Travelling - Wine Country Ontario

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TRAVELLING IN WINE COUNTRY

Travelling in Wine Country

There is so much to discover in VQA Ontario Wine Country. Each of our regions offers enticing wines and tempting tastes – but so much more. Whether you are looking for an active adventure, a cultural excursion or the solace of a relaxing rural retreat, we have exactly what you are looking for. Wineries are excited to welcome you back to experience the magic – but first, explore Wine Country from the comfort of your own home by using our Travel Guide and mobile-friendly trip planner. Don’t forget to engage with VQA wineries on social media and order direct to home from your favourites!

Plan your trip!

Why not plan your escape to wine country? Download our Wine Country Ontario Travel Guide or map using the links above to get started. Hoping to experience the magic of wine country sooner than later? Travel through wine country at home by ordering direct from a VQA winery you’ve yet to experience! Click here for a list of wineries offering online ordering.

1
PLAN YOUR DAY

Do a little research before you arrive. Use the maps in the Travel Guide or our online trip planner, and be sure to contact the wineries you plan to visit prior to arriving. Many of the wineries now require reservations for tastings and enhanced experiences.

2
TASTE RESPONSIBLY

Wine is a beautiful thing but it is still alcohol – choose a designated driver or arrange for a hired car. You also don’t have to swallow every drop. Use the spittoons in the tasting room to dispose of any unwanted wine. Finally, make sure to taste some of the delicious food available en route so you are not tasting on an empty stomach.

3
BE ADVENTUROUS BUT RESPONSIBLE

Take the opportunity to try something new and break out of your comfort zone.  Don’t be shy – ask questions to learn and discover all there is to know about VQA wine.

Some wineries are still requesting visitors wear masks so be sure to bring one, some hand sanitizer, remember to wash your hands often and keep your distance in crowded areas. If you have any signs or symptoms like fever, sore throat, cough, etc., or have been in contact with anyone with those symptoms, please stay home and plan to come back another time.

4
BE RESPECTFUL

Wineries are working farms, so please don’t enter vineyards or production areas without permission.  Our small communities love welcoming guests but are also home to families and residents; please follow local laws and clean up after your visit so it remains beautiful.

5
LOVE IT? BUY IT?

Most of the wineries are small independent businesses so the wines you taste here may not be available at your local liquor or grocery store. Take this opportunity to purchase on-site directly from the producer. You can also inquire about delivery and wine club services to enjoy Ontario VQA wines regularly right on your doorstep.

The Wine Tasting Experience

Wine tasting is fun so there is no need to feel intimidated! This is your time to discover the wines that you enjoy so there are no wrong answers – experiment and trust your own palate. Winery staff are experts and they’re happy to answer any of your questions and tell their stories. To help you get ready for your visit, here are some basics for approaching the bar:

Avoid wearing strong fragrances

Perfume or cologne – even heavily scented skin or hair products – can interfere with the aromas of the wine, making it difficult for you, and those around you, to fully appreciate what you’re sampling.

Be prepared to pay for the tasting

Wineries often price their tastings based on the cost of the wine, and those that make their top-tier offerings available to sample will likely charge accordingly. Some, but not all, wineries waive or refund the tasting-bar fee if you buy a bottle of wine.

Cleanse your palate

It is important to cleanse your palate before/between wines (with a sip of water or a cracker). This will “reset” your taste buds, so the flavours of the different wines won’t overlap.

Taste the wines in order of strength

Sparkling to white to red to dessert, sweetness (dry to sweet) and age (young to old)..Otherwise, the stronger and sweeter wines will overpower the lighter and drier ones. If you’re taking part in a guided tasting, the winery will choose the order for you. If you’re at a tasting bar, just ask the attendant to help you with the order.

Appreciate each wine by sight, smell and taste (in that order)

Think about it as starting from the top of your head and working your way down: eyes to nose to mouth.

Feel free to swish the wine in your mouth or quietly gargle it

You may feel silly, but a wine will only reveal its full complexity when it’s mingled with oxygen. Decanting it and swirling it in a glass will also serve this purpose.

Spitting is sometimes advisable - and it’s always acceptable

If you plan to sample a large number of wines on your tour, it’s best to spit (into communal or personal spittoons) after you’ve sipped each one. Otherwise, the alcohol will begin to affect your judgment after a while.

Even if you don’t spit, you don’t have to finish each wine

The point of a tasting is to sample the wine, and this can be done with just an ounce or two. Once you’ve tasted to your satisfaction, leave what’s left in the glass and move on if you’d like. Believe us, wineries expect this – you won’t hurt anyone’s feelings.

When describing the bouquet and flavours of a wine, don’t be afraid to guess

Everyone’s palate is different. The aromas and flavours that you detect may differ from those recognized by others – there is no right or wrong.

Finally, remember that you don’t have to like everything!

A wine may be well made and critically acclaimed, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to like it best. Wine appreciation is a personal thing. If everyone preferred the same flavours, we wouldn’t have the great range of wines -varietals and blends alike – that we enjoy in Ontario. Trust your taste buds!

Travelling with kids

If you’re travelling with small children, rest assured that many of our wineries offer activities and alternatives for young visitors – such as non-alcoholic beverages to drink, colouring books and crayons to use, and sports equipment (like soccer balls and bocce sets) to play with.

Outside the wineries themselves, each region features parks, restaurants, shops and events that cater to every member of the family, regardless of age.

When planning your itinerary, contact each winery first to see if they offer child-friendly activities (or look for the ones that have playground equipment on site). That way, you can ensure that everyone enjoys their wine-country experience.

Travelling with pets

Four-legged family members are always welcome in Wine Country, and with countless parks, trails and public gardens, they’re sure to enjoy themselves – and get some exercise. Unfortunately, due to health regulations, animals are not permitted to enter wine-production facilities. But some wineries do allow visitors to bring leashed or carried pets into their tasting rooms and retail stores.

Each establishment sets its own pet policy, so be sure to call ahead and ask about it if you’re planning to bring any furry friends along.

Wineries

Wineries

Where to buy

Where to buy

Restaurants

Restaurants

Accommodations

Accommodations

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