The award winning wineries of the Cowichan Valley

In 1992 Blue Grouse was the second established tasting room and winery on Vancouver island. Blue Grouse has evolved and changed over the past 30 years, but always with sustainability at the forefront of their operations. They farm sustainably, have a state of the art building up to the standards of LEED certification, west coast inspiration, source local to every extent possible and have over 30 colonies of bees located on property to promote biodiversity. 

Traditional meets artisanal winemaking at Unsworth Vineyards. They are committed to creating handcrafted wines of distinction in Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley. A small family winery established in 2010, Unsworth is now a highly respected and sought after name amongst sommeliers and wine enthusiasts alike. Unsworth’s reputation has grown quickly because of the unmistakable quality of their wines. Most notably their bright and delicious Charmat method sparkling wine and vibrant and complex pinot noir. 

At Rocky Creek every sip tells a story - from their vineyards to your bottle. Taste the passion of the winemaker who has won 100 + medals to date on their 100% island grown grapes. Rocky Creek is a true family boutique winery where you have a chance to meet the owners. Experience their Cowichan Valley terroir. The estate vineyard is trellised differently from anyone else on the island and truly sustainable without irrigation or high power. Rocky Creek is also very focused on quality as it is an emerging wine region and that is why they enter both international and Canadian competitions. Their staff are knowledgeable in all aspects of the winery and you share this experience as their guest. They have an understated winery that focuses on unique personality-driven wines with everything being hand-made by the owners. Rocky Creek is known for as a  “hidden gem” with picnic areas overlooking our vineyard and mountain views. Sit in the gardens with rare varieties of trees.

The Emandare Estate wines are produced on a premium piece of land perfectly suited for grape growing. They are 100% estate grown, organically farmed, dry farmed and the vinification is allowed to take place naturally without commercial yeasts and other additives that dictate a recipe. This low intervention approach is what allows the transparency of each vintage to shine through the honest expression of each of their unique terroir-driven wines.

Alderlea Vineyards is one of Vancouver Island’s oldest and most respected vineyards and wineries.  For winegrowers Zac and Julie, the customer experience at Alderlea is paramount, and they are committed to sustainable farming and to making the best quality wines in Canada.

Nestled in the heart of the Cowichan Valley, our winery is the culmination of Steve and Tricia’s dream to combine regenerative farming with the art of winemaking. Together with renowned winemaker Dylan Sheldon, they have created a sanctuary for cool-climate varietals, transforming this stunning landscape into a haven for unique and exceptional wines. Join us in experiencing the essence of Cobble Hill Winery—where each sip is a celebration of innovation, adventure, and the serendipitous journey that brought our vision to life.

The aim of Averill Creek is to produce honest wines that reflect their site and  vintage, but that first and foremost give pleasure. By intervening less, Averill Creek is able to provide a clear segue from vineyard to glass.

The Enrico Winery is proud to be part of the great heritage of making fine quality wines on Vancouver Island. The Enrico Winery story is not unlike other wineries, but they are proud of their vineyard’s team effort to earn various accolades. Enrico is most proud of earning Vancouver Island’s first and only Lieutenant Governor’s Award of Excellence in British Columbia Wines for our Tempest Ortega in 2015.

The Zanatta family has owned and operated their Cowichan Valley farm since the late 1950s and, over the decades, they have developed an intimate acquaintance with their land. Zanatta is a full service winery and do everything on-site at the vineyard that they call home. Delicious, affordable and accessible: Zanatta wine is satisfying on every level.

The Deol Winery is a family endeavor. To make good wine they know that the winemaker must start with excellent fruit. The Deol approach to wine making is focused on the process right from the very start - by the farming of their vineyards. Beginning with the establishment of their vineyard, they carefully nurtured the vines to produce outstanding fruit. Once the grapes have been harvested, they move onto the vinification and wait patiently. The first of their wines were bottled. Then with this success, and in short succession, they produced and bottled more and more of their delicious wines. Deol is proud to now being able to share the fruits of their labor in the form of excellent wines with everyone.

Established in 1982 as the 5th winery in BC, Divino relocated to Vancouver Island as the 5th winery here in 1996. Much of the 40-acre property (Busnardo Vineyard) is planted with vinifera varietals, many imported from Northern Italy in the late '60s and planted in the Okanagan. Cuttings from these vines came to Cobble Hill for a repeat performance. Divino is a true estate winery, meaning that all the fruit that goes into all their wines come right from the estate in Cobble Hill. Thus the estate-grown and produced product of 100% BC wines are here for you to enjoy. Divino is a family operation on a rustic hands-on working farm where you will run into a family member when you visit.

The vineyard at Cherry Point was established in 1990 when

the founders purchased 34 acres on a former mink ranch a few

miles south of Cowichan Bay.  Grape growing was new on Vancouver Island.  

The vineyard was planted with grape varieties suited to the island’s soil and

climate and soon Cherry Point Estate Wines became one of the first licensed

wineries on Vancouver Island. Both whites and reds have character and weight, reflecting the elegance of the Estate.