Essex County Wine and Dine

One of the special outings that my hubby and I enjoyed a few times this summer was heading down the highway to the shores of Lake Erie.

If you're not from around here, then let me quickly introduce you to Essex County, the southern-most part of Ontario. We are made up of  roadside farm stands, bountiful wineries, bike trails, greenhouses and natural beauty all surrounded by freshwater lakes and steeped in history.

The north shore of Lake Erie is home to several wineries which benefit from the longest growing season in Ontario. The warm summer heat, combined with the cool lake breeze, allows for a bountiful harvest of robust grapes and full-bodied wines.

In this post, I will highlight two wineries that I particularly enjoy for the atmosphere and wine selection. However, I would recommend making the trip and deciding for yourself!  The summer months are particularly full of opportunities to head to the county for a festival or special event. In addition, many of the wineries offer complimentary wine tastings and if you are up for adventure you could join a wine tour! (See below for websites)

Viewpointe Estate Winery is definitely on our list of favourites because of their wine selection and picturesque setting. I tend to enjoy wines on the sweeter end of the spectrum, and so the Viewpointe Auxerrois, keeps us coming back time and again. They also serve dinner on Friday nights and lunch throughout the week, so we love to go and enjoy a relaxed meal on their patio.
Check them out at: http://www.viewpointewinery.com/

Who can resist this view!

A newer winery to the scene is Oxley Estate Winery a converted farm land, complete with barn! I had heard word of this winery several months ago, and sampled some of their offerings at the local farmer's market, so I knew we had to go! They too have a restaurant which serves lunch on the weekends and dinner on Friday and Saturday, so we took a little jaunt out to Oxley a few weekends ago. We were pleasantly surprised by the variety of wines, modern yet rustic feel and adorable patio area where we could enjoy a glass with dinner.
Check them out at: http://www.oxleyestatewinery.com/

Though the weather is starting to grow cold, the wineries are still open for business. Many have fall-themed events, so check out their websites and Facebook pages for updates.

For more information on the area and wineries, check out this website: http://winecountryontario.ca/lake-erie-north-shore-pelee-island/

If you love to hop on your bicycle and travel through the countryside while stopping for a sip along the way, then a Wine Trail Ride is for you! Check out the amazing bike tours by WindsorEats: http://windsoreats.com/wineride/