Some say bigger is better, right? In this case the bigger the winery the more reds, whites, and rosés there are to try! Prince Edward County has the perfect mix of wineries to visit, and while we love the homegrown charming feel of the smaller, upstart wineries, there’s a reason visitors flock to some of The County’s larger, more established spots. Many of the larger wineries in PEC have been around the longest and have a lot more than just wine tastings going on throughout the year.
If you’re looking to try out some of The County’s larger, more well-known wineries, here’s where to go:
Easy to spot as you’re making your way through The County, Karlo Estates’s big red barn isn’t all this place is famous for. They have the largest dry stone bridge in North America, they produce hockey player Doug Gilmour’s wine, and of course offer many great wine and food pairings for visitors. A must-see spot on your tour of PEC, if not just for owner Sherri Karlo’s vivacious nature (and karaoke prowess). This is easily one of our favourite places to spend an afternoon (and our visitors always agree).
Canadian television actress Sonja Smits found her second calling making wine in The County. Known for their big purple barn, Closson Chase specializes in making Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.
Sparkling wine lovers, we’re looking at you! Hinterland is known for their great range of bubbly.
Waupoos is The County’s oldest winery, and pioneered wine making in The County. It opened in 2001, and inspired the dozens of other wineries that came after it. While it’s a little bit off the beaten track, their property is a beautiful backdrop for weddings and other events. They often host their own events too during the summer featuring live bands and – you guessed it – lots of wine. We’ve seen a Beach Boys cover band there while sitting in the sun, and it’s a great way to spend an afternoon.
Born and raised in The County, Huff Estates owners Lanny and Catharine Huff have created one of the largest and most popular wineries in the area. Their goal is to produce the highest quality wine in Ontario and create a space that offers everything visitors could possibly want – a great restaurant (try their pizza!), an art gallery, and even a place to sleep at their Inn.
Known for hosting some of the best events in The County, Sandbanks is one of our favourite wineries to hang out at. With its colourful Muskoka chairs, outdoor gazebos, and live music, the atmosphere is perfect for an afternoon of wine tasting. They also offer a daily tour of the winery at 10 AM, so get there early.
Right beside Norman Hardie is Rosehall Run, a vineyard committed to sustainable wine making. Visit their Tasting Bar to sample some of their best and grab lunch this summer from the PICNIC Food Truck on-site.
Just a short bike ride down the street from Norman Hardie and Rosehall Run is Casa Dea, a winery known for its great summer events and Italian restaurant, La Pergola. With 65 acres of vines, Casa Dea produces a wide variety of everyday wines, reserve and specialty wines, and limited edition wines. Their on-site banquet facility makes it a great venue for weddings too.
Set in a beautiful old stone building and barn dating from the 1800s, the Grange is as picturesque as it gets in The County. A popular venue for weddings and corporate retreats, The Grange also offers an engaging vineyard tour and is host to many special events throughout the summer, including special winemaker’s dinners. While you’re there you can try their wines, including their special Almanac blends released this summer, or pick up a charcuterie picnic basket and take it onto the grounds for lunch.
There you have it – our 10 favourite large wineries in The County. Don’t want to navigate to them yourself? Join us on our Sip & Cycle bicycle wine tour of The County and let us take care of the planning.