Church & State Wines Victoria
Savor gourmet dining and taste award-winning Canadian wines amidst breathtaking vineyard views on Vancouver Island.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Enjoy lunch & wine tasting
Church & State Wines Victoria
Best Time
Enjoy lunch & wine tasting
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Savor gourmet dining and taste award-winning Canadian wines amidst breathtaking vineyard views on Vancouver Island.
"This winery had the best Canadian wines we have tried while on the trip."
🍽️ Reserve Dining Ahead
Popular for its first-rate dining, booking a table is highly recommended, especially on weekends.
🍷 Taste the Local Best
Don't miss the wine tasting flights; many visitors find them superior to other Canadian wines.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Vineyard Dining Experience
Restaurant Deck
Savor gourmet meals with breathtaking vineyard and lake views. Perfect for lunch or a special occasion.
Award-Winning Canadian Wines
Tasting Room
Sample vibrant, beautifully crafted wines, many considered the best Canadian wines tried by visitors.
Picturesque Wedding Venue
Vineyard & Courtyard
A dream location for weddings with sweeping vineyard views and elegant West Coast charm.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Vineyard Dining & Wine Tasting
Wedding & Event Destination
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Wine tours (or just wineries) for out-of-town friends
🍽️ Reserve Dining Ahead
Popular for its first-rate dining, booking a table is highly recommended, especially on weekends.
🍷 Taste the Local Best
Don't miss the wine tasting flights; many visitors find them superior to other Canadian wines.
Any wine bars that serve wine flights in or close to downtown Victoria?
Suggestions on places to visit between Swartz Bay Terminal and Downtown Victoria (other than Butchart Garden)
📸 Perfect Photo Ops
The vineyard offers stunning backdrops for photos, especially during golden hour.
🐶 Dog-Friendly Patio
Well-behaved dogs are welcome on the patio, and staff are noted for being sweet to them.
Tips
from all over the internet
🍽️ Reserve Dining Ahead
Popular for its first-rate dining, booking a table is highly recommended, especially on weekends.
🍷 Taste the Local Best
Don't miss the wine tasting flights; many visitors find them superior to other Canadian wines.
📸 Perfect Photo Ops
The vineyard offers stunning backdrops for photos, especially during golden hour.
🐶 Dog-Friendly Patio
Well-behaved dogs are welcome on the patio, and staff are noted for being sweet to them.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Church & State Wines is highly praised for its exceptional dining, featuring gourmet dishes and a stunning vineyard view. Visitors rave about the quality of their award-winning Canadian wines, often calling them the best they've tried. The venue is also a top choice for weddings, lauded for its picturesque scenery and attentive staff. While generally positive, some may find it a bit pricey for casual visits.
"I cannot overstate how great our experience was at Church and State. The dining is absolutely first rate! We started off with grilled artichokes with burrata, and Mediterranean grilled flatbread, followed by the main courses of grilled lingcod and duck confit. Every bite was perfect. The duck was moist and perfectly tender and the smokey lingcod with those lemony highlights was stellar. We had no idea before coming here that the kitchen at Church and State would offer such an amazing dining experience. Our waitress could not have been nicer. She was very knowledgeable about the menu and the wines we ordered, and she was so sweet to my dog. We did not have room for dessert, but I have to say that this was one of the best dining experiences for me this year. This is a kitchen that really knows what it's doing!"
Gregg Gebetsberger
"I knew I wanted to go to at least one winery in BC while we were on Vancouver Island, and I am so happy we chose this one! The facility is really rustic but tastefully done and well decorated and laid out. The porch is perfect for dining even on hot days due to the breeze and shade. The meals are VERY delicious too! I had the smoked fish board, which was more than enough as a meal. I also had the white wine tasting flight. I can honestly say this winery had the best Canadian wines we have tried while on the trip. We bought many different types at the local liquor stores and none of them were as good as Church and State. Very happy to have visited!"
Rebecca Freeman
"Church and State Winery is truly one of my favourite wedding venues on Vancouver Island. Just minutes from downtown Victoria, it offers everything a couple (and a photographer) could hope for: sweeping vineyard views, beautiful natural light, and a perfect mix of elegance and West Coast charm.
From intimate ceremonies in the courtyard to golden-hour portraits among the vines, every corner of this venue feels like it was designed for unforgettable wedding photos. The staff are warm, attentive, and genuinely care about creating a seamless experience for couples and their guests.
