Best Wineries in Prince Edward County (1 Weekend, 11 Exquisite Vineyards)

Renowned for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, it’s no surprise the residents of “The County” are live amongst the best wineries in Prince Edward County.

Prince Edward County has solidified itself as one of the best wine regions in Canada. With superb weather and ideal soil, together with the winds gusting off Lake Ontario, creates the perfect ingredients that essentially make their wine oh so exquisite. 

Despite the county’s rich agricultural history, it wasn’t until 2001 that the first winery opened in the region, and later, Prince Edward became a favoured wine-growing county. 

With just over 40 wineries in PEC, there is plenty of wine to taste and sample, from sparkling bubbly to ciders and full-bodied chardonnay with hints of papaya and pineapple. Because there’s a mouth-watering, wide selection of vineyards in the county, we’ve gone ahead and put together a list of the crème de la crème. These are the best wineries around Prince Edward County for you to add to your wishlist. 

Psst…Located within Toronto and Ottawa, Prince Edward County is a top spot to head for a weekend getaway. 

Vineyards in Prince Edward County

Prince Edward County offers the ideal romantic getaway destinations and the perfect place for an Ontario road trip. The county is best known for landmarks such as the Sandbanks Provincial Park, which boasts stunning beaches and sheer limestone cliffs. 

The picturesque county is well-recognized for many things, but having some of the country’s tastiest vino has to be the top attraction. Now that you know what you’re in for, let’s look through the top Prince Edward County vineyards and wineries. 

Also, its important to note that, although Dragon’s Reach Estate Vineyard, Bergeron Estate and 33 Vines are located in Greater Napanee in Lennox and Addington County they are part of the Prince Edward County Wine Region. You can take the Glenora Ferry from Glenora Dock in Prince Edward County to Adulphustown Dock in Adulphustown Greater Napanee. Read more about them HERE!

Lacey Estates

Lacey Estates is a family-owned and operated winery in Prince Edward County. The rich clay loam soil produces wines with profound texture and balance in the beautiful Hillier area. 

Here you’ll find award-winning hand-crafted wines renowned for their Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Baco Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc. Enjoy splendid views from the tasting room and porch as you sample some exquisite wines from the vineyard. 

Another exciting detail to add to Lacey Estates is that they are RV-friendly and a member of Harvest Host. So you’re welcome to stay the night in your campervan and enjoy the blissful vineyard with family and friends. 

The Grange Winery of Prince Edward County 

The Grange of Prince Edward is set on a beautiful property that consists of 60 acres of vineyards and boasts six unique varieties of grapes. Enjoy a cozy tasting room inside an almost 200-year-old barn, inviting guests to sample some delicious wines in a rustic setting. 

From Pinot Gris bursting with tangy gammy and apricot flavours to their sparkling spiced wine bottles, you’ll get an array of different zests from their selection of wines. Their oaked Fume Blanc (sauvignon blanc) is a must-try on those warm balmy days. There are also picnic options available in the summer months.

Karlo Estates 

Located in Wellington, Ontario, Karlo Estates oozes old Victorian charm. They offer single-varietal bottlings and classic blends and are renowned for crafting the first certified ‘vegan’ wine. Alongside their sustainable impact, the winery boasts countless other awards for producing some of the best wines in PEC. 

As one of the best Prince Edward County wineries, you’ll be offered a wide selection of wines and cheese tasting options in their beam barn,  built-in 1805. Their latest quest was not afraid of challenges to create a ‘Sextus.’ A blend of the six Bordeaux varieties, which hasn’t been successfully created since the 1800s.

Rosehall Run Vineyards Inc.

Located in the county’s historic hamlets in Wellington, Rosehall Run was first founded in 2000. The 150-acre farm was picked to be a leading vineyard thanks to its proximity to the charming Lake Ontario and the excellent clay soil that’s sprinkled with shale and rock fragments on a calcareous limestone base. 

The vineyard boasts 25 acres of vinifera, including Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat, and Tempranillo. Enjoy sampling some superb wines in the tasting room or enquire about their private tours to see their state-of-the-art winemaking facilities.

Sugarbush Vineyards & Winery

Sugarbush Vineyard is a family-owned and operated winery specializing in making small-batch artisanal wines from their estate-grown grapes. 

