Tag: Wine

Day 13

This morning we drove to Cowichan Bay and walked around in the town area (many have raved about the bakery, but it was closed). After stopping at the tourist info building, we headed to downtown Duncan to walk the self-guided Totem Tour, over 40 totems are spread around the downtown area; varying in size, colour, design, and complexity. Yellow footsteps, painted on the sidewalk direct your tour and plaques offer explanation. The downtown appears to have many interesting local stores, but because of it being the Civic Holiday, all but a couple were closed.

Next we went to the Tea Farm to do some tea sampling (I know – a change for us….). Here, they grow flowers and herbs on their property and create different tea blends. They have only just started experimenting by growing some tea plants, but won’t know for a couple of years if that will work. We bought two green teas (one with gunpowder green tea, peppermint, stevia, and orange peel, the other with dragonwell green tea, ginger root, and calendula flowers).

Okay…..back to “real” tastings – we went to the largest winery on the Island…Avrill Creek Vineyard where we sampled 5 of their wines. To cellar, we bought a 2009 Avrill Creek Reserve Pinot Noir (BC is well-known for their Pinot Noir), a bottle of their Rosé and a Pinot Grigio. Next stop, was Deol  Estate Winery for some more tastings. Wines here were decent everyday wines, nothing to cellar – we bought a Pinot Noir and a Gamay Rosé.

Before dinner, the hosts of the B&B invited us to come for a drink with them at a Cowichan Bay Inn. We enjoyed each other’s company as we became acquainted. They “found” each other later in life and began the B&B in their retirement years 2 ½ years ago.

Dinner was at Genoa Bay Café – a casual, dockside diner with fine dining food. After ordering, we received a plate of fry bread (lightly coated spicy cornmeal fried pita-like bread) served with a citrus-thyme hummus drizzled with a balsamic reduction (great starter….). We shared a Caesar salad that came piled high with a parmesan crisp on top and balsamic reduction below (a different, but refreshing flavour for Caesar). For our mains, we differed in our satisfaction. Todd ordered the Steak and Prawns – an 8oz. ribeye (ordered medium-rare), with a bourbon onion cream sauce, prawns, garlic mashed, and seasonal veggies. Unfortunately, his steak came out almost well-done (but he didn’t want to send it back), and presentation just looked sloppy……so he was disappointed with his meal.

My meal, on the other hand, was DELICIOUS! I had the Free Range Chicken Breast, served with a brandy-pear demi glaze, shredded pear, garlic mashed, and seasonal veggies (zucchini, asparagus, beans, carrot). The flavour of the chicken was fantastic and Todd agreed when I gave him a taste.  The meal was filling, so we turned down dessert (and they even had Crème Brule on the menu)…..

Tomorrow – we take the ferry to the mainland as we head to Vancouver…….

Day 12

After a couple of cups of coffee, Todd began the day with a bike ride – with his new helmet. Apparently we are on the top of a hill because no matter which way he went from the B&B, it was downhill, which meant there was always a steep ride back up…. 45 minutes on the hilly terrain was enough.

Today we visited four wineries. First on the trail, was Venturi-Schulze Vineyards, known not just for wine, but their top quality balsamic vinegar. We tasted 5 wines then the balsamic. The winery is 100% certified organic, from the plants, to the growing/harvesting methods, to the materials used on the land (e.g. fence posts). They are passionate about their products as was evident from our server and guarded about their land as was evident by the sign posted outside the tasting room.

We purchased a 2008 Pinot Noir to cellar, a 2009 Maranello Pinot Noir Rosé to drink while on our Adventure, and a 250 ml bottle of their highly acclaimed balsamic vinegar (made from their own juice, simmered to a concentrate over an open fire, and converted to vinegar by the slow, natural ancient process; aged in custom-made,  French oak barrels – DELIZIOSO!).

Next stop was Rocky Creek Vineyard. After tastings here, we bought 2 of the 2010 Pinot Noir (a medal winner) and 1 2011 Pinot Gris (served at the last Premier’s conference in BC). Instead of cork or screw cap for their wines, they are the first in Western Canada to use a product called Zork (seals tight, but designed with a layer of air permeability).

Godfrey-Brownel Vineyards was the next tasting venture we came to after a winding road through the forested area. We were treated to tastings in the shaded garden (temperature in the area had reached 36°, so it was” very”comfortable). We tried 6 of their wines and had a pleasant visit with the hostess who moved out here from Toronto. The owner explained some to the experimenting they are doing (planting trees and letting the grape vines naturally grow on the trees).  We purchased a 2005 Pinot Noir and a 2003 Gamay Noir – no labels on these bottles; hand painted designs).

Our final winery stop for the day was Zanatta. We tasted their 3 offerings and purchased 2 bottles of Damasco (a blend of four varieties with a slight effervescence……to drink now…..). We had lunch on the shaded patio at the restaurant Vinoteca located on site . We ordered the Pinot Grigio to go with our Caesar Salad to share, Squash Gnocchi for me (tossed with crispy prosciutto, pine nuts and sage with truffle oil and shaved parmesan)

Todd had the the Spaghettini Putanesca (with sautéed onions, peppers, olives, basil, anchovies, fresh tomatoes, and shaved parmesan). The food was very good, but not outstanding…..maybe just too warm out (?)….

Dinner tonight will be light – some chicken and salads we picked up at the local supermarket….