Robert Bell's

Wines of Canada

Since 1992

Cobble Hill Wineries

 Cobble Hill is located in the Cowichan Valley, 4.5 miles (7 km) north of the Shawnigan Lake/Mill Bay Road on Highway 1, and 30 miles (48 km) north of Victoria. When coming from Victoria one has to navigate the famous Malahat Drive*

A tiny farming village in the Cowichan Valley, Cobble Hill is surrounded by a picturesque landscape and enveloped by a warm climate. The Cowichan Valley is characterized by diverse landscapes of forests, freshwater lakes, saltwater beaches and marinas, farmland and vineyards.

Vineyards and wineries have sprung up all around and, as Cobble Hill’s galleries attest, it’s also a creative community for painters, sculptors, potters and totem pole carvers.

In July 2020 the Cowichan Valley became British Columbia's new sub-GI . Read more. The valley is know for it friendly people and beautiful tourist locations. The warm, dry summers and mild, moist winters make this area part of Canada's only maritime Mediterranean climate providing good growing conditions for many grape varietals. Cobble Hill is in the North end of the Valley.

Cherry Point Vineyards

The vineyard at Cherry Point was established a few miles south of Cowichan Bay in 1990.Wine-growing was still new on Vancouver Island in 1990; consequently the vineyard was planted with several grape varieties in the search for the varietals that would grow best. After the grape trials, Cherry Point Vineyards became one of the first licensed wineries on Vancouver Island in 1994. In 2004 Cherry Point Vineyards was purchased by the Cowichan Tribes making it the forth winery in the world to be aboriginal owned. Today the winery is owned by Xavier and Maria Clara Bonilla

The vineyard is planted on a glacial moraine, a gravel and stony hill, rich in minerals on top of the surrounding clay soils. South facing slopes provide ideal drainage and solar exposure. A large pond catches the winter rain as it runs down the vineyard’s sloping hills and the mineral enriched water is judiciously irrigated back onto the vines.

The vineyard is one of the largest on Vancouver Island. White varieties include Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Ortega, Siegerrebe, and Epicure. Red varieties are Pinot Noir, Zweigelt, Cabernet Libre, Agria, and Castel. 

They feature a Bristo LA Teraza.

Cobble Hill Winery is the newest beginning its Journey in 2023 founded by Steve Beecroft and Tricia Huebner. Their very experienced winemaker is Dylan Sheldon. They focus on biodynamic and regenerative farming practices.

Steve, a seasoned wine enthusiast with farming roots, had long dreamed of owning a vineyard and winery. His relocation to California and frequent vineyard visits amplified his passion, which reached a crescendo when he met Tricia, a fellow wine aficionado who shared his dream. Both yearned for a career shift and a return to the land. As a sustainability and regenerative farming blogger, Steve was eager to apply his insights to real-world practice. After much searching they found their home in the Cowichan Valley, marking the beginning of their vinicultural adventure.

Tricia dreamed of moving to the countryside, where she could immerse herself in the tranquility of nature, surrounded by vineyards. She pictured an inviting estate where she could entertain family and friends, complete with the playful company of dogs, cats, and horses. Steve shared her dream of owning a winery. Tricia knew that retirement alone wouldn’t fulfill them. They needed a joint project, and as wine lovers, they were eager to learn about winemaking and see if they could produce something exceptional. She looks forward to sharing their wines and their picturesque farm, stating, “I really do love hosting people.“

Joe Busnardo

Divino Estate Winery home to one BC pioneer winemakers Joe Busnardo . When Joe retired from his winery in the Okanagan(which he started in 1980's) relocating to Vancouver Island starting a new winery in Cobble Hill. Joe was the original founder of what is now known as Hester Creek.

On the Island he has 43 acres. The vines were planted more than 40 years ago. The winery maintains a steadfast philosophy of being a 100% estate winery, using only the grapes grown on their own vineyard for their winemaking. Late harvest wines, sparkling wines and other unique offerings have been produced over the past years

Chardonnay, Trebbiano, Castel, Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio form the core of the mix of varietals on the Busnardo Vineyard

Enrico Winery is located in Mills Bay, Cobb Hill;s closest neighbour. They're both part of the Cowichan Valley region on Vancouver Island, and share access to local wineries, hiking trails, and scenic coastal views.

