Cowichan Craft Beverage Tasting Passport
Sip your way through Cowichan on a self-guided tour! A region known for its bountiful crops and farmlands, the Cowichan region is home to the largest concentration of wineries, breweries, distilleries, and cideries on Vancouver Island. Let the robust flavours of a locally produced wine, cider, or spirit coat your palette with flavours fresh from fruits of the region.
Best of all, why pick just one when you can try them all? With the Cowichan Craft Tasting Passport you get to enjoy one flight at each location for just $35 per ticket.
How To Participate:
- Purchase your Tasting Passport online using the link below.
- Take your receipt/proof of purchase from Eventbrite to your first stop on your tour, where you’ll pick up your physical tasting passport. You can pick any of the craft beverage producers as your first stop.
- Start tasting! Meander along the trail at your own pace between January 29 and March 31. Check TourismCowichan.com for opening hours and if reservations are required.
- Leave your completed Passport at your last stop to enter to win a year of free meals at Cowichan Valley restaurants. One winner will receive twelve gift cards for local restaurants (determined by Tourism Cowichan) and are each of the value $150!
This event is open to BC residents age 19+. Please drink responsibly.
Know Before You Go
Please check with each of the craft tasting business ahead of your arrival for the latest information about reservations and safety precautions. Some businesses require reservations for all tastings. See the list of participating wineries below and if you have additional questions that are not answered here, feel free to contact us.
Sip, Savour, Support, And WIN!
The Grand Prize: Win Meals For A Year!
Cowichan Craft Beverage Tasting Passport
Fill out the ballot on the back cover and leave your completed Tasting Passport at your last stop to enter to win a year of free meals at Cowichan Valley restaurants.
See The Full Contest Rules Here
PARTICIPATING BEVERAGE PRODUCERS
Unsworth Vineyards – 915 Cameron Taggart Rd #1, Mill Bay – (250) 929-2292
HOURS AND BOOKINGS
Founded in 2009 by the Turyk family, Unsworth Vineyards is a Cowichan valley gem that specializes in sparkling wines, crisp whites, rosé and light bodied Pinot Noir. The Cowichan Valley has rapidly ascended as one of the hallmark culinary destinations in the country; as such, Unsworth opened their estate restaurant in 2012 to showcase the synergy of British Columbia’s local food and wine. Experience Canada’s pastoral west coast wine region and plan a visit to Unsworth Vineyards.
Enjoy flights highlighting Unsworth’s passion for vibrant cool climate wine styles at our tasting bar and patio.
Hours of operation: Wed-Sun 11 am – 4 pm. Tastings are first come first serve, we are not taking reservations for tastings at this time.
Type of flight: Enjoy flights highlighting Unsworth’s passion for vibrant cool climate wine styles at our tasting bar and patio.
Stillhead Distillery – 5301 Chaster Rd Unit 105, Duncan – (250) 748-6874
HOURS AND BOOKINGS
Stillhead Distillery is a family-owned craft distillery, and ferment and distill all of our spirits by hand in small batches, using only fruits and grains grown in British Columbia.
Hours of operation: Mon-Sat 10:00-5:00pm (closed Family Day). Call ahead or book online on our website.
The tasting flight: Three whiskies (Single Malt, Rye, and one unreleased)
Enrico Winery – 3280 Telegraph Rd, Mill Bay – (250) 733-2356
HOURS & BOOKINGS
Welcome to Enrico Winery & Vineyards, home to award-winning wines and friendly people! Join us in our Cantina for a wine tasting and stroll through our picturesque vineyards of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Ortega, Cabernet Foch, and Cabernet Libra. Relax and sip wine in our picnic area by the trout pond. We would love to meet you and show you around. Our mission is to please you with premium quality wines.
Hours of operation: Tastings will be held 12-4 Wednesday through Saturday. No reservations required.
The tasting flight: One sparkling wine, 2 white wines and 2 red wines.
