Supporting local by staying local with the exclusive Islands Passport
May 25th, 2021 – In a time when our movements are regulated and the seemingly endless talk of the pandemic is at the tip of our tongues, we wanted to change the pace and give a new way to enjoy local wine, cider, and spirits. The Victoria International Wine Festival and Cheese and Meat Festival have released a new pivot project. We are excited to announce the Islands Passport, our road map to the best wineries, distilleries, and cideries on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Explore 20 different vendors while learning about the process of production, experiencing tasting notes, and most importantly, supporting the small business community in your backyard. This is our recovery story.
"We wanted to create a safe way to sample the fantastic products the Islands have to offer while delivering much-needed foot traffic to the vendors that support our Festivals. We are creating a small window of sips to represent the samples and vendors seen at our Festivals "David Bain, Festival Founder.
Each Passport includes a complimentary flight from the vendor along with promotional offerings found nowhere else. Vendors list how the Passport holders can visit their tasting rooms to ensure the safety of each guest. Do not fret; there is ample time to explore each vendor. The Passport is valid until May 2022. The Islands Passport is $39.99 and can be purchased on June 1st at 9:00 am the following link: https://shop.cheeseandmeatfestival.com/
"It has been an extremely challenging time for the event industry and local businesses. We came to the drawing board looking for a safe way to get people to enjoy their community while supporting local businesses and keeping our events alive. The Passport gives us the first step in our recovery story by showcasing our mission to support and grow local."
The Cheese and Meat Festival and Victoria International Wine Festival have been on pause due to the pandemic. With the ever-changing landscape, how each Festival will continue in 2021 is still unknown. This program allows the Festivals to stay alive while continuing to grow the shop local movement.
Participating: Rootside Bitters and mixers, Alderlea Vineyard, Merridale Cidery, Stillhead Distillery, Tofino Distillery, Arbutus Distillery, 40 Knots Winery, South End Winery, Sea Star Winery, Raven Skill Cider, Church and State, Deep Cove Winery, Sea Cider, Spinnakers Distillery, Chateau Wolff Estate, Misguided Spirits, Coastal Black Winery, Victoria Distillers, Sheringham Distillery, and Shelter Point Distillery.
