The Wineries of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands

Glorious Vancouver Island Wineries......Join me if you dare on a sunny afternoon in September for an enchanting trip around the Peninsula.

Warning...this is not for the feint of heart as it will elicit day dreaming, wishful thinking and an online search for Victoria airfares and accommodations!

The day...picture perfect, sky as blue as blue can be, sun warming the cockles of your heart, and a chipper, effervescent cruise director pouring Baileys at 10am...could life really get any better?

First stop....Starling Lane. Walking up the gravel drive en mass, in anticipation of what lies ahead, we just could not have been prepared for the splendour and natural beauty that unfolded before us. A sheer assault on your senses in the most fabulous of ways....colour, aroma, the sounds of a family at work and at play, barking dog welcoming committee...
oh and of course,the fowl of some sort that called the vineyard home.

Magical barely comes close to describing the scene....and then came the wine tasting.
Commencing with a sparkling slightly tinted a light and bright gold, danced off our tongues in the
morning sunlight..what a way to start the day.

And then a Port that cannot be called a Port because it is not a product of Portugal, but a Port just the same... and the angels sang...and well, we bought a bottle for Christmas morning!

Important note:
A person such as a Plain Janer could never hope to be able to truly describe an experience such as this and impart the true impact of it to their readers. This is something one must experience in person to fully understand and appreciate. To get close though...take the feelings you get when you see a vineyard in a movie, in a picture or on TV and multiply it by a million!

Back on the bus for a twisty ride along a narrow tree lined roadway, and our next destination appears without pomp or circumstance...Winchester Cellars.

Again greeted by another fine 4 legged friend, who loves to play ball by the way, and we get what essentially became the surprise of the day...GIN!!!! Music to this Martini lover's heart!

And, a ton of wine to taste...before lunch...oh goodness.
3 reds, 3 whites, and of course, I liked the red no one else did....what can I say, I was focused on the Gin :) Which is superb might I add, and a grand bottle came home with us.

Less than an hour later we are whisked off to our lunch destination, treated to a great feast of much needed and delicious crackers along the way, and our half hour drive to Deep Cove goes by in a heart beat.

Destination...Chalet Estate Winery.
Across the street from the water lies a mini Tuscany brilliant under the now warm and soulful afternoon sun...and lunch, at long last lunch!!!

During an amazing feast of wonderful salads, wraps and sandwiches we were treated to another flight of 3 reds and 3 whites including an endearing Pinot Gris that of course, found its' way into our bag of wine tour souvenirs!

After not enough time to bask in the lushness that made you want to take a nap in the sun, we are off to our final stop of the day, Matticks Farm.

Not a farm at all but a quaint and chic shopping destination with a lovely wine shop, interesting and original stores and a mini market that brought back memories of Granville Island...(BODG's favorite place)...more tastings!
By this time, PJ was pretty much Wined Out, and shared the little sips with her husband so as not to put a bad spin on an otherwise splendid day...but it did feel like nap time indeed!!

As soon as you possibly can, visit a Vancouver Island Winery. I wouldn't necessarily advise doing 4 in a day if it can be helped. We did so as this trip was a fund raiser in honour of the Sooke Philharmonic (not to be confused with Phil from Sooke and his Harmonica...joke credit to Starling)

Cheers!
Hope you enjoyed the ride..
PJ :)
PS..sadly, not a drop of wine was consumed during the writing of this article!