Averill Creek Vineyard – 6552 N Rd, Duncan – (250) 709-9986
HOURS & BOOKINGS
Averill Creek Vineyard is located in the heart of Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley, where the dry, temperate climate lends itself to all the hallmarks of cool climate viticulture. The unique combination of soil and aspect makes it an ideal place for growing cool-weather varietals.
Hours of Operation: 7 days a week, 11 am to 5 pm, by reservation. Please call or email us for a reservation
Type of flight: “Joue” flight. Enjoy 3 vibrant and juicy, zero-intervention, estate field blends. Begin with our island sparkling wine, Charme de L’Ile.
Blue Grouse Estate Winery – 2182 Lakeside Rd, Duncan – (250) 743-3834
HOURS & BOOKINGS
Family-owned, Blue Grouse Estate Winery, sits on top of one of the oldest vineyards on Vancouver Island. Join us to experience the history of Cowichan with our award-winning wines.
Hours of operation: 11am-5pm Thursday-Sunday. Please book a table in advance either through exploretock.com or bluegrouse.ca
Type of flight: Enjoy a sit down guided tasting of 3 wines in the beautiful setting of Blue Grouse Estate Winery
Red Arrow Brewing Company – 5255 Chaster Rd, Duncan – (250)-732-4794
HOURS AND BOOKINGS
Opened in 2015 serving the Cowichan Valley and beyond! Come see our fully licensed lounge and patio serving up craft beer, cider, wine, spirits with retail merchandise and off-sales available.
Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday 11-8, Friday/Saturday, 11-9 Sunday 11-7. No reservation require, just come on by!
Type of flight: 3 4oz glasses of beer, your selection.
Merridale Cidery & Distillery – 1230 Merridale Rd, Cobble Hill – (250) 743-4293 extension 225
HOURS AND BOOKINGS
Merridale Cidery & Distillery is BC’s first estate cidery and one of its first craft distilleries. It’s a delicious destination where you can sip farm-crafted ciders and spirits, savour farm-inspired comfort food and discover what makes craft production so special.
Hours of operation: Sun – Thurs: 11-5, Fri-Sat: 11- 8, Extended Valentine’s Day Hours 11-8. Drop-ins are welcome anytime. Reservations are available after 4pm on Fridays and Saturdays, but are not required. Reservations for Valentine’s evening are recommended.
Type of flight: Cider Flight (choice of any four ciders or fortifieds), each serving is 3oz for ciders and 1oz for fortified ciders
Cherry Point Estate Winery – 840 Cherry Point Rd, Cobble Hill – (250) 743-1272
HOURS AND BOOKINGS
Family owned Estate winery, producing award winning wines under sustainable and environmentally sound practices.
Hours of Operation: Daily, 10 to 5pm
Type of Flight: Four wines, two whites, two reds, and our Dessert Wine.
Reservations are strongly recommended for both the vineyard and the restaurant. Please call: 250-743-1272 or email: info@cherrypointestatewines.com
Riot Brewing Co – 101A – 3055 Oak St, Chemainus – (778)-834-6853
HOURS AND BOOKINGS
Come for a tour, learn about beer and have a beer with us in our lounge or on our patio. Enjoy sample flights, sleeves and growler fills! We are kid-friendly and dog-friendly, we have board games available (you can also bring in your own). You can also bring in your own food or order from local restaurants that will deliver to your table at no extra charge!
Hours of Operation: Monday – Sunday 2:00PM – 7:00PM
Type of flight: 4 X 4oz sample flight of beer. Wine and cider are not available in sample flights.
Small Block Brewing – 203-5301 Chaster Rd, Duncan – (250) 597-0045
HOURS AND BOOKINGS
Welcome to the garage! Small Block Brewing Co maintains a cozy atmosphere where you can have a taster, a pint or take home a growler. Enjoy traditional British Indian Takeaway lovingly prepared by Holy Cow Indian Eats. Look forward to small batch hand crafted British Ales precision brewed in the Cowichan Valley.
We endeavour to source local ingredients to flavour our beers with the best of BC ingredients.
