About Us

image

Vancouver Island Wine Tours offers afternoon and full day wine tours from Victoria, British Columbia to the Southern Vancouver Island wine regions. The picturesque Vancouver Island region is one of the up and coming areas in British Columbia to produce handcrafted small lot wines where quality prevails over quantity. The mild climate gives a long growing season creating a distinct island Terrior. After years of experimenting local vintners have discovered the best grape varietals suited to our local climate and soil. Some of the more popular grape varietals grown are Pinot Gris, Ortega, Marechal Foch and Pinot Noir, together with the island’s own blackberry dessert wines. The wineries are excited to share their commitment and love of fine wines with visitors to the region where the hospitality is sure to leave a notable impression.

image

Leslie Goodall, is the owner operator & tour guide of Vancouver Island Wine Tours. A sunny afternoon spent at a local “Feast of Fields” culinary wine event reassured her that the decision to move back to the island was definitely the right choice. Fortunate to have spent her adolescent years on a beautiful waterfront hobby farm on Gabriola Island, where the family had Black Angus, Daisy the Jersey dairy cow, pigs, chickens, and her Mom’s amazing vegetable garden, her appreciation and dedication as a local foodie began. After years of travelling about the world her degree in Hotel & Restaurant Business Administration was put to use. Whistler Resort was home base for 15 years where managing restaurants gave plenty of opportunity for enjoying fine wines. With the wines of British Columbia making a splash on the world stage her sister’s wine rep friends from the Okanagan Valley kindly started sending local wines her way – here began her introduction to BC wines. The year of 2000 was spent as a wine interpreter during the re-opening of the renovated Mission Hill Winery in the Okanagan Valley. The winemaker John Simes and his assistants were always excited to share their endless knowledge creating a wonderful learning environment. Leslie is currently studying with the International Sommelier Guild towards her sommelier certificate during the quiet season.

Celebrating five years in business, Vancouver Island Wine Tours is pleased to have established excellent relationships with the local vintners in the area offering guests a personalized memorable experience.

From small beginnings come great things!