Wine Month Starts Above the Trees: Cowichan Valley Wine Festival KickOff Returns to Malahat SkyWalk

~ The after-hours tasting event launches the month-long Cowichan Valley Wine Festival with 11 wineries, sparkling pours, seasonal bites, and golden-hour views.~

MALAHAT, BC (July 2, 2026) - The Cowichan Valley Wine Festival is launching in unforgettable style this summer as the Cowichan Valley Wine Festival KickOff returns to Malahat SkyWalk on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.

Hosted in collaboration with the Cowichan Wine Society, the elevated after-hours event will bring together 11 Cowichan wineries, a dedicated Cowichan Wine Society sparkling wine table, seasonal culinary moments, and sweeping forest-to-sky views for one of Vancouver Island’s most memorable wine experiences.

Taking place from 6:30 to 8:30pm, the KickOff marks the official start of the month-long Cowichan Valley Wine Festival, inviting guests to sip, stroll, and celebrate the vineyards, winemakers, and distinct sense of place that make Cowichan one of British Columbia’s most exciting wine regions.

“We are incredibly proud to work with the Cowichan Wine Society for the second year in a row,” says Nathan Bird, general manager, Malahat SkyWalk. “This festival is a celebration of Cowichan’s winemakers, vineyards, and the passion behind every pour. Hosting the KickOff gives us the chance to showcase this incredible wine region from one of Vancouver Island’s most unforgettable settings.”

The evening will feature 12 tasting stations in total, including pours from participating Cowichan wineries and a sparkling wine feature from the Cowichan Wine Society. Guests can also enjoy seasonal bites, onsite activations, prize opportunities, and golden-hour views across the surrounding coastal forest.

Participating Wineries

Guests will have the opportunity to taste from a lineup of Cowichan wineries, including:

• Alderlea Vineyards
• Averill Creek Vineyard
• Blue Grouse Estate Winery
• Cherry Point Estate Wines
• Cobble Hill Winery
• Deol Estate Winery
• Divino Estate Winery
• Enrico Winery
• Telltale Winery
• Unsworth Vineyards
• Zanatta Winery

The event is designed to spotlight the strength of Cowichan’s wine and tourism community while creating an elevated guest experience that connects local wine, regional food, and destination travel.

General Admission tickets are $70 all-in and include event access, tastings, and seasonal bites. VIP tickets are $115 all-in and include the full KickOff experience, early entry, a keepsake cup, a Cowichan Valley Wine Festival Passport, and an Annual Membership Pass to Malahat SkyWalk — a total value of $231.

The Cowichan Valley Wine Festival Passport continues the celebration throughout the month of August, giving guests the opportunity to explore participating wineries across the Cowichan region.

The 2026 Cowichan Valley Wine Festival KickOff is proudly supported by Tourism Cowichan and 89.7 Sun FM.

Tickets are limited and advance purchase is strongly recommended.

Event Details

What: Cowichan Valley Wine Festival KickOff at Malahat SkyWalk
When: Wednesday, July 29, 2026 | 6:30–8:30pm
VIP Entry: 6:00pm
Where: Malahat SkyWalk
Tickets: General Admission $70 all-in | VIP $115 all-in
Age: 19+ with valid government-issued photo ID

Tickets and event information are available at:
https://malahatskywalk.com/connect/events/2026-cowichan-valley-wine-festival-kickoff/

Learn more about the Cowichan Valley Wine Festival and Festival Passport at:
https://www.cowichanwineries.com/

About Cowichan Wine Society

The Cowichan Wine Society celebrates and supports the wineries, growers, and wine experiences that make the Cowichan Valley one of British Columbia’s most distinctive wine regions. Through events, partnerships, and regional promotion, the Society works to showcase Cowichan wine and connect visitors with the people and places behind every pour.

About Malahat SkyWalk

Malahat SkyWalk is a leading Canadian tourism attraction and is fully accessible, offering a connection to nature like never before. Located on beautiful Vancouver Island, the SkyWalk is considered one of the top three places to visit in and around Victoria, BC. From its elevated TreeWalk (20 metres above ground), high amongst a mature arbutus and Douglas-fir forest to the architecturally stunning 10-storey Spiral Tower, along with multiple thrill-seeking experiences (The Overhang, The SkyWeb, and The Sizzler), the attraction offers a fully immersive, nature-based adventure, from beginning to end. Situated on the traditional territory of the Malahat Nation, the SkyWalk has welcomed more than one million guests from across the globe since opening in 2021. The attraction has also been recognized with multiple innovation and tourism awards for its unique design and experience.

For more information, visit malahatskywalk.com.

~ 30 ~

Media Contact:

Jadrian Berkan

Manager, Brand & Marketing

Email:

Phone: 250.883.6213