Perhaps Ottawa isn’t as well known at other areas in Ontario for wine such as Niagara-on-the-Lake or Prince Edward County but there are still plenty Ottawa wineries that produce exceptional wine. Even if you don’t know anything about wine at all it can still be a fun activity to do with your friends.
Most Ottawa vineyards offer several sample size glasses of wine for just a few bucks, and it can provide 1-2 hours of entertainment. Best of all it will help you figure out which flavours you like, as you can compare and contrast them. I suggest if you find one you particularly love you ask to photograph the bottle. That way the next time you are at the LCBO you can look at the photo on your phone to recall the bottle you enjoyed.
If you are looking to do a wine tasting, explore vineyards and buy some bottles of wine to bring home look no further than these local wineries.
Ottawa Wineries
Domaine Perrault – 1000 Perrault Rd, Navan
Visit: Open 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Fridays-Sunday from June to December by appointment only.
Vignoble Clos Du Vully – 2501 Magladry Rd, Navan
Visit: Open Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tours or tastings can be arranged on the weekends.
Jabulani Vineyard and Winery – 8005 Jock Trail, Richmond
Visit: Open June until the first weekend in September. Tours 11:00 am – 3:00 pm Fridays-Saturday. Tours last 2 hours and include 10 wine samples accompanied by cheese, bread and fruit. The cost is $20 for the tour. Tastings are from Friday-Sunday 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.
KIN Vineyards – 2225 Craig Side Rd, Carp | Review Of KIN Vineyards
Visit: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 1 oz tasting for $2, a tasting flight of 3 wines of your choice for $5, or a glass of wine from $7-10.
Smokie Ridge Vineyard – 10090 Cameron Rd, Mountain
Visit: Open Saturday and Sundays until December from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Offers a variety of wine tastings including pairings with cheese, vegan cheese or chocolate. The basic tour and tasting costs $15 a person and includes a tour of the vineyard and winery and 5 wine samples.
Vankleekhill Vineyard – 3725 County Rd 12, Vankleek Hill
Visit: Open 7 days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Appointments are suggested. Tour samples cost $1
Le Vignoble Du Clos Baillie – 490 Chemin Baillie, Gatineau
Visit: By appointment only. Tour and tasting take 1.5 hours and you can try 7 wines. $5 fee per person.
If you are interested in craft beer, make sure to also check out my map of Ottawa craft breweries.