Discovering the Wineries of Ontario, Part 2: Prince Edward County

After exploring Windsor-Essex last week, I was excited to check out another Ontario wine destination: Prince Edward County. It’s just a 20-minute drive from Belleville’s train station and has more than 40 wineries to discover—not to mention bucolic farmland, a thriving local food scene and the world’s largest freshwater sand dunes. I head down early Friday, to get a head start on the weekend.

Say Cheese!

My first stop is Lighthall Vineyards, in Milford. It’s one of the less-visited, smaller wineries, because it’s a little removed from the main clusters of wineries around Hillier (on the West side) and Waupoos (on the East).  You know what that means? More cheese for me!

This is the only winery in the County with a cheese-making program. They use sheep milk sourced in Belleville to make an earthy blue; a Chardonnay-washed-rind soft-ripened cheese, which is a lot like the French Reblochon; and a buttery brie.

“I like this one best at room temperature, runny and oozy, when I’m in the mood to feel coddled,” says Sam at the tasting bar, as he hands out slivers of brie and glasses of a crisp sparkling vidal. The green apple and grapefruit notes of the wine make a beautiful complement to the cheese, and the acidity and bubbles cut right through the creaminess. I pick up some cheese to take home as a souvenir. Everybody needs a little extra coddling now and then.

I Feel the Need for Mead

One of the most unusual—and ancient—wines made in Prince Edward County is mead. Beekeepers Gavin North and Bay Woodyard, the husband-and-wife team behind Honey Pie Hives and Herbals, make this honey wine on the premises. They also do beeswax and herb soaps (with the most charming illustrated labels), hive-shaped sugar cookies, customized jars of celebration honey and all kinds of bee-related goodies to sell in their farm store.

The air is humming as we pass a mini swarm of bees, glugging from the water fountain, in their garden full of wildflowers and hives. We step inside to taste several different meads covering a surprisingly broad spectrum of sweet to dry. My favourite is the Lovers Mead, which is on the sweeter side and said to be an aphrodisiac with its blend of herbs, ginger, and sweet basil. I do actually fall in love shortly afterwards, on my way out…. with the elderflower and cassis popsicles. Just what I need in today’s air-shimmering heat.

In the Pink

“It’s often cooler and overcast here in the County, a lot like in the Champagne region,” says Jonas Newmand, winemaker and co-owner, with wife, Vicky Samaras, of Hinterland Wine, as he pours us a glass of sparkling rosé.

Named Borealis, after the Northern Lights that the winemakers saw one October night, while out harvesting grapes, this pink has berry aromas, toasty notes and a lingering mineral finish. It’s made with Gamay grapes according to the charmat method, which is often used in Italy to make Prosecco. Borealis would make a festive choice for celebrations, but I’d happily sip it in the garden all summer long.

Getting Around

If you’d rather not worry about designated drivers, reserve a spot with Sandbanks Vacations and Tours. You take a guided winery tour by shuttle bus or book a private car and guide—they’ll even pick you up from the train station.