Relax at Rocky Creek Winery
Discover the incredible wine region of Cowichan with a visit to the award-winning Rocky Creek Winery nestled in the hills of Cowichan Bay! Make the trip up from Victoria along the scenic Malahat Drive to beautiful Cowichan Bay for a relaxing day or weekend getaway.
Take the scenic route – The Malahat is considered one of Canada’s most beautiful drives for a reason! Take your time on this winding stretch of highway and stop at the summit, which has an elevation of 356 m, for sweeping views of the Saanich Inlet and Southern Gulf Islands. Here you will also find Salish Bear, a totem carved in 1966 for the centenary. This summit lies on the territories of the Malahat Nation and is one of the most sacred sites on Vancouver Island.
Stop at the Kinsol Trestle – no visit to Cowichan would be complete without a stop at the famous Kinsol Trestle. This 44m tall timber rail trestle is one of the tallest free trestles in the world. Enjoy an easy hike from the trailhead to the trestle overlooking the salmon-rich Koksilah River and enjoy a coffee on the picnic benches below.
Stop for lunch – Cowichan Bay offers a variety of incredible farm-to-table restaurants perfect for a relaxing stop on your way into town. Some great selections close by include Unsworth Vineyards and Restaurant, Rock Cod Cafe, The Vine, and the Masthead. If it’s quiet views you’re after, you can extend your drive a bit and head to Genoa Bay Cafe at the Genoa Bay Marina, offering beautiful views of rolling hills.
Do some shopping – Cowichan Bay offers a variety of local artisan shops to explore in the early afternoon. Beachology and Wildcoast Perfumery on the main strip specialize in handcrafted soaps, candles, and locally-sourced tinctures, while Radway Studio and Boutique specializes in fairtrade and eco-friendly fashions.
Tour and Tasting at Rocky Creek Winery – There’s few things more enjoyable than strolling through a vineyard on a warm afternoon with a glass of wine. Nestled in the rolling hills of the Cowichan Valley, Rocky Creek Winery offers incredible, award-winning wines with a view! The beautifully landscape gardens offer a relaxing spot to kick back in an adirondack chair and enjoy a glass of their popular Wild Blackberry, made from local fruits, or their Pinot Gris, blush in colour for a true “red wine drinker’s white wine”. You may just get a visit from the family’s two “vineyard dogs”.
Owned and operated by Linda and Mark Holford, they, along with their two daughters, have been dedicated to sustainability and community for years, themes that have helped make Rocky Creek Winery Cowichan’s most awarded vineyard. Book your tasting and tour through their website or give them a call at 250-748-5622.
Interested in booking a full Cowichan Winery tour to add on to your Rocky Creek experience? Our friends at Tesla Tours and Cheers Cowichan offer custom and group tours of the region at a variety of pickup locations.
Time for dinner – Whether you’re heading home after or staying overnight, you’ll definitely be hungry after your day of adventure in Cowichan. Even relaxing in the sunshine is tiring ;).
Legendary foodie, James Barber once called Cowichan, Canada’s Provence, and with the plethora of incredible restaurants, it’s easy to see why! Nearby Rocky Creek Winery, in Duncan, you’ll find The Ainslie, where simple design meets an eclectic menu featuring local meat and Cowichan-grown produce. The perfect way to end a day in Cowichan!
