is tempered by ocean breezes, keeps summer temperatures moderate and prevents extreme heat, creating ideal conditions for balanced, expressive wines.
Geology in the Glass
The Cowichan Valley features a diverse soil composition that contributes to the clean, elegant structure of its wines. Formed through ancient volcanic activity, shifting tectonic plates, and glacial movement, the soils are a complex mix of marine sediment, sandy loams, clay-rich pockets, and silty layers. This geological diversity allows for a wide range of grape varieties and expressions across the valley.
Vancouver Island
WINERIES
Exploring British Columbia’s vineyards reveals the unique terroir & diverse varietals flourishing in this picturesque Canadian province.
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island
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MORE BC WINE REGIONS
The Okanagan Valley
10,920
Acres Planted
210
Licensed Grape Wineries
With an ever-changing panorama, the valley stretches over 250 kilometres, across sub-regions, each with distinct soil and climate conditions suited to growing a range of varietals from sun-ripened reds to lively fresh and often crisp whites.
Kootenays
117
Acres Planted
7
Licensed Grape Wineries
Located in the southeastern corner of British Columbia, the Kootenay region is home to pristine rivers, lakes, waterfalls, beaches, mineral hot springs, alpine meadows and snow-capped mountains.
Shuswap
107
Acres Planted
6
Licensed Grape Wineries
Wines have been produced here since 1997, predominately of cool climate varieties, which is understandable as it is one of the most northerly grapegrowing regions in North America.
Thompson Valley
93
Acres Planted
3
Licensed Grape Wineries
Nestled amongst the natural beauty of the North and South Thompson Rivers in and around Kamloops, the rain shadow of the high coastal mountains, the semi-arid conditions and diverse microclimates provide many creative options for our winemakers to shine.
The Similkameen Valley
768
Acres Planted
17
Licensed Grape Wineries
The Similkameen Valley is a pristine stretch of vineyards, set amongst the dramatic backdrop of rugged and awe-inspiring mountains. Considered the “organic capital of Canada”, the area is known for small farms and producers dedicated to creating quality produce, delectable foods, and award-winning wines.
Fraser Valley
194
Acres Planted
28
Licensed Grape Wineries
Encompassing Vancouver, Surrey, Richmond, New Westminster to Delta, Langley, Aldergrove and Abbotsford in the east, the Fraser Valley wine region is dedicated to producing high quality, handcrafted wines with diverse varieties and styles: from unique fruit wines to delicious sparkling wines to fresh, fruit-forward table wines to fortified.
Lillooet
51
Acres Planted
2
Licensed Grape Wineries
One of the oldest towns in the province, Lillooet is located at the southern tip of the Cariboo Chilcotin region of British Columbia. The climate is very similar to the traditional grapegrowing regions in the Okanagan Valley with long, hot, dry summers. However, nights are cooler, making average summer temperatures slightly lower than the Okanagan, but at the same time preserving the fresh crisp acidity in the wines.
Gulf Islands
110
Acres Planted
11
Licensed Grape Wineries
A vibrant community of wine producing islands – Salt Spring, Pender, Saturna, Quadra, Gabriola, Hornby, Denman – offer a glimpse into an easygoing lifestyle that allows time to savour the quiet moments with a fitting variety of unpretentious wines.
Vancouver Island
321
Acres Planted
22
Licensed Grape Wineries
On Vancouver Island, grape winemaking really began after a provincial government-funded trial – the Duncan Project – identified Pinot Gris, Auxerrois and Ortega as promising varieties for this unique seaside environment.
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