The Annapolis Valley is known to have some of the warmest weather and richest soils in eastern Canada. It’s full of high tides, colourful farmland, and sweet, sweet wine, which was one of the main reasons for our visiting the area. Here’s what a full day touring and tasting through Nova Scotia’s wine country is like.
Luckett Vineyards
Our first stop was Luckett Vineyards. Unfortunately their power was out due to Hurricane Arthur, which was also the issue at every other vineyard we hit up. Fortunately, you don’t need to chill red wine. We came, we drank, we pretended to talk on the vineyards authentic red telephone box, which usually works, but again, the hurricane. The entire place was beautiful. And what a view! This region so reminded me of Tuscany with its gently rolling hills and colourful patches of farmland.
Is that a red phone box in the middle of a vineyard?
Road cows
On our journey to the next winery we came across a ridiculously good looking barn. When I hopped out of the car to snap pics of it, I saw these two cows munching away on the grass with their backs to me. I hollered at them “Hello moo moos! How are you?” — hoping to get more than a photo of a cow’s ass. They immediately looked up and turned towards me and stared straight at me. I was like “Woah.” I kept talking and they seemed to like it. So much that they began nuzzling each other. It was quite a moment. I’m like a cow whisperer. Or maybe more like a “crazy-lady who hollers at animals” person.
Some moo moos making a “Kiss Cam” appearance.
Fun facts from Gaspereau Vineyards.
Gaspereau Vineyards
After our cow encounter, we hit another popular vineyard called Gaspereau Vineyards. We didn’t dawdle very long at this one, but we did enjoy a few tastings and chatted with a couple we had just met at Luckett. They were also from Winnipeg. No matter where you travel, you’ll find the Winnipegger. It’s like we have honing devices. We left Gaspereau with a bottle of red called Lucy Kuhlmann and their estate rosé.
Blomidon Estate Winery
Our next stop, the Blomidon Estate Winery, couldn’t have been situated in a more perfect place. The grapevines backed onto the shores of the Minas Basin section of the Bay of Fundy. We enjoyed a few moments walking around the vines and soaking up the sun before making our way into the store and tasting their wares. We picked up a red called Blow Me Down and a sweet (almost too sweet) white called Tidal Bay.
After all that testing and visiting we ended up with six bottles and the onset of a packing headache.
The lovely view at Blomidon Estate Winery.
A vineyard with a Bay of Fundy view.
Fox Hill Farms
What do you do after drinking all that wine? Why, buy cheese, of course. Fox Hill Farms came highly recommended by pretty much every person we met so we had to make a detour to stop in. The store offered fresh dairy goodness. We picked up a brick of smoked gouda and a bottle of milk, which was sold in an old-fashioned glass bottle. We also left with gelato. Oh boy was it all so good.
Tangled Garden
Another foodie place that was highly recommended in the region was Tangled Garden. It was bursting with colourful jams, vinegars and liqueurs all made using their fresh garden herbs and fruit from local farms and vineyards. The entire place was whimsical and smelled delicious.
Wolfville
Staying in a secluded cottage at The Stella Rose B&B and watching the tides rise as we noshed on lobster poutine at The Port Pub rounded out our lovely stay in the valley.
An aerial view of the region taken on our flight back home. Spectacular place.
Flying over the Bay of Fundy on our way home.
Now, where’s that corkscrew?
Our wine haul.
Well written and vintagely captured. It was indeed a valley of goodness.
That comment is ripe and full bodied. 😉
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