Wolfville wineries: The best Annapolis Valley vineyards

Canada’s east coast is renowned for its spectacular coastlines, friendly people and seafood, and it turns out there’s yet another reason to make the trip out: the Wolfville wineries in Nova Scotia, in the heart of the Annapolis Valley.

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The picturesque valley cuts through the centre of the province and is home to pretty towns and vineyards, ranging from family-owned productions to larger operations that ship Nova Scotia wine across the country. The area is known for its acidic l’Acadie grape which thrives in cold temperatures and produces Tidal Bay, a local favourite named for Nova Scotia’s first wine appellation.

There are more than a dozen vineyards scattered around the Annapolis Valley in spots like Wolfville, Grand-Pré and Gaspereau, serving up full-bodied varietals in gorgeous tasting rooms framed by stunning surroundings.

Wolfville NS

The best way to visit the Annapolis Valley wineries is to base yourself in Port Williams or Wolfville, which is a charming town with ivy-covered buildings, a brightly coloured main street, quaint bed and breakfasts and homes that are so beautifully-maintained they look like they belong in a magazine.

Wolfville is home to Acadia University and just down the road from the Grand Pré National Historic Site, which commemorates the area as a centre of Acadian settlement earning it a UNESCO designation.

The town is also on the shores of the Minas Basin which feeds into the famed Bay of Fundy. Twice a day, low tides expose 150 miles of sea bottom sediments in the basin, at which point hundreds of plant species coat the surface, transforming the flats into a green leaf.

The tidal bore phenomenon can seen from nearby spots such as Cape Split and Cape d’Or, or experienced first hand in Maitland which is the jump-off point for thrilling tidal bore rafting adventures.

READ MORE: Tidal bore rafting in Nova Scotia, Canada: A wild, salty ride

Wineries in Wolfville

Wolfville’s main draw is its proximity to the surrounding wineries in Annapolis Valley, which has some of the best Nova Scotia wines. The Grand Pré Winery is one of the more popular stops as it’s closest to town, has an excellent restaurant and overlooks the UNESCO site, but there are even larger operations nearby all easily accessed by car, bicycle or on an organized Wolfville wine tour. 

Luckett Vineyards

Most Wolfville wine tours include a stop at Luckett Vineyards, which is one of the most established operations in the valley.

Producing up to 13-thousand cases per year, the winery overlooks the pretty Gaspereau Valley and is a popular spot for events thanks to its outdoor restaurant just steps away from the vines. Nestled between them is a rather unexpected addition: a bright red phone booth.

The story goes that founder Pete Luckett who hailed from Nottingham, England, wanted a bit of home incorporated into the vineyard. He was rather fond of a phone booth that had been down the street from his childhood home in the UK, and mentioned it to a friend. Sure enough, that same phone booth showed up in Halifax two months later, in a box marked ‘Restaurant Supplies’ and it now has a special spot among the vines.

Aside from the vineyard, the tasting room is also Instagram-worthy. Huge windows frame the sprawling valley outside, and the walls are lined with hundreds of artfully arranged wine bottles (which are of course available for purchase.)

The vineyard is known for its fruit wines, as well as its Buried Red and Phone Box White blends. Luckett Vineyards is also the perfect place to stock up for a picnic, as it sells house-made olive oil along with staples like cheese, cured meats and olives.

Benjamin Bridge

Benjamin Bridge winery is one of the most popular Annapolis Valley wineries, thanks to its stunningly-scenic location in the Gaspereau Valley surrounded by gentle south-facing slopes and thick foliage.

The family-run operation harvested the knowledge of top winemakers from France to create their sparkling wines, which are best experienced through their 90-minute Terroir Tasting where five wines are paired with locally-sourced charcuterie, honey from their bees and veggies from their farm.

Guests are welcome to walk through the vines down to the river, hang out on the outdoor patio and around the outdoor fire pit. Be sure to bring a few bucks to grab a can of wine from the vending machine that stands in the middle of the vineyards!

Planters Ridge 

Found a short drive from Port Williams, Planters Ridge is an artisanal winery housed in a renovated timber frame barn that dates back nearly two centuries, and has an original natural wine cellar that stays the same temperature all year round.

