Think Nova Scotia is too far north for growing grapes? Not a chance! Actually, there’s a nice variety of great wines (produced from grapes grown onsite at local vineyards) to be discovered and savored in Nova Scotia. Despite the high latitude, the small Canadian province of Nova Scotia has almost two dozen wineries. Many are situated in the eastern Annapolis Valley: Nova Scotia’s wine country. The five best wineries are in and around Wolfville — less than a 2-hour drive (about 60 miles/96 km) from Halifax. (Make sure you plan some time in the provincial capital. There is so much to see and do in Halifax!) My husband and I sampled wine from several vineyards on our trip to Nova Scotia, and these are the best. They stand out for their wine, hospitality, and setting. Bonus: three of these wineries have views of the Bay of Fundy. In addition, some also have onsite restaurants so you can enjoy a meal while tasting their wines.
Hybrid Grapes Are the Key
Given the climate and short growing season, most of the grapes cultivated here are hardy grape hybrids, so they are most likely different than what you’d find elsewhere. For example, when visiting, you may be tasting wine made from L’Acadie Blanc, Seyval Blanc, Lucie Kuhlmann, New York Muscat, and Baco Noir grapes. Not familiar with them? No worries. These grapes make excellent wine as a visit to the vineyards will reveal. In fact, many of the wineries listed in this article boast award-winning wines.
Tidal Bay White Wine Specialty
Tidal Bay is a white wine blend that is produced exclusively in this appellation or region. Local wineries follow strict guidelines in their production of Tidal Bay. For example, all the grapes used in Tidal Bay must be grown in Nova Scotia, the wine must be vinified in stainless steel or other inert vessels, meet certain alcohol level content, and pass a blind tasting by a panel of tasters that include sommeliers. The result is a refreshing, dryish, white wine that is featured on many restaurant menus across the province.
Overview of the Five Top Wineries
All of the wineries listed below give tours, provide tastings, and have some kind of munchies to accompany the wine. All are open during the main tourist season (May through October), and some are open later into the fall. Three wineries (Domaine de Grand Pré, Lightfoot & Wolfville, and Luckett) have onsite restaurants. Before visiting, check online for current days and hours of winery operations (and their restaurants, for those that have them) as well as special events they may be hosting while you’re visiting.
Listed below are the five best wineries, in alphabetical order, my husband and I visited during our wonderful sojourn in Nova Scotia.
1. Blomidon Estate Winery
10318 Hwy. 221, Canning (15 min from Wolfville) | 902-582-7565
In a relaxing seaside setting, Blomidon Estate Winery sits on 10 acres along the Minas Basin of the Bay of Fundy. Only 15 minutes from Wolfville, Blomidon feels like it’s even further away. It’s quiet and relaxing without crowds, and you are invited to stroll the vineyard toward the water. Blomidon offers a variety of wines, including chardonnay, Seyvel Blanc, rosé, brut, and a Baco Noir red.
2. Domaine de Grand Pré
11611 Hwy. 1, Grand Pré | 902-542-1753
Domaine de Grand Pré winery has almost 150 acres/60 hectares of land. Wine selections include chardonnay, riesling, rosé, and pinot noir. Le Caveau, the onsite restaurant, serves lunch and dinner with ingredients sourced locally. In addition, there’s an onsite inn with six suites.
3. Gaspereau Vineyards
2239 White Rock Road, Gaspereau | 902-542-1455
Gaspereau Vineyards is located just 1.8 miles/3 km from Wolfville and sits on 35 acres. Gasperau’s wine selections include riesling, Tidal Bay, pinot grigio, rosé, muscat, and reds, including cabernet merlot. Enjoy a tasting in their barn and relax outside sipping your wine while taking in views of the vineyard. Gaspereau is a smaller operation with tasty wine and a laid-back vibe.
4. Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards
11143 Evangeline Trail, Wolfville | 902-542-7774
Lightfoot & Wolfville is owned by the Lightfoot family which has been farming for seven generations. This organic winery’s 40-acre/16-hectare vineyard produces a range of varietals, including chardonnay, riesling, Tidal Bay, pinot noir, rosé, sparkling wine, and cider. The winery also has a restaurant serving salads, sandwiches, pizza, and pasta dishes. We enjoyed a relaxing lunch here one day. Reservations are suggested if you’re planning on dining here. We found Lightfoot & Wolfville so relaxing as there are several choices of outdoor seating, and they all overlook the vineyard and the Minas Basin of the Bay of Fundy.
5. Luckett Vineyards
1293 Grand Pré Road, Wolfville | 902-542-2600
Luckett Vineyards is a large winery that draws a lot of people. No wonder. This winery has a popular restaurant, a vast wine shop, and excellent wine. Plus Luckett Vineyards has a large restaurant space offering small plates, charcuterie, soups, salads, and sandwiches. We enjoyed lunch here, sipping wine while taking in the view of the vineyard and bay. Luckett offers chardonnay, Tidal Bay, rosé, and riesling, as well as reds.
Walk through the vineyard, and you’ll no doubt spot the red British telephone booth. It’s said you can call anywhere in North America for free at the phone booth.
Where to Stay
Consider the Tattingstone Inn on the town’s main street when in the Wolfville area. It was the perfect place for my husband and me when we were on the western coast of Nova Scotia. I enjoyed the deep front porch that practically invites you to relax. Also, our room was so comfortable, it was a short walk to town for dinner each evening, and we loved the made-to-order breakfasts — so many choices and such yummy food to begin our days of adventure.
Nearby Attractions
Read more about other great places to visit in Nova Scotia:
- Balancing Rock: a Unique Rock Formation in southern Nova Scotia
- Halifax: Top Sights to See in Nova Scotia’s Capital
- Kejimkujik National Park
- How to Experience the Amazing Bay of Fundy
- Prince Edward Island Guide for a 2-Day Visit
Final Thoughts
Nova Scotia has so much to offer travelers. There’s history, museums, art galleries, parks, the amazing Bay of Fundy, restaurants, and shops. What might not come to mind when considering Nova Scotia is locally-sourced wine. But my husband and I can safely say there are several top-notch wineries in and near Wolfville. We found it fun to stop at one or two during a day out exploring the greater Annapolis Valley.
The five wineries in this article are our favorites. Three locations stand out with bay views: Blomidon Estate Winery, Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards, and Luckett Vineyards. Two offered great lunches when we visited: Lightfoot & Wolfville and Luckett. For peaceful relaxation away from the crowds, we enjoyed Blomidon and Gaspereau as they’re smaller boutique wineries. But we can recommend them all based on our experiences. Cheers!
Comments?
Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences from a visit to Nova Scotia. Your comments could help other travelers. 🙂
