January • 2022
RESPONSIBLE TRAVELER
ADVERTORIAL
Experience the wines of
SOUTHWEST ONTARIO O
NTARIO’S wine industry is growing and maturing with each passing year. This is especially true in Ontario’s Southwest, home to three wine regions, each with its own charms and unique experiences. Now is the perfect time to plan a wine-tasting adventure complete with local delicacies and breathtaking views of Ontario’s natural beauty. Leave behind the crowded and overbooked spaces and take in the scenic charms and
inviting warmth of the emerging wineries in Norfolk, Sarnia-Lambton, Essex County, and Pelee Island. All the wineries in Southwestern Ontario take advantage of a temperate climate, enhanced by the diversity of glacial soils and the moderating effect of the Great Lakes, to produce their unique wines. Celebrate Ontario’s Southwest with awardwinning wines that truly reflect the history and character of their region.
South Coast Wine Region Norfolk County is situated along the North Shore of beautiful Lake Erie, just two hours from Downtown Toronto. With a landscape dominated by Carolinian forests, pristine farmlands, and some of Ontario’s best beaches and parks, Norfolk has become a favorite destination that is highly accessible. The wineries of Norfolk County form part of the South Coast Wines region, a stunning area with ten celebrated wineries, all producing fabulous, award-winning wines that truly reflect the history and character of the region. Add to that Norfolk’s deeply rooted agricultural history, and visitors soon find that it’s not just local grapes that help Norfolk stand out. Fresh fermented hard ciders and exceptional craft-brewed beers and spirits result from an exquisite bounty of hops, apples, and other fresh ingredients.
SIP AND SAVOR AT FRONT ROAD CELLARS At Front Road Cellars, the insistence upon only the best for their wines begins in the field, where premium fruit and grapes of the highest quality are bathed in Southwestern Ontario sunshine. With minimal intervention in the cellar, the winemaking process lets each fruit express its true character. Whether sipping a pint of cider while grilling dinner on the back deck or pouring your new favorite
a legacy of growing Ontario produce and estate grapes with passion and heart. With grape varieties including Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Riesling, and Pinot Grigio, combined with a uniquely breathtaking view of Lake Erie, Inasaphere Winery is a must-see stop on your wine tasting adventure. Between sips, explore beautiful beaches, meandering bike trails, fresh fruit and vegetable stands, and a vibrant culinary scene. All of the wineries in the area can be found on the © TRAVELING MITCH © ONTARIO’S SOUTHWEST Toast the Coast Trail, a self-guided red for friends, every sip is meant to glass walls. Inside, a wonderfully trail that spans three counties on the be savored and experienced. functional, modern, working win- north shores of Lake Erie. ery shares its winemaking secrets. HISTORY AND CHARM AT Enjoy tasting award-winning VQA wines year-round in this unique and BURNING KILN WINERY Situated on a former tobacco tract picturesque location. and overlooking the UNESCO World Biosphere of Long Point, LEGACY AND HEART AT Burning Kiln Winery has been built INASAPHERE WINES to preserve its historic charm. Its At Inasphere Wines, on the shores original wooden structure is part of Lake Erie, you are guaranteed to of the experience, where visitors find quality home-grown flavors To learn more, visit can view much of the operation and experiences to remember. The ontariosouthcoastwine.com from behind giant, contemporary family-run winery is committed to
Blue Coast Wine Region Experience the perfect beach day along Ontario’s Blue Coast in Sarnia-Lambton, where breathtaking waterfront views and a bustling food scene await you, inspired by the laid-back coastal lifestyles in Lambton County. The region is home to three emerging wineries, each of which boasts a unique adventure for every kind of getaway, from horseback riding to scenic walking trails, each made better with award-winning wines and a premium waterfront food scene. Lambton landscape, or enjoy a taste of adventure with a horseback FAMILY-FRIENDLY and wine tasting tour through the ADVENTURES AT SHALE rolling hills surrounding Shale RIDGE ESTATE WINERY Ridge Estate Winery. Explore and indulge in all the wonders of the Sarnia-Lambton TRADITION, NATURE, wine region, starting with an AND INNOVATION AT unforgettable outing with family ALTON FARMS ESTATE and friends at Shale Ridge Estate WINERY Winery in Thedford, the region’s Get back to nature with a stroll newest winery. Sip wine while through Alton Farms, explorsitting back in suspended swing ing the walking trails that wind tables overlooking the rural Sarnia- through the vineyard. Excite your
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tastebuds as you sample wine and food pairings from local chefs and participate in vineyard events like the annual Fall Grape Stomp. With over 17 wines, Alton Farms has something for those new to wine and those with the most discerning taste buds.