The tasting room is gorgeous thanks to the rustic wood beams, stone fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase the surrounding vineyards, North Mountain, Cape Blomidon and the Minas Basin during high tide. Spend an afternoon sipping on award-winning wines like their signature blend Quintessence Red, paired with small bites like charcuterie.

For the ultimate wine country experience, you can also stay overnight at Planters Ridge in the renovated farmhouse. There are three suites available with private bathrooms, and stays include a free glass of wine and European-inspired breakfast.

Blomidon Estate Winery

Blomidon Estate Winery is nestled along the shores of the Minas Basin near Canning on a 10-acre property.

The airy tasting room and outdoor deck offer great views of the vines and water, and guests are welcome to grab a glass of wine or a tasting flight to enjoy at one of the tables scattered among the vines or under the giant oak tree.

Lightfoot & Wolfville

Lightfoot & Wolfville focuses on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling and has a beautiful, airy tasting room featuring rustic wood beams.

The on-site restaurant with wood-fired pizzas is a great lunch stop during a day of wine tasting in the Annapolis Valley, and there are a handful of beautiful outdoor lounge areas which makes this a popular event space.

Mercator

Mercator makes artisan small lot wines on its property just outside of Wolfville next to the Grand-Pre historic site. Their two-level tasting room is in a house that dates back some 200 years, and was once used for apple processing and as a farmers market. 

Enjoy a tasting flight from the balcony, situated on a bluff overlooking the Acadian dykelands and surrounding farmland. There are also 20 beehives on property for making honey, and bicycles are also available to rent.

1365 Church Street Vineyard

A 15-acre vineyard and overflowing gardens surround 1365 Church Street Vineyard, a family-owned and operated winery on the outskirts of Port Williams.

The quaint tasting room (a former apple barn) is open year-round, and has a bar, private dining area upstairs and a wraparound porch overlooking the Wellington Dyke, North Mountain and Cape Blomidon.

Gaspereau Vineyards

Another popular vineyard in the area is Gaspereau Vineyards, which is part of the Devonian Coast Wineries group which also owns the nearby Jost and Mercator Vineyards.

The beautiful, barn-like tasting room showcases favourites including their Tidal Bay which blends Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc, Chardonnay, and New York Muscat, and guests are welcome to meander through the adjoining vineyard.

 

How to book a Wolfville winery tour

Uncork Nova Scotia and Grape Escapes are both reputable companies in the area, offering packages which include a guide, tasting fees, transportation and food. Tours run from May through October. Other options include:

• Premium private wine tour from Halifax: This private excursion run by Go North Tours includes stops at two wineries of your choice, followed by a tasting and gourmet lunch at Grand Pre Wines. Click here to book
• Wine and Lunch Escape: Visit three NS wineries during this day trip from Halifax with Grape Escapes, including lunch at Luckett Vineyards. Click here to book
• Annapolis Valley tour: Learn about the history and nature in the Annapolis Valley with stops at Blomidon Look-off Provincial Park, a bald eagle nesting area, Fox Hill Cheese and three vineyards. Click here to book

Here are some fun tours that explore other great areas in Nova Scotia:

Tips for visiting the vineyards in Wolfville

How to get to the wineries in Wolfville NS: Wolfville is only a one hour drive along highway 101 from Halifax. It’s also a great spot to start a trip through Nova Scotia for those road tripping from New Brunswick, as it’s about four hours from Saint John including a ferry ride across the Bay of Fundy.

Where to stay in Wolfville: The historic Blomidon Inn was built as a private residence in 1881, and has been operating as an inn for the last century. The property is the definition of charming, from the long, flower-lined winding driveway that leads to the stately entrance, onto the wooden front porch outfitted with rocking chairs which are the perfect spot to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail, and throughout the cozy interior complete with its plush carpets.
Those wanting to splurge should book the inn’s so-called “Honeymoon Cottage” which has its own entrance separate from the main house. The cottage boasts a parlour, huge bedroom, private garden, and even a bathroom outfitted with a two person jacuzzi tub. Click here to book

The Blomidon Inn’s restaurant is also a great place for dinner, serving up east coast favourites such as lobster linguini, seared scallops and their house speciality: maple smoked salmon, hot-smoked on the property and served with a sweet maple yogurt dressing.

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Globe Guide explored Wolfville in collaboration with Tourism Nova Scotia. As always, hosts have no editorial influence over articles. This article was originally published in August 2016 and updated in October 2022.

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