Enrico Winery is a family-run business. The 50 acre farm was acquired by the Smith Family in 2000. Harry Smith and his family lived on a vineyard in Switzerland while he was coaching hockey. It was there that the family first became interested in Wine. At the urging of his brother Newt, the family converted the farm into a vineyard, planting their first 8 acres of Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir in 2007. Since then they have expanded to 15 acres of grapes with Ortega, Cabernet Libre, and Cabernet Foch. Production around 2000 cases.

The first bottles of Wine were produced in 2009, on brand new state of the art equipment, by winemaker Daniel Cosman.  The original sheep barn was converted and our Cantina-tasting room was opened in 2011. the vineyard has grown to 15 acres, now also cultivating Ortega, Cabernet Libre, and Cabernet Foch. Their production averages around 2,000 cases annually.

Merridale Estate Cidery

Merridale, nestled in the mouth of Vancouver Island's Cowichan Valley, is a destination the whole family can enjoy. Located in Cobble Hill, just 40 minutes from Victoria The cider house provides a unique venue, surrounded by the orchards.

Merridale is said to be BC's first estate cidery. Founded by Albert Piggott in 1987 and is now owned by Janet Docherty and Rick Pipes who took over the cider house in 2000.  They wanted the business to be something they would be passionate about and provide a healthy lifestyle for their family.

Their on-site restaurant features locally sourced ingredients and Merridale-made products.

South Island Wines small but ambitious. Gord Graziano began growing cabernet franc, cabernet Sauvignon, and merlot in his backyard as a therapeutic project while recovering from a heart attack and stroke in 1998. Success lead him to establish a winery They started as 7 acre Saskatoon berry orchard located in Cobble Hill. In 2008, Gordon teamed up with Connie and Alwin Dyrland, owners of a commercial berry farm, to launch a winery producing both red wines and sparkling fruit wines.

TellTale Winery

Telltale Winery is owned by John Kelly who took over Glenterra Vineyards in 2022. All wines are crafted from grapes grown on their 16-acre farm. Varietals include Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, and several lesser-known grape

John begun incorporating grazing animals into cover crop management and natural crop fertilization practices. During the vine dormancy season, the vineyard floor is now managed by Icelandic sheep and Emden geese, which are not only beautiful to look at but also great for our farm’s overall soil health."

Believing in minimal intervention winemaking, John allows the grapes to speak for themselves, resulting in wines that are pure, expressive, and true to their origins.

Unsworth Nestled in the foothills of Mill Bay/Cobble Hill, surrounded by pasture and minutes away from the Pacific Ocean lies Unsworth Vineyards. Vistas, ambiance and entertainment coupled with the perfect coastal climate for growing some of the world's most unique and finest of wine grapes. They have 30 acres with 12 acres planted in Foch and Blattner. Founded by Tim and Colleen Turyk who own Bell a Coola Fisheries Ltd. The winery was purchased by Barbara Banke and Julia Jackson, who are part owners of Jackson Family Wines.. The Turkys will continue as managers.

Committed to making wines that reflect the exceptional soil and growing conditions of the Cowichan Valley, winemaker Dan Wright and his team currently farm 10 acres of grape varieties at Unsworth Vineyards. Currently Unsworth is planting a new vineyard in a short drive West of Duncan. 

Venturi-Schulze Vineyards is one of the Islands oldest wineries. Giordano Venturi and Marilyn Schulze-Venturi are committed to growing the highest quality grapes without pesticides or herbicides, and are crafting world class wines. Michelle, Marilyn's daughter also plays an important role at the winery.

The original farmhouse, our family home, built around 1893, was extensively expanded and renovated in 1993 to accommodate our then large family and small tasting room. Our cozy new tasting room in a renovated outbuilding opened in the summer of 2011. It was designed by J.C Scott and features the work of Cowichan Valley artisans using local woods.

The family also produces balsamic vinegar. The vinegary, or acetaia, was expanded by 2,000 sq. ft. in 1999. It houses dozens of large "nursery" barrels and 108 aging barrels custom made in Italy from chestnut, cherry, acacia, ash and oak.

Giordano was born and raised in Spilamberto, Modena in the region of Emilia in northern Italy, the centre of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar production, and emigrated to Canada in 1967.

Marilyn was born in Goomeri, Queensland in rural Australia and raised in Sydney. She completed her first year at Sydney University before emigrating to Canada and completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology at UBC, then worked at UBC and the Provincial Health Laboratory.

*Malahat Drive is a scenic and vital stretch of Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. It connects Victoria to communities like Mill Bay, Cobble Hill, and the Cowichan Valley, winding through mountainous terrain with stunning views of the Saanich Inlet. The Summit is at 1,155feet.

Maps BC