Ontario’s wine country stretches well beyond its best-known destinations. From easy day trips near the GTA to weekend escapes along Georgian Bay, Lake Huron and into Eastern Ontario, there are wine regions across the province worth getting to know. If summer in Niagara or Prince Edward County is your usual wine country move, consider this your sign to venture a little further.
Just Beyond Toronto: Easy Day Trips
If you are looking for a quick escape from the city, you don’t have far to travel. Just beyond the GTA, Ontario’s Emerging Regions offer a chance to discover something a little different, with a growing collection of boutique wineries and cool-climate VQA wines.
For Adamo Estate Winery winemaker Vanessa McKean that’s part of the appeal. She describes the region as “Inviting, unique and tenacious.” with wines that are “typically lighter bodied and approachable with refreshing food friendly acidity,” shaped by the condensed growing season.
These boutique wineries are sitting right on Toronto’s doorstep:
Adamo Estate Winery (Mono, ON): The perfect winery for an elegant day trip or spa getaway. You can taste their premium cool-climate VQA wines, then head right next door for a treatment and dinner at their sister property, Hockley Valley Resort. McKean recommends finishing your day on the patio overlooking the vineyard and rolling hills.
Holland Marsh Wineries (Newmarket, ON): Rooted deeply in local history and set among some of Ontario’s oldest and richest agricultural land. The Nersisyan family brings three generations of winemaking heritage to life, featuring award-winning VQA pours like their 2022 Gamay Noir and 2018 Reserve Merlot.
Norfolk County: A Little Bit of Everything
Geographically set between the wine regions of Niagara and Lake Erie North Shore, Norfolk has been quietly building its own wine scene among some of the province’s most picturesque beach towns. The result is a wine country experience that pairs high-quality wines with a laid-back, personable feel.
Mat Vaughan of Hounds of Erie Winery points to the region’s agricultural roots, noting that “Norfolk County is home to some of the province’s richest soils” and is often referred to as “the Garden of Ontario.”
Wineries here go beyond tastings:
Bonnieheath Estate Winery: Known for its diverse farm experiences where you can walk through vibrant lavender fields with a glass in hand.
Burning Kiln Winery: A spectacular setting where you can catch a live concert and enjoy local culinary pairings.
Hounds of Erie Winery: The perfect afternoon stop to enjoy a glass of wine with your pup after exploring the nearby pristine Long Point Biosphere Reserve, home to the world’s longest freshwater sand spit and Ontario’s longest beach.
Georgian Bay: Fall in Cottage Country
The perfect place to stock up if you’re headed north from the GTA to admire the changing autumn leaves. These stops offer exceptional wine paired with a view of the region’s lush, rolling hills overlooking the bay:
Georgian Hills Vineyards: Celebrated for its stunning panoramic views and expressive cool-climate varietals.
Coffin Ridge Boutique Winery: A beautifully distinct, elevated space offering artisanal VQA wine alongside striking views of the water.
Huron Shores: Ontario’s West Coast
Between the boutique wineries, endless sandy beaches, and a thriving local culinary scene, this region is an easy weekend built entirely around slow afternoons and stunning sunsets.
Schatz Winery: Located at the Hessenland Inn, making it the ultimate spot to spend a night surrounded by the vines.
Shale Ridge Estate Winery & Cidery: Perfect to reset your energy with an outdoor Nordic Spa circuit.
Both properties sit comfortably within 30 minutes of Grand Bend.
Elgin County: Wine Worth Chasing
A short, scenic drive from London, Elgin County is beloved for its small-town charm, rural bike routes and local food.
Skye Chase Estate Winery: A notable, stunning wine country stop that has completely rewritten the rules of Ontario VQA wine. Visit for yourself to see why.
Ottawa & Area: Ontario’s Northernmost Winery
Further north, near the capital, the unique limestone of the Ottawa Formation underpins this region’s resilient cool-climate wines.
KIN Vineyards: Standing proud as the very first vineyard in the Ottawa region, producing exceptionally well-balanced, cool-climate VQA Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Planning your visit: Learning about these up-and-coming wine regions is just the beginning. Be the first to discover the hidden gems that Ontario’s wine country has to offer.
Use the Wines of Ontario Travel Guide to plan where you want to visit, then keep track of what you’ve tasted and journal your way through wine country, wherever your adventures take you.
