Where Can I Take My Dog for Wine and Cider Tasting near Victoria, BC?

The Saanich Peninsula between Victoria and Sidney is quietly one of the best wine-tasting regions on Vancouver Island, and several of its wineries and cideries welcome dogs on their patios. If you are looking for a weekend afternoon that combines good drinks, scenic farmland, and your dog lying at your feet while you taste, this is the guide. We have visited these spots with Ziggy, our 6-year-old Rottweiler, and here is what we know.

Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, Saanichton

Sea Cider is the standout. Located at 2487 Mt St Michael Road in Saanichton, about 25 minutes north of downtown Victoria, this family-run cidery sits on a hillside with views across the Saanich Peninsula toward the Gulf Islands. Dogs are welcome on the outdoor patio and in the pet-friendly picnic area. They ask that you inform them when booking so they can ensure outdoor seating is available, and water bowls are provided.

The cider is excellent. Sea Cider produces small-batch, organic ciders using heritage apple varieties grown on-site. Their Kings & Spies and Rumrunner are two of the most popular pours, but the seasonal releases are worth asking about. The tasting room itself is inside a heritage barn, but the real draw for dog owners is the covered patio with a view.

Why dogs love it: Open-air picnic area, water bowls, room to lie down on the grass.

Why humans love it: Outstanding craft cider, heritage farm setting, one of the best patio views on the Peninsula.

Tip: Book ahead for weekend tastings. Sea Cider is popular and the patio fills up. Mention you are bringing a dog when you reserve.

Website: seaider.com

Church & State Wines, Victoria

Church & State has a dog-friendly patio on their grounds just minutes from downtown Victoria. The winery produces a range of wines from their vineyards on the Saanich Peninsula and the Cowichan Valley, and the tasting room offers guided tastings of their current releases. The grounds are spacious, which matters if your dog needs room to settle without feeling crowded.

Why dogs love it: Spacious grounds, outdoor seating, relaxed atmosphere.

Why humans love it: Strong wine list, proximity to downtown, well-maintained grounds.

Tip: Confirm the current dog policy when booking, as tasting room operations can shift between seasons.

Website: churchandstatewines.com

Other Peninsula Wineries to Check

The Saanich Peninsula has several more wineries and tasting rooms that may allow dogs. We have not been able to confirm their current dog policies online, so call before you go:

• Deep Cove Winery (250-656-2552) in North Saanich, near the Sidney area. A small-batch winery with a tasting room and patio.
• Unsworth Vineyards (250-654-2444) on the Tsehum Harbour area near Sidney. Known for sparkling wines.
• Cherry Point Vineyards (250-654-2556) in North Saanich. A long-established Peninsula winery with a tasting room.

Policies can change between seasons, especially if a winery is managing grape harvest or hosting events. A quick phone call saves you from showing up with a dog and being turned away.

What to Bring for a Winery Visit with Your Dog

Wineries are not breweries. The pace is slower, the crowds are different, and the terrain is often grass or gravel rather than a smooth patio. Here is what we bring when we take Ziggy to a tasting:

• A short leash. Winery patios and picnic areas are smaller than brewery beer gardens. A 1 to 1.5 metre leash keeps your dog close and out of the way of staff carrying trays.
• A blanket or mat. Grass and gravel are not comfortable for a long tasting. A mat gives your dog a designated spot and keeps them off wet grass in spring or hot ground in summer.
• Water and a collapsible bowl. Not every winery provides water bowls. Bring your own to avoid scrambling.
• Waste bags. Wineries are agricultural properties. If your dog has an accident on the grass or near the vineyard rows, clean it up immediately.
• Treats for your dog. A tasting can take 30 to 60 minutes. Bring a chew or treat to keep your dog settled while you taste.

Planning a Peninsula Tasting Route

The Saanich Peninsula wineries and cideries are close enough to visit two or three in a single afternoon. Here is a route that works:

1. Start at Sea Cider in Saanichton for a cider tasting on the patio.
2. Drive north to the Sidney area and check Deep Cove, Unsworth, or Cherry Point. Call ahead to confirm dog policies.
3. Finish with a walk along the Sidney waterfront at Beacon Avenue or the Sidney Spit trail (part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve). Sidney is a genuinely walkable small town, and the waterfront is a pleasant end to an afternoon.

The whole loop takes about 2 to 3 hours depending on how long you spend at each stop. The Peninsula is about 30 minutes from downtown Victoria, making it an easy half-day outing.

Neighbourhoods near the Peninsula Wine Route

If living close to this kind of weekend routine appeals to you, the Saanich Peninsula neighbourhoods of Sidney, North Saanich, and Central Saanich are worth exploring. These are quieter, more rural communities with larger lots, easy access to the Peninsula wineries, and a pace of life that suits dog owners who want space and proximity to nature. Sidney in particular has a strong small-town community feel, a walkable waterfront, and easy access to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal.

We help buyers find homes in Peninsula neighbourhoods every month. If you are thinking about a move and want a neighbourhood where wine-tasting weekends, off-leash beach walks, and rural living are part of the daily rhythm, reach out to the Happy Homes Team. We know these communities from the inside.

For more dog-friendly outings, check out our guide to dog-friendly breweries in Victoria, our complete guide to dog-friendly beaches in Greater Victoria, and our dog-friendly day trips guide for more weekend ideas with your dog.

See you on the Peninsula. Ziggy will be the one lying in the grass at Sea Cider, waiting for someone to drop a cider apple within reach.