Weekend Itinerary for the Best Girl’s Summer Getaway in Prince Edward County

I used to make a trip to Prince Edward County every summer with my girlfriends and it was so much fun! Now, I love hosting my friends for girl’s weekends at our lake house in the County. We always make time for wineries, restaurants, the beach and a little shopping! There’s so much to do in the County, so it can sometimes be difficult to create a weekend itinerary. It was tough, but I’ve narrowed down what I think are the best spots for you to enjoy with your girlfriends this summer! Read on for my weekend itinerary for the best girl’s summer getaway in Prince Edward County.

Friday

On your way into the County, your first stop has to be The County Emporium! They carry everything to make your girls weekend the best. Pick-up matching rompers, local goodies and a few bottles of wine. Maybe even stay for one of their delicious wine slushes to get your weekend started!

If you have time before your accommodation check-in, head down the road to Redtail Vineyards for your first wine tasting of the weekend. Redtail has some of my favourite wines in the County! Definitely make sure to try their Rosé, Field Hand Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. They also make some really fun Piquette’s that are perfect to pick-up for the weekend.

I realize it’s difficult to get accommodation anywhere in the County this summer, but if you can book a room at The June Motel I think it’s the absolute best place to stay for a girls getaway! Friday night dinner will be at the popular Drake Devonshire in Wellington. It’s one of the only places to stay open kind of late in the County, so also stay for some drinks! You can now make reservations for indoor dining, or take your chances for patio seating. Either way it’s a fun vibe, great food and yummy drinks!

Saturday

Spend your Saturday morning in Picton. There are lots of great spots to get good coffee. You can choose from Beacon Bike & Brew, The Bean Counter, Miss Lily’s Cafe, or the Agrarian Market. If you go to the Agrarian Market, make sure to pick up one (or two!) of the almond croissants – they are the best! Enjoy your coffee and treat while browsing the stores on Picton Main Street. Some of my favourites include Books & Company, The Ye11ow Studio, PEC T-Shirt Company, Gilbert & Lighthall, Kelly’s, and City Revival.

Then it’s off for an afternoon of wine tasting! Start at Closson Chase for a wine tasting in the beautiful garden. Make sure to get a group pic with the fun purple barn! Enjoy a delicious lunch at their new restaurant Au Verre by The Marans (on of my favourite restaurants in the County!). Their menu has lots of vegetarian options and many Closson Chase wines to choose from. Just down the road, you’re onto the Grange of Prince Edward Winery next. They are not doing tastings this summer, but you can get a glass of Grange wine or a cocktail from the Old Salt Cocktails pop-up. Enjoy your drink overlooking the beautiful vineyards and property. A very instagrammable location for those wine country pics! Your last stop of the day will be at Hinterland Winery. Toast to your day with a flight or glass of sparkling wine!

Saturday night dinner is at The Lakeside Motel. And with the views and vibe you’re definitely going to want to stay for drinks! The Lakeside Motel is in Wellington and has a gorgeous patio with the best views of Lake Ontario. As the sun sets, the string lights come on and the DJ starts her set. A great place to spend a Saturday night in the County!

Sunday

Start off your leisure Sunday at Cape Vineyards with a picnic brunch. Their Sunday brunch picnic special comes with two sandwiches and a salad. Best part is the bottle of Gypsy Lola Sparkling Red or Cressy Sparkling Cider that’s included! Make sure not to miss their cute animals at the winery farm.

Spend the rest of your Sunday at the beautiful The Beach Club at Wander Resort. The Beach Club is located just outside of Wellington on a pristine 2 acre waterfront white sand beach. Purchase your lounge package ahead of time which includes access to daybeds, loungers and umbrellas. You’ll also have access to towel service, onsite snack purchase and kayak/paddle board rentals. And there is live music daily from 4-7pm. The beach is unlicensed but you can BYOB – the perfect opportunity to taste some of that wine you’ve purchased. I cannot think of a better way to end your Girl’s Summer Getaway Weekend in Prince Edward County!

Cheers!~GDW

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The 3 Wines I’ve Been Drinking all Summer

As the season comes close to an end, it’s time to drink all that summer wine! There are three wines this year that have become my wines of summer. Every Thursday I head to the LCBO and religiously grab the same wines for the weekend. Last weekend, my local LCBO was out of my red and I seriously felt lost lol! My wines of summer include a red, white and rosé – each versatile, food friendly and delicious on their own. I’ve been spending all my summer weekends in Prince Edward County, so these wines are also local to the County. With only a few weeks left this summer, you need to soak (or drink) it all in! Read on to find out what I’ve been drinking all summer.

Grange of Prince Edward Almanac Red

Made with Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Gamay this light-bodied red is perfect for summer. Serve slightly chilled and it’s a refreshing wine on it’s own, but also pairs well with all your summer dinner foods like pizza, meats and pasta. You can read my full review on the Grange of Prince Edward Almanac Red here.

Rosehall Run Liberated Chardonnay

This unoaked Chardonnay is extra-dry, light and crisp with flavours of green apple, lemon and pear. It does not get more refreshing than a chilled glass of the Rosehall Run Liberated Chardonnay on a hot summer day! It’s citrusy acidity also makes this wine super food friendly. Get my full review here.

Sandbanks Rosé

The Sandbanks Rosé was not only one of my wines of summer, but has become my summer water! Easy-going and fun, this wine has rich flavours of tangerine, raspberry and pink grapefruit. There’s a touch of sweetness, but it’s balanced out nice with a fresh acidity. Trust me, you can drink this wine all day long! My full review is here.

Cheers!~GDW

Ontario Winery Guide: The Grange of Prince Edward

The Grange of Prince Edward is one of my favourite wineries in Prince Edward County, Ontario. As you turn off the road and drive (or preferably bike) up the long driveway, you are met with the most picturesque country scene. Tall mature trees open up to a little pond sitting in front of a beautifully restored barn, all surrounded by rolling rows of vines.

Behind the Grange of Prince Edward Winery is the mother-daughter winemaking duo of Caroline and Maggie Granger. Back in 1974 Caroline’s parents bought a small farm in Prince Edward County. Years later, Caroline Granger moved back to her family’s farm,  transformed it into a vineyard and opened her winery in 2004. In 2010, Caroline’s daughter, Maggie, also found herself moving back to the family farm and joining the winery. Caroline and Maggie now together create beautiful wines that are an expression of their piece of Prince Edward County.

I recently had the opportunity to do a tasting with Maggie and try a lineup of wonderful Grange wines. The lineup included their new cider, 2016 Victoria Block Chardonnay, Pet Nat Sparkling Chardonnay, 2016 Pinot Noir and 2016 Cabernet Franc. All were so good! And can we talk about the beautiful labels?! I especially loved the Cabernet Franc, which you can read about here. The Grange wines see little intervention, as Caroline and Maggie like the county land to be expressed naturally through each bottle.

When in the county, the Grange of Prince Edward Winery is a must! I’ve now visited  in the winter and summer and both experiences were great. In the winter, the tasting room in the wood paneled barn with large stone fireplace creates the coziest atmosphere to sit and wine taste. In the summer, your wine tasting can be taken outside to the lovely picnic tables set up in the vineyard and enjoy delicious picnic lunch packed in a cute wicker basket.

From winter fireplace sips to picnic wine lunches in the vineyard, the Grange of Prince Edward Winery provides a memorable experience in the county. And then, of course, the wine! Beautifully expressing the county land, each wine is an unique example of the varietal. Caroline and Maggie Granger bring Prince Edward County to life in each glass that you’ll taste at this amazing Ontario winery.

Cheers!~GDW