How to Spend a Covid Safe Weekend in the Prince Edward County This Summer

Your accommodation is booked and face mask ready for a weekend in Prince Edward County this summer! There are so many things to do and see (and taste!) in the County, but which are going to be the most fun and most safe? The County is welcoming tourists with all the covid precautions in place, so be at ease that you’re in safe hands whatever you choose to do. There are, though, particular wineries that have extra large spaced out tasting areas; restaurants that are taking patio reservations; and outdoor activities that are less busy. With these kind of places in mind, I’ve put together an itinerary for how to spend a covid safe weekend in the Prince Edward County this summer.

Friday

After you’ve arrived in the County and checked into your accommodation, head into Wellington to pick up take-out from La Condesa. They make delicious Mexican food – order to tuna tostada, you will not regret it! You can also pick up wine, beer and pre-made cocktails at the restaurant to enjoy alongside your tacos. And if your up for it, tequila freezies are available for dessert! Whatever you choose, make sure to call ahead to order and set-up a pick-up time. Then bring your La Condesa takeout to the Wellington Rotary Beach for a beautiful sunset dinner. The beach is free entry on weekdays.

Saturday

On Saturday morning, head back into Wellington. The earlier you go, the less busy it will be! Pick-up breakfast from Piccoilna Mercato or Hello Bonjour Cafe. Piccolina’s has all the Italian baked goods, but if you’re looking for something healthier choose from the many vegan and gluten free options at Hello Bonjour. Both have coffee! Bring your breakfast to the Wellington Park to eat overlooking Lake Ontario. The park has an amazing playground if you have kids, lots of picnic tables and access down to the water. Next to the park is the Wellington Farmers Market, which takes place every Saturday from 9am – 1pm. There are lots of local vendors to check out and lots of goodies to pick-up to enjoy later or take home.

Hopefully you’ve worked up an appetite, because it’s off to J.K. Fries for lunch. Jamie Kennedy and his team make the best fries! Everything is ordered outside the barn with lots of open space to enjoy your lunch in the most idyllic county setting. If you like poutine, trust me and order it – it’s unlike any poutine you’ve had before!

Now it’s time for some wine tasting! Start at Rosehall Run, who have a big outdoor tasting area overlooking the vineyard. You have to make a reservation for a tasting ahead of time, which means it won’t be too busy. Rosehall Run is known for their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, so definitely make sure to taste those. And I absolutely love their Pixie Sparkling Rosé! Next up is the fun Sugarbush Vineyards, where you’ll find an expansive outdoor tasting area with lots of well spaced out tables. This was the first winery I ventured out to after the lockdown last year! Sugarbush has a large wine menu that will satisfy both the red and white wine lovers. Whichever tasting you choose, make sure to try my favourite, the Almost Red. And last but not least is a brewery! Finish off your tasting adventure at Slake Brewing. Slake Brewing is a new brewery to the County that offers some of the best tasting (and best looking!) summer beers. Their large outdoor drinking area also offers some of the best views in the County!

After a busy day I’m sure you will be ready for a nice dinner at Sand & Pearl. Sand & Pearl serves up delicious seafood, local fish dishes and a daily selection of oysters. Sand & Pearl is open til 8pm and reservations have to be made ahead. Enjoy your dinner at one of the picnic tables in their large outdoor dining area at the back of the restaurant. They’ll likely have a large bonfire going around dinner time!

Sunday

On Sunday, head into Consecon for breakfast at the Honey House Cafe. Get the breakfast sandwich, you will not regret it! Just up the street from Honey House Cafe is North Beach Provincial Park where you can spend the day relaxing at the beach. North Beach has everything you love about Sandbanks, but is typically way less busy. The park offers a sandy beach with beautiful turquoise water set in a sheltered cove from Lake Ontario. On it’s other side is a sand beach on North Bay, with lots of shallow water great for kids. To guarantee your spot into the beach, book your day-use permit up to 5 days in advance of your visit using the new provincial parks reservation system. On your way out of the County, Tabersnack is a great place to fuel up before your drive home. There are lots of food options at Tabersnack, but their traditional poutine is my favourite!

