Guide to a Romantic Summer Weekend in Prince Edward County

Prince Edward County is such a magical place. It’s the perfect destination for a couples getaway. You get the peace and quiet of the country combined with all the culture and activities the County has to offer. No matter what you do it will be a great weekend with your significant other. But there are some particular places that will add that touch of romance to your trip. Find these special spots in my guide to a romantic summer weekend in Prince Edward County.

Friday

Start your romantic weekend sipping wine in the vineyard at Broken Stone Winery for their Cinq à Sept. From 5-7pm every Friday evening, Broken Stone’s Cinq à Sept offers a featured wine (or wine of your choice) by the glass with a local hors d’oeuvres pairing and live music. You can reserve your spot ahead here.

After a very enjoyable happy hour, it’s time for a beautiful sunset dinner. Head up to The Miller House restaurant at Lake on the Mountain Resort. The Miller House has one of the County’s most picturesque views. And it’s especially gorgeous at sunset! They don’t take reservations, but it is worth the wait. Once seated, order some tapas, sip a glass of local wine (or beer from their brewery!) and soak in that gorgeous view. Your getaway is off the a great start!

Saturday

Saturday morning you’re off to Bloomfield for a lovely traditional breakfast at The Saylor House Cafe. The Saylor House Cafe has the cutest patio where you can cozy up at a small table and enjoy your breakfast together under the trees with the pretty morning sounds of the birds. The cafe uses all local ingredients and makes the most delicious scratch-made baked goods! After breakfast take a stroll through the shops on Bloomfield, and maybe pick up something to remember your trip. There are a few antique shops close by.

Your daytime activities are going to start with a honey wine tasting on the mead terrace at Millefleurs. Millefleurs is a lavender farm and meadery just outside of Wellington on the shores of Lake Ontario. You can stroll through their lavender fields and then enjoy a honey wine tasting on the beautiful mead terrace. Celtic tradition has it that mead brings success, happiness and fertility to a marriage!

For lunch, enjoy THE BEST pizza in the County at TerraCello Winery. Tony, owner and head winemaker, makes his wood oven Neapolitan style pizzas using all fine imported Italian ingredients. Enjoy your pizza with a glass of TerraCella’s handcrafted natural wine on the outdoor patio nestled between the vines. The food, the wine and the atmosphere will seriously make you feel like you’ve been transported to Italy!

End your day with a wine tasting and stroll through the sculpture garden at Huff Estates Winery. They’re currently offering a flight of three wines for tasting on their patio overlooking the vineyards. I love the Huff Merlot, and of course their Rosés. After your tasting, visit the Huff Estates Oeno Gallery Sculpture Garden. Meander through the paths of the 4-acre garden and take in all of the impressive installations. The Oeno Sculpture Garden is one of those special County experiences.

Make a reservation ahead for dinner at East & Main Bistro in Wellington. Try to get a spot on the patio – it’s so cozy and intimate. Perfect for a romantic Saturday night dinner! East & Main serves fine dining and luxury comfort food favourites using local ingredients. The menu is seasonal and always changing, but the dishes are consistently delicious. They also have a very extensive wine list with lots of local PEC options.

If you’re up for it, and I highly encourage it, spend your evening at the drive-in theatre. The Mustang Drive-In is so much fun! Cozy up in your car and enjoy a double feature under the County stars. And the snack bar is open for all your favourite classic movie snacks. The Mustang is only open until September 5, so get there while you can!

Sunday

The last day of your romantic weekend is going to be a memorable one! First, pick-up a picnic lunch for two from the Agrarian Market in Picton. You can reserve ahead by emailing or calling. Then head up to Waupoos for brunch at the new Stella’s Eatery location. The menu is seasonal and filled with locally sourced and foraged ingredients. You may want to pick up a bottle of wine for your next adventure. After brunch, you’re off for a romantic sailing cruise with County Sailing Adventures! The private cruise departs from Waupoos Marina and sails the crystal clear waters of South Bay. You can anchor at Love’s Cove for swim and to enjoy your picnic lunch. Book ahead – there is still some availability for this summer. It’s the perfect experience to end your romantic summer weekend in Prince Edward County!

Cheers!~GDW

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Guide to a Festive Fall Weekend in Prince Edward County

There is no better place to be in the fall than Prince Edward County! This is my second fall season in the County and I would not want to be any where else in the world. The bright foliage, harvest foods, quaint towns and seasonal drinks all combine for a truly magical time of year. If you’re making a trip to the County to enjoy this beautiful season, here’s my guide to a festive fall weekend in PEC.

Friday

Your first stop on the way into the County is going to be Campbell’s Orchards. This local farm market has the most delicious baked goods that you can pick-up to enjoy throughout the weekend (get the apple bread, you will not regret it!). To get all the Stars Hallow feels, check-in to one of the many beautiful bed-and-breakfasts in Wellington or Bloomfield. For dinner, catch a gorgeous sunset over the Bay of Quinte on the patio at the Miller House. If you can’t make it up to Lake on the Mountain, Midtown Brewing in Wellington is a great alternative. Try their popular wood fired pizza and new fall Seasonal Ale!

Saturday

On Saturday morning, head into Picton for a stroll through town. Pick up a PSL from Miss Lily’s Café and meander along Main Street to check out all the wonderful local shops. You’re going to definitely want to browse through The Ye11ow Studio for handmade pottery; Luna Boutique for a new fall sweater; and Coriander Girl for some bespoke blooms. Nothing like shopping endorphins to kick-start your day! For a spooky add-on to your morning adventure, head over to the old St. Mary Magdalene Parish Cemetery at Macaulay Heritage Park.

Then it’s off the spend the afternoon enjoying all the local wine, beer and cider the County has to offer. Visit Gillingham Brewing Company first – they have a large outdoor seating area set-up around a cozy campfire overlooking an idyllic country scene. You can order lunch here which comes from one of my favourite restaurants in the County, The Marans. And you must order their new fall beer, the Oktoberfest style ES Märzen Lager. Next up is Loch Mór Cider Company, because you can’t have a festive fall weekend without cider! Enjoy a flight under the trees with a locally made Cornish pasty. End your day at Karlo Estates Winery with a walk through their beautiful property (great photo op at the old bridge!), a glass of Three Witches white wine and sunset over the vineyards. Karlo often has live music on the weekends, so check ahead to see if you can catch some local musical talent.

A festive fall day like this must conclude with a delicious autumnal dinner! This dinner can be found on the beautiful heated patio at East and Main Bistro in Wellington. Their menu has all the delicious fall favourites like beef Bourguinon, Pinot Noir braised lamb shank and roasted vegetable curry. Yum!

Sunday

Sunday is all about the autumn antiquing! But first, coffee. Grab some caffeine at Bloomfield Public Market and stroll down the very Stars Hallow’esk main street of Bloomfield. There are lots of cute shops to pop into while you make your way to the first antique store, Dead People’s Stuff. Believe it or not, you will be ready for lunch at this point (there are so many distractions in Bloomfield), so stop into Saylor House Café. They have a cute patio for outdoor dining and the best comfort food in town – I’m talking grilled cheese and tomato soup kind of comfort. Then hop in the car and you’re off to some of my favourite shops! Browse through County Traders, MacCool’s Re-use, The Local Store, and Koopmans (not open Sundays but if you’re doing this on another day, definitely check them out).

As your festive fall weekend in the PEC sadly comes to and end, make one more stop on your way out. If you’re heading west, stop at Tabersnack for a delicious poutine and local beer. If your direction is west, check out the beautiful views at Three Dog Winery while you enjoy a glass of wine and wood fired pizza. In this final moment of your trip, soak in the autumn magic of the County and reminisce on all the fun memories you’ve made during your festive fall weekend in PEC!

Cheers!~GDW