As a photographer, I always look forward to shooting here. The scenery changes beautifully with the seasons, the sunsets are breathtaking, and every wedding I’ve captured at Church and State Winery has been a joy from start to finish."
Folklore Wedding Company
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Church & State Wines is conveniently located just minutes from downtown Victoria. Driving is the most common method, with ample parking available. You can also consider a taxi or rideshare service for a direct trip.
While public transport options exist to get close to the area, direct bus routes to the winery itself might be limited. It's best to check local BC Transit schedules or opt for a taxi/rideshare for ease of access.
For exploring multiple wineries, including Church & State, consider booking a guided wine tour. This allows you to relax and enjoy the tastings without worrying about driving.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entry to the grounds and tasting room is generally free, but wine tastings and dining require purchase. Reservations are highly recommended for the restaurant.
Opening hours can vary seasonally. It's best to check their official website or call ahead for the most up-to-date information on tasting room and restaurant hours.
Yes, wine tasting flights are available and highly recommended. Visitors often praise the quality and variety of the Canadian wines offered.
Typically, there is no admission fee to walk around the vineyard grounds, but this can change. Wine tasting and dining are separate costs.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The winery boasts a first-rate dining experience with a menu featuring delicious dishes like grilled lingcod, duck confit, and smoked fish boards.
Reservations are strongly advised, especially for weekend dining, as the restaurant is very popular and offers an exceptional culinary experience.
Absolutely! The combination of gourmet food, excellent wine, and stunning vineyard views makes it a perfect spot for anniversaries, birthdays, or romantic dinners.
While specific options vary, the kitchen is known for its quality. It's advisable to check the current menu or inform the staff of any dietary needs when booking.
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, it's considered one of the top wedding venues on Vancouver Island for photography, offering vineyard views, natural light, and elegant settings.
Golden hour, just before sunset, is particularly magical for capturing breathtaking photos among the vines.
The venue offers various backdrops, including pond views, upper hill vineyard vistas, and the charming courtyard, providing endless photo opportunities.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider visiting during off-peak hours or for a casual lunch on the deck. While the wine tasting is for adults, the beautiful scenery and the opportunity to enjoy a meal with a view can be pleasant for the whole family. Ensure children are kept safe and supervised, especially near the vineyard and any water features.
💍 Couples & Romantic Getaways
It's also a top choice for weddings and anniversaries, offering a beautiful and elegant setting for celebrating love. The attentive service and the overall charm of the winery contribute to a truly special and memorable visit for couples.
🍷 Wine Enthusiasts
Don't hesitate to ask the knowledgeable staff for recommendations or insights into their winemaking process. Purchasing bottles directly from the winery ensures you get the freshest product and can relive the experience at home.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Culinary Delights of Church & State
Visitors often express surprise at the high quality of the food, with many calling it one of the best dining experiences they've had. The kitchen is described as knowing exactly what it's doing, delivering dishes with 'lemony highlights' and 'smokey' notes that are truly stellar. Even without room for dessert, the overall meal is a highlight of the visit.
Beyond the main courses, appetizers like grilled artichokes with burrata and Mediterranean grilled flatbread set a high standard. The staff are noted for their attentiveness and knowledge of both the menu and the wines, enhancing the overall dining experience. This focus on quality food, paired with their own wines, makes Church & State a true gastronomic destination on Vancouver Island.
Exploring the Wines of Church & State
Guests have specifically highlighted the superiority of Church & State wines compared to other Canadian brands purchased locally. This suggests a commitment to excellence in their viticulture and winemaking processes. Whether you prefer crisp whites or robust reds, the tasting experience is designed to be both enjoyable and informative.
Beyond tasting, the wines are also fairly priced, making it easy for visitors to purchase bottles to take home and savor later. The welcoming atmosphere, combined with the exceptional quality of the wine, makes a visit to the tasting room a must-do activity for any wine enthusiast.
A Premier Wedding and Event Venue
The venue provides multiple ceremony options, including a pond backdrop on the lower lawn or a vineyard backdrop on the upper hill, as well as indoor ceremonies in their cozy tasting room. The presence of an on-site kitchen means couples can enjoy elevated catering, and there's ample space for a lively dance party after the main events. The staff are frequently described as warm, attentive, and genuinely dedicated to creating a seamless and unforgettable experience for couples and their guests.
For those planning a wedding, Church & State offers a 'one-stop location' that combines a relaxed yet elevated atmosphere with endless photo opportunities. The scenery changes beautifully with the seasons, and the sunsets are often breathtaking, ensuring that every wedding captured here is a joy from start to finish.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit