I can think of few better ways to spend one's holiday than touring wine country, especially if that country encompasses not only Vancouver Island but some of the Gulf Islands as well. First stop must be the Cowichan Valley. Here, once you turn off the main highway, you'll follow winding roads, pass country cottages and hobby farms and then come upon a winery. Unfortunately I don't have space to cover all the oenophile delights to be found in this beautiful area (for that you'll need to check outwww.wineislands.ca) but I'll share a few of my memorable sipping (and let's face it, eating moments too) at the island's wineries. Cherry Point Estate Winery's delightful garden bistro is the perfect place to sip the afternoon away indulging in some of the award winning wines, in particular the Coastal Red, a light easy drinking bottle. Cherry Point is where you'll also have the good gastronomic fortune to have the best cheesecake ever (in my opinion), a light, frothy cake, accompanied by their bursting with flavour blackberry dessert wine. The experience at Averill Creek Winery is slightly more rustic as here you have to BYOP (bring your own picnic). The booze, of course, is on site, and with a bottle of the winery's Averill Creek Prevost in hand and a picnic basket stuffed with local cheeses, bread, fruit and chocolate you can settle in for an afternoon even Dionysus would be proud of. A day spent on Salt Spring is never a waste especially if you go early Saturday morning to take in the market before visiting the island's two wineries; Garry Oaks Winery and Salt Spring Vineyards. But for something off the beaten path but still on the wine trail, hop on the ferries to Saturna Island. It takes a little longer to get there but it's the perfect combination of getting away from it all, but not so far you can't indulge in the delights of wine and good food, especially if you linger at Saturna Island Family Estate Vineyards. Although the winery is accessbile by road, I suggest you make your visit a Gulf Island one through and through by kayaking to the winery's beach, before settling in for lunch and a glass of wine (the Pinot Noir Rose is a great way to First stop must be the Cowichan Valley. Here, once you turn off the main highway, you'll follow winding roads, pass country cottages and hobby farms and then come upon a winery. Unfortunately I don't have space to cover all the oenophile delights to be found in this beautiful area (for that you'll need to check outwww.wineislands.ca) but I'll share a few of my memorable sipping (and let's face it, eating moments too) at the island's wineries. Cherry Point Estate Winery's delightful garden bistro is the perfect place to sip the afternoon away indulging in some of the award winning wines, in particular the Coastal Red, a light easy drinking bottle. Cherry Point is where you'll also have the good gastronomic fortune to have the best cheesecake ever (in my opinion), a light, frothy cake, accompanied by their bursting with flavour blackberry dessert wine. The experience at Averill Creek Winery is slightly more rustic as here you have to BYOP (bring your own picnic). The booze, of course, is on site, and with a bottle of the winery's Averill Creek Prevost in hand and a picnic basket stuffed with local cheeses, bread, fruit and chocolate you can settle in for an afternoon even Dionysus would be proud of. A day spent on Salt Spring is never a waste especially if you go early Saturday morning to take in the market before visiting the island's two wineries; Garry Oaks Winery and Salt Spring Vineyards. But for something off the beaten path but still on the wine trail, hop on the ferries to Saturna Island. It takes a little longer to get there but it's the perfect combination of getting away from it all, but not so far you can't indulge in the delights of wine and good food, especially if you linger at Saturna Island Family Estate Vineyards. Although the winery is accessbile by road, I suggest you make your visit a Gulf Island one through and through by kayaking to the winery's beach, before settling in for lunch and a glass of wine (the Pinot Noir Rose is a great way to
