Wine Tasting in Vancouver: 12 Places You Have to Try
British Columbia is wine country. This province, located in Western Canada, is home to the world's northernmost wine region. And while most people think of Canada as a cold and snowy place, BC is home to several microclimates that are perfect for wine growing.
As the biggest city in British Columbia, Vancouver makes a fantastic destination for wine tourism. Downtown Vancouver has plenty of wine bars and tasting rooms that make excellent places to begin your journey through Canadian wine. And if you're willing to travel outside the city, you'll find wineries as close to Vancouver as the neighboring Fraser Valley, not to mention the almost endless vineyards of the Okanagan wine country.
Drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage in Vancouver, and you'll be ready to explore the best wine tastings both in and outside the city. Not only are they some of the best things to do at night in Vancouver, but a wine tasting is a perfect way to get to know more about this diverse and fascinating province.
La Fabrique St. George Winery
Proving that you don't need to leave the city to have a great wine tasting experience, this urban winery offers exquisite wine tastings just outside downtown Vancouver itself. Located in the historic district of Gastown, La Fabrique is a great place to start your wine journey through Vancouver.
With over 20 years of experience in the wine industry, winemaker Chris Carson crafts each bottle with precision and care. The result is a fantastic selection of red, white, and rosé wines that are all available for tasting at La Fabrique. You can even take a public tour of the on-site winemaking facilities to get a behind-the-scenes look at how these delicious wines are made.
If you're looking for something truly unique, make sure to try La Fabrique's "natural" wines. These distinctive wines are made without any added sulfur, meaning they can taste slightly different from bottle to bottle. But trust us, they're all delicious.
Address:
7 E 7th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5T 1M4, Canada
Vancouver Urban Winery
This is another great urban winery located just outside of downtown Vancouver. And like La Fabrique, Vancouver Urban Winery also offers public tours of its on-site facilities.
Founded in 2013, Vancouver Urban Winery is one of the newer additions to the city's wine scene. But don't let its age fool you; this winery is already making a big splash in the world of Canadian wine.
The brainchild of industry veterans Ehren Seeman and Steve Thorp, Vancouver Urban Winery sources grapes from some of the best vineyards in British Columbia. They then use these grapes to create small-batch wines that are nothing short of exceptional.
Whether you're enjoying a glass of wine in the on-site tasting room or buying a bottle to take home, Vancouver Urban Winery is sure to impress.
Address:
55 Dunlevy Ave, Vancouver, BC V6A 3A3, Canada
Pacific Breeze Winery
The city of New Westminster is older than Vancouver itself and was the first European colony established on the mainland of BC. But now, New Westminster has been swallowed up by the larger city of Vancouver. It's possible to get to New Westminster easily via the Skytrain, Vancouver's Metro system, which will take you from downtown to New Westminster. And it's only a 20-minute walk from the Skytrain station to one of Vancouver's most exciting urban wineries.
Pacific Breeze Winery is one of the best places to go for a wine tasting in New West. This family-owned winery specializes in producing high-quality white wines, including Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Gewürztraminer.
But don't worry, red wine lovers can also find something to enjoy at Pacific Breeze Winery. The winery also produces a small selection of red wines, including Pinot Noir and Merlot.
No matter what kind of wine you're looking for, you're sure to find it at Pacific Breeze Winery. This winery is recognized as the first garagiste or garage winery in Canada, and as strange as it may seem to find such a quality winery in this urban environment, the wine they produce holds its own against any in BC.
Address:
320 Stewardson Way #6, New Westminster, BC V3M 6C3, Canada
Seaside Pearl Winery
Heading a little further out toward the Fraser Valley, you'll find this suburban gem. Seaside Pearl Winery is yet another great spot for a wine tasting near Vancouver.
This urban winery specializes in producing German-style wines, including Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Noir. But don't worry, there's something for everyone here. The winery also produces a wide variety of other wines, including reds, whites, and even some sparkling wines.
In addition to their impressive selection of wines, Seaside Pearl also offers a range of other services, including public tours of their on-site facilities and private tastings upon request.
Address:
5290 Olund Rd, Abbotsford, BC V4X 1V6, Canada
Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery
This suburban winery is located a bit further out from Vancouver, in the town of Langley. Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery is about a 45-minute drive from downtown Vancouver, but it's well worth the trip.
Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery is best known for its delicious berries and pies. But did you know that they also produce some of the best wine in the Fraser Valley?
The winery produces a wide variety of wines, including reds, whites, and even some dessert wines. And if you're looking for something truly unique, make sure to try their award-winning blueberry wine.
In addition to their great selection of wines, Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery also offers a number of other attractions, including a corn maze, a petting zoo, and even hayrides.
Address:
6179 248 St, Langley Twp, BC V4W 1C3, Canada
Backyard Vineyards
This urban winery is also located in Langley, just a short drive from downtown Vancouver.
