North Saanich Jubilee Flavour Trail & Wine Fest

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Saturday, August 22nd, 2015

Come out and celebrate the North Saanich Jubilee on the annual North Saanich Flavour Trail and Wine Fest. The Flavour Trail offers residents and visitors the opportunity to explore and experience Peninsula food and agriculture – and have fun!

The Flavour Trail tours start on Saturday morning with the dedication of Jubilee Park and a pancake breakfast, followed by the official opening at North Saanich Farm Market at 9:30 a.m. The annual rural ramble offers participants a diverse choice of 16 venues to visit over the two-day event. Discover how to grow oranges and lemons in your own backyard – and make home-grown marmalade!

Learn about growing your own vegetables and saving seeds or how to make a salad from edible flowers in your garden. Watch an exciting sheep dog herding demonstration. Relax and have a cuppa with fresh scones and home-crafted strawberry jam. Wander through a historic church at the edge of the Salish Sea and hear stories from the past in its old cemetery.

Experience a rural farmers’ market. Visit a lavender farm or picnic by the Salish Sea. North Saanich wines are a feature of this year’s Flavour Trail. The weekend begins with the a toe-tappin‘ BBQ at Muse Winery celebrating the bounty of the north Peninsula on Friday night beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Celebrate the rural life alongside the vineyard and enjoy a special harvest spread featuring locally farmed foods (reservations 250-656-2552). On Saturday night, you can enjoy Pizza and Wine at the Roost Farm Centre. The Vineyard Bistro invites you to flavour their farm-to-table experience; “peninsula” famous pizzas right from their wood fired pizza oven and its most popular appetizer, the Salmon Taco accompanied by estate wines. Local musician Sean McCool entertains (reservations 655-0009). Both wineries are open for tours and sampling all weekend. We’re also happy to welcome back old friends on the Trail.

On Sunday, relax for a spell at Cartref Gardens, watch the dragon flies and learn what flowers are good to grow and make bouquets from (you can also enjoy a slice of freshly baked homemade fruit pie). Take a tour at the CFIA’s Centre for Plant with its scenic views over Sidney and the islands of the Salish Sea. The weekend closes with a special Sunday Reception at Snowdon House Studio and Farm (5:00 p.m.) featuring Laura Waters’ edible Douglas Fir products. Tickets $40, proceeds go to the Relay for Life. You can also experience the Flavour Trail in style on two wheels with a leisurely 25 km tour visiting farms, markets, and other tasty stops.

This year’s Flavour Cycle is offered on both Saturday and Sunday and adds something new – electric bicycles. You can use your own bike or try an electric bicycle. The cycle tour leaves the Roost Farm Centre at 9:30 a.m. and returns by 4:30 p.m. both days.

The fees for this escorted and fully supported ride are $79 per person with your own bike or $129 per person on a Pedego Victoria electric bicycle, lunch and taxes included. Registration: www.TIDESgroup.com or call 999-2997.