Wines And Islands - Canada Cruise
Explore the breadth of BC wine, its people and place through this special tasting, culinary and nature adventure. Guided by our on-board experts, as well as other wine industry leaders and pioneers, each day you’ll learn about and taste the best wines from BC’s distinct wine regions. A first of its kind voyage on Canada’s West Coast. This exclusive trip, with a very limited number of guests aboard a spacious catamaran yacht, island hops between Vancouver Island and the natural coves and harbours of remote Gulf Islands. You’ll be given an in-depth look at British Columbia’s emerging “Wine Islands” and their unique place in the Salish Sea—a wine region like no other. Explore locally grown and crafted drops together with a diversity of wines from the Okanagan, Similkameen and other BC wine regions while on board MV Cascadia, all paired with Chef prepared meals created with local, fresh ingredients and inspired by the sea and land surrounding you. Cruise into South Gulf Island pockets which are normally “hard to reach” by car or larger vessels and form part of the “sense of place”. See the land from a different perspective. Tender alongside ridges of rock, sandstone and soils which support the Mediterranean-style brush and arbutus trees synonymous with the area. Observe sea lions in their element. Stop to wander on a small island cay formed by a diversity of sands and imagine the geological history underlying our “Wine Islands” region. From geology and philosophy, to aroma, construction and the pairing meals our chef creates, this is a deep journey into what shapes our wine. Augmenting the wine exploration, we’ll also take in the region’s spectacular nature with naturalist guides, as we island-hop the Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands region, anchoring in remote locations inaccessible by any other means. The entire trip is designed to give you special experiences not available to the general public. The ethic is the same approach as our Craft Beer Cruise (going on its 14th season), but wholly customized to BC’s wine regions and winemaking ethic. Our wine guide is Tania Tomaszewska. A banking lawyer turned wine explorer, Tania is an independent BC Wine Industry advisor and wine professional specializing in “wine journey design”. Tania creates and leads small group, private wine tasting adventures to be experienced in corporate boardrooms, private dining rooms, backyard patios and out in BC wine country. Tania has travelled extensively and lived and worked in Australia for many years before returning to her native British Columbia and re-immersing herself in our local terroirs. Tania is passionate about where wine can take us and is thrilled to be coming back on board for our annual Wines & Islands adventure, and to sip us through the Salish Sea. Tania is WSET Advance Certified (Level 3 Wines and Spirits) and has completed the Wine Executive Program at University of California, Davis. As an “Island Girl” having grown up in Victoria, British Columbia, Tania is thrilled to be coming back onboard MV Cascadia this year, and to be part of such an exciting time for the BC Wine Industry and our “Wine Islands” as they emerge on the global wine stage. Tania loves anything related to travel, geography and pinot noir. Her motto for learning and living: “Always be tasting!”.
Welcome aboard toast and tasting. Under way, transiting scenic passageways in northern Gulf Islands. Introduction to BC wines, terroir and history, what makes the region noteworthy. Late afternoon shore walk in marine park. Tasting dinner that provides an overflight of the wines and what we’ll explore in the coming days.
Morning shore trip on DeCourcy Island and afternoon visits with winemakers producing exciting work on Salt Spring and Saturna Islands.
Morning shore walk in Gulf Islands rainforest, and optional kayaking. Cruising Boundary Pass and Boiling reef featuring rich marine upwelling. Explore historic farmstead at Tumbo in the outer Gulf Islands. Scenic walk to spectacular vista for picnic. Okanagan and Similkameen tasting dinner.
Vancouver Island area wine focus, including visits with leaders in North Saanich and Cowichan Valley winemaking, discussion, tastings, tasting meals, vineyard walks. Vancouver Island wine last night dinner.
Morning optional kayak at Burgoyne Bay. Wrap up, cruising, looking for wildlife en route to Sidney. Final toast.
Note that as with all expedition cruises, the itinerary may change based on weather, wildlife activity, and interests of the guests. This itinerary is to give you a general idea of the trip.
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Vessel Type: Catamaran
Passenger Capacity: 24
Length: 138 ft / 42 m
Built/Refurbished: 2007/2018/2019
Cascadia is a 138-foot expedition catamaran built for small-group exploration along the wild British Columbia coast. She carries 24 guests in 12 outside cabins, each with windows, en-suite bathrooms and individual climate control. Four decks provide a mix of quiet corners and open viewing spaces: a protected salon with a bar, indoor and outdoor dining areas, a terrace lounge, and a top deck with loungers and a hot tub. The bridge is open to guests for 180-degree views and insight into navigation. Kayaks, custom landing craft, a hydrophone, and a natural history library support shore landings and wildlife encounters. The design leans on light, space and stability, allowing access to remote inlets while maintaining a comfortable, human-scale experience.
Cabin categories range from 160 to 235 square feet. Lower-deck and some main-deck cabins offer queen or twin beds and large portholes; mid-level cabins add more floor space, outside doors, generous windows and heated slate-floor bathrooms; the two bridge-deck suites are the largest, with king beds, extra seating and extensive natural light. All include storage, power outlets, bathrobes, and climate control. Mobility requirements centre on navigating stairs between decks and boarding shore boats via landing-craft ramps. Limitations apply for travellers with significant mobility impairments, but one main-deck cabin includes an accessible bathroom.
Inclusions
• All meals, snacks and beverages prepared from the freshest ingredients by our superb chef.
• Fine wines featured with the evening meal, and a limited amount of beer included and available throughout the trip. (Liquor is not a large part of our trips, so plan on light consumption).
• Services of our naturalist and professional crew.
• Shore excursions.
• Use of gear on board, including rubber boots, kayaks and fishing gear (with fishing licence).
• All accommodations on your vessel and, on trips with a land day, in a local lodging.
Exclusions
• The price does not include transportation to or from the starting and ending points of the Maple Leaf, Swell, and Cascadia trips, except for flights from Vancouver to the start of Cascadia’s Haida Gwaii trips and trips with a current Flight Promotion.
• Canadian trips are subject to a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST), while Alaska trips are exempt.
• There is also a sustainability fee of $200 added to each fare on booking.
• Tipping for the crew is not included and is confidential and at your discretion.
• Fishing licenses are not included and must be acquired by guests wanting to fish prior to their trip.
Wellness & Culinary Voyages
Highlights
• Exclusive BC Wine Adventure: This unique voyage offers a limited number of guests the opportunity to explore the world of British Columbia wine, guided by experts and industry leaders, while cruising between Vancouver Island and the remote Gulf Islands. It's a one-of-a-kind experience on Canada's West Coast.• Diverse Wine Tasting: Onboard the MV Cascadia, guests will taste a wide variety of wines from BC's distinct wine regions, including the emerging "Wine Islands." These wines will be expertly paired with chef-prepared meals featuring local, fresh ingredients inspired by the surrounding sea and land.
• Scenic Island-Hopping: The cruise takes you to South Gulf Island pockets that are typically difficult to access by car or larger vessels. You'll get a unique perspective of the region's geology, flora, and fauna, from sea lions to unique geological formations and sandy cays.
• Passionate Wine Guide: Tania Tomaszewska, a WSET Advanced Certified sommelier, and BC Wine Industry advisor, will lead this wine adventure. Her passion for wine and extensive experience in the industry make her the perfect guide to introduce you to the BC wine scene.
Our Associates Include
