Editor’s Note: As a part of the Eat Real. Eat Local 30-Day Food Challenge, you can cool off at the Courtenay Museum at 2 p.m. today with the showing (in partnership with World Community Development Education Society) of Deborah Koons Garcia’s The Future of Food. It’s a great film on food security that is sure to provoke discussion.

We are, quite contently, a bit slow going around here this morning after the whole family hit MusicFest last night to check out the great bands including one that sends Ken and me into big time way-back mode – Los Lobos.

We can both fondly recall at least one Los Lobos concert in our formative years and the nearly 4-year-old concurred that those guys rock after jamming with us well after dark last night.

I have to say that, after a weekend of MusicFest, our mental space seems to have magically realigned. It may be the combination of fun date night followed by great family night wrapped up by Mom and daughter jam today. But, I feel relatively unstressed – music, especially the live kind, is food for the soul.

While I am busy realigning, I thought we’d take a peek at the emerging wine culture in the Comox Valley. Just a disclaimer that I’m not forgetting the great wineries on Hornby Island, I’m just saving them for a later date when a day trip is in order.

Let’s take a look at the two local gems that do not require a double ferry ride:

I love a gorgeous glass of wine.

Somewhere around my mid-20s beer and I broke up and I discovered the loveliness of a glass of wine after work. Then we moved to Northern California…:)

I never really understood the fascination with wine tours until we did our first one in Sonoma years ago. After a day in the hot Summer sun, the smell of the vineyards and the soothing landscape, I totally got it. When chilling out is in order, a visit to the winery is definitely a great way to wind down.

While Vancouver Island has been blossoming in the wine universe for some time, it’s only been in the last couple of years that the Comox Valley (again, not including the yumminess on Hornby) has been a part of the growing number of commercial vineyards on the island.

Last May, Beaufort Vineyards and Estate Winery opened to the public. I totally admit that it wasn’t until they opened for Friday and Saturday tastings this year that I made it up to the winery (just north of Courtenay off of the Old Island Highway) and I was completely overcome by its loveliness.

They are already making their mark internationally with their yummy wines. We are currently huge fans of the Gris and the Merlot (chilled, as they recommended).

You can only buy Beaufort from the winery locally, which is no bummer since the trip is well worth it as spending some serious laid-back island moments on their property involves and incredible view of the Comox Glacier, a VERY charming island vibe and a feeling that you have left town behind. But not so far that you can’t get back for dinner.

Then, just a week or so ago, a second winery joined the tour.

Just off of Condensory Road, the fantastically local Blue Moon Winery is now open to showcase its delicious fruit wines including a blueberry called Dusk and an apple wine appropriately named Soleil.

I have always been charmed by Nature’s Way Farm – where the winery lives alongside the farm and the new Tria Culinary Studio – and Blue Moon is no different.

Call ahead to schedule a tasting and you won’t be disappointed from the charm to the flavours. I am so looking forward to Tria’s first Full Moon dinner in August when we can combine the farm, the winery and the food into one great time.

Ah, the laid back charm of wine and food in the Comox Valley – just minutes from home.

Question of the day: Keeping with that Summer evening vibe, what is your favourite beverage for cooling off and relaxing after a fun day in the sun?

I’ve got a gorgeous kitchen towel from Pure Kitchen Organic and some luxurious Cucina soap for one random commenter.

Robin Blackburn won our giveaway from yesterday.

This giveaway is closed. Reesh won the prize!

(Winery images courtesy of Beaufort Vineyards & Estate Winery and Blue Moon Winery. Main photo copyright Robin Rivers 2009)