Sip, Sip, Hooray!
With a region known internationally for its wine-making talents and beautiful vineyards, you shouldn’t be surprised to know that we are bringing you 22 more amazing wineries that you can add to your list of favourites.
Have a look at Volume 1 in our series: Sip Your Way Through These 28 Wineries in South Eastern Ontario
With on-going developments regarding the global pandemic, please visit each location’s website, or connect with their staff via email and telephone, for updates on COVID-19 procedures such as guest capacity, sanitization methods and mask requirements.
Consecon
1. Terra Estate Winery
Enjoy snacking with your wine? You have come to the right place at Terra Estate Winery! The 100-acre farm includes ten varieties of wine grapes, allowing them to perfect the small-batches they produce. With a view of the water, you can enjoy an affordable wine tasting while munching on delicious tapas and cheese plates to balance your palate. Add this winery to your bucket list, Terra Estate has closed for the season.
2. Redtail Vineyards
If you are not only interested in tasting wine, but also learning about its history and best-known practices, check out Redtail Vineyards. Not only do they provide you with inspiring tastings of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, they will also share with you their wisdom and experiences they have learned from years of wine-making.
3. Adega Wine Bar
Darn good wine; darn good people! That’s the sentiment at Adega Wine Bar in Hillier. It’s a safe space for communities to gather, connect, share (and grow!) a love of wine. The aim is to connect locals and tourists with County wines – and with wines from around the world. Look here for virtual tasting packages, too!
Hillier
4. Stanners Vineyard
Having planted their grape roots almost two decades ago in 2003, the Stanners family has a passion for producing the ever-challenging Pinot Noir, similar to what you would find in Burgundy, France. Stop by for a tasting on their patio, or to pick up a bottle of the good stuff from Thursday through Monday, 11AM to 5PM.
5. Broken Stone Winery
If you have a passion for knowledge and learning, then you will love Broken Stone Winery. Family-owned, this adorable vineyard finds passion through teaching their customers the art of winemaking. With a festive atmosphere including live music and flights of wine for tasting, it’ll be an unexpected treat to your week.
6. Gravel Hill Vineyards
Travel the ‘golden mile’ to the beautiful little boutique farm winery called Gravel Hill Vineyards. They pride themselves on being different, with chickens pecking away at the farm grounds and maybe a sheep or two perusing around, Gravel Hill also uses unique methods to keep their grapes warm in the winter so you can sip in the summer!
7. Harwood Estate Vineyards
Open year ‘round for those of us who can’t limit our wine tastings to the warmer months, Harwood Estate prides itself on its ecological awareness, using 100% solar power to run the winery. Stop in for a beautifully rustic-yet-elegant ‘wine-ing’ experience.
8. Lacey Estates Winery
This lovely winery focuses on providing excellent wines by using a mixture of old and new to create small batches of delicious wines including local favourites like the Cabernet Franc and Riesling. Enjoy a special visit with enticing extras like the carmelized onion cheese to balance your wine-tasting experience.
9. Sugarbush Vineyards
If you are searching for a more artisanal wine, look no further than Sugarbush Vineyards. They create small batches of their high-quality vino to make sure each bottle is as delicious as the last. Don’t let their small size fool you, they are big when it comes to customer service and kindness.
10. Trail Estate Winery
Located by the lovely Millenium Trail cycle path, Trail Estate is a modern and sleekly designed winery that matches its excellence in wine with its service. With winemakers who enjoy story-telling, you’ll be sure to leave having learned something new about your favourite grape.
Wellington & Bloomfield
11. Hubbs Creek Vineyard
With nearly two decades of growing under their belt, the family-owned Hubbs Creek Vineyard uses a full 5 acres to grow their grapes and fruits to create delectable options including Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Rose.
12. Keint-he Winery & Vineyards
Wine with a flare of France is what you will be in store for when you visit Keint-he Winery & VIneyards. With a focus on producing European-style wines while also serving up delicious food and a great view, visitors rave about how incredible their experiences are again and again.
Picton & Area
13. Del-Gatto Estates Ltd.
Del-Gatto Estates has been growing here since 2002, and was in fact a part of the first wave of wineries in the PEC area. They produce a large portfolio of wines, crafted by a 4th generation Italian winemaker. If you’re looking to try something new and special, check out Del-Gatto as they are 1 of 5 growers in Canada of Pinotage, which is a well known South African grape, thus recognized by the Pinotage Organization.
14. Exultet Estates
Experience this charming vineyard tucked in the South of Prince Edward County anytime between May and October. Award-winning and elegantly prepared small-batch winemakers Gerry and Lia will greet and serve you high-quality wines including Pinot Noir and Chardonnays while sharing secrets about the life of wine-making.
15. Waupoos Estates Winery
Stunningly beautiful would be an understatement when describing Waupoos Estates. This enigmatic winery sits on a 100 acres of waterfront on a beautiful hill overlooking the stunning Lake Ontario. With incredible views and delightful options including 18 different varieties of grapes, you’ll end up returning again and again for this unique vineyard experience.
PEC Tasting Tours
16. Sandbanks Vacation and Tours
Are you looking for a little bit of excitement and surprise? Book yourself a tour at Sandbanks Vacation and Tours for a chance to experience the best of what Prince Edward County has to offer. Choose between a half-day wine tour, where you can experience tastings at four different vineyards, or shake it up with their Unveiled Tour, where you get to visit five local vendors including cideries, breweries, distilleries and more.
17. The County Wine Tour
As their motto goes “It’s always wine o’clock in The County”. Whether you want to ride on two wheels or four, you can join in to follow your guides through the beautiful county roads to learn local history between stops at some of the best vineyards the area has to offer.
18. Prince Edward County Wine Tours
The County offers an abundance of tours that allow you to experience the vineyards and taste the delicious wine that was cultivated on its land. But, have you considered travelling in style? Take a unique tour of your top five vineyards in a Rolls Royce! If you want to add a little variety, you can substitute a winery to check out a local brewery or distillery as well.
19. Westy Wine Tours
Peace, love and wine. Sip in style in an iconic VW bus for your day trip throughout The County! Stella, the 1971 Westfalia is waiting to help you explore the beautiful vineyards and wineries throughout PEC. Get ready for a five-hour, full-day wine tour, taking in at least three fav wineries. Gather your crew as the bus can hold up to four passengers for the day. Riding the bus just got a lot more rad!
Looking for more? Get started with The Prince Edward Winegrower’s Association interactive map to plan your own wine tour!
20. 33 Vines
This gem is locally owned and operated and known for its support of art and music. With an indoor tasting room, outdoor patio, and even curbside pickup, 33 Vines is an experience unto itself. Look here also for private rental opportunities and immersive tastings.
21.Green Gables Vines
Travel back in time to the Victorian era on your visit to Green Gables Vines. With a lovely array of wines selected to grow during harsh winters, you will adore the lush grounds and beautiful original Victorian farmhouse built decades ago.
22. Smokie Ridge Winery
A true family business with three generations working together to develop incredible “cold world” wines including Frontenac, Sabrevois, and Marquette. After retiring from the military, owner “Smokie” and his sons have come together to plant thousands of vines since 2007. Whether you have a particular palette or are trying it for the first time, Smokie Ridge Winery makes sure there is an option for you. Choose from deliciously flavours like sweet apple, peach, and apricot, and enjoy a cozy sit on their patio with your closest pals.
There is no denying it, South Eastern Ontario is the hot-spot for incredible wines, so next time you are planning a road trip, make sure to add some of these incredible wineries to your list, and get to sipping!