Cheers!~GDW

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Wine of the Week: Foreign Affair Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2020

The Foreign Affair Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2020 is the perfect summer food wine. It pairs so well with a wide variety of foods from your lighter summer fare to your big barbeque dinners. Forget red wine with your steak this summer, it’s all about the big bold Rosé! The Foreign Affair Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé is a full-bodied dry wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes with a small amount (12%) of Appassimento Sauvignon Blanc grapes blended in. The result is a big juicy Rosé with bright flavours of strawberries, raspberries, cranberries and cherries. Enjoy the Foreign Affair Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé with your favourite barbequed meats like steak, brisket and burgers. It will also pair well with lighter foods like seafood, salads and cheese and charcuterie. The Foreign Affair Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé is exclusively available online through the winery for $21.95. If you’re interested in this delicious Rosé make sure to purchase your bottles now, because there are only 154 cases available of this small lot wine!

Cheers!~GDW

Wine of the Week: Malivoire Bisous Rosé

It’s officially summer time! I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with a bottle of local pink bubbles. I recently tried the Malivoire Bisous Rosé and it is so perfect for the summer season! Located on the Beamsville Bench in the Niagara Ontario Peninsula, Malivoire Vineyards is known for it’s sustainable and eco-centric approach to wine growing…as well as delicious Rosé wines. The Malivoire Bisous Rosé is a sparkling wine made in the traditional method from handpicked, estate-grown Pinot Noir grapes. It has big bright flavours of raspberry, strawberry and green apples. I enjoyed the Malivoire Bisous Rosé as an aperitif with sea salt chips and it was the perfect pairing! But it would also be really nice with fish tacos, chicken and veg skewers or creamy asparagus risotto. A very versatile wine for all your summer celebrations! You can purchase the Malivoire Bisous Rosé for $29.95 though the winery’s online shop. If you’d like to add on some additional Malivoire wines, I suggest the Vivant Rosé, Rosé Moira and Lady Bug. All the most perfectly pink wines for the summer season!

Cheers!~GDW

Wine of the Week: Muscedere Rosé

Muscedere Vineyards is a family owned and operated winery in Lake Erie North Shore, Ontario. They take great care in creating high quality wines, hand harvesting grapes from their 163-acre family farm. I recently had the opportunity to try some of the Muscedere wines, and while all were delicious, the Rosé (unsurprisingly) really stood out! The 2020 Muscedere Rosé is made from Vidal Blanc and Cabernet Franc grapes. It’s a medium-bodied wine with flavours of fresh Ontario strawberries and sweetly stewed rhubarb. There is just a touch of sweetness that is balanced nicely with a clean acidity. I enjoyed the Muscedere Rosé on it’s own, but it is very versatile when it comes to food pairings. Drink alongside spicy dishes, barbequed meats and fish, or summer salads. You can find the Muscedere Rosé through the winery’s online or retail shop for $17.20. They offer free local shipping (Windsor-Essex area) and on case orders throughout Ontario. If you’re making an order and want to try some other Muscedere wines I suggest the 2019 Sauvignon Blanc ($17.20), 2018 Riesling ($17.20) and the 2017 Cabernet Franc ($19.20).

Cheers!~GDW

Wine of the Week: Pelee Island LOLA Pinot Grigio 250ml

I love the regular Pelee Island LOLA Pinot Grigio, but the 250ml aluminum bottle is just extra special! This beautiful little bottle is perfect for the summer. Bring camping, to the cottage or to the beach. I particularly love to bring this fun bottle along on my evening dog walks! It’s also a great size if you just want a glass of wine and don’t want to have to open a whole bottle. The Pelee Island LOLA Pinot Grigio 250ml aluminum bottle is a dry, light and crisp white wine. It has refreshing flavours of lemons, limes, green apple and pear. Enjoy the LOLA Pinot Grigio with summer salads, seafood dishes and light pastas. Or, of course, with a straw all on it’s own! Your can find the LOLA Pinot Grigio 250ml aluminum bottle at the LCBO or the Pelee Island online wine shop for $5.45. Stock up and enjoy this beautiful wine all summer long!

