Victoria: Cowichan Valley Wine Tour & 3 Wineries with Lunch
Three Wineries, One Valley, Six Hours from Victoria
You leave Victoria in the morning, drive over the Malahat with views of three island groups, then spend the day tasting at three wineries with a local guide. Lunch and cheese tastings are included, and the whole day is paced so you can actually talk to the winemakers and enjoy the valley instead of checking off a list. Hotel pickup from downtown Victoria is part of it.
Step-by-step itinerary
Wine tasting and scenic tour
- Depart from downtown Victoria hotels
- Drive up Malahat Mountain range
- Stop for photos at summit viewpoint
- Enjoy history and points of interest en route
- Arrive at Cowichan Valley wine country
- Taste wines at three local wineries
- Sample cheese and balsamic tastings (Fri-Sun)
- Have picnic lunch with dietary options
What’s included
Your day includes hotel pickup from downtown Victoria, the scenic drive over the Malahat with a summit stop, tastings and entry fees at three local wineries, a seasonal picnic lunch with vegan or vegetarian options available on request, and cheese and balsamic tastings at a farm (Friday–Sunday). A local guide drives and shares the history and winemaking insights throughout.
Times
Next departure: 5 Mar 2027
1 departing soon ›Before you book
Operated by Island Time Tours Ltd.
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The experience
The van leaves downtown Victoria and climbs the Malahat Mountain range, passing through old growth forest before stopping at the summit. From there you see across the Saanich Inlet to the Gulf Islands and San Juan Islands: the driver points out the geography and the history as you go. By the time you reach Cowichan Valley, which the local First Nations call "the warm land," you've already had a sense of what makes this region different from the city you left behind.
Then the wine starts. You'll visit three local wineries across the day, tasting at each one while the guide talks about how the winemakers work and what grows here. The tastings aren't rushed. There's time to ask questions, to sit with a glass, to understand what you're drinking instead of just moving through. Between stops, the pace stays relaxed because the whole tour is built around six hours, not crammed into four. Somewhere in the middle, lunch arrives: a seasonal picnic filled with local food, and if you've told them in advance, they'll have vegan or vegetarian options ready.
On Fridays through Sundays, there's also a cheese tasting at a nearby farm, and when it's possible, a balsamic tasting too. The guide is local and knows the valley. They're there to make the day entertaining and educational, not to rush you through. Groups stay small, six people or fewer, which means you're not herded around with thirty others. You need to be 19 or older to taste wine, and if you have dietary concerns, just mention them when you book.
Is this one for you?Right for wine lovers who want to taste without arranging transport, tasting fees, or lunch logistics themselves. The six-hour pace means you're not rushing between stops. You have time to talk to the winemakers and sit with the views.
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Top questions
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
How long is the drive from Victoria to Cowichan Valley?
The tour is six hours total. The drive to the valley crosses the Malahat Mountain range with a stop at the summit. The return journey is included in the time.
What if I'm vegetarian or vegan?
Vegan and vegetarian picnic options are available with 24 hours notice at booking. Dietary concerns are accommodated.
Can I bring my dog?
Service dogs only, and they must have proof of license and be in uniform and working.
Is there a minimum age?
Yes, you must be 19 or older to join the tour and taste wine.
What's included in the price?
Tastings and fees at three wineries, a seasonal picnic lunch, a local driver/guide, and cheese and balsamic tastings (Friday–Sunday). Hotel pickup from downtown Victoria is included.
How many people are in a typical group?
Groups are kept to six people or fewer for an intimate experience.
Is the tour not recommended for anyone?
It's not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with poor cardiovascular health, due to the mountain drive and walking involved at the wineries.
Victoria: Cowichan Valley Wine Tour & 3 Wineries with Lunch
6h · EN · at your hotel
from CA$ 215 per person
≈ US$ 156 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.