Garry Oaks Estate Winery — Attraction in Salt Spring Island Electoral Area

We visited Gary Oaks Winery as part of a hop-on, hop-off wine tour for my bachelorette. The property is lovely, and the wines themselves were enjoyable—there’s no doubt the vineyard produces quality products.

However, our experience was overshadowed by the woman who served us. She came across as quite flippant, which was disappointing, especially during what was meant to be a fun and celebratory outing.

What truly appalled me was hearing that she told one of my party members that she would not serve another because she “looked pregnant.” First, she never spoke directly to her, which would’ve been the respectful and appropriate thing to do. Second—and importantly—she isn’t pregnant. Making assumptions about someone’s body and then denying them service based on that assumption is inappropriate and discriminatory. Even if she had been pregnant, the situation should’ve been handled with more care, discretion, and communication.

Unfortunately, this interaction left a sour note on an otherwise beautiful location. I hope the winery takes this feedback seriously and reflects on how guests...

Garry Oaks Estate Winery has a beautiful setting and offers a nice selection of wines that are worth tasting. The vineyard is peaceful and surrounded by nature, which makes it a relaxing stop on Salt Spring Island. However, the wine tasting experience felt a bit rushed and could be improved. There was only one staff member managing everything, and instead of bringing the tasting to our table, we were asked to stand at the counter where you pay. It felt a little transactional rather than a welcoming experience.

It would have been much nicer to enjoy the tasting seated, especially given the calm atmosphere of the place. That said, the person attending was friendly and knowledgeable about the wines, and we still had a good time overall. With a bit more attention to the tasting service, this winery could easily offer a...

As far as “wine tasting” it barely crosses the threshold. The photo with the wine, cheeses and multiple plates seems to imply a relaxed tasting environment with nibbles, but the photo is a bit further from the actual experience. They do provide 4 tastings while standing at a “bar” - fact. Unfortunately, they leave you with the feeling that they just want your money and then want you out of the way for the next wave of visitors. There are other vineyards on Salt Spring that offer a much better experience - give this one a miss. You’re better off purchasing this wine in a liquor store - it’ll be a less disappointing experience and you can get the same wine at a...