Cheers!~GDW

Wine of the Week: Alvento 2019 South Wind Rosé

I abruptly stopped in my tracks at the LCBO when I first laid eyes on this beautiful wine bottle. How gorgeous is this fantasy goddess label?! The Alvento 2019 South Wind Rosé is one of four wines part of the Ontario winery’s WIND series. Each wine in the WIND series features a Wind Goddess to represent the cardinal directions and natural expressions of the wines. The South Wind Rosé is a medium-bodied dry wine with lots of juicy flavours. This Rosé is bursting with ripe flavours of strawberry, raspberry and cherry. Enjoy the South Wind Rosé chilled with summer salads, barbeque chicken or pork tenderloin. You can find the Alvento 2019 South Wind Rosé at the LCBO for $19.95. Or visit the Alvento Winery online shop to purchase all four of the WIND series wines. I will be running with the wind to get more of the delicious South Wind Rosé!

Cheers!~GDW

Wine of the Week: Redtail 2018 Sparkling Riesling

I don’t know what took me so long to try this popular sparkling wine, but I’m so glad I finally did! The Redtail 1028 Sparkling Riesling is a beautiful example of Ontario bubbly. Made in the Charmat method, the Redtail Sparkling Riesling has lots of depth, complexity and a lovely lingering mousse. You’ll find bright flavours of yellow apple and lemon meringue pie with a clean finish. I paired this wine with baked mac and cheese, but it can certainly be enjoyed on it’s own as an aperitif or with a weekend brunch. The Redtail Sparkling Riesling is on sale right now for $17.00 through the winery’s online shop. And trust me, after one sip of the Redtail Sparkling Riesling, you are going to want to stock up!

Cheers!~GDW

Wine of the Week: Spade & Sparrows Rosé

Kaitlyn Bristowe’s line of wine, Spade & Sparrows, is finally available in Ontario! Of course I had to try the Rosé first and it was definitely worth the wait! The Spade & Sparrows Rosé is an extra-dry light-bodied wine that is very easy drinking. Made from California grapes, this Rosé has bright flavours of strawberry, nectarine and rose petals. I also have to mention the beautiful rose gold label and prettiest pink colour of the wine! The Spade & Sparrows Rosé can be enjoyed all on it’s own, but will pair perfectly with sushi, summer salads or seafood linguini. If you want to try this Rosé (and I highly recommend that you do!), get it while you can! You can find the Spade and Sparrows Rosé at the LCBO for $22.95, but it’s only available at a select few locations. And the bottles they have is it for the year. So stock up and get ready to Rosé the days away with the beautiful Spade and Sparrows!

Cheers!~GDW

Wine of the Week: Pixie Petite Rosé Spritzer

The new Rosehall Run Pixie Petite Rosé Spritzer is the best wine from I can I’ve tasted. I’m obsessed! This isn’t too surprising since the Pixie Petite Rosé Spritzer is made from Rosehall Run’s popular pink bubbly, Pixie, a Vidal and Pinot Noir blend. Pop open a can of the Pixie Petite and you’ll taste a wine bursting with flavours of strawberry, peach and citrus with a pretty petite fizziness. Because the Pixie Petite is a spritzer there are some lovely added bonuses – only 150 calories, 7 grams of sugar and 5.5% alcohol. Absolutely perfect for beach days, outdoor adventures or hanging out in the backyard. And trust me when I tell you that the Pixie Petite should be paired with your favourite snack foods. I’ve been loving it alongside a big bowl of sea salt chips! You can find the Rosehall Run Pixie Petite Rosé Spritzer at the winery online shop and the LCBO for $3.95. An excellent price point for a premium wine spritzer locally grown and crafted in Prince Edward County, Ontario!

Cheers!~GDW

Wine of the Week: Lamarca Prosecco

As Ontario enters into it’s third lockdown, I find it more important than ever to celebrate the everyday small things. And a little bubbly is the perfect way to do that! I am really loving the La Marca Prosecco right now. It’s fun bubbles, beautiful blue label and great price point make the La Marca Prosecco perfect for springtime sipping. Made from the Glera grape in the Prosecco region on Italy, the La Marca Prosecco has bright fruity and floral flavours. You’ll taste big bubbles of green apple, Bartlett pear and ripe peach. I think the La Marca Prosecco pairs perfectly with spring brunch but would also be a nice accompaniment to seafood, sushi and light cheeses. Or, all by itself on a Tuesday night! You can find the La Marca Prosecco at the LCBO for $17.70.

Cheers!~GDW