Wine making began on Vancouver Island as early as the 1920’s with local berries and honey mead.  It was a provincial government research project in the 1980s, tasked with identifying grape varietals that could thrive in the maritime climate (such as many hardy hybrid grapes), that really fueled the modern wine industry. Today the Island boasts around 30 wineries, from the Comox Valley on the northeast coast down to Sooke, near the southern tip.
Most of the wineries are boutique-sized with grapes grown and wine made on site. They are often family-run and you’ll find many welcoming people offering you a tasting. Some offer tours and tastings only seasonally; if you’re visiting outside the June to September period, check ahead to confirm hours. In the summer and early fall season, even many wineries that don’t have full-service restaurants offer lovely picnic areas licensed for wine consumption with the food you’ll surely source from other local farms ...

As we near Spring, and the sun comes out, we start to venture outside more. One of the first signs of spring are the flowers that start to pop up! If you are thinking of visiting some amazing gardens on Vancouver Island this spring and summer, check out this list:
 
The Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens
Cultivated with respect for the natural boundaries of the Vancouver Island landscape. The Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens in Courtenay are home to driftwood adornments along curving paths, lined with spectacular rhododendrons and blooming lupins. There are often caterpillars and butterflies, birds and more to view when visiting the gardens.
Bryan Zimmerman, the creator of the gardens, was greatly influenced by his surroundings, and let the landscape of his garden guide his hand in curating the gardens we know today. Zimmerman’s love for the rhododendrons shines through, with over 3000 planted throughout the gardens.
 
Milner Gardens
Named for Veronica Milner, these . ...

With many new homes being built on Vancouver Island, it’s likely that at some point you may be interested in buying a brand-new home.
Make sure you weigh the pros and cons.
· You may be the kind of person that doesn’t enjoy renovations or have the time. If you don’t want to do immediate work when you move in, a new home may be a good choice for you.
· New homes also come with modern design, open floorplans, and often have modern built in smart home technology.
· New builds are often built using energy-efficient materials.
· Sometimes you will have the opportunity to make some personal changes prior to construction being completed.
However,
· A new home can cost just as much as a similar existing home, plus added amenities and upgrades can add to the cost.
· A new home may not always be located in an already established neighborhood so if that is important to you then this is something to consider.
· If you love! ...

There are several factors that affect your mortgage and the rate you get is just one part of that equation. Your financial and employment situation are also part of what determines the rate you will be able to qualify for. Here some some important factors that affect your mortgage rate: 

Your down payment: All property purchases in Canada require a down payment. The minimum down payment ranges from 5% to 20%, depending on how expensive the property is. If your down payment is under 20%, you’ll be required to take out mortgage default insurance (often called CMHC insurance). While having an ‘insured’ mortgage will cost you more overall, it allows you to access lower mortgage rates, as there’s less risk to your lender. That said, it’s almost always better to put in a larger down payment if you can afford to do so, even if your mortgage rate ends up being slightly higher, as you will still save more overall through the life of your mortgage by not hav ...

Moving with pets can be a challenge. There is a lot of changes that happen quickly that your beloved pets might not understand. Here are some tips and tricks to help make the process easier on your furry friends!
Try to keep to a routine
Try to do as much in their usual routine as possible leading up to and even on the day of the move if possible. Take them out at the same time, feed them their favourite treat, and keep their schedule if you can. Once your in the new place you can try to adapt the schedule in the new home and get into a new normal quickly. 
Make a plan
Make a plan for the day of the move. Pets know when things are different and changing and this can cause them some anxiety. Designate one person to be in charge of the pets that day. Try to plan when you’ll leave and arrive at your new destination and if it’s a long trip, plan for some bathroom breaks and rest stops for your pet. 
Create a pet kit for travelling
Collect the things your pet wil. ...