Vancouver Island
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Vancouver Island - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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19 Recommendations
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1. Blue Grouse Estate Winery
One of Vancouver Island's oldest estate vineyards, this family-owned, sustainably farmed winery is a favorite with the locals. Award-winning estate wines include Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Black Muscat, while the Quill label wines are blended with grapes from the Okanagan Valley. Locally made cheese and charcuterie boards, which pair perfectly with the wines, are served daily in the architecturally stunning Tasting Room. Lunch for two, including five wines, is $50.
2182 Lakeside Rd., Duncan, British Columbia, V9L 6M3, Canada250-743–3834Sight Details
Rate Includes: C$10 for guided tasting of five wines, Closed Mon. and Tues., Reservations required -
2. Westholme Tea Company
Victor Vesely and Margit Nellemann have proven agriculture officials, who said tea couldn't be grown in Canada, wrong. They planted two terraces of Camellia sinensis on about half an acre overlooking an old dairy barn in 2010. The barn has since been converted to a tea shop and gallery and their first crop of single-origin spring harvest tea, Swallow Tail Oolong, was released July 1, 2016. Also available are imported artisanal teas blended with herbs and flowers grown on the farm and popular Chinese zodiac–sign teas. The adjoining gallery features Margit's exquisite ceramic teapots and more. Book in for a Tea Tasting workshop or Tea Experience, including a guided tasting and tour of the tea garden.
8350 Richards Trail, Duncan, British Columbia, V9L 6B2, Canada250-748–3811Sight Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues., Advance booking required for Tea Experiences -
3. Ampersand Distillery
Father-and-son duo Stephen and Jeremy Schacht built this craft distillery from the ground up, including designing and building their own unique stills. The award-winning gin and vodka they produce here are made with certified organic wheat from the BC mainland and botanicals from around the world, such as Albanian coriander, African grains of paradise, and juniper berries from Bulgaria. They now grow their own wild-harvested botanicals on the five-acre site. Don't miss the "Nocino!", a seasonal green walnut liqueur which was awarded best nonfruit liqueur in the 2019 Pacific Northwest Sip Awards.
4077 Lanchaster Rd., Duncan, British Columbia, V9L 6G2, Canada250-999–1109Sight Details
Tasting room by appt. -
4. Averill Creek Vineyard
It's all about the Pinot Noir at this estate winery. Even the rosé is 100% Pinot Noir. In the tasting room, take the Pinot glass test to learn why the shape of the glass makes a difference to where you taste the wine on your palate (mid-palate being ideal for the delicate nature of Pinot). Try the Charme de L'Ile and Prevost Foch Cab before heading out to the patio overlooking the ocean with your favorite bottle and something off their snack menu or your own picnic. This is the perfect place to start or end a trip through the Cowichan Valley.
6552 North Rd., Duncan, British Columbia, V9L 6K9, Canada250-709–9986Sight Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekdays Jan. and Feb. -
5. British Columbia Forest Discovery Centre
Kids adore riding the rails at the British Columbia Forest Discovery Centre, a 100-acre outdoor museum just north of Duncan. Pulled by a 1910 steam locomotive, a three-carriage train toots through the woods and over a trestle bridge across a lake, stopping at a picnic site and playground on the way. Forestry-related exhibits around the site include a 1930s-era logging camp, historic logging equipment, and indoor exhibits about the modern science of forestry. Interpretive trails through the forest lead to ancient trees, one dating back more than 500 years. During July and August, a gas locomotive runs every hour. In May, June, and September, the train may be replaced with a gas locomotive.
2892 Drinkwater Rd., Duncan, British Columbia, V9L 6C2, Canada250-715–1113Sight Details
Rate Includes: C$18 -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Cherry Point Estate Wines
This 24-acre family-owned and -operated vineyard, one of the first licensed wineries in the Cowican Valley, is now the second-largest on Vancouver Island. The tasting room is open daily and features varietals including Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Ortega, Auxerrois, and Agria. The winery's highly rated bistro La Terraza serves lunch Thursday to Sunday from May to October.
840 Cherry Point Rd., Cobble Hill, British Columbia, VOR 1L3, Canada250-743–1272 -
7. Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre
The interesting Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre has maritime paraphernalia, including historic vessels and model boats, displayed along a pier, which is also a great place to take in views of the village and boats at harbor. You may also be able to watch boatbuilders at work in the attached studio.
1761 Cowichan Bay Rd., Cowichan Bay, British Columbia, VOR 1NO, Canada250-746–4955Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
8. Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives
This small museum, in a 1912 train station, has exhibits and artifacts about the region's First Nations culture and pioneer history.
130 Canada Ave., Duncan, British Columbia, V9L 3Y2, Canada250-746–6612Sight Details
Rate Includes: Admission by donation -
9. Damali Lavender and Winery
Stroll the grounds, have a picnic or take a tour and tasting at this working lavender farm and winery. The original barn has been converted into a winery producing popular wines made from Cowichan Valley fruit. Pick up a bottle to enjoy with your own picnic in the licensed picnic area.
3500 Telegraph Rd., Cobble Hill, British Columbia, V0R 1L4, Canada250-743–4100Sight Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed., Free -
10. Emandare Vineyard
This small estate vineyard on a south slope overlooking Somenos Lake is a labor of love for husband-and-wife team Mike and Robin Nierychlo. The pair purchased the property, which has some of the oldest Sauvignon Blanc vines on the island, in 2013. Since their first vintage the following year, the Sauv Blanc continually sells out. The property includes The Tractor Shed guest house, a 1,000-square-foot, two-bedroom guest house, complete with a six-guest hot tub on the deck overlooking the lake. The tasting room is open three days a week or by appointment.
