Alderlea Vineyards

Alderlea Vineyards is one of Vancouver Island's oldest and most respected wineries, set on a sloping farm near Duncan in the Cowichan Valley. Established in 1993 by Roger and Nancy Dosman, true pioneers of island winegrowing, the property passed in 2017 to new owners Zac and Julie, who continue the founders' vision of estate-grown, cool-climate wine made entirely in the Cowichan Valley. Everything is produced from the winery's own grapes, and the team is committed to sustainable farming practices alongside an ambition, stated plainly on their site, of making the highest quality wine in Canada.

The portfolio reflects what grows well on Vancouver Island. Whites include Bacchus, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc, while the reds feature Pinot Noir, Merlot, Clarinet, a wine built on old-vine Marechal Foch, and Matrix, a Cabernet Foch blend; sparkling and rosé offerings round out the list. These nationally award-winning wines have helped define the Cowichan Valley sub-appellation, a maritime growing region warmed by some of Canada's mildest weather. Visitors touring the Cowichan wine route will find Alderlea a short drive from Duncan, surrounded by the farms, cideries and food producers that have earned the valley a reputation as an island culinary destination. The winery operates on a smaller, quieter scale than the big Okanagan estates, so it is worth checking current hours or calling ahead before visiting, but that intimacy is part of the appeal: this is a working vineyard where the focus stays squarely on the wine. For anyone curious about how far Vancouver Island viticulture has come in three decades, Alderlea is the natural place to start, with vines that date back to the very beginnings of the modern Cowichan wine story.