Welcome to Cowichan.
Slow Down. Savour Life.
The Cowichan Region takes its name from Quw’utsun’, an aboriginal word that means “the warm land.” The First People knew what they were talking about: just 40 minutes North of Victoria, British Columbia, Cowichan is located in Canada’s only maritime Mediterranean climatic zone and is home to the warmest year-round temperature anywhere in the country.
It’s no wonder it is so well suited to growing things, including an incredible array of food and an unmatched quality of life. For decades, Cowichan has been producing amazing artisanal food and drink from the region’s burgeoning farms, wineries, cideries, distilleries, fishers and artists. In fact, Cowichan is home to Westholme Tea, Canada’s first tea farm, as well as Merridale Ciderworks, BC’s first craft cidery and first certified craft distillery.
With regard to Cowichan’s growing number of wineries, comparisons are regularly made to the Napa and Barossa Valleys. Referring to the entire culinary package, legendary foodie James Barber once referred to Cowichan as “Canada’s Provence.”
When it comes to things to experience here, food and drink are just the beginning! From concerts and festivals to many outdoor activities like mountain biking, hiking, fishing, kayaking and more, Cowichan features a myriad of other attractions that can be enjoyed year-round.
When you consider that everything that happens here – from the eclectic to the extreme – is packaged with some of the most breathtaking scenery anywhere, Cowichan becomes a destination that competes with the best that the world has to offer.