Cowichan Wine and Culinary Festival

September 18 and 19, 2010

With spectacular views, farm-fresh food, an outstanding entertainment line-up and a mix of the Valley’s best wines, ciders and epicurean delights, the Cowichan Wine and Culinary Festival presented by Island Savings will take place on September 18th and 19th.

A day spent at the festival will take you on a journey through the scenic meandering country roads of Cowichan, where visitors will find themselves alternating between ocean, mountain, field and rainforest views. Roadside signs and a detailed map (available for download from this website) make it easy to find the participating properties. Each location will offer at least one complimentary activity or tasting (many will have more).

Sit back and relax to the sounds of a blues band, take in a food or wine seminar, discover the intricacies of making cheese, watch a hawk flying demonstration, visit the farmers market, see how wineglasses are produced or take a self-guided/guided tour – all for free! In addition to all the free activities, visitors can also choose to purchase tickets to some of the premier events. Attend an exclusive winemakers’ dinners, a dinner theatre production, or enjoy one of your favorite bottles of wine over a buffet lunch. Premium ticketed events range from $10 to $100 per person.

"It has been incredibly important to us to create a festival that is as free as possible." says Jenn George, Festival Director. "No entry tickets necessary! Instead visitors can spend their money on taking home a bottle of wine they love, a special art piece that touches them, some farm-fresh produce, a lunch or dinner at a restaurant they haven’t tried before or some other reminder of this wonderful region."

Festival Background

The Cowichan Wine and Culinary Festival is designed as a self-explore festival where visitors are encouraged to download a map from the website or pick one up from a festival participant before sipping and tasting their way through the Cowichan Region. All festival participants will have something special going on during the weekend-long festival and most daytime activities are free of charge.

For more information, go to www.wines.cowichan.net