5 Must-Visit Wineries on a Vancouver Island Wine Tour

This summer is still ripe with time for a local getaway or lazy road trip around the island to stock up on exceptional B.C. wines. Here are five wineries on Vancouver Island to stop for tastings, grazing, memorable meals and bottle shopping—and take your own sweet time doing so (responsibly, of course).  

1. Unsworth Vineyards

Purchased by the Turyk family in 2009, Unsworth Vineyards in Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley has grown to become the largest and most recognized producer in the area. With over 50 acres of estate and leased vineyards across multiple locations in the Valley, the winery is “committed to leaving the land healthier and more vibrant for those who come after us, forging a sustainable legacy that reaches beyond the boundaries of the vineyard and resonates with the global call for responsible stewardship of Earth.”

Pinot noir is their signature wine, made in low volume and high quality, with notes of cherry, dried strawberry and subtle spice. The Restaurant at Unsworth is in a charming, restored early 1900s farmhouse. Guests have a panoramic view of 12 acres of vineyards and an ancient apple and walnut orchard from the outdoor patio. An authentic Forno pizza oven and bistro classics set the tone for a casual, seasonal menu that supports local farmers and producers. To eat, try the Kuterra steelhead crudo, the Anatra pizza with duck confit, white sauce and gorgonzola, plum and watercress. Dessert is a must, and the dark chocolate pot de crème is ridiculously delicious.

2. 40 Knots Winery

40 Knots Winery is in the heart of the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, where “ocean breezes meet rich, glacier-fed soils creating the perfect terroir for exceptional cool-climate wines.” Sustainability is also at the core of 40 Knots’s production, and this organic winery holds both GreenStep Platinum and Biosphere certifications.

Award-winning pinot noirs reflect the coastal terroir with its salty, cool marine breezes and long sunny days. A year-round tasting room has guided tastings, plus casual “Quick & Knotty” drop-in tastings. Visitors can relax in the pretty courtyard or on the vineyard terrace, the latter fully enclosed in 360-degree glass for year-round coziness and protection from the rain (plus sweeping vineyard views). No restaurant here, but they do offer farm-style picnics where one can select menu items from local farms and food producers, served with lovely table linens, plates and glassware. Come winter, they are all about fondue, with local artisan cheeses and fresh breads pairing beautifully with their wines. Check out the winery’s website for a calendar of events throughout the year. 

3. Blue Grouse Estate Winery

Blue Grouse Estate Winery is one of the oldest wineries on Vancouver Island and faces south in the Cowichan Valley. Known for its pinot gris and pinot noir, with some vines planted in the early 90s, the winery also has a newly crafted Charme De L’Ile, a sparkling Charmat-method wine in both white and rosé. The 2024 Siegerrebe is lovely, and a wine that is not easy to find in B.C. with just a few wineries growing the grape. The tasting room is open seven days a week, and though there is no restaurant, a stop here for tasting and shopping is well worth it.

4. Church & State Wines

Church & State Wines is Vancouver Island’s largest winery, located in Brentwood Bay, about 15 minutes from Victoria. This winery is known for its traditional artisan sparkling wines and more. The tasting room offers charcuterie, a smoked fish board, polenta and other nibbles. The bistro has sharing plates like olives and clams and mussels, but the mains include grilled lingcod, bouillabaisse and a not-to-be-missed bison burger. Sunday brunch is a weekend essential, with brunch pizza and tacos, frittatas and four different eggs Benedict configurations (the roasted mushroom gets my vote). Be sure and take in the view and relax in the covered, wrap-around veranda, too.   

5. Beaufort Vineyard & Estate Winery

Beaufort Vineyard & Estate Winery, based in the Comox Valley, is Vancouver Island’s first certified organic winery. With 19 acres of vines, some of the varietals they take pride in are Ortega, Petite Milo, Gewürztraminer and, of course, pinot noir. This winery has live music and food trucks at times, as well as a wine club to join for deals and advance notice on releases. Book tastings in advance in the tasting room plus patio on the picturesque grounds featuring a view of the Beaufort mountain range. 

Here’s something fun to get in on this August. The 2025 Cowichan Valley Wine Festival runs August 1 to 31, involving 13 wineries that will showcase what they do best. Grab your map and a tasting glass and explore the exceptional wines from this region’s wineries on Vancouver Island.