Wineries of the Lower Mainland, BC

I have found the quality and ease of navigation around some wineries' websites to be both daunting and occasionally irritating just finding the most basic information, so I've compiled a list of the wineries in the Lower Mainland, and using a new mapping software program have made a map here for your ease and convenience. This is a work in progress, so stay tuned for further updates.

These wineries are all an easy drive from The Big City of Vancouver, yet are often overlooked and thus warrant my promotion for wine enthusiasts visiting BC who haven't the time or inclination to trek out to the Okanagan. Some I've visited, others not (yet). Some offer tastings, others not. Some I've enjoyed, others I'm not too keen to visit again - hence my reviews here;

Isabella Winery - This was our first stop of the afternoon, it looked like a small operation tucked away around the industry of the river. Isabella had quite a selection of wines, focusing on fruit/berry wines, and a clean and spacious tasting room. Unfortunately I saw it as rather haphazard in its presentation; there were no prices on the merchandise for browsing customers, no information notes or product menu at the bar, no recommended order to sampling the wine and truthfully very little attention or assistance at all. There were some novel fruit wines - passionfruit, pomegranate - but I was overall disappointed and am unlikely to return.

Lulu Island Winery - And here we have a stark contrast to the first found just down the road. A large facility well posted with ample parking, a clean and spacious showroom, and welcoming and knowledgable staff that not only introduced us to each wine but also gave us an impromptu tour of the facilities. No wonder that they're on the tour bus route! We purchased a cranberry wine and a raspberry wine that I'll enjoy with warm weather spring dishes.

Sanduz Estate Winery - Well presented, it seemed pretty quiet inside during our visit. Perhaps they are a well-kept secret? We got a rhubarb wine I found refreshingly herbacious and tangy, reminiscent of an IPA beer or grassy Sauv Blanc that'll suit well fish, chicken, and/or salads on the patio. The black currant wine is a fun alternative to conventional red wine that delivers a fruity punch. A friend had requested we pick up a bottle of gooseberry wine for him as well to be later shared with a delicious barbecued salmon.

Westham Island Estate Winery - Somehow passing through the tunnel and leaving the highway into Ladner has an almost instantly calming effect, moreso as we drive mostly straight flat roads through agricultural land that we know ends at a bird sanctuary. Almost exclusively fruit wines, friendly staff, small boutique that was packed that day. Make this a full summer's day for the family by tying in a visit to the attached Bissett U-pick farms, aforementioned bird sanctuary, ice cream just down the road, and picnic benches and grassy spots along the river.

Wellbrook Winery - I've seen their sign from the highway and have been meaning to visit for over a year. They were kind enough to let us sample their wares just before closing time, and poke around the shop seeing many locally grown/produced merchandise. I could tell they pride themselves on their blueberries. I was impressed at their operation, going beyond producing products to being an active part of their community; two weeeks later we returned for a Blueberry Festival hosted on their grounds which showcased a variety of artisans, businesses, and organizations, and included a pie-eating competition (yes I participated, no I didn't win, no I'm not posting photos), a show&shine with beautiful autos, model trains, quilts, small falcons and owls, plants, preserves, music, and fun games for the kids. They offer cooking classes too, so check the website for details.