Vancouver Island Expeditions Adventure - Teafarm (Part 1)


 
 With a catchphrase like "Discover places that inspire stories" I had high expectations for the 1 day A Taste of the Cowichan Valley wine tour. We met the owner Leif at 9am in the parking lot next to the Bastion (98 Front St) in Nanaimo. The day was crisp but sunny, a perfect autumn day to explore the beautiful Cowichan Valley.

 The Cowichan Valley has become an attractive location for food and wine enthusiasts with warm, dry summers and very moderate winters. This combination makes for an ideal growing condition for many varieties of grapes as well as other fruits and vegetables. This part of Vancouver Island also has the most sunny days compared to anywhere else in Canada! 

  After a lovely 45 minute journey from Nanaimo in a beautiful Mercedes 12 passenger Sprinter van we arrived at our first destination, the Teafarm. 
Old barn converted to the tea shop and clay studio!


 Teafarm owners Margit and Victor planted their tea plants in May of 2010, since tea plants usually mature for harvest at around 5 years old - they are very close to being ready. To the owners knowledge, they are the first and only tea farm in Canada! Currently they offer Certified Organic estate grown tea. Currently they have created about 30 hand-crafted teas and herbal infusions. You can buy on-line or visit the farm Weds-Sunday 10am-5pm. 

A plethora of various hand-crafted organic teas!
 Part of the tea store also includes a clay studio where Margit creates some absolutely beautiful teapots and cups that are on display. 

Teafarm is located at 8350 Richards Trail in North Cowichan.

You can also learn connect with them on Facebook and Twitter. 
 

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