Submitted by verb-admin on Mon, 08/24/2020 - 10:55
Take a Ride Along the Flavour Trail
Just 30 minutes away from the energy of Victoria’s downtown core, the rich rural countryside of the Saanich Peninsula is one of Victoria’s best-kept secrets. A one-of-a-kind destination for one-of-a-kind travellers.
With gently rolling hills, pasture, apple orchards, and ocean-view vineyards, it’s a 30-kilometre promontory flanked by the Salish Sea and its bounty, that’s ripe and ready for you to discover. It’s a land of farmsteads, cider presses, bakers, distillers, honey farmers, brewers and growers. Victoria’s sub-Mediterranean climate is unlike any other part of Canada. Our mild winters, fresh water, and rays of west coast sunshine provide us with a unique biodiversity allowing us to produce the very best in organic ingredients.
The Flavour Trail is a self-guided expedition that really celebrates the richness of the region. You will want to try it all, and let your inhibitions go, there’s never too much of a good thing. You can buy fresh cut basil, taste fireweed honey, take a winery tour, pick berries, sip cider or taste our local delicacies. The area is of such a “tourable” scale, that it’s possible to see a lot and, more importantly, taste a lot and really get the local flavour. Travel by car, or go by standard or electric bike for a leisurely tour that seems to perfectly match the rhythm of the region, with a superb network of trails it is a cyclist’s paradise. Whichever way you choose to go, you will discover a world of gastronomic delights.
Our region’s top chefs, brewers and artisans work to put their own spin on our nation’s finest ingredients resulting in a delightful culinary journey where no two stops are the same. Hope you left room for some more!
Shop the Greater Victoria Flavour Trails
Getting Here
The Flavour Trail is located on the Saanich Peninsula where you’ll find transport gateways to make access super easy. There is Victoria International Airport (YYJ), the Swartz Bay BC Ferry terminal for foot passenger and car traffic to Vancouver Island, and the Washington State Ferry that runs from picture postcard Sidney to Anacortes travelling through the San Juan Islands.
Plan your trip using the Flavour Trail map on the website. The Peninsula is a 25 minute car ride from downtown Victoria or consider taking in the trail on a standard or electric bike (just make sure you can carry some of the goodies you’re bound to pick up for that lunchtime picnic). Nearby Sidney is everyone’s idea of a perfect little seaside town with coffee shops and bistros, a famous crab fishing pier and another great place to stock up with supplies. And wherever you go you’ll find a friendly wave and a welcoming smile. All part of the local flavour. Happy Trails!
Itineraries
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The Tour de Farm
The Saanich Peninsula is a day-tripper’s paradise, easily transformed into a flavourful cycling route. Begin your journey along the Galloping Goose Trail to discover a full-day culinary tour that will lead you from downtown Victoria through rolling fields to house made gelato, local honey, sweet sips and more. Take your time cycling back along the Lochside Trail. This unique experience is sure to be a highlight of your visit to Greater Victoria.
Start: Downtown Victoria
From downtown Victoria, rent a bike from Bike Tours Victoria, or for a bit of assistance, opt for an e-bike from The Pedaler. Embark on your culinary cycling tour of the Flavour Trails. Hop on the Lochside Trail from Victoria to Sidney and settle in for a 40-minute ride to your first stop.
Stop 1: The Gardens at HCP
Your first stop on your self-guided adventure is The Gardens at HCP, a beautiful botanical garden that you can enjoy year-round. Spend as long as you like here, taking in the seasonal blooms and wandering the garden paths. When you’re ready for a sweet treat, you need only bike 10 minutes down the road to your next stop.
Stop 2: Mosi Bakery – Café & Gelateria
Indulge in a well-earned cool down at Mosi’s and savour their world-famous handmade gelato while soaking up the sun on their charming wrap around veranda.
Stop 3: Tod Creek Cider
Hop back on your bike for a quick one-minute ride across the street to your next stop, Tod Creek Cider. Sample their small batch, locally made cider in their tasting room and take a bottle to go! Call ahead to book a tour of the operation and learn about their humble beginnings and big dreams.
Stop 4: Church & State Wines
After a 6-minute bike ride to Church & State Wines, indulge in a bite at this gorgeous vineyard and treat yourself to a delicious lunch from the Tasting Bar or Bistro. Sample local ingredients weaved into unique dishes or opt to nibble on one of their famous charcuterie boards.
Stop 5: Fireside Grill
Towering garry oak and landscaped gardens surround you in this historic, urban acreage nestled on West Saanich Road. For the ambiance, think rich earth tones, classic planked flooring, elegant woodwork, and warmth. This award-winning restaurant serves a distinctively Victorian dining experience focusing on fresh farm-to-table fare including their seasonally changing three course dinner menu.
Stop 6: Niche Grocerant
The one-stop shop for the flavours of Victoria, Niche Grocerant is a locally focused specialty food retailer with a fully licensed restaurant. Find all your favourite foods from the Flavour Trails, Victoria, and Vancouver Island. Niche is the perfect spot to load up on local delicacies in your picnic basket for your day of exploration along the Saanich Peninsula.
