Vancouver Island

When it comes to checking boxes, Vancouver Island does it in spades. Ocean? Check! Scenery? Check! Nature? Check! Outdoor adventures? Check! Locally sourced and prepared food? Check! City vibes? Check! Wine? Check, check, check!

Whether you travel by ferry, fly in by float plane or take a commercial flight to Victoria International Airport, a trip to Vancouver Island will leave a lasting impression for years to come.

It’s Canada’s 11th largest island and the second most populous, yet is home to less than 900,000 people, nearly half of whom reside in the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria on the southern tip of the island. Suffice to say, much of the island features dense old growth forestation, including a rare Garry oak ecosystem, as well as sandstone formations and wind-swept seaside beaches.

The wine industry has really come into its own in the last three decades. It is the second largest wine region in the province in terms of winery numbers and is recognized as its own Geographical Indication.

The wineries here are sheltered from the Pacific Ocean by nearby mountains so the climate tends to be calm and mild. But the proximity of the sea makes for a longer growing season as the frost risk is low in the shoulder seasons.

Winemaking began in the 1920s on the islands, but the vintners back then used loganberrries. Grape growing began to take off in the 1990s. Today, there are about two dozen wineries and about 300 acres of vineyard.

The greatest concentration of wineries is in the Saanich Peninsula and Cowichan Valley, which are blessed with microclimates that are drier and more favourable to winegrowing. The Cowichan Valley is now recognized at a sub-GI. In addition, there’s a strong focus on farm-to-table cuisine, with plenty of roadside stands, markets and farms offering up fresh-grown produce, local meats and cheese.

The island has a lot to offer for outdoor enthusiasts – everything from kayaking, deep sea fishing and storm watching to hiking, biking and horseback riding. Urbanites will delight in Victoria, a charming oceanside city with a central harbour and an Old English charm. The area teems with heritage architecture and stunning garden displays. It’s a place here high tea is a ritual and a laid-back attitude is a must.