The undiscovered food and wine gems of Canada’s west coast

Once a quiet corner of Canada’s wine scene, Cowichan Valley is emerging as a cool-climate contender on the global stage. For decades, this pastoral region on Vancouver Island’s southern tip has been a place of experimentation, as small producers tested how its unusual microclimate might shape their wines. Today, their efforts are paying off as Cowichan now produces some of Canada’s most exciting bottles, which, in turn, have attracted international attention.

That recognition reached new heights recently when Jackson Family Wines, one of the largest wine producers in the US and the California powerhouse behind Kendall-Jackson and dozens of prestigious estates worldwide, chose to invest in not one, but two Cowichan wineries: Unsworth and Blue Grouse .

“Having the Jackson Family interest was a real coup for the region, as their knowledge and investment reflected the potential of our island,” says Canadian wine expert Treve Ring. “The hectares of new plantings they’re putting in, focused on Chardonnay and pinot noir, are massive for the industry here. It signals to the rest of the wine world that we are something special.”

That “something special” lies in the valley’s distinctive terroir. It’s Canada’s only maritime Mediterranean climate zone, with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters that support a bounty of crops. Grapes thrive, but so do apples, berries and lush pastures that produce award-winning cheeses and grass-fed meats. No wonder the late food critic James Barber once dubbed Cowichan “Canada’s Provence”. 

Like Provence, or California’s Napa Valley and the rolling farm stays of Tuscany, Cowichan is a destination where food and wine shape the culture. The difference? It’s still wonderfully under the radar. Instead of crowds, visitors discover boutique wineries, roadside farm stands, fishing villages, lakeside resorts and historic main streets in a patchwork of communities bound by their love of the land. 
 
Here’s how to experience this little-known gem on Canada’s West Coast.

Where to go: your Cowichan Valley itinerary

Begin your visit in Duncan, the Cowichan Valley’s quaint main hub and home to the year-round Duncan Farmers’ Market, where you can sample from some of the region's impressive network of 700 small farms. Duncan is also hailed as the “City of Totems”, boasting the world’s largest outdoor collection of totem poles carved by local First Nations artists. Explore them on a self-guided tour, then browse Indigenous art galleries and artisan studios dotted around town. 

A short 40-minute drive away, the Malahat SkyWalk gives you the lay of the land, a spiralling boardwalk up to a 32-metre viewing tower, with sweeping panoramas over old-growth forest, inlets and mountains. Built on the traditional territories of the Malahat Nation, it displays Coast Salish art and information that share the land’s rich cultural stories.

For outdoor adventures, summer brings opportunities for whale watching (March to October), paddling Lake Cowichan by kayak or stand-up paddleboard, or tubing down the Cowichan River. In autumn and winter, trade swimsuits for hiking boots and hit trails in Stoney Hill Regional Park or on Maple Mountain.  

Where to eat and drink around Cowichan

Wine naturally tops the list in Cowichan. Start at Unsworth Vineyards, which recently unveiled a modern new tasting room alongside its acclaimed farm-to-table restaurant. It’s the place to try Charme de L’Île, a sparkling wine made exclusively on Vancouver Island. Next, pop by where elegant pours come with sweeping vineyard views. If spirits are more your style, Stillhead Distillery has earned accolades for its small-batch whiskies, and its cocktail lounge offers plenty for non-whisky drinkers too. Blue Grouse Estate Winery and its cocktail lounge offer plenty for non-whisky drinkers too.

The dining scene is just as dynamic. In the fishing village of Cowichan Bay, The Masthead serves seasonal fine dining with a West Coast flair. Indigenous food culture is also a highlight: Hungry Bubbas specialises in bannock-based comfort food from its mobile food truck, while Island Bagel and Bannock dishes out freshly baked bagels, bannock sandwiches and hearty soups in a laid-back café setting.

For a true taste of valley life direct from the source, stop at any roadside farm stand for eggs, artisanal cheese and freshly picked fruit and vegetables from producers including Lockwood Farms and Cowichan Station Creamery . 

Where to stay in Cowichan

For a slice of history, book into Keating Farm , a beautifully restored heritage farmhouse with cosy rooms nestled among orchards and gardens. Prefer something more rustic? Merridale Cidery & Distillery offers orchard yurts where you can sip cider, dine at the bistro and sleep under the stars.

At OUR Ecovillage , an eco-retreat rooted in regenerative farming, guests stay in whimsical cob cottages that feel straight out of a Hobbit tale. Meanwhile, embrace the open road by renting a vintage Westfalia camper van, the perfect way to roam between vineyards, farm stands and beaches at your own pace.

How to get to Cowichan Valley

A car is essential in the Cowichan Valley. From Victoria, it’s a scenic 60-to-90-minute drive north along the Malahat Highway, making the valley an easy day trip. Victoria itself is just a 30-minute flight from Vancouver International Airport (YVR). BC Ferries also connect Vancouver to Victoria or Nanaimo, but once on the island, driving is the only way to fully explore Cowichan’s charm.