Wineries : Vineyards
Vancouver Island, British Columbia,
Canada
The southern section of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands enjoys very fertile soil, mild temperatures and many sunshine days. It is an ideal environment for growing grapes.
The wine producing regions on vancouver Island include the Cowichan
Valley, Victoria
and the Gulf
Islands. The Cowichan Valley having the highest concentration of wineries.
Vancouver
Island is gaining a reputation as the “Napa
Valley of the North”. The mild weather conditions on Vancouver Island produces wines
higher in acids and more aromatic. It is a weather system
allowing for a longer fermentation process producing lighter and fruitier wines.
Organizations like the Vancouver
Island Vintners Association (VIVA) oversees the quality,
teamwork and marketing of the local wineries and
vintners on the island. VIVA organizes special events, festivals, wine
tours, dinners and venues year round.
Starting in early
March the local wineries and vineyards begin hosting wine tours and wine tasting events.
Spring is also the “Burning of the Vines” celebration.
The summer season is the beginning of outdoor events, dinners and wine festivals. The summer solstice, around the middle
of June, is usually a very busy time for the celebration of wine.
October is picking season. The grapes are crushed, the new wine
is fermenting, the aged wine is going through
final racking and the vintner is turning
the barrels.
During the winter season the brew masters
and vintners work from their cellars preparing for the next wine season.
The casks are topped up, the fermentation
levels are monitored closely and the barrel bungs are wiped down.
Winery : Vineyard