Kawartha Country Wines

by Val Tobin

We drove by it for years and didn’t stop. It was one of those things. On our way to the cottage, or on our way back from the cottage, we’d see it and always say, “Let’s stop there sometime.” Sometime never seemed to come, and we’d sail right past the intriguing little winery at the side of the road. Then, one day, we pulled in, and we’ve been stopping at the Kawartha Country Wines Estate since 2009 to enjoy the fruits of their labours. Unfortunately, the pandemic changed our schedule in 2020, so we haven’t visited the winery since 2019, but we’re looking forward to doing so again this summer (2023).

they source from local farms, including McLean Berry Farm (Lakefield, ON), Warner's Farm (Beamsville, ON), Allin's Orchard (Newcastle, ON), Lennox farms (Shelburne, ON), Grebenc Farms (Niagara, ON), and Deer Bay Farms (Selwyn, ON).

They have consistently won awards, and I gravitate to purchasing those wines that have won awards since we don’t get out there that often, and those wines have become my favourites. I prefer dry wines and find most fruit wines to be sweet, but I will have the sweeter ones as a dessert wine. My one complaint is that they are not organic, which I prefer.

Kawartha Country Wines in Buckhorn Offers Award-Winning Fruit Wines

Located on County Rd #36 in Buckhorn, Kawartha Country Wines sits in the heart of cottage country. They specialize in fruit wines made with fruit other than grapes. They grow a lot of the fruit themselves, and depending on the harvest, they will have wines based on apples, pears, raspberries, currents, and rhubarb. When they’re not using their own fruit,

Wine Tastings

If you are unsure of what you would like, especially if you’ve never had a wine that wasn’t grape based, you are welcome to sample what they have on hand. Wine tastings are complimentary, but you can also buy wine by the glass. Whoever is behind the bar will answer whatever questions you might have about the wines, winemaking, or anything else related to the estate.

With the variety of flavours available, it’s difficult to choose just one or two. We have usually come away with a variety of bottles. Since we only get out that way during the summer, we make sure we stock up for the winter when we pass by there at the end of the Thanksgiving long weekend. The winery itself is open yearround, seven days a week. The last time I asked, I was told that Christmas Day was the only exception.

Gift Shop Available

Besides the winemaking facility and the tasting room, Kawartha Country Wines has a gift shop filled with unique products, many using the fruits they grow themselves. I typically buy their jellies and jams when I’m there, though they offer so much more. They offer gourmet foods, barbeque, and other sauces, and even cheeses infused with their wines.

The building that houses everything is a restored log cabin that was built in 1866. I love wandering around in there and exploring what is new, to see if there is anything I can pick up and stash away for birthdays or Christmas.

If you are in the Buckhorn/Bobcaygeon area, pay a visit to Kawartha Country Wines, even if it’s a little out of your way. If you enjoy sampling unique wines, then you must try the wine they offer here. Perhaps I’ll see you there.

Reference - Kawartha Country Wines website (Accessed May 6, 2023)

Val Tobin writes speculative fiction and searches the world over for the perfect butter tart. Her home is in Newmarket, Ontario, where she enjoys writing, reading, and talking about writing and reading.