Merridale Ciderworks
Located in a picturesque orchard, they quite naturally have chosen to make cider. Good cider. Better yet, they don’t use pesticides, and in the spring and summer there’s a tasty restaurant. They also offer complimentary self-guided tours and “enchanting-orchard walks” as well as several pay tours priced at $4 (Cellar tour), $10 (champagne tour), and $30 (In-Cider lunch and tour OR West Coast BBQ and tour). For more information, or to book online see www.merridalecider.com ↑ or call the toll free number.
1230 Merridale Rd, Cobble Hill. 1-800-998-9908.
Cherry Point Vineyards
They make award-winning wines (just this past year, they won two golds, a silver, and the Jerry Mead award at the prestigious Northwest wine summit) besides that, they’re friendly, organic, and located in a beautiful spot. Take a free tour, hang out on the wine patio, or bring a picnic lunch and have a seat at one of the picnic tables. Also, you “need” to try the blackberry port. www.cherrypointvineyards.com ↑
840 Cherry Point Road, Cobble Hill. (250) 743-1272 or toll free: 1-866-395-5252.
Zanatta Winery and Vineyards & Vinoteca Restaurant and Wine bar.
“A little citrus. Maybe some strawberry. Mmm. Passion fruit, mmm, and, oh, there's just like the faintest soupçon of like, uh, asparagus, and, there's a, just a flutter of, like a, like a nutty Edam cheese.” …And that’s why people like wine. Or at least why that guy from the movie Sideways liked it. Vigneti Zanatta makes wine “with a strong emphasis for food pairing” which may or may not have something to do with that quote. Aside from that, the restaurant and wine bar receive glowing reviews about everything from the food to the atmosphere to well, the wine of course -- especially the champagne style wines they specialize in. www.zanatta.ca ↑
5309 Marshall Rd, Duncan. (250) 748-2338.
Alderlea Vineyards
100% of the grapes used are grown on Alderlea’s ten acres…and the wine is tasty too.
1751 Stamps Rd, Duncan. 746-7122.
Blue Grouse Vineyards
They hand prune, they hand train, I don’t really know what that really means, but it sounds impressive. Their wine is well known in the area and well liked. Come by and do a tasting.
4365 Blue Grouse Road, Duncan. (250) 743-3834s.
