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  • How to Do a Prince Edward County Wine Tour Without Driving ๐Ÿš—
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How to Do a Prince Edward County Wine Tour Without Driving ๐Ÿš—

A wine tour (or beer or cider tour) is an iconic County experience. But being the DD while your friends giggle into their bubbly can be a drag. Here’s how to book a tour and/or a guide who’ll help you discover handcrafted wines, inventively brewed beers, deliciously dry ciders, sweet and surprising mead, not to mention the spirits on offer at the distilleries.

PLEASE NOTE: COVID-19 containment measures are keeping us hopping โ€“ new announcements about whatโ€™s open are being made every day. Please call ahead to be sure activities are still available.ย Find essential COVID travel info here.

Hop on the bus! | Courtesy: Sandbanks Vacations & Tours

Let someone else do the driving

Cronkieโ€™s Tours Plus lets you set the route; they provide the vehicle and driver. They can accommodate from one to 15 passengers for a wine tour.

Prince Edward County Wine Tours takes you to four or five wineries on a half-day tour or seven stops for the full day tour. It’s more than just a ride, it’s an insight into the history of the region, the wineries, the grape growing process and what makes the wineries unique.

A wine tour with Sandbanks Vacations & Tours is led by guides who determine your wine preferences, then design a route to suit, taking in some of the The Countyโ€™s hidden gems.

Or have County vintages come to you. Sommelier Jay Whiteley will arrive at your door with everything needed to take you on a private wine tasting adventure in the comfort of your holiday home. He’ll lead you through a 90-minute tasting of six of The Countyโ€™s finest wines and share the stories behind the wines and the history of winemaking in The County.

RELATED: Summer 2021 Visitor Checklist

Go for something totally unique and book with Vintage Car Wine Tours. Sam Grosso’s been collecting classic cars for years – he’s got Lincolns and Chevys and Oldsmobiles from the 50s, 60s and 70s in classic and candy colours. Take the backroads in style!

A County Experience focuses on private, bespoke tours, exploring wineries, breweries, farms, artisanal cheese makers and great dining experiences. Guide Chris Pengelly will take guests behind the scenes, or bring the scene to them. He’ll also lead customized tastings in the comfort of your vacation accommodations.

The County Wine Tours takes in more than just wine. Focusing on the features of Closson Road – where you can find The County’s main concentration of wineries –ย  tours include stops at four to five wineries, a minimum of 12 samples and a stop at Prince Edward County Lavender and SHED alpaca farm. They can also do a wine tour by bicycle.

RELATED: Reserve Now, Relax Later

Zac and Luhana Littlejohn run a farm-based workshops focusing on culinary pursuits like the lost art of sourdough fermentation, but they also offer County wine tours that can be customized and come with an optional picnic to complete the day.

Half and full-day tours are offered at Tina’s Wine Tours, which includes visits to award-winning wineries to sample incredible wines and learn the history of wine-making and how grapes are grown here.

Sommelier Ian Nicholls leads County Sips tours, starting in Kingston taking in five County wineries. With a wine expert at the helm, you can expect to learn about The County’s terroir and what goes into produce an award-winning vintage.

Two wheels and a corkscrew

A bicycle tour can be one of the best ways to see The County and if you’re interested in a spin around Hillier‘s wineries, you can see and taste quite a lot without having to pedal too far. Greer and Closson Roads are the epicentre and Closson Road Cycles starts you off in the middle of things. You can do a self-guided tour moving at your own pace, or join a guided tour that will take you to three or four wineries.

Off to the wineries | Courtesy: The County Wine Tours

County Bike Rentals will bring the bