August 17, 2005 | Tips from Us >
Duncan, Wineries & Vineyards
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My husband and I went wine tasting with some friends recently in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island's east side. We got off to a late start and only had time for a few stops, but had a wonderful afternoon. The valley, along with other parts of
Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, has a rapidly-growing wine industry and produces some excellent, award-winning wines. Finding our way from one winery to the next was made easy by the "Wine Route" signs that now direct visitors from the highways to the wineries throughout the province. We started at Merridale Estate Cidery in Cobble Hill just south of Duncan and tasted some amazing ciders made from freshly-pressed apples grown on the estate. Personal favoutites were the Scrumpy and the Traditional Cider. We also visited a few wineries, the highlight of which was Godfrey-Brownell Vineyards in Duncan. Even though we arrived late in the day (after 6pm) we were warmly welcomed and were even treated to a basket of bread and a plate of some delicious Vancouver Island cheeses. The wines were excellent (particularly the Merlot and the French Oak Chardonnay) and the setting is serene and lovely.