Posted : July 27, 2016
Our blog is chock full of great ideas for fun things to see and do in York Durham and Headwaters. We are always adding new content and updating old posts, but sometimes you might stumble upon something from our vault. If this article has inspired you to hit the road, be sure to double-check that the featured stops in this post are still welcoming visitors.
Applewood Farm Winery
Starting as the first pick your own strawberry and apple farm in Stouffville, the farm launched its winery in 2000. The Passafiume family now blends grapes, apples, cranberries, and strawberries to create wines, meades, ciders, and iced ciders. The farm offers a reprieve from city life for your family with access to fresh in-season fruit, pumpkins, and a tasting bar where you can sip a wine sample. Their 2008 Madrigal Meade is a gold winner from the 2009 All Canadian Wine Championship.
Photo Source: Applewood Farm Winery
Off the vine:
White Wines
Elora’s Harvest
Mac Meade
Madrigal Meade
Red Wines
Trio
Evan’s Black Currant
Proprietor’s Reserve
Ice Wines/Blush
Iced Cider
Smokin Apple (Iced Cider)
Ella’s Ice
Eden
Strawberry Cider
Winery Tours:
Open from 11am to close through strawberry season.
Tours upon request
Call (905) 640-5357
www.applewoodfarmwinery.com
Archibald’s Estate Winery
Photo Source: Archibald’s Estate Winery
Fred and Sandy Archibald operate Ontario’s largest apple winery offering 20 apple wines created from their 40 acres of orchards in Bowmanville. The family-owned fourth generation apple orchard received their winery license in 1997. They rate their wines from dry, extra dry, medium, and sweet rather than breaking them out into whites, reds, and ices or rosés. The Archibald’s focus on fruit forward wines created from their apples with the addition of fruits from the Niagara Region. They have garnered multiple awards for their sweet and dry wines.
Off the vine:
Dry & Extra Dry Wines
Ida Red Oak Aged
BLACK (Black Cherries & Currants)
McIntosh
Hard Core – Dry Cider
Medium Wines
Canadian Kiwi
Apple Raspberry
Apple Black Currant
Apple Cranberry
Ruby
PINK
Hard Cider
Hard Currant
Hard Raspberry
Sweet Wines
Sweet Peach
Cherries ‘n’ Chocolate
Royal Raspberry
Canadian Maple
Spiced Winter Apple
Nightcap 18% Alcohol
Winery Tours:
Open Friday to Sunday from 10 – 5
Winemaker’s Walk, Talk, & Tasting on Sundays at 2 p.m. $35 book ahead
Call 905-263-2396
www.archibaldswinery.com
Gallucci Winery
Photo Source: Gallucci Winery
This European-inspired winery sits on 10 acres in Whitechurch-Stouffville. The family operation, owned by Paolo and Nella Gallucci along with their daughters Anne Marie Piro, Sonya Sacchetti, and Michelle Riccio, opened it’s doors to the public in 2014. The wineries first crop of Frontenac, vidal, and Baco Noir grapes produced approximately 2,500 bottles of white, red, and ice wines in 2013. Their 2014 Baco Noir is a 2016 Ontario Wine Award winner. The winery offers a terrace where you can enjoy your wine along with a selection from their Italian style menu in a tranquil setting. And, the best part is, it’s just 30 minutes north of Toronto.
Off the vine:
White Wines
2013 & 2014 Vidal
2013 Chardonnay
2014 Chardonnay/Pinot Grigio Blend
2014 Riesling
Red Wines
Don Paolo Special Red
2013 Baco Noir
2014 Baco Noir
2014 Merlot
Ice Wines
2013 Vidal Icewine
2013 Cabernet Icewine
Winery Tours:
May through October
Saturdays & Sundays
Reservations required
Call 905-640-0909
www.gallucciwinery.com
Holland Marsh Winery
Photo Source: Holland Marsh Winery
www.hmwineries.ca
Roland Nerisyan, a third generation winemaker, established Newmarket’s Holland Marsh Wineries in 2008, and his 22-acre estate produces wines with an Eastern European flavour that reflects his family’s heritage. Located in one of the richest agricultural regions in Canada, the winery crafts a variety of small batch reds, whites, and Icewine. The winery’s grounds offer a spectacular sunset view and their rustic style tasting room is the perfect place to relax and sample old world styled wine.
