by Chris Pearce

Created on: June 26, 2009   Last Updated: June 27, 2009

Vancouver Island is at the southwest corner of Canada on the Pacific Ocean near the US border. It is named after British navy officer George Vancouver who explored the area in 1791 to 1794. The island is quite large, measuring 290 miles long by 50 miles wide. The Gulf Islands consist of about 100 islands on the eastern side of Vancouver Island near its southern end, in the shelter of Georgia Strait. Many indigenous peoples lived in the region for thousands of years, with the British settling there in the mid nineteenth century.

The area is a popular tourist destination, with a young but growing wine industry which started about two decades ago, although fruit growing was well established by the late 1800s. Mountains to the west and the protected Georgia Strait to the south and east have created a microclimate of mild temperatures and moderate rainfall ideal for grape growing. The area has Canada's mildest climate. Winter night-time temperatures on the coast are usually above freezing. In summer, the temperature can be 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit by day, with an average of 70-80 degrees. Summers are quite dry which can present challenges for grape growers. The climate has often been compared to that of the northern Mediterranean countries.

Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands are two of British Columbia's five wine regions or Designated Viticultural Areas, with several dozen wineries and vineyards. Most are small, family owned businesses, open to the public and offering tours and wine tasting. Some have restaurants or picnic areas. Special events such as wine festivals are hosted by a few wineries. The area is known to produce some of the best cool climate grapes in the world.

On Vancouver Island, the main grape growing areas are Cowichan Valley and Saanich Peninsula. Cowichan means the warm land. Grape varieties include Bacchus, Foch, Ortega, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Siegerrebe, Merlot, Gamay Noir, and Gewurztraminer. Most of the island's wineries are in this area. Saanich Peninsula is a short drive from the largest city, Victoria, and has a warm climate suitable for whites such as Ortega and Pinot Gris and reds like Marechal Foch and Pinot Noir. Kiwifruit, apples, and blackberries are also used to make wine in this area. Most of the wineries in the region are located along scenic hillsides offering spectacular views. Wine tours from Victoria visit various award winning wineries. The region also has breweries, distilleries, and cideries.

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