Fairburn Farms & Guesthouse

The crown jewel of the Cowichan food scene, thanks to proprietor and chef Mara Jernigan, who also leads a terrific Saturday cooking class. Five guest rooms are upstairs in the 1896 farmhouse, with interiors that are just the right side of twee: patchwork quilts; tulip sconces; flatiron doorstops. Wander the farm’s 130 acres and visit the resident herd of water buffalo, source of Fairburn’s decadently creamy and tangy mozzarella. After a sound night’s sleep, you’ll wake to their distant lowing and the aroma of a hearty farm breakfast.