A Greater Napanee Wine Tour: The Hidden Ontario Wine Region You Need to Visit
You’ve likely heard of, and probably visited, wineries in Prince Edward County, but did you know that there’s an emerging micro-wine region just across the bay in Greater Napanee? Tucked away on the southern shores of Greater Napanee you’ll find the hidden Ontario wine region you need to visit. Wineries in the Napanee region are producing fantastic Ontario wines like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This area also boasts the most picturesque landscapes and stunning backdrops for sipping!
Written by Courtney Evans
GETTING THERE
If you’re coming from the north shore, Greater Napanee is right off Highway 401 and a scenic drive down County Road 8 will take you to this micro wine region.
If you’re coming from Prince Edward County, the easiest (and most fun!) way to get there is the Glenora Ferry. Follow Highway 33 out of Picton and past Lake on the Mountain to get to the ferry dock. The Glenora ferry is free and leaves at least every half hour from Canada Day to Thanksgiving. Drive your car onto the ferry and a quick 15 minutes later you’ll find yourself in the hidden Ontario wine region of Napanee. The ride also provides beautiful views of the surrounding area and lake!
LONGRID ESTATES VINEYARDS & WINERY
A few minutes drive from the ferry, the first stop on your Napanee wine tour is Longrid Estates Vineyards & Winery. The mom-and-daughter team behind Longrid Estates just opened the winery doors in 2022. Mom is the winemaker and fieldworker, while daughter takes care of customers in the tasting room and creates the pretty wine labels. Longrid Estates boasts 10 acres of vines and stunning views of the water. All wines are made from hand-harvested estate-grown grapes and range from white, rosé, red and dessert. Select a wine flight and enjoy your first taste of the Napanee wine region on the patio!
BERGERON ESTATE WINERY & CIDER CO.
The next stop on your Napanee wine tour is five minutes down the road at Bergeron Estate Winery and Cider Co. The winery produces delicious estate-grown Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir, Riesling and Gewurztraminer wines, as well as cider. But the first thing you’ll notice about Bergeron Estate is that it’s about way more than just the wine! The friendly staff will welcome you to the winery where you can start with a tasting, likely by the owner himself. Select a glass of your favourite wine, order an authentic house-made Italian pizza and enjoy at a patio table overlooking the beautiful vines and water. You’ll be left wondering how you did not know about Bergeron Winery and this hidden wine region.
33 VINES
The third and final Napanee winery that you’ll visit on your wine tour is 33 Vines. This winery was recently renovated by owner Jason Dunn and the winery re-opened in 2019. The wonderfully renovated post and beam barn cannot be missed! Start with a tasting at the bar where the knowledgeable staff will guide you through their Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Merlot wines. Then take a tour of the barn including the modern production facility, wine cellar and second floor art studio. You may also want to check out the old CN Railway Caboose that acts as a secondary tasting room. 33 Vines is truly a hidden gem nestled in the Greater Napanee wine region.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Once you’ve finished your wine tour, take a short drive up to Downtown Greater Napanee to stroll the historic streets. Shop your way through specialty boutiques, grab a tasty treat or stay for dinner before heading home.
