The charming capital city of British Columbia offers an ideal backdrop for an unforgettable bachelorette wine tour in Victoria! Known for its picturesque landscapes, mild climate, and thriving wine culture, Victoria provides the perfect setting for you and your bridal party to relax, savour exceptional wines, and celebrate the upcoming nuptials. Fortunately, you needn’t plan it alone — we’re here to help!
Below we’ll go over the essential elements of planning an unforgetable bachelorette wine tour in Victoria, highlighting some of the best wineries to visit, tips of the trade for planning a successful day of wine tasting and celebrating, plus exciting activities to enhance your experience! Lets get started!
Planning Your Bachelorette Wine Tour
Choose Your Date:
Begin by selecting a date that works for the bride-to-be and the bridal party. Consider the season and the availability of winery tours and tastings. Victoria and the Cowichan Valley, for example, may experience winery closures through the winter months. In order to maximize the number of wineries available to you and your crew, we’d recommend visiting between the months of April to October to ensure an unforgettable bachelorette wine tour in Victoria.
Book Accommodations Early:
If you’re not local to Victoria, consider asking yourselves whether you’d like to spend the bulk of your time in the heart of the city, with access to shopping, cafes, restaurants, museums, and waterfront walks, all easily accessible by foot. If you opt for accommodations in the heart of the city, your day of wine touring will feel like a real escape to the countryside!
Victoria offers a range of lodging options, from boutique hotels to charming bed and breakfasts. Alternatively, you may want to consider accommodations outside of the hustle and bustle of city life. In that case, your group may want to explore the quaint town of Duncan. And if you do, you won’t want to miss a stop to the Duncan Garage Café & Bakery for breakfast. Cowichan Bay is another area to consider if you’re feeling coastal.
Most towns along Highway #1 leading towards the town of Duncan offer accommodations and you may find prices to be quite a bit lower than downtown Victoria. If your crew is ok with being outside of the city, this is a surefire way to save some money…..and that means you can purchase more wine!
Book your Wine Tour:
With so many fabulous options to choose from, how will you ever know which one to select? Your bachelorette wine tour in Victoria has to be perfect! We recommend reading reviews, and find that typically reviews on Google offer authentic feedback from past guests. A little research goes a long way! Of course, you’ll also want to take budget into account, paying close attention to what exactly is included and excluded in the package that you’re considering.
Another important factor when researching your bachelorette wine tour in Victoria is whether or not the tour you’re selecting will offer transportation to and from your accommodations!
A solid wine tour package should also without a doubt include reservations and the tasting fees for you and your group at the wineries that you plan to visit. This is a crucial factor, as it ensures you have a personalized and seamless VIP experience without waiting in lines.
Once your bachelorette wine tour in Victoria is actually booked, there are a few tips we recommend that you follow on the day of to ensure smooth sailing all the way!
Tips for a Successful Bachelorette Wine Tour In Victoria
Hydration and Snacks:
Stay hydrated throughout the day by drinking water between wine tastings. Bring along some snacks to avoid getting “hangry”. Ensure that your Victoria wine tour operator includes unlimited bottled water throughout the day. It may be a small item, but it’s essential to making the most out of your wine tour.
Create a Playlist:
Is there anything more important for setting the tone than a banging playlist? We don’t think so. Pumping your favourite beats throughout the day is a surefire way to keep the party going and a MUST for a bachelorette wine tour in Victoria. Chat with your Victoria wine tour operator and make sure your crew will have full control of the audio for the day. Successful Bachelorette wine tours mean singing your hearts out!
Swag:
Consider getting personalized wine glasses or other wine-related swag for the entire bride tribe to commemorate the day with! Popular options are tshirts, sunglasses, straws, wine glasses and more. If you’re looking to make quick work of this, we highly recommend connecting with Bach and Boujee. These folks know exactly how to rock your Bachelorette wine tour in style!
Wineries to Visit on Your Bachelorette Trip
Vancouver Island is chalk-full of fabulous wineries. With so many great options to choose from, it may be hard to narrow down your selection to create the perfect itinerary. As each of the wineries below offer the perfect backdrop for celebrating the bride-to-be, accompanied by sensational wines and stellar views, you really can’t go wrong! Here is our list to experience the best bachelorette wine tour in Victoria.
Situated in the picturesque Cowichan Valley, Blue Grouse Estate Winery is a captivating destination for wine enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. This family-owned winery combines the best of British Columbia’s wine culture with stunning surroundings.
A visit to Blue Grouse Estate Winery offers a serene escape into the heart of Vancouver Island’s natural beauty and the world of winemaking. The estate offers captivating vineyard views, with well-maintained vine rows that add to the charm of the surroundings.
It’s a perfect spot for savouring wine and enjoying the scenery. Blue Grouse boasts incredibly luxurious outdoor cabana style seating — the perfect venue for sipping the day away and grazing over locally curated charcuterie. With VIP service, world class wines and views, this is undoubtedly a venue for celebrating!
