Sparkling Wine Weekend Guide: Prince Edward County

First stop, Hinterland Wine Company. Founded by Jonas Newman and Vicki Samaras, Hinterland produces premium sparkling wine and is the perfect first stop for a Sparkling Wino tour of The County! What we love about Hinterland is their pioneering spirit, dedication, willingness to experiment and downright amazing attitude. Oh, right…. and the sparkling wines of course! From Ancestral to Charmat to Traditional Method, Hinerland covers the full spectrum of sparkling winemaking!

Our current favourite is the Sacrament 2011 Method Traditional, made from 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay. The wine also has a cute back story, and we are kinda suckers for a good one! According to Jonas, the inspiration for the Sacrament came from his marriage to Vicki. Funnily enough, in Quebec the term Sacrament is also a swear word. In the case of Hinterland, there’s a winery in the mix and that of course can be challenging and lead to a few expletives here and there. Nonetheless, we agree with Jonas and Vicki that the union, along with the wine, is something to celebrate!

The winery offers tastings and tours, and groups of 6 or more are encouraged. Oh, and if you’re pressed for time or just want a chilled bottled on your way out, they’ve got you covered with a pretty awesome selection of chilled sparkling wines in a Hinterland branded fridge. Phew!

Now that you’ve had an absolutely adorable picnic, you’re ready for Traynor Family Vineyard. Traynor’s a bit of a new kid on the block, through it’s winemaker – Mike Traynor – has been working in the wine industry since 1997. At the age of 22, he was Canada’s youngest winemaker!

What drew us to Traynor were the Pét-Nats, or pétillant naturel. These wines can be described as “naturally sparkling,” where still-fermenting wine is bottled, capped and allowed to complete fermentation in the bottle. If you know a hipster, no doubt you’d have heard of Pét-Nat. Somewhat unpredictable in terms of the finished product, Pét-Nats can be a fun conversation starter. And, did we mention… Traynor has a White, Red and Orange Pét-Nat (more on these wines here). Taste them side by side for a fun experience or take them home for a fun surprise. Take care when opening them, though, as the wine continues to ferment and should be slowly uncapped.

Now that you’ve got a good flavour of PEC sparklings, it’s time to take a leisurely drive through The County, passing vineyards, pastoral fields, historic villages and beautiful vistas, head over to Picton.

Located just outside of the little town, the Agrarian Market is the perfect pit stop for your charcuterie needs. After a full day of sparkling wine tasting, there’s nothing better than a relaxed dinner, right?

It’s time to check into your accommodations at The June Motel. We can’t say enough about this absolutely adorable motel. Founded in 2017 by April and Sarah, two amazingly talented entrepreneurs from Toronto, The June stands before you as a beautiful vision in pink (or… rosé!). Think mid-centry modern meets The Golden Girl’s Lanaii meets rose gold meets absolutely Instagrammabley perfect. April and Sarah transformed a run down motor lodge, dusting it off and reinventing it as a gorgeous motel underpinned by good vibes and great wine. We knew we were in the right place when our welcome cocktail was… the Hinterland Borealis!

The June offers a number of suites across two storeys, each elegantly designed with that mid-century tropical touch. Not to be outdone on the design end of things, the practicality of the finishes was not lost on us Sparkling Winos: from the provided wine fridge and fully appointed bar cart, to the t.v. with cable (a novelty for us), to the seperated seating area for your luggage and wine haul, The June is thought out through and through. I mean, we did love the Nespresso machine and coffee mugs which declared: this may be wine!

After a full day of sparkling wine tasting, The June is a perfect place to kick back and relax. So when dinner time beckons and you start to get hungry, you know it’s time to throw together that Charcuterie Board. The bar cart includes a little tray – perfect for local meats and cheese. And, since each room has a balcony, your meal comes with a beautiful view of Picton Bay.

Now that you’re full, why not check out the fire pit to mingle and chat and to take in The County’s fresh air? You might even make a few friends and teach them how to sabre! Feeling thirsty? The June’s bar aka Wine Lobby has an amazing array of local wines (and one French Rose), beers and ciders. And why not end the night with an episode of International House Hunters or… three episodes of Love It or List It? See, we told you cable is a novelty for us. 😂

Next, take a 5 minute drive to Lighthall Vineyards. Lighthall is a small, low volume but high quality winery that includes sparkling wine in its portfolio and… makes cheese! We love the Progression Sparkling which paired beautifully with all the cheese on offer (full disclosure: the wine was paired with a specific cheese but we loved all three and brought home $50 in delicious cheese).

We love, love, love small towns. And Wellington might be The County’s most charming little hotspot. Take a stroll down the main drag, which features one stop light, but also an urban beach, a beautiful lakeside park, several heritage buildings and lovey restaurants and shops. It goes without saying that the Drake Devonshire is an amazing spot to take in the town!

After you’ve taken in the sights, why not stop for a great Aperol Spritz at Midtown Brewing Company.

Dinner in Wellington should always be at The Courage. Easily the cutest restaurant staffed by the most beautiful yet kind people (hi Nona!), The Courage offers a menu that celebrates local and seasonal ingredients. Dinner is served Wednesday to Saturday, 5:30 to close.

If you’re a Sparkling Wino and love The County, continue the festivities with the Hinterland Borealis. It pairs beautifully with the Uncommon Octopus appetizer (which features grapefruit gel and corn bisque, of all things!) and the Steak Frites. Now… can we talk about the Steak Frites?! Damn.

You might be so charmed that you end up staying for a bottle of Lighthall Progression or Traynor Trifecta Pet-Nat (that just so happens to be made in collaboration with The Courage!). And, when the DJ set starts, you might just dig the vibe enough to cab back to The June because the vibe was 100% good vibes only. Cronkie’s Cab Co. is who you should call, should you need a ride!

Bright eyed and bushy tailed, you should definitely take advantage of the Breakfast in Bed option at The June, which includes a selection of “good for yous,” like a detox juice, chia seed pudding and the breakfast cookie (that’s gluten free, paleo and vegan… and downright delicious!). Oh, and the Nespresso maker in your room will definitely give you the pep you need for your early morning step!

Now that you’ve seen what some locals say is a collapsed volcano or a giant sinkhole, take a 30 minute drive to Rosehall Run Vineyards. Located on a country lane and surrounded by vineyards, Rosehall Run is a scenic winery with a beautiful tasting room and patio. We absolutely love Rosehall Run’s traditional method sparkling, Ceremony, as well as the lively and approachable Pixie and recently released Indigo (more on these wines here!).

The Indigo is fruity, just barely off-dry and pairs perfectly with the treats on offer by Picnic PEC, a local food truck! The Po’ Boy Sandwich, made with local pickerel, tartar, creamy coleslaw and spicy mayo and the Black Bean Veggie Burger were to die for.

After your delicious brunch, why not take the Cellar Experience Tour or enjoy the views of the vineyard from the patio?