Finish: Downtown Victoria - 10 Acres Bistro
When you arrive back to downtown Victoria after your 75-minute cycle back along the Lochside Regional Trail, drop off your bike and then head to 10 Acres Bistro for a farm to table meal to conclude your grand flavour cycling tour. Here you can sample flavours raised and harvested on the Saanich Peninsula.
The Saanich Peninsula, set just 30 minutes south of Victoria, is a rural ramble of rolling hills, wineries, cideries, bakeries, farm-stands and much more. This road-trippers paradise will tie together the pastoral and urban to add another layer to your Island culinary experience. Visit local farms where ingredients are nurtured and foraged before you complete your gastronomic journey in downtown Victoria at one of several farm-to-table restaurants.
Start: Downtown Victoria
Start the day bright and early with a short 20-minute drive from downtown Victoria to your first stop. No need to grab your morning tea or coffee en route; there will be plenty where you’re headed.
Stop 1: Charlotte & the Quail | The Gardens at HCP
Fuel yourself at this charming farm-to-table restaurant. After you’ve nourished your soul, meander around the Gardens at HCP and breathe deeply and easily as you take in this stunning botanical garden that can be enjoyed rain or shine, year-round.
Stop 2: Country Bee
Hop back in the car for a quick 11-minute drive to your next stop. Taste the flavours of the Saanich Peninsula in the locally made honey at Country Bee. Sample from dozens of flavours and shop their locally made gifts and products. You’ll be sure to find some goodies to bring home.
Stop 3: Church & State Wines
What could be better than a beautiful vineyard on the Peninsula? Two minutes down the road, arrive at Church & State Wines. Ready for an afternoon snack? Their Tasting Bar is the perfect place to linger a while. Especially when seated overlooking the vineyard on their expansive patio. Make a note to return soon with your mat for one of their outdoor yoga classes.
Stop 4: Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse
12 minutes from Church & State, discover Sea Cider Farm, a beautiful cidery with outstanding views of the orchard and Salish Sea. Sample their dry, sweet and seasonal sips as you nibble on delectable light bites.
A quick six-minute drive down the road brings you to The Roost. Stop for a caffeinated beverage and indulge in their tasty treats. This family run 10-acre farm produces the eggs baked in goodies and serves wine made from vines on site.
Stop 6: Snowdon House Gourmet & Gifts
Another 6 minutes leads you to Snowdon House. A unique Douglas Fir farm where you can find elixirs, vinegars and syrups made from the fir needles, along with spices and other locally made goodies to spice up your meals back home.
Stop 7: Victoria Distillers
Victoria Distillers produces some of Canada’s finest handmade spirits and award-winning gins. As one of Canada’s oldest small-batch spirits companies, the success of Victoria Distillers comes together through the help of talented mixologists, the world’s best-tasting water (found here on the Canadian west coast), and only the highest quality of ingredients. The magic happens on a unique waterfront location in Sidney, where copper pot stills produce their wide range of both classic and innovative cocktail spirits.
Finish: Return to Victoria | Saveur Restaurant
With your rural ramble nearly complete, tie your culinary experience on the Peninsula together with a locally harvested meal at Saveur Restaurant. We recommend indulging in their tasting menu, a playful and elegant experience.
Whether you’re a wine collector or a new wine taster, a spirit fan or a cidery novice, you are sure to enjoy the Flavour Trails grapes to grains agritourism experience. Be pleasantly surprised as you travel through vineyards, orchards and farms just minutes from downtown Victoria. Whatever the season, visitors can expect to be enchanted as knowledgeable proprietors, dedicated hosts and award-winning makers pour their product and share their stories. This is an a la carte itinerary where visitors pick and choose their stops. In geographical order, heading north from downtown Victoria (with your designated driver or tour operator!), pick and chose from the some of the best libations around.
Start: Macaloney’s Island Distillery & Twa Dogs Brewing
Discover how beer and whisky is made on a guided tour of an operational brewery and distillery. The Victoria Caledonian Distillery and Twa Dogs Brewery crafts elegant Scotch style single malt whisky and superb craft beer. An onsite lounge and visitor center allow guests to enjoy the atmosphere with a pint in hand or take home their favourite bottle of whisky.
Stop 2: Fireside Grill
Towering garry oak and landscaped gardens surround you in this historic, urban acreage nestled on West Saanich Road. For the ambiance, think rich earth tones, classic planked flooring, elegant woodwork, and warmth. This award-winning restaurant serves a distinctively Victorian dining experience focusing on fresh farm-to-table fare including their seasonally changing three course dinner menu.
Stop 3: Niche Grocerant
The one-stop shop for the flavours of Victoria, Niche Grocerant is a locally focused specialty food retailer with a fully licensed restaurant. Find all your favourite foods from the Flavour Trails, Victoria, and Vancouver Island. Niche is the perfect spot to load up on local delicacies in your picnic basket for your day of exploration along the Saanich Peninsula.
