East Coast Wine Tasting Tours, Canada
Visits to Local Wineries Make the Perfect Nova Scotia Vacation
Jan 19, 2009
As Nova Scotia boasts fewer than 10 wineries, it is easy for visitors to embark on a comprehensive wine tasting tour of the province. Vinophiles will discover a wine region with a finely aged character, lively winemakers, and cellars filled with award-winning wines—the ideal pairings for a Nova Scotia vacation.
Plus with the bountiful options of Nova Scotia seafood to accompany a glass of Seyval Blanc or Baco Noir, visitors will relish in the fruits of the region.
Rare Varietals Make Wine Tasting an Intriguing Nova Scotia Vacation
Particularly exciting for wine enthusiasts is that Nova Scotia cultivates distinct varietals—don’t visit for a wine tasting tour in Lunenburg County or the Annapolis Valley and expect to sip on Cabernets and Chardonnays! Instead, visitors will enjoy the rich, Beaujolais-style of Marechal Foch and the perfect complement to Nova Scotia seafood: L’Acadie Blanc.
Other uncommon varietals include:
- DeChaunac, a French-American hybrid
- Baco Noir, another hybrid grape
- Leon Millot, which is similar to Marchel Foch
- Seyval Blanc, a hybrid white grape outlawed in the European Union (according to the Oxford Companion to Wine) for the production of quality wine
A Nova Scotia Vacation of Wine Tasting in Lunenburg County and Digby
Lunenburg County features as one of the newer wine regions in the province. But that by no means makes the region a small player. Visitors will enjoy the French-feel of Petite Riviere vineyards, which is close to historic Old Town Lunenburg, and the fruit "u-pick" at Lunenburg Country Vineyards. The South Shore wineries to visit on a Nova Scotia vacation include:
- Petite Riviere Vineyards, Crousetown NS: On the banks of the LaHave River, this winery opened in 2005. Wine tasting is available when the winery is open, call (902) 693-3033 for details.
- Lunenburg County Winery, New Germany NS: This winery produces a variety of fruit wines ranging from peach to blueberry to rhubarb. Wine tours available and admission is free; call (902) 644-2415.
- Bear River Vineyards, Bear River NS: Situated further south in the Canadian scallop capital of Digby, visitors will enjoy the history and wines of Bear River Vineyards, (902) 467-4156. Here, the earliest history of Nova Scotia wineries stretches back to 1611 and a French settler by the name of Louis Hebert who planted vines in Bear River.
Unique Wine Tasting Tours at Jost Vineyards on Nova Scotia’s North Shore
Jost Vineyards sits on the Malagash peninsula on Nova Scotia's northern shore and close to Truro and New Glasgow—a region beckoning visitors to enjoy a seaside Nova Scotia vacation. The Nova Scotia winery is perhaps the most well-known in the province due to its award-winning ice wines and two generations of Nova Scotia winemakers.
Jost Vineyards also produces tasty fruit wines such as blueberry wine, raspberry wine, and even a maple wine. Free tours of the winery (1-800-565-4567) are available twice daily from mid-June to mid-September.
Enjoy a Nova Scotia Vacation of Wine Tasting Tours in the Annapolis Valley
The Annapolis Valley includes the greatest number of Nova Scotia wineries. Long a rich agricultural region producing plentiful apples, the Annapolis Valley also cultivates award-winning wines.
Nova Scotia wine tasting tours in the Annapolis valley include:
- Domaine de Grand Pré, Grand Pré NS: As Nova Scotia’s longest operating winery, Domaine de Grand Pré offers well-developed wine tasting tours on the Fundy Shore. The winery restaurant, Le Caveau, pairs the made-on-site wines with seasonal dishes.
- Blomidon Estate Winery, Canning NS: One of the few spots visitors can actually sip on a 100% Nova Scotian Chardonnay! Tours are available by booking first; call 1(877) 582-7565.
- L'Acadie Vineyards: The newest winery in Nova Scotia has already snagged a double gold medal at the All Canadian Wine Championships for its 2007 L’Acadie Star. Call (902) 542-8463 to visit the province’s first certified organic winery.
- Gaspereau Vineyards, near Wolfville NS: In the agriculturally rich Gaspereau Valley sits this Fundy Shore vineyard. The wine tasting tours will be a favorite due the winery’s many award-winning wines. Call (902) 542-1455 for details on readily available tours.
- Sainte-Famille Wines, Falmouth NS: Wine tasting tours span the winery’s diverse selection of wines. Phone (902) 798-8311 for details on tours.
Planning a Nova Scotia Vacation
Before heading to the Maritimes to enjoy a Nova Scotia vacation, visitors are advised to confirm wine tasting schedules with individual wineries. And for those looking for a slightly different tour, consider taking a Nova Scotia brewery tour.
Even if the visit falls outside of the season wineries open (generally May though October), be sure to order a glass or bottle of Nova Scotia wine during seafood feast at one of Nova Scotia's many quality restaurants.
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