Best Wineries Near Victoria, BC

Victoria and the nearby Cowichan Valley have a growing wine scene. If you live here, or you’re visiting before a move, a winery day also gets you outside Victoria and into the Cowichan Valley.

This page covers a few wineries around Victoria, Duncan and the Cowichan Valley, with extra notes on Emandare Vineyard, a Duncan-area winery known for its organic practices and vineyard setting.

Why This Region Is Great for Wine

The southern part of Vancouver Island, including Victoria, Duncan and the Cowichan Valley, has a climate that differs from much of Canada. It has warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. This climate is rare in Canada and similar to parts of Europe where wine has been made for centuries. The growing season and local conditions suit several cool-climate grape varieties.

Wine lovers can find everything from crisp whites and elegant reds to sparkling wines and cider. Many local wineries are small, family-run businesses that focus on quality, sustainability, and local food partnerships.

Featured Winery: Emandare Vineyard in Duncan, BC

I was up island on a recent road trip and I found a paradise just out of Duncan, and if you’re only going to visit one winery in the area, make it Emandare Vineyard. About an hour north of Victoria, Emandare is a small, family-owned winery known for organic farming and minimal-intervention winemaking.

Other Top Winery Picks in Victoria to the Cowichan Valley

Church & State Wines – Brentwood Bay

Church & State is in Central Saanich, north of downtown Victoria. The property looks across vineyard land and is also used for weddings and other events.

Symphony Vineyard – Saanich

This boutique winery produces aromatic whites and light reds grown right in the Saanich Peninsula. The owners focus on dry wines and traditional winemaking techniques.

Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse – Saanichton

Sea Cider isn’t technically a winery, but it fits well on the same outing. Its ciders use heritage apples, and the tasting room looks out toward Haro Strait.

Blue Grouse Estate Winery – Cowichan Valley

Blue Grouse is one of the older wineries on Vancouver Island and is known for sustainable farming. The tasting room and surrounding vineyard make it an easy place to spend some time.

Unsworth Vineyards – Cowichan Valley

Unsworth produces handcrafted wines and offers a great farm-to-table restaurant. It's a local favorite for relaxed weekend visits and wine tastings in a modern rural setting.

About Emandare Vineyard

Owned and operated by Mike and Robin Nierychlo, Emandare sits on a hillside overlooking Somenos Lake. The vineyard gets full sun and some protection from nearby Mount Prevost, which helps shape its growing conditions. Their philosophy is simple: “Wine is grown, not made.” That means every bottle reflects the land it comes from.

The name "Emandare" comes from the couple’s initials (M and R) and reflects their personal investment in every step of the winemaking process.

Winemaking Philosophy

Emandare uses organic farming methods and does not irrigate the vines. This forces the roots to grow deep and creates stronger, more resilient plants. They use native yeast fermentation and avoid unnecessary chemicals or processing. Every vintage is a true expression of that year’s weather, soil, and sunlight.

The winery uses a low-intervention approach and lets the fruit and vintage do most of the talking.

Emandare Wines

All grapes are grown on-site. The winery’s small production means the wines often sell out fast. A few examples:

• 2022 PS – A fresh, aromatic blend of Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Siegerrebe with bright citrus and melon notes.
• Estate Pinot Noir – Elegant and earthy with subtle spice and red berry flavors.
• Dry White Wines – Crisp and food-friendly with bright acidity, good with seafood or lighter dishes.

Emandare wines are made in small batches, and they are only sold directly through the vineyard. This keeps the connection personal and ensures quality over quantity.

Visiting Emandare Vineyard

If Emandare is on your route, these are a few details to know before you go:

Wine Shop

Open Fridays and Saturdays from 12 pm to 4 pm. Walk-ins welcome for casual tastings and wine purchases.

Private Tastings

From April to September, visitors can book private tastings with winemaker Mike. You'll sample wines, hear stories about the vineyard, and enjoy local cheese and charcuterie. The cost is $45 per person, waived if you buy a case or join their wine club. Mike talks openly about his background in winemaking and what he has learned from working with the vineyard over the years.

Tractor Shed Guest House

Want to stay the night? Emandare also has a guest house on the property with vineyard views.

Local Partnerships and Community

Emandare supports the local food and wine community. They partner with farmers, chefs, and artists in the Cowichan Valley. Events at the vineyard often feature music, food trucks, and seasonal celebrations.

Their wines are also carried by some local restaurants and retailers on Vancouver Island.

There are more wineries around Victoria and the Cowichan Valley than many first-time visitors expect. Emandare is a smaller working vineyard where the tasting experience stays closely connected to the property and the people making the wine.

I included Emandare because the vineyard is a useful example of a smaller working property in the Cowichan Valley and the winemaking is closely tied to the land.

If you’re thinking about buying a winery near Victoria BC, seeing a few working properties in person is a useful way to understand the land, distances and day-to-day setting.