6798 Norcross Rd., Duncan, British Columbia, V9L 6C3, Canada250-597–4075Sight Details
Rate Includes: By appointment -
11. Festival of Murals
Chemainus is famous for its bold epic murals. The Chemainus Festival of Murals Society started a revitalization project in 1982 that has since brought in international artists to paint more than 60 murals and 9 sculptures depicting local historical events around town. Follow the yellow footprints on the sidewalk around town for a self-guided tour of the murals. Or hop in a horse-drawn carriage for a narrated tour.
102–9799 Waterwheel Cres., Chemainus, British Columbia, V0R 1K0, Canada250-210–3415Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
12. Merridale Ciderworks
Cider is made in the traditional English way at this apple orchard, cidery and distillery; in addition to several varieties of cider and fortified wines, they also make spirits, like brandy, vodka, gin, and an apple eau de vie. Visitors can take a cidery and tasting tour at noon on Saturdays or a spirits and brandy tour on Sundays. Lunches of local fare served on the orchard-view patio. There's also a shop selling ciders, juices, baked goods, and jams, and you can even spend the night in a glamorous yurt on the property.
1230 Merridale Rd., Cobble Hill, British Columbia, V0R 1L0, Canada250-743–4293Sight Details
Rate Includes: C$40 cidery tour and tasting; C$75 spirits and brandy tour and tasting -
13. Red Arrow Brewing Company
Small-batch beers, handcrafted using local seasonal ingredients are on tap here. Located in a brick building that formerly housed a motorcycle shop along the highway, this popular craft brewery launched in 2015 with signature brews like Sweet Leaf IPA and Piggy Pale Ale. Feature beers, such as a mushroom-infused Lion's Mane Golden Ale and Idle Hands Oaked Orange Ale, change regularly. The Midnite Umber Ale won bronze at the 2019 BC Brewing Awards. A flight of three beers is C$6.
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14. Riot Brewing Co.
Riot Brewing Co. is an award-winning craft brewery offering tours, samples and flights of beer. Their outdoor patio, complete with fire pit, is kid- and dog-friendly.
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15. Small Block Brewing Company
This small brewery, housed in a former garage, is an homage to classic cars and craft brews sourced from local ingredients. In the taproom, local couple Cate and Aaron Scally pour core brews, such as Hornet Blonde Ale and Green Goblin Irish Red, alongside rotating seasonal offerings. Snacks are available. In summer, Friday nights feature wood-fired pizza from the Vancouver Island Pizza food truck. Across the parking lot at Stillhead Distillery, distiller Brennan Colebank is producing gin, wild blackberry–infused vodka, and whiskey from BC-grown fruits and grains.
5301 Chaster Rd., Duncan, British Columbia, V9L 6W4, Canada250-597–0045Sight Details
Rate Includes: C$7 for flight of 4, Closed Mon. and Tues. -
16. The Raptors Centre
At this conservation center about 10 minutes northeast of Duncan, you can see owls, hawks, falcons, and eagles in natural settings. Free-flying bird demonstrations are held daily at 10:30, 12:30, 2:30, and 4:30; you can also join a trainer on a brief falconry or ecology course.
1877 Herd Rd., Duncan, British Columbia, V9L 5W4, Canada250-746–0372Sight Details
Rate Includes: C$22, Closed Nov.–Mar. -
17. Unsworth Vineyards
Plan to spend a couple of hours at this family-owned and -operated boutique winery, where tastings of Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and port-style dessert wine are on offer. The business has also extended to include vodka production. Guided tours are offered Friday through Sunday at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm. The picturesque grounds are also home to Unsworth Restaurant, a charming bistro in a restored early-1900s farmhouse serving lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday, overlooking the vineyards. On Monday and Tuesday from noon to 4 pm dine alfresco on the Pizza Patio.
2915 Cameron Taggart Rd., Mill Bay, British Columbia, V0R 2P2, Canada250-929–2292Sight Details
Rate Includes: C$12 tasting fee; C$25 guided tour includes five tastings; C$15 picnic table fee -
18. Venturi-Schulze Vineyards
This small family business prides itself on not using any pesticides or herbicides in its limited-release products. While it started out making wine, Venturi-Schulze is quickly becoming known more for its balsamic vinegars, which are crafted using an ancient process. Regular, maple, and 100-year-old balsamics are available. Enjoy a glass of wine and lunch on the picnic patio. Tastings, which include 3–5 wines and a balsamic vinegar, are available Wednesday to Sunday from June to August (Thursday to Saturday from March to May). Tours are available by appointment.
4235 Vineyard Rd., Cobble Hill, British Columbia, V0R 1L5, Canada250-743–5630Sight Details
Rate Includes: Tastings C$10.50, Closed Mon. and Tues. June–Aug.; closed Mon.–Wed. March–May; Jan. and Feb. by appt. -
19. Zanatta Winery
A local favorite is Zanatta Winery (formerly Vigneti Zanatta), Vancouver Island's first estate winery which produces lovely Ortega, Pinot Grigio, and Damasco entirely from grapes grown on its own 25 acres. If you can, time your visit for an Italian-style lunch on the veranda at Vinoteca, a restaurant and wine bar in the winery's 1903 farmhouse.
5039 Marshall Rd., Duncan, British Columbia, V9L 6S3, Canada250-748–2338-winerySight Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. and Nov.–May
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