Yesterday. We paid another visit, probably our fourth, to the Zanatta Winery just south of Duncan. Not to taste wine particularly, but rather to enjoy another lunch on the porch of the 114 year old farm house. We took in the Duncan Show N Shine on the way and then met friends Paul & Theresa at Zanatta.

To get there you take some twisty country roads which feel far from any town. Fun to drive on, quite charming. Once there you will find ample parking. On the way to the restaurant you pass the small tasting room. Zanatta specializes in sparkling wines surprisingly, and they make 4 different ones. They also produce a Pinot Nero, a Pinot Grigio, an Ortega and a Merlot.

At lunch we chose a glass of the Pinot Grigio which was so enjoyable we had two. Our friends chose the Brut Tradizionale and the Pinot Nero. We were all happy.

The menu here is interesting and the food is good. Our friends chose the Beet Salad and I picked the Short Rib Sliders which met my  expectations and then some. Since they were already out of the crab cakes, my favourite girl settled for a Panzanella salad which looked fabulous and she claimed was delicious. For dessert we shared The Lavender Cheesecake. It is not to be missed.

The chef at Vinoteca is Fatima Da Silva. She has been here for several years and clearly knows her stuff. Interestingly, she is originally from Mozambique. Her menu changes often and she uses local produce as much as possible. The result is seriously delicious food, beautifully presented. The service is good too. Our servers were efficient, friendly, and charming.

Sitting on the old country house porch that wraps around three sides provides a delightful ambiance. Take time to relax here and enjoy. If you go, make a reservation by phone. They are busy.

Consider a day trip to the Cowichan Valley wine country. Zanatta is just one of the great places to visit. Check out their history and their wines at https://zanatta.ca

Just saying…