A Saturday to Savour in Courtenay and Comox

What better way to experience your destination than by enjoying local food and beverage.  The communities of Comox and Courtenay are bursting with the sights, smells and tastes of passionate people willing to share their products with you.

If you are lucky enough to be here on a Saturday you can start your day at The Comox Farmers Market, a favourite gathering place since 1992.  You can sip a coffee, nibble on home baked treats and enjoy our local entertainment while supporting our local farms and businesses.  The market is located in the Exhibition Fair Grounds.

After the market head to downtown to Courtenay, a vibrant, unique, quaint and friendly community, offering shops, galleries, and restaurants.  Follow your nose and walk along 5th Street to Hot Chocolate, Cake Bread. Locally owned, this beautiful storefront is home to handmade chocolates, beautiful pastries and delicious artisan breads.

Natural Pastures Cheese Factory & Cheese Shop is the next stop to savour the delicious terroir of the valley and taste luscious award winning artisan cheese, all hand made under the guidance of Swiss Master Cheesemaker.

A short drive down the Old Highland Highway will bring you to Fanny Bay Oysters. Here you can take a tour of the 20,000 ft processing plant on three acres of waterfont just 20 minutes from downtown Courtenay. You will learn how we grow our world famous Fanny Bay oysters and clam crops from baby seed to harvest.

Now with bread, cheese, oysters, chocolate in hand head to Beaufort Vineyard and Estate Winery. The winery is family-owned and is the first winery to be established in the Comox Valley.  What better way to enjoy the setting and views at the winery than to have a picnic.  Pair your goodies, or choose from the selection of local products to pair, with your choice of Beaufort wine.  Wine, glasses, cutlery and plates are all available for purchase.   Linger at the winery or enjoy a winery tour (subject to availability of owners Susan & Jeff.)

After a day of touring and tasting you might want to take some memories of the Valley home with you and there is no better place than Brambles Market.   Brambles is a full service grocery selling only BC products, all items in the store are grown or processed within 250 miles of the Comox Valley.

The Comox Valley is more than a destination it is an opportunity  to indulge yourself in all the Valley and Vancouver Island have to offer, for a day, for a weekend, you will savor your experience.
 
Contributed by Old House Village Hotel & Spa