Nestled in the picturesque Cowichan Valley, Averill Creek Vineyard is a celebrated winery that has earned a well-deserved reputation for producing high-quality wines that capture the essence of the island’s terroir. Established in 2001, the winery has garnered numerous accolades and a dedicated following of wine enthusiasts. The vineyard’s picturesque location makes it perfect for a leisurely tasting experience.
A visit to Averill Creek Vineyard offers a delightful and educational experience for wine enthusiasts and tourists alike. The vineyard’s picturesque location, set against the backdrop of the Vancouver Island mountains, makes it a perfect spot for wine tasting and taking in the natural beauty of the Cowichan Valley.
There is so much more to this winery than its sleek, modern concrete exterior. While the edgy exterior is matched by a sleek tasting room, you will be delighted to discover their outdoor picnic area, which virtually whisks you away to an estate somewhere in Tuscany.
Can you imagine a more enticing setting in which to savour delicious wines alongside locally sourced and selected charcuterie? We can’t! A visit to picture-perfect Averill Creek great way to celebrate!
Unsworth Vineyards is a hidden gem among British Columbia’s wine producers. Their picturesque estate combines winemaking excellence with a deep appreciation for culinary arts, offering a unique and immersive experience for visitors. Celebrated for its French-inspired wines, their portfolio includes sparkling wines, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.
The winery’s serene ambiance adds to the experience. A visit to Unsworth Vineyards is an experience that combines wine, food, and the natural beauty of Vancouver Island. The welcoming tasting room provides the perfect setting to sample their wines.
Unsworth Vineyards is also celebrated for its on-site restaurant, The Restaurant at Unsworth Vineyards, which features a farm-to-table approach focused on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.
Not surprisingly, their culinary offerings beautifully complement their wines. The estate offers scenic views of the vineyard and surrounding landscape. It’s an ideal spot to enjoy wine and food, and perhaps the perfect spot to explore on the perfect bachelorette wine tour in Victoria.
Enhancing the Experience
While wine tasting is the primary focus of your bachelorette wine tour in Victoria, consider incorporating other activities to make the trip even more special. Below are just a few ideas!
Picnic Lunch:
Pack a picnic or order takeout from a local restaurant to enjoy at one of Victoria’s many beautiful local parks or even a winery. Greenspace’s are everywhere in Victoria and along the highway leading up to Duncan.
Picnics can be fun, easy to prepare and the casual atmosphere is a welcome change to the more formal routine of a restuarant. Better yet, there are many companies offering Charcuterie boxes for large groups!
Wine and Paint Night:
Some wineries offer wine and paint sessions, allowing you to get creative while sipping on your favourite vintages. If not currently available, fear not. Wine and paint nights are so easy to setup at your Victoria hotel or accommodation provider. This makes for a great evening activity and its budget friendly. A little wine and some supplies, good company and memories to last a lifetime are what paint nights are all about! A funky local shop to check out is Opus Art Supplies
Photo Shoot:
Capture the memorable moments with a professional photoshoot amid the scenic vineyards at your favourite winery, or even at a venue of your choosing in the beautiful downtown waterfront of Victoria.
When selecting your operator for the best bachelorette wine tour in Victoria, make sure your guide will take as many photos througout the day as you’d like. Most Victoria wine tour operators include this, but double check. Having a young, energetic guide snapping photos throughout the day is key to having the best time possible!
High Tea at The Fairmont Empress:
For a more sophisticated and elegant celebration, treat the bride to a traditional afternoon tea at The Fairmont Empress. Sip on fine teas, savour delicate sandwiches and pastries, and relish the luxurious atmosphere of this iconic hotel
Spa Day & Relaxation:
Pamper the bride and her bridal party with a day at one of Victoria’s renowned spas. Book massages, facials, and relaxation time in saunas or hot tubs. It’s an excellent way to unwind, rejuvenate, and create a tranquil atmosphere for the bride. Bachelorette getaways in Victoria are about pampering after all!
Outdoor Excursion:
Victoria’s natural surroundings provide an abundance of opportunities for outdoor adventures. Consider organizing a paddle boarding excursion in the beautiful waters of Victoria. Alternatively, a good hike in one of the nearby parks or a bike tour around the city is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon outdoors. With so many options to choose from, check out Tourism Victoria for a list of activities to explore.
Night on the Town:
Dress up and hit the town for a night of dancing and fun. Victoria has a lively nightlife scene with various bars, clubs, and live music venues. You could even consider booking a private VIP area at one of the clubs for your group. Our top 3 choices for having a blast well into the evening are the following:
1: Clives Classic Lounge
2: Q Bar At The Empress
3: Garrick’s Head Pub
A bachelorette wine tour in Victoria is an amazing way to celebrate your bride’s upcoming wedding and create lasting memories with friends and loved ones. With a thoughtfully planned itinerary, a wine tour booked in advance, and a few extra touches, your wine tour getaway to Vancouver Island is sure to be a delightful and unforgettable experience for your bride to be. Cheers to love, friendship, and the joys of wine tasting in beautiful Victoria!
Ready to begin planning your epic bachelorette? Check out our top bachelorette wine tour in Victoria
