Cowichan Valley
This area of southern Vancouver Island stretches between Port Renfrew and near Bamfield on the west coast, and Malahat and Nanaimo on the east side of Vancouver Island.
The Cowichan Valley is the home of a growing number of vineyards and wineries. Locals claim that the warm, dry summers and mild, moist winters are reminiscent of a cool Mediterranean climate, providing ideal growing conditions for many grape varieties.
Most of the residents live along the east coast, where farming and fishing represent the main economic activities of the region.
Population: 79,000
