Jay, 68, and Terri Watts, 66, are a couple who enjoy visiting cideries, breweries and wineries in their retirement years.
"It's a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday afternoon; there's nobody around except for retired folks and it's not crowded, or crazy and noisy. You can sit back and enjoy the product and have fun," Jay says.
There are several draws for them. First, they love to try local. Second, they've found some exceptional products, all part of a changing culture that's seeing more innovation, flavours and styles from small businesses.
"There's some really, really excellent local products made, particularly beer," Jay says. "The days of the big breweries in Canada are long gone as far as I'm concerned."
Visiting these places allows them to learn interesting facts about the products they love, meet the makers, and connect with the land.
"You just come out of there knowing so much more about the bottle in your hand," Terri says.
Retirement can be the perfect time to explore all that Vancouver Island has to offer in this realm. As Destination Greater Victoria notes, Victoria B.C.'s unique climate makes it home to award-winning wineries, cideries, and distilleries.
The industry has seen an explosion of innovation in the last few years, driven in part by community support, a renewed focus on quality, social media marketing and an experience-driven market.
With years of exploring under their belts, Jay and Terri have their favourite spots. The Cowichan Valley, with over a dozen wineries in the area, is one of their favourite day trips, particularly for the Cowichan Valley Wine Festival in August.
Closer to home, they recommend Driftwood Brewery, Macaloney's and Sea Cider, where they enjoy the events and views, not just the cider.
To get started, check out these suggestions for Greater Victoria below 鈥� ultimately just a drop in the bucket of all that the region has to offer.
On the Peninsula
Category 12 | industrial complex in Saanichton
With a doctorate in microbiology and biochemistry under his belt, head brewer and founder Michael Kuzyk has put his science-oriented mind into this passion project he started in 2014. From the logo with a beaker to the taproom鈥檚 bright and playful decor that pays homage to science fiction, Michael and his wife/business partner Karen Kuzyk bring creativity to the customer experience. Features include an outdoor patio, bistro and events like comedy nights and beer-pairing dinners.
Pair with: a visit to the Butterfly Gardens or Butchart Gardens
Small Gods Brewing | Sidney
Located in the heart of Sidney, this family-oriented brewery takes inspiration from the world of literature. Co-owner Sierra Skye Gemma is an award-winning journalist and writer, and together with her partner, Chris Bjerrisgaard, they opened the shop with a theme to fit in with Sidney鈥檚 Booktown culture. The taproom offers a selection of books, artisan sandwiches, a patio, author readings, literary trivia nights and a book club. Adding to the whimsy: all the beers are named after books relating to their ingredients or origins 鈥� Neverending, for instance, is a German pilsner named after The Neverending Story.
Pair with: shopping in Sidney, a movie at Star Cinema and a walk down Sidney Pier
Sea Cider | Saanichton
The Peninsula鈥檚 cider scene is destination-worthy and considered one of the top agri-tourism attractions on Vancouver Island. Saanichton鈥檚 Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, which, in addition to its award-winning ciders, has a beautiful view of the Haro Strait, Mount Baker and a 10-acre farm home to over 1,300 apple trees. The cider flights pair beautifully with organic cheese and other light, local fare on their menu.
Victoria Cider Co. | Saanichton
Victoria Cider Co. started in 2021 in North Saanich and focuses on English and French cider apples. Their award-winning keeved cider, a traditional French-style cider with notes of butterscotch, is notably special due to its time-consuming production process. Enjoy the light, bright and farm-rustic tasting room and an open lawn with picnic tables, willow trees and games.
Deep Cove Winery | North Saanich
Nestled between the Horth Hill Regional Park and Deep Cove beach, this family-owned winery is located on a gorgeous vineyard and operates as a venue, offering occasional live music, large outdoor spaces and a lounge menu offering pizza, charcuterie, and elegant starters with seating both inside and outside overlooking the vineyard. Their Schonburger, a full-bodied ros茅, is popular, as is their white wine Queen with notes of pear and apple.
Pair with: horseback riding in the area and a visit to John Dean Provincial Park.
Roost Farm Winery, Bakery and Bistro
Enjoy a Tasting Room Bar and a Vineyard Bistro with inside and fireside patio seating overlooking the farm, a vineyard and koi fish pond. The atmosphere is country-style with an extensive brunch menu and educational farm tours that explore their wheat and milling operation, bee program, chicken bus and pumpkin carriage.
Victoria
Moon Under Water
Specializing in German lagers, wheat and sour beers, Moon Under Water is a small brewery with a distillery, dog-friendly patio and laid-back lounge with a full food menu and frequent events. Try their White Moon Vodka that won Gold with Distinction in the Contemporary Vodka category at the Artisan Distillers Canada Awards.
Spinnakers
June 16, 1984 - that's the date it served its very first beer in Victoria, making it the oldest brewpub in the city. Try the Mitchell's ESB, which has been brewed continuously for the 40 years it's been in operation. On site is a taproom with a view of Victoria's Inner Harbour. There's also a growler filling station, a daily cask special and a line of sparkling mineral waters sourced from an aquifer 225 feet below the Spinnakers Brew House.
Pair with: a walk on the Songhees Walkway,
Macaloney's Island Distillery & Twa Dogs Brewery
Vancouver Island's most awarded craft distillery is home to three 'World's Best' and 10 'Canadian Best' whiskies including Canadian Whiskey of the Year and Canadian Single Malt of the Year. Founder Graeme Macaloney is from Scotland. Enjoy a tour, the lounge and events in a warm, welcoming, and authentic Scottish pub-like setting.
Pair with: a visit to Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary or a hike at Elk Lake
West Shore
Sheringham Distillery
Sheringham Distillery offers a cozy tasting room with complimentary tastings. Be sure to try their flagship "Seaside Gin" inspired by the coastal flavours of the Pacific Northwest, including Nootka rose, lavender and sustainably harvested winged kelp. Embossed in every bottle is their signature sailboat based on "Favourite", a resident schooner that once sailed the wild Salish Sea.
Bad Dog Brewing
This craft microbrewery in Sooke is considered a hidden gem in a forested setting. Enjoy flights and unique beers like the Octodog Apocalypse made with cuttlefish ink or the Kona, a coconut red ale. Tasty food can be had via the Hot Diggity Dog Food Wagon.
Pair with: an easy hike at East Sooke Regional Park via the Aylard Farm access point