Backyard Vineyards is best known for its small-batch wines, which are produced using grapes sourced from some of the best vineyards in British Columbia. The winery also offers a range of other services, including public and private tastings, wine-making courses, and even wedding packages. Sample their products in their well-appointed tasting room, and you'll see why this remains one of the most popular urban wineries in Vancouver.
Address:
3033 232 St, Langley, BC V2Z 3A8, Canada
Fraser Valley Wine Tour
Visit four wineries on this fun tour from downtown Vancouver. A limo bus will take your party from the city out to the Fraser Valley, where you'll visit four different wineries, each with its own tasting room where you can sample delicious wines.
Your tour includes stops at Fraser Valley Cider Company, Backyard Vineyards, Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery, and Abbotsford Vancouver Urban Winery.
You'll also enjoy a gourmet lunch at one of the wineries, as well as a cheese and fruit platter that you can enjoy on the bus ride back to Vancouver.
This is the perfect way to sample some of the best wines in the Fraser Valley without having to worry about driving.
If you prefer to embark on your own expedition, check out the Fraser Valley Wine Circle. This group of eight wineries located throughout the Fraser Valley offers a joint wine passport, which allows you to sample wines at all participating wineries over the course of a year.
The passport costs $30 and can be purchased at any of the participating wineries.
Address:
Various locations
Singletree Winery
This urban winery is located in the heart of downtown Vancouver. Singletree Winery is known for its small-batch, artisanal wines, which are produced using grapes sourced from some of the best vineyards in British Columbia, including some of the best red wine offerings around. This is a great place to visit if you don't want to go too far from the city but still want to enjoy an excellent tasting room where you can sample incredible Pinot Noirs, Cabernet Sauvignons, and other great varietals.
Address:
5782 Mount Lehman Rd, Abbotsford, BC V4X 1V4, Canada
Lulu Island Winery
This urban winery is located just outside of Vancouver in the town of Richmond. Lulu Island Winery is known for its great selection of wines. If you're looking for a more intimate wine-tasting experience, then you'll want to check out Lulu Island Winery. They offer both public and private tastings, so you can choose the option that best suits your needs. A private tour of this winery is sure to be a highlight of your trip. Their selection of wines is also impressive, with reds, whites, and even some sparkling options available.
Lulu Island Winery should be your go-to spot in Vancouver whether you're looking for a public or private wine tasting experience. Their great selection of wines will have something for everyone, and their public and private tasting options make them the perfect choice for any occasion.
Address:
16880 Westminster Hwy, Richmond, BC V6V 1A8, Canada
Festina Lente Estate Winery
This urban winery is located in Langley, and it's a great spot for those who want to learn more about the wine-making process. Festina Lente offers both public and private tours, so you can choose the option that best suits your needs. They also have a great selection of wines, including reds, whites, and sparkling bottles.
Festina Lente Estate Winery is a great choice for those looking for a more intimate wine tasting experience. If you're interested in learning more about the wine-making process, then this is the perfect spot for you.
Pair this one easily with a visit to Backyard Vineyards and Krause Berry Farm, and you'll create your own mini wine tour within the confines of Langley and Langley Township.
Address:
21113 16 Ave, Langley Twp, BC V2Z 1K3, Canada
Sea Star Vineyards
If you're willing to make the short drive outside of Vancouver, you'll be rewarded with a truly unique wine tasting experience at Sea Star Vineyards. Located on Pender Island in the Southern Gulf Islands, this remote winery offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.
Pender Island is only accessible by ferry, making Sea Star Vineyards feel like a true hidden gem. But once you make the journey out here, you'll quickly see why this vineyard is worth the extra effort.
Sea Star produces a wide variety of white, red, and rosé wines. But they're best known for their stunning sparkling wine, which is made in the traditional Champagne method.
In addition to their exceptional wines, Sea Star Vineyards is also home to a cidery and a distillery. So no matter what your drink of choice is, you're sure to find something you love at this one-of-a-kind destination.
Address:
6621 Harbour Hill Dr, Pender Island, BC V0N 2M1, Canada
Okanagan Wine Tours
Finally, we can't talk about the world of BC wine without mentioning the Okanagan. This semiarid region is based around the vast Okanagan Lake, and its warm climate makes it perfect for winemaking. Although it's over a four-hour drive from Vancouver, if you're a true wine lover, it's well worth the trip. This region is home to some of the best-loved labels in all of Canada, and there are more wineries to visit here than you could get to with even a week to spare.
Address:
Various locations
Conclusion
As you can see, Vancouver is an exceptional place to visit for those who love wine. Whether you want to stick to the tasting rooms and urban wineries of the city itself or are willing to travel a little further afield to sample wine straight from the producers, there are almost infinite options available here.
Of course, Vancouver has more to offer than just wine. Check out our guide on how to spend three days in the city for more information on all the great things there are to do here. And don't forget to drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage to ensure you're not carrying more than you need to while exploring this gem of the West Coast.
