A Sweet Visit to a Canadian Tea Farm
Canadian-grown tea and other unique teas at Westholme Tea Company on Vancouver Island
When I first read about Westholme Tea Company, I was surprised to learn Canada had a tea farm. Westholme was Canada’s first commercial organic tea grower in Canada. When I got a chance to visit the farm and shop, located just outside Westholme between Duncan and Chemainus in the beautiful Cowichan Valley of Vancouver Island, I found a delightful place I’d happily visit again.
Westholme did not start out as a tea farm. When Victor Vesely and Margit Nellemann bought the land in 2003, they converted the barn into a studio for Margit’s pottery and planted lavender and garlic. Because Margit creates funky teapots and cups, they began holding tea-related events and created their own blends of tea sourced from around the world.
In 2010, Vesely experimented with growing tea and planted 200 Camellia sinensis seedlings on the south-facing slopes of the farm. The plants survived several tough winters and over the subsequent years Vesely planted more plants.
It takes five years for tea plants to reach a stage where the leaves can be harvested. In 2015, at that five-year mark, Vesely didn’t feel the plants were ready yet and waited one more year. The first harvest took place in 2016.
In 2023, Nellemann moved her studio into the town of Duncan. Vesely continues to grow and make tea at Westholme.
Westholme’s single-origin, limited harvest Canadian teas are hand-plucked and hand-processed to create a unique tea terroir experience. Harvest occurs three times a year: in spring, in mid-summer, and again in fall.
Westholme also sells imported pure teas, certified organic where possible, as well as artisanal tea and tisane blends created by Vesely. The blends are created using imported traditional (pure), organic, high-quality teas and spices. No artificial flavours or “natural” flavour enhancers are added.
Quality, artisanal handcrafted products come at a cost. The homegrown single origin teas are more expensive than the other teas Westholme offers. In spite of the cost, the limited supply often sells out quickly. I enjoyed the rich and unique taste of the teas I sampled.
When I visited in 2017, Westholme offered an eat-in tea service accompanied with tea-inspired sweets. I wrote about the farm and my experience with that service in this article for Travel World International. They no longer offer tea service, but they offer a complimentary rotating Tea of the Day for you to sip as you shop in a space that is cozy and welcoming much like the comfort of a good cup of tea.
The Westholme Tea Shop is open 10am – 4pm PST from Thursdays to Sundays every week with closures happening on statutory holidays. Online shopping and shipping are also available. In addition to the teas, the shop has teaware and gift items for sale. On select days during the summer, Westholme offers tea garden tour and tasting events that take you for a walk on the slopes, a chance to talk with the tea maker and the team as they share their perspectives on tea and tea growing, and tastes of Canadian tea. Visit their website for details.
Thanks to Westholme for treating me to tea and sweets and thanks to Victor for taking time to talk with me.
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I recently visited the Celestial Seasons tea factory in Colorado. That’s a big industrial operation thus lacking the charm of Westholme Tea. What I remember most about it is the smells from walk8ng through the warehouse where all the teas were stored.
Ken,
I can imagine the smells in the warehouse would be quite something!
Not a big tea drinker but I loved the pottery!
Richard, and the atmosphere?
Wonderful to learn about the diverse things in Canada. I didn’t know tea would grow there, but would love to sample some of it!
Rose Mary, I wouldn’t have tea would grow there either.
I would love a visit to this tea farm, Donna. It is truly amazing how climate change is making it possible for crops to grow that never previously would have grown in that region. Tge world is changing before our eyes!
Doreen, it was cool to see a tea farm in Canada!
We will be going on a drive in British Columbia next summer, for our 10th wedding anniversary, starting in Victoria. Hope to visit this. Reminds us of the tea farm we visited in Taiwan.
Carol, I’ve not visited any other tea farms. If you do manage to fit a visit to Westholme into your trip, I’d be interested to hear how you find it compares to the one you visited in Taiwan.
No, I didn’t know that Canada has a tea farm. I’ve added Westholme Tea Company to my list of places to visit on my next trip to Vancouver Island.
Carole, I’m sure you’d enjoy a visit to Westholme.
I would have never dreamed of a tea farm in Canada! What entrepreneurs to come up with the idea and create this great destination along with their shop. Thank you for sharing!
Marilyn, I too was surprised to hear about a tea farm in Canada. I had to check it out!
I had no idea there was a tea farm on Vancouver Island. Everyone is so creative there it doesn’t surprise me at all!
Alison, Vancouver Island is a great location for the tea farm (a great place in general).
I love how you find some out-of-the-way places that are just begging to be discovered, Donna. As a dedicated tea drinker, I can imagine having a lovely hot cup of tea and one of the cranberry turtle bars. Mmmm! Anita
Anita, it is always fun to discover out-of-the-way treasures. Westholme is a lovely place to linger over a cup of tea and some sweets.
As a passionate lover of tea, this would be an ultimate experience for me! Thanks for bringing this place closer, Donna!
Agness, this place is a delight for tea lovers. My husband who isn’t a tea drinker liked it too.