Winery Tour

Eight Great Day Trips for Wine Lovers

Nothing compliments a perfect meal like a fine wine. Thankfully, York Durham Headwaters is a wine lover’s destination. It is blessed with orchards and vineyards from Bowmanville all the way to Orangeville. They all make perfect day trip destinations and some have family fun options. Here are eight wine tour stops, each with a special wine pick!

Archibald's Estate Winery

Archibald’s Orchard & Estate Winery

Let’s start in Durham Region. Archibald’s is a fruit winery, cidery AND a pick-your-own apple orchard. Located just east of Toronto, in the foothills of the Oak Ridges Moraine, they are a fourth generation family farm. Owners Fred and Sandy take great pride in their work and it shows in their wines. They have been crafting Ontario fruit wines for over 21 years, pressing and fermenting their own apples, as well as other locally grown fruit. Archibald’s wine list boasts a wide range of choices, from very dry table wines to sparkling ciders to decadent dessert wines. They have something for every palate!

Recommendation: Hard Cider – Pair it with something spicy!

Magnotta Fountain

Magnotta Winery

If you are a wine lover, there are 75,000 reasons to be excited about Magnotta Winery. Their flagship location in Vaughan is 75,000 square feet and boasts an opulent retail store, wine boutique and two complimentary tasting bars. They have an extensive collection of original art including works by Canadian Group of Seven artists. If you pay attention to the wine labels, you will notice that the art collection inspired many of the winery’s label designs. Just north of Toronto, this is a wine and beer lover’s haven – it features state­-of-the-­art wine-making, production and bottling facilities, microbrewery, copper pot distillery, underground barrel cellar, and an outdoor patio.

Recommendation: 2016 Legacy Limited Edition VQA, serve it with a grilled lamb sandwich.

Couple at Willow Springs

Willow Springs Winery

Willow Springs Winery is another winery situated atop the geographical treasure known as the Oak Ridges Moraine. The Oak Ridges Moraine and Holland Marsh area is an emerging wine region because the makeup of the soil and climate mirrors that of Ontario’s premier wine destination: Niagara-on-the-Lake. Willow Springs is the first winery in York region to receive VQA Ontario certification.

For five decades and three generations, they have been producing world-class, award-winning VQA red, white, and ice wines on their 11-acre vineyard. Their vines thrive in the unique soil, sunlight, and temperature conditions, with the cool climate and limestone found in the soil creating light-bodied wines with a delicate aroma. Be sure to take a look at the Wine Maker’s Pavilion, their stunning event space.

Recommendation: 2013 Vidal Icewine with your berry dessert.

Applewood Farm

Applewood Farm And Winery

Beginning as a pick your own strawberry farm and apple orchard, Applewood Farm added a winery in 2000. They have a large selection of amazing fruit wines made from fruit that is harvested on their farm. They boast a very family friendly environment. It is a great place to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Applewood Farm Winery has moved to beautiful Port Perry! They are are still working on their winery opening date. Stay tuned for more…

Recommendation: Hopped Amber Cider, an easy drinking cider!

Gallucci Winery

Gallucci Winery Inc.

A visit to Gallucci Winery really feels like you have stepped into an Italian countryside vineyard. Situated just 30 minutes north of downtown Toronto, you will find this gem of a winery in Stouffville. It’s a family owned and operated winery, offering a variety of wines for every wine lover’s palate, including full-bodied reds, easy drinking whites, and exceptional ice wine. They say that the breeze from Musselman’s Lake lends to their wine’s vibrant flavours. The quiet tranquility of the outdoors and indulging in one of their wines, on their picturesque terrace, is part of an amazing road trip. The food is pretty fantastic too – you need to make this a stop on your YDH wine tour!

Recommendation: 2014 VQA Baco Noir, serve it with a salmon burger.

Holland Marsh Winery Tour

Holland Marsh Wineries

It’s amazing how interesting a conversation about Baco grapes can really be. Go see for yourself and visit Holland Marsh Wineries in Newmarket. You will be utterly impressed with the knowledge of the staff and how passionate they are about wine. Their commitment to the environment is impressive. They handpick their grapes and use earth-friendly practices to maintain the integrity of their soil, water, and surrounding area. Their care can be tasted in the wine too. They produce premium boutique-style wines available exclusively in their wine store. Make sure to grab some chocolate truffles too; they pair perfectly with their white wines.

Recommendation: 2013 Select Merlot served with a Greek Salad.

Pouring Wine

Downey’s Estate Winery

Moving over to Headwaters, stop in Caledon for a day of family fun. Downey’s Estate Winery is more than wine. It is a 215-acre farm with a renovated dairy barn that houses a farmer’s market with an in-house bakery. John and Ruth Downey and their five children operate it – so this definitely qualifies as family business! Their Winery is a top ten fruit winery in Canada and boasts an ever-growing wine list. Also, make sure to grab some farm fresh Ontario produce and bake shop goodies when you pick up wine. With a petting corral of farm animals, a large play area, pick your own fruit, and Ontario’s largest goat walk, this truly is a fun family destination.

Recommendation: Downey’s Estate Black Currant Fruit Wine.

Adamo Estate Winery Orangeville

Adamo Estate Winery

This 25-acre vineyard is nestled in the fertile, rolling hills of Hockley Valley, just outside Orangeville. They are a small-batch boutique winery that focuses on organic and biodynamic practices. The red doors of the retail space open to a tasting bar that is truly a wonder to look at. It is a family run business that does everything the right way – they weed and pick by hand, crush the grapes and bottle on site. Take in the scenic beauty of the valley while taking a tour of the winery; tasting the fruits of their labour is pretty fantastic too.

Recommendation: 2017 Estate Pinot Noir

So there it is. A full round up of the amazing wines in York, Durham, and Headwaters!

Remember to please drink responsibly.

 

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