Where to get a drink in the Southern Gulf Islands: Breweries, Cideries, and Wineries
Over the last decade, these rural islands have developed a bit of a reputation thanks to the growing number of wineries, cideries, and breweries that have made them their home.
With our hot, dry summers, temperate winters, and agricultural history, the Southern Gulf Islands are an ideal environment for cultivating a fine vintage. If you are here for a weekend or a season, leave time to try a few of our local ciders, ales, and wines infused with an extra exceptional Southern Gulf Island terroir.
Mayne
Mayne Island Brewing Co.
According to the lore, a midlife crisis turned Micheal Garratt from a home brewer into an award-winning one. Garratt runs Mayne Island Brewing, a tiny gem of a brewery, with the help of his family. They focus on crafting small batch ales and lagers, and their small shop is well worth the detour.
Saturna
Sage Hayward Vineyards
The tasting room at Safe Hayward Vineyards has to be one of the most stunning landscapes to spend a lazy afternoon in. Their vineyard vistas overlook the Salish Sea, and their lands flourish with wildlife and farm life. Plus, when you stop by for a tasting, bring your appetite to enjoy a bite to eat at the Feral Goat Bistro.
Pender
Sea Star Vineyards and Winery
Don’t miss visiting the Sea Star Vineyards and Winery during your next trip to Pender. Sea Star sits on 26 acres of terraced vineyard, with a sunny garden tasting room (often with an accompanying food truck). You can expect expertly crafted whites and sparkling wines that showcase the unique Pender climate.
Twin Island Cider
In the words of Twin Island Cider, their cider and perry offerings are “a conversation with place, an interdependent relationship between plants and people.” They follow traditional fermentation methods using natural yeasts and play with all-local ingredients to flavour their rare apple and pear creations.
Salt Spring Island
Ciderworks
With more than 425 heritage and connoisseur apple varieties growing right on their property, Ciderworks is a destination for apple lovers. Each batch of small crafted cider is produced with minimal intervention to allow the nuanced flavours of each variety to shine.
Garry Oaks Estate Winery
On the South end of Salt Spring Island, you’ll find Garry Oaks Estate Winery. In 1999, Marcel Mercier and Elaine Kozak transformed it from a 100-year-old farm and former sheep pasture into the award-winning winery it is today. Now, with new vintners at the helm, it maintains the charm and terroir of its origins.
Kutatas Wines
Kutatas Wines is owned by winemakers Mira Tusz and Daniel Dragert, who split their time between their central Salt Spring vineyard and tasting room as well as acreage in North Saanich. Kutatas is known for its remarkable sparkling wines and pinot noirs. Make sure to add them to your summer tasting room bucket list.
Salt Spring Brewing
Buried between the farms and forests of the South end, you’ll find Salt Spring Brewing. Their small batch beers come from the land and give back to the land. They source hops, heather, and other ingredients from local growers and return the favour by giving their nutrient-rich spent grains for animal feed and spent hops for compost. On your way to Fulford, leave plenty of time for an hour in their quaint tasting room at the bottom of Mount Bruce.
Serving Love in Every Sip
Vancouver may steal a lot of attention with its bustling brewery scene, and the Okanagan may claim the title as BC’s wine country, but you’ll be surprised by what local brews and vintages are hidden in the heart of the Southern Gulf Islands.
Grown, pressed, fermented and poured right on the islands, every glass is infused with the terroir of this place. So, next time you travel here, don’t forget to pull into a tasting room to experience the flavour of these islands firsthand.
Written by Jessica McKeil