Stop 4: Church & State Wines
At Church & State Wines, indulge in a bite at this gorgeous vineyard and treat yourself to a delicious lunch from the Tasting Bar or Bistro. Sample local ingredients weaved into unique dishes or opt to nibble on one of their famous charcuterie boards.
Stop 5: Category 12 Brewing
Category 12 believes there is a fundamental basis of biology and chemistry that guides the fermentation process and enables the creation of consistently great beers. Category 12’s head brewer and founder, Michael Kuzyk, has been brewing beer for more than20 years and has his doctorate in microbiology and biochemistry. After leading the creation of several world-class research labs, he decided it was time to make his own – dedicated to the pursuit of exceptional beer.
With Michael’s continual tinkering, you can expect a continually expanding line of seasonal releases, including those that pay homage to his favourite big Belgians and hoppy Northwestern ales.
Stop 6: Sea Cider
Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse’s ten-acre farm is home to over 1,300 apple trees, made up of over 50 varieties of heritage apples. Relax at the ciderhouse and drink in the panoramic water views overlooking the orchard across the Haro Straight to James Island. The ciderhouse is open for tastings daily from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Enjoy a flight of ciders paired with a picnic from Toque or Truffles Catering.
Stop 7: The Roost Farm Bakery & Vineyard Bistro
Situated in the heart of North Saanich pastoral landscapes, the Roost’s focus is on local food and wine, and sustainability. More than just a bakery/café, The Roost “roosts” on 10 acres of farmland where they grow many of the things used to produce the food they proudly serve. The wheat grown and milled on-site is used to bake breads fresh daily. Blueberries, sheep and a unique vineyard all add to the authentic experience. Whether you sit on the porch, get comfy in the secret garden or laze at a picnic bench looking out over the vineyard, you sure to enjoy a passionate farm experience.
Stop 8: Howl Brewery
Already making big waves in the craft beer scene, discover this small bath, nano-brewery nestled on a farm in North Saanich. Being a small brewery, visitors can look forward to trying difficult to find beer styles and beer that showcases local farms. Past pours you may see on tap include North Saanich Pale Ale, Raspberry Rosemary Dandelion Saison, Gotlandsdricka and Sarsaparilla Sunrise Lager. Indulge in a flight in their picnic area.
Stop 9: Victoria Distillers
Victoria Distillers produces some of Canada’s finest handmade spirits and award-winning gins. As one of Canada’s oldest small-batch spirits companies, the success of Victoria Distillers comes together through the help of talented mixologists, the world’s best-tasting water (found here on the Canadian west coast), and only the highest quality of ingredients. The magic happens on a unique waterfront location in Sidney, where copper pot stills produce their wide range of both classic and innovative cocktail spirits.
On Saturday, August 27th and Sunday, August 28th the festival culminates in a celebration weekend with more than 20 venues hosting activities ranging from farm gate tastings to winery and orchard tours, from sheep shearing demonstrations to scarecrow making! Don’t miss the Ol’ Fashioned Farm Celebration on Saturday, August 27th from 10am - 3pm at Sandown Centre for Regenerative Agriculture, among the first stops of the weekend celebration.
Here you can taste ice-cream and berries, local cuisine, and meet the “farmpreneurs”. But don’t stop there! Long-time festival favorites The Centre for Plant Health and Deep Cove Market, along with Trail newcomer Victoria Cider Co. and returning Millstone Farm and Organics, are among the dozens of vendors celebrating the taste of North Saanich!
Just 30 minutes out of Victoria you’ll find our Flavour Trails, gastronomic mini-tours that lead you to all the tastes, sights and sounds of the region. You can enjoy stops at selected farms, buy at the farm gate or full-service farm markets. Many offer produce year-round. Take your pick from items like local honey, pine infused vinegar, jams and chutneys. Victoria has the mildest climate in Canada. People here say you can take a walk any day of the year–no jacket required. It’s a city surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, a city that blooms all year round and entices the visitor to get out and explore.
As the year gathers pace more and more produce becomes available. See below for seasonal highlights.
Spring
Spring sees newborn lambs and kids gambolling in the fields, farmers busy planting crops, the first flowers, early season leeks, root vegetables like parsnips and rutabagas and the first peppers and tomatoes.
Summer
Summer is peak season for fruit and crops. Peas start in June and there are raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and cherries to pick or buy at farmstands in late June and July. Peninsula figs, zucchini, melons, pears and plums arrive in August, all sought after by locals, restauranteurs and visitors alike. It’s also a busy time for distillers and vineyards as they begin their harvest.
Fall
For many local farmers and producers, autumn is harvest time. The countryside is alive with vibrant fall colours.
Winter
Winter is a time to take a breath for some producers, for others it’s a time to show off their products.
Resources
As Greater Victoria reopens to locals and visitors, we must act responsibly to not undo the great work that all British Columbians have done so far. That's why Destination Greater Victoria and our industry partners are listening carefully to the Ministry of Health and WorksafeBC to ensure proper safety protocols are in place. We will continue to monitor our progress closely and adapt as the situation evolves.