Off the vine:
White Wines
2011 Holland Marsh White Cuvee
2012 White Reserve – Small Batch
2013 Holland Marsh Semi-Sweet White
2014 Holland Marsh Dry White
Red Wines
2010 Holland Marsh 1st Reserve
2011 Holland Marsh 2nd Reserve
2012 Holland Marsh Red Cuvee
2013 Holland Marsh Semi-Dry Red
2014 Holland Marsh Dry Red
Ice Wines/Blush
2011 First Batch Vidal Icewine VQA
Winery Tours:
Sampling: After 11 am, no reservation required
Tours: Wednesday – Friday: 1pm & 3pm / Saturday & Sunday: 11am, 1pm & 3pm
Reserve your spot 2-3 weeks in advance. $15.00+HST per person
Call: (905) 775-4924
www.hmwineries.ca
Willow Springs Winery
Photo Source: Willow Springs’ Facebook Page
This 11-acre vineyard sits atop the Oak Ridges Moraine in Stouffville. Mario Testa planted his first vines in 1995 and opened the winery in 2001. It was the first winery to receive VQA certification in the York Region. Adhering to their Italian roots, the Testa family produces small batch VQA red, white, and Icewines using traditional techniques. Their pavilion offers views of the vineyard, an excellent spot for a picnic lunch, and the rustic wine tasting room is warm and relaxing. They have garnered over 17 awards in all their wine categories as a VQA producer.
Off the vine:
White Wines
2010 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay
2011 Moraine White
2011 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay
2012 Awesome Blossom Rose
2012 Riesling
2014 Sauvignon Blanc
2014 Pinot Grigio
Red Wines
2013 Pinot Noir
2014 Merlot
2014 Moraine Red
Ice Wines/Blush
2007 Vidal Icewine
2011 Vidal Icewine
2012 Vidal Icewine
2012 Riesling Icewine
2012 Cabernet Franc Icewine
2013 Vidal Icewine
Winery Tours:
Tours: Monday to Saturday 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Call: (905) 642-WINE
www.willowspringswinery.ca
Downey’s Estate Winery
This family-owned farm primarily focuses on fruit wines with a smaller offering of whites and reds from their vineyard. The Caledon based winery and vineyard was established in 2001 and is run by the Downey family. Producing apples, blackberries, black currants, cranberries, raspberries, rhubarb, and strawberries, as well as grapes, the family’s commitment to growing quality fruit is the foundation for their wine making. Downey’s is a multiple award-winning fruit wine producer, garnering over 11 awards in their first production year at the Annual Toronto Wine & Cheese Show’s Canadian International Wine Challenge.
Off the vine:
(Showcasing a small selection below of their larger and impressive menu)
From the Fields
Regal Raspberry QC
Black Currant QC
Strawberry “Sunrise” QC
Ruby Razz QC
Maple QC
Crimson Cranberry
Elderberry
From the Orchards and Vineyards
The Passionate Pear
Apple “Crisp”
2014 Moraine Red
Chardonnay
Seyval
Baco Noir
Cabernet Franc
Dessert/Iced Wines/Ports & Sherries
Strawberry Sunset QC
Cassis QC
Framboise QC
Blueberry Ice QC
Cranberry Ice QC
Elderberry Port
Sherry Cherry
Winery Tours:
Sampling: Daily 9:00 am -5:00 pm
Tours: Call for tours
Call: (905) 838-2990
Downey’s Estate Winery Website