Their goal is to produce hand-crafted premium wines sourced entirely from their 13 acres of vinifera varieties. This includes their outstanding Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Viognier. They have a charming outdoor tasting area that offers a relaxed atmosphere with great views alongside their beautiful vineyard.

Waupoos Estates Winery 

Perched next to lake Ontario and just outside of Picton, Waupoos Estate was the first winery open in the region. They first planted their grapes in 1993 and then opened their doors to the public in 2001.

Their wine is famous for its rich minerality, which you can sample at their tasting bar. Moreover, there is a farm-to-table restaurant on-site, where you can sit and enjoy sweeping views over the water and savour some locally grown vegetables and meats. 

Waupoos Estates offers tours during the summers that include excursions through the vineyards, winemaking operations, and tastings with wine and cheese pairings.

More Of The Best Wineries in Prince Edward County

Huff Estates Winery

The Huff Estates in Prince Edward County is intertwined with the history of the Bloomfield area. The winery features a modern, contemporary design with outstanding Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir wines. 

The winery has a tasting area where you can learn about the vineyard and winemaking and have a private tour of the barrel cellar. Guests can also enjoy delicious wood-fired pizzas on the outdoor patio. And after a delicious meal and wine tasting in Prince Edward County’s Huff Estate, visit the Oeno Gallery and walk through the 4-acre sculpture garden.

TerraCello Winery

A small family-run winery down the road from the Huff Estates Winery, TerraCello shows off their deep Italian roots at their winery. They pride themselves in a small production of artisan wines in a rustic, charming setting overlooking their beautiful vineyards. 

TerraCello’s tasting areas and barrel room is located in a beautifully renovated ‘Tuscan-style’ farmhouse. Guests can enjoy a tasting room, fire pits, and wood-fired pizza ovens that serve delicious homemade pizza. And as for delightful wines, they do a lovely Bocca Nera. 

Hinterland Wine Company

Located in Hillier, Hinterland Wine Company produces some of the most delicious sparkling wines in Ontario. Hinterland is the 8th vineyard planted in Prince Edward County and is the first to devote its entire portfolio to sparkling wines. 

They opened in 2010 and have a reputation for fine wine ranges across various styles from ancestral to Charmat bubbly. At Hinterland Winery, they focus on cultivating chardonnay and pinot noir grapes; these methods produce delicious sparkling wines. 

Enjoy a little pop and fizz and munch on something delightful from the many food trucks that roll up on the weekends in the summertime. You’ll have mouth-watering foods from shuck oysters to crispy chips and more. 

Old Third Winery

Located on the sheer slopes of Hillier in Prince Edward County, The Old Third is a boutique winery that has become an all-time favourite when it comes to delicious vino. The winery draws attention with its 1860 barn-turned-tasting room, where guests can enjoy gratifying house wines and ciders. 

The winery grows its grapes in a high-density environment at 3600 vines per acre. This encourages early ripening and reduces the yield per vine. The wines are unfiltered and produce a dark fruit. Their wines include pinot noir, cabernet franc, and chardonnay. They also manufacture sparkling cider from golden russet apples.

Casa-Dea Winery & Banquet Hall

Another top winery Prince Edward County has to offer, Casa-Dea Winery, boasts a large selection of Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) wines. Founded by Domenic Di Pierantonio, whose passion and love for winemaking came from his Italian upbringing in Abruzzi. 

Casa Dea is one of the few wineries in the region capable of producing VQA wines, with approximately 65 acres of planted vines. The three tiers of wines produced include reserve wines, estate wines, and limited edition wines. 

Taste their signature Pinot Gris and relax on their large patio overlooking the grounds and vineyards. After exploring and sampling delicious wines, relax at the La Pergola Restaurant and choose mouth-watering meals from a menu serving various pizza and pasta options.

A Footnote on the Best PEC Wineries 

Prince Edward County’s best wineries boast an array of options when it comes to delicious vino. From quaint boutique wineries selling wood-fired pizza to large estates offering fascinating tours, these places are steeped in history and settled on picturesque countrysides. There’s an array of Prince Edward wines and vineyards to explore in the county. 

So, there you have it – the top wineries in Prince Edward County. If you’ve been to any of these stunning wineries or know of an absolute gem and a must-visit, please share; we’d love to know.