Victoria offers adventures in food and drink
VICTORIA GIN A FIRST FOR VANCOUVER ISLAND
Ken Winchester of Winchester Cellars in Victoria has launched British Columbia's only handcrafted gin. Winchester's Victoria Gin has already won gold at the Northwest Wine Summit among more than 1,000 wines and spirits. Victoria Gin blends 10 locally grown organic botanicals from juniper berries to rose petals and is distilled in small batches in a gleaming handmade wood-fired copper pot still. A secret 11th ingredient is known only to the distiller.
Barking Dog Vineyard, the first and only certified organic vineyard on Vancouver Island, produces the organically grown fruit and botanicals for Winchester Cellars. A renowned Victoria winemaker in Canada's fastest growing wine region, Ken Winchester travelled to Scotland to learn the art of distilling from the masters at Bruichladdich Distillery.
The first licensed distillery on Vancouver Island, Winchester Cellars will now turn its attention to single malt whisky. For more information visit www.winchestercellars.com.
GET FRESH AT FAIRBURN FARM CULINARY RETREAT
Fairburn CottageFairburn Farm Culinary Retreat and Guesthouse, located 45 minutes north of Victoria in the Cowichan Valley, has refreshed its 1930's caretaker's cottage. This charming, two-and-a-half bedroom cottage is self-contained and perfect for Fairburn's week-long culinary boot camps, summer family vacations, wine enthusiasts, weekend cyclists or a girls' getaway. Fairburn Farm is home to North America's only herd of genuine European river water buffalo.
Fairburn Farm Culinary Retreat and Guesthouse, recently listed as one of the 45 most memorable cooking vacations in the world by Gourmet Magazine (May 2008), offers field-to-table cooking classes featuring fresh garden ingredients, buffalo mozzarella, locally raised meats and seafood. For more information visit www.fairburnfarm.bc.ca.
ORGANIC ISLANDS FESTIVAL
July 5 and 6, 2008 the fourth annual Organic Islands Festival and Sustainability Expo will be held at Glendale Gardens and Woodland in Victoria. As Canada's largest outdoor organic lifestyle fair, the Organic Islands Festival will show visitors how to join the movement to a sustainable future with solutions for home, garden, body and soul.
Award-winning green businesses, local farmers, chefs and gardeners will be showcased. There will be over 100 exhibitors as well as demonstrations, entertainment, children's activities and food. Admission is $10 for adults, $7.50 for seniors and youth 13-18, $25 for a family pass (two adults and two children) and children 12 and under are free. For more information visit www.organicislands.ca.
LOOKING FOR A LITTLE TLC?
The Land Conservatory (TLC) will offer visitors to Victoria an opportunity to give back with a conservation holiday to Madrona Farm. This one-day excursion will give visitors a taste of what TLC conservation holidays entail.
David and Nathalie Chambers of Madrona Farm will introduce visitors to agriculture and food production that is happening right within the Greater Victoria city limits. A day of healthy work activities on the farm will end with a tasty dinner prepared by David who is also a chef.
Tourism Victoria
Nestled on the edge of Mount Douglas Park, the 27-acre farm maintains a mix of cultivated and open fields, wooded areas including Douglas fir and Garry oak ecosystems, and four natural ponds. The food crops produced include a variety of vegetables, fruits, mixed grains and flowers as well as raising chickens for eggs.
Known as TLC, The Land Conservancy is a charitable Land Trust working throughout Victoria and B.C. to protect important habitat for plants and animals as well as properties with historical and scientific value. For more information visit www.conservancy.bc.ca.