840 Cherry Point Rd, Cobble Hill, BC V8H 0E9
Cherry Point Estate Wines is a long-established agricultural property near Cobble Hill in the Cowichan Valley. Vineyard rows extend across south-facing slopes, while forest, open farmland, a large irrigation pond, and the rolling Vancouver Island landscape surround the estate.
The property is notable for its early role in the development of commercial grape growing on Vancouver Island. Established in 1990, Cherry Point began when its founders transformed a former mink ranch into a working vineyard at a time when the industry was still relatively new to the Island.
Today, the estate remains closely connected to the physical character of its land. Its gravelly soils, natural slope, ocean-influenced climate, and surrounding woodland all contribute to the property’s agricultural identity.
Wine Tours Featuring Cherry Point Estate Wines
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Holy Sip - Full Day Wine Tour
Victoria Area Wineries
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Bachelorette Wine Tours - Full Day Wine Tour
Victoria Area Wineries
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One of Vancouver Island’s early vineyard properties
Cherry Point’s vineyard was established in 1990 after the original founders purchased agricultural land a few miles south of Cowichan Bay.
The estate’s official history describes the original purchase as 34 acres. Its current vineyard information describes the property as approximately 35 acres, with about 22 acres used for vineyard plantings. This small difference likely reflects later property measurements or changes in how the estate defines its working land.
At the time of the original planting, commercial grape growing was still relatively uncommon on Vancouver Island. Establishing the vineyard required careful observation of the land, climate, soil drainage, sun exposure, and seasonal weather.
Different sections of the property were planted according to their soil conditions and access to sunlight. This site-specific approach helped shape Cherry Point into one of Vancouver Island’s early licensed winery businesses.
A former farm transformed over time
The estate’s history is closely tied to the transformation of its land. Before the vineyard was developed, the property had operated as a mink ranch.
Converting the site into a vineyard required more than installing rows and trellises. The founders had to understand how the property drained, which parts received the most sunlight, and how the surrounding forest and ocean influenced local temperatures.
The agricultural use of the site gradually changed as vineyard blocks were established across the sloping property. Working buildings, access roads, water-management features, landscaped areas, and visitor spaces were added as the business developed.
The result is a property that still feels like a working rural estate rather than a purpose-built commercial complex.
Ownership under Xavier and Maria Bonilla
Xavier and Maria Bonilla purchased Cherry Point Estate Wines in 2010. Their arrival began a new chapter for a property that had already been part of the Cowichan Valley’s agricultural landscape for two decades.
Xavier Bonilla has a background in agricultural economics and experience with traditional European agricultural and production methods. That combination of business knowledge and land-based experience has influenced the estate’s continued emphasis on the relationship between soil, climate, water, and farming.
Under the Bonillas, Cherry Point has remained an independent Cowichan Valley business with strong connections to local agriculture, regional tourism, private events, and the surrounding community.
This continuity is an important part of the estate’s story. The property has evolved over several decades without losing the rural character established during its early years.
Glacial soils beneath the vineyard
One of Cherry Point’s most distinctive natural features is its glacial moraine.
A glacial moraine is an area formed from rock, gravel, sand, and other material deposited by moving or melting glaciers. At Cherry Point, the estate describes the vineyard as sitting on a gravelly and stony hill above surrounding clay soils.
This combination affects how water moves through the property. Gravel and stone allow excess rainwater to drain away from the surface, while the clay beneath can retain moisture deeper in the ground.
Drainage is particularly important in a coastal region where autumn and winter can bring substantial rainfall. The natural structure of the hill helps reduce standing water around the cultivated rows.
The visible slope of the vineyard is therefore more than a scenic feature. It is a practical part of how the agricultural property functions.
South-facing slopes and natural light
Much of the cultivated land faces south, giving the vineyard prolonged access to daylight.
The slope also allows sunlight to reach the rows at a more direct angle. This helps the land warm during the growing season while allowing cooler air and excess water to move downhill.
The combination of slope and sunlight creates a clear visual pattern across the estate. Rows follow the contours of the property rather than sitting on a completely level field.
From different parts of the grounds, visitors can see how the cultivated blocks rise and fall with the land. Forested boundaries and open sky frame the rows, reinforcing the estate’s connection to the Cowichan Valley landscape.
A pond shaped by the winter rains
A large pond is an important part of Cherry Point’s water-management system.
During the wetter months, rainwater moves down the property’s sloping hills and collects in the pond. Water can then be returned to the cultivated areas when irrigation is needed.
This system allows the estate to capture water during the rainy season rather than relying entirely on another source during drier periods. It also demonstrates how the business uses the natural elevation of the property as part of its agricultural planning.
The pond contributes to the scenery as well. It introduces an open-water feature among the vineyard rows, fields, trees, and working areas of the estate.
Depending on the season, the surface may reflect the surrounding greenery, cloud cover, or changing colours of the property.
Ocean air and a maritime setting
Cherry Point lies within a maritime-influenced part of Vancouver Island. Its proximity to the coast affects temperatures, air movement, and seasonal conditions across the property.
Ocean air circulation can help moderate temperature extremes. Coastal influence may reduce the risk of severe spring frost compared with more exposed inland areas, while the Cowichan Valley’s protected setting supports a relatively long growing season.
The result is a landscape shaped by both land and sea. Visitors may not always see the water from every part of the property, but the nearby coast influences the atmosphere and agricultural conditions.
This maritime character helps distinguish Cowichan Valley estates from properties in British Columbia’s hotter and drier interior regions.
Forest, farmland, and vineyard scenery
Cherry Point sits within a pastoral section of the Cowichan Valley where productive farmland meets softwood forest.