premium wines and breathtaking views—a perfect combination in a picturesque location. Cozy up around the fire on the 85-acre vineyard for an evening glass of wine with your significant other to commemorate a perfect getaway to Sarnia-Lambton, or watch the sunset along Ontario’s A COZY GETAWAY AT Blue Coast, just a short distance DARK HORSE ESTATE from Lake Huron. With VIP WINERY tasting tours, premium events Over in Grand Bend, Dark space, one-of-a-kind architecture, Horse Estate Winery is home to and a wide selection of perfectly
aged wines, Dark Horse Estate Winery is your perfectly curated getaway in Sarnia-Lambton. Ontario’s Blue Coast-Lambton County is earning a name as the destination to visit and taste a variety of new drink creations, from award-winning wine to craft-brewed beer, hard cider, and mead. Experience every corner of the region with a trip down The Cheers to the Coast Drink Trail, which shines a spotlight on the many award-winning talents of Lambton County, with 14 locations to explore. Come and sip, savor, and let your taste buds decide on your favorite.
To learn more, visit: ontbluecoast.com
Essex Pelee Island Coast Wine Region Welcome to EPIC Wine Country. With 18 waterfront wineries along Lake Erie North Shore, including Ontario’s only beachfront winery and the Pelee Island Winery & Pavillion, Essex Pelee Island Coast Wine Region has wine and food pairings for every set of tastebuds— and you can try them all. With an EPIC Tasting Pass, you can experience tasting sessions at scenic and historic hamlet of Oxley eight participating wineries: on the north shore of Lake Erie. COLIO ESTATE WINERY One of Ontario’s first wineries and DANCING a must-visit location for those who SWALLOWS want to experience a taste of history. VINEYARD Essex county’s newest and smallCOOPER’S HAWK est winery, lets nature take the VINEYARDS lead in guiding their wines, alThe perfect place to enjoy a glass of lowing each wine to be wholly award-winning wine, surrounded itself. On each year’s label, they by beautiful views of the vineyards, share original artwork depicting wildlife, and majestic sunsets. swallows in flight.
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dating back more than 150 years VIVACE ESTATE WINERY and is a founding member of Located in the historic town of Sustainable Winemaking Ontario. Amherstburg, Ontario, is a remarkable experience of vine-toSPRUCEWOOD wine excellence. SHORES ESTATE WINERY To make the most of your Ontario’s only beachfront winery, adventure, plan a road trip uscomplete with warm hospitality, ing the Windsor Essex Digital expansive natural settings, and Itinerary Builder and create a picnic lunches. custom plan based on your interests, budget, travel dates, and VIEWPOINTE everything in between. ESTATE WINERY With so much to see and explore, OXLEY ESTATE WINERY PELEE ISLAND WINERY An ideal place to gather with Windsor Essex is the perfect Known for its small lot, fruit-for- Home to a 700+ acre farm in family and friends and enjoy getaway. Plan your getaway by ward wines, and delicious locally Canada’s warmest grape-growing Essex County’s fine wines and booking a unique experience for sourced foods, is located in the region, has a winemaking history culinary diversity. your trip. Whether it’s a stay at one Plan a trip to Ontario’s Southwest for a perfect pairing— the seasons best flavors with the region’s best wines.
ontariossouthwest.com
of the B&B’s nestled along the wine route, a glamping experience–even a floating wine barrel! Discover the home of Canadian whisky, the Southern mainland tip of Canada, the birthplace of the bubble in Canada, the start of the underground railroad, and more. End the evening by staying in a unique rental, like a floating wine barrel overlooking lush vineyards, or a floating geodesic dome. For cozy comforts reminiscent of home, visit one of the region’s top-rated hotels and B&Bs, including Magnolia House Ranch, Walnut Grove B&B, and the Grove Hotel.
To learn more, visit: visitwindsoressex.com/wine