The property’s visual character includes:
- Long, orderly vineyard rows
- Gently sloping agricultural land
- Mature evergreen trees
- Open lawns and landscaped areas
- A large water-storage pond
- Rustic agricultural and visitor buildings
- Forested boundaries
- Broad areas of open sky
The estate does not depend on one dramatic viewpoint. Its appeal comes from the way several landscape elements fit together across the property.
Cultivated rows create structure, while the surrounding trees soften the edges of the land. The pond breaks up the agricultural blocks, and the changing elevation provides different views as people move around the grounds.
Buildings with a rural Vancouver Island character
The main buildings at Cherry Point have a rustic appearance that complements the agricultural setting.
Wood siding, simple rooflines, garden areas, mature trees, and practical outdoor spaces give the property an informal rural character. The buildings feel connected to the farm rather than separated from it.
Landscaped areas around the main visitor spaces add colour during spring and summer, while wooden structures and surrounding evergreens maintain the estate’s visual identity throughout the year.
This understated architecture helps keep the focus on the property itself. The land, vineyard rows, water, and forest remain the dominant visual features.
Seasonal changes across the estate
Cherry Point has a different appearance during each season.
Spring
Spring brings new growth to the vineyard and surrounding gardens. Fresh green leaves begin to appear across the rows while seasonal rain keeps the wider property bright and lush.
Summer
During summer, the cultivated blocks become fuller and more defined. Long daylight hours highlight the south-facing slopes, and the contrast between the vineyard and surrounding forest becomes especially clear.
Autumn
Autumn introduces warmer shades of yellow and gold. Agricultural activity becomes more visible, and the changing leaves emphasize the shape of individual vineyard blocks.
Winter
Winter reveals the underlying structure of the land. Without dense foliage, the trellises, rows, slopes, pond, roads, and working buildings become easier to see. The surrounding evergreen forest continues to provide colour and shelter.
These seasonal changes reinforce Cherry Point’s identity as a living agricultural property rather than a static visitor attraction.
Cherry Point’s place in Cowichan Valley history
Cherry Point represents an important period in the development of Vancouver Island agriculture.
When the property was established in 1990, growers were still determining which varieties and farming methods were suited to Vancouver Island’s coastal environment. The estate’s founders had to work directly with the site rather than rely on a long-established regional formula.
Over time, Cherry Point became part of a larger network of farms, orchards, vineyards, restaurants, and rural businesses across the Cowichan Valley.
Its continued operation provides a physical link between the experimental years of Vancouver Island grape growing and the region’s present-day agricultural economy.
An independent rural business
Cherry Point functions as more than a cultivated property. It is also an independent business that supports employment, hospitality, food service, private events, weddings, tourism, and relationships with other local producers.
These connected activities are common across the Cowichan Valley, where agricultural businesses often serve several roles at once.
The land supports the primary farming operation. The buildings provide space for production and visitors. Landscaped areas create settings for events, while the estate’s history contributes to the region’s broader identity.
This mixed business model helps rural properties remain active throughout more of the year while introducing visitors to the agricultural landscape of southern Vancouver Island.
What makes Cherry Point Estate Wines distinctive?
Cherry Point stands out for the close relationship between its history, terrain, and water-management systems.
Notable features include:
- A vineyard established in 1990
- One of Vancouver Island’s early licensed winery businesses
- An original agricultural site converted from a former mink ranch
- Approximately 35 acres of estate property
- About 22 acres of planted vineyard land
- South-facing slopes with strong natural light
- Gravelly glacial-moraine soils above clay
- A pond that captures seasonal rainwater
- Maritime influence from the nearby coast
- Forest and farmland surrounding the cultivated rows
- Independent ownership under Xavier and Maria Bonilla since 2010
- A visible connection between agriculture, landscape, and rural business
Together, these qualities make Cherry Point an important part of Cowichan Valley’s agricultural history.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where is Cherry Point Estate Wines located?
Cherry Point Estate Wines is near Cobble Hill in the southern Cowichan Valley. The property is a few miles south of Cowichan Bay on Vancouver Island.
When was the Cherry Point vineyard established?
The vineyard was established in 1990, when its founders began converting a former mink ranch into cultivated vineyard land.
How large is the Cherry Point estate?
The estate’s current vineyard page describes a property of approximately 35 acres, with about 22 acres planted. Its historical page describes the original land purchase as 34 acres.
Why are two different property sizes published?
The difference between the original 34-acre figure and the current 35-acre description may reflect later measurements, property changes, or different ways of defining the working estate. Both figures come from Cherry Point’s published history.
What type of soil is found at Cherry Point?
The vineyard sits on a glacial moraine made up of gravel and stone over surrounding clay soils. These soil layers influence drainage and water retention.
Why are the slopes important?
The south-facing slopes provide access to sunlight while helping excess rainwater drain downhill. They also shape the visual layout of the vineyard rows.
How does Cherry Point manage rainwater?
A large pond captures winter rain as it runs down the sloping property. Stored water can later be used for irrigation when required.
How does the nearby ocean affect the property?
Coastal air helps moderate seasonal temperatures and contributes to the estate’s maritime conditions. The business also identifies ocean-air circulation as an important part of the site.
Who owns Cherry Point Estate Wines?
Xavier and Maria Bonilla purchased the estate in 2010 and have operated the independent Cowichan Valley business since then.
What can be seen around the property?
The estate includes cultivated rows, sloping farmland, a pond, mature evergreens, landscaped grounds, working buildings, and views of the surrounding Cowichan Valley countryside.
Is Cherry Point one of Vancouver Island’s oldest vineyards?
Cherry Point is one of the Island’s earlier commercial vineyard properties. It was planted in 1990 and later became one of Vancouver Island’s first licensed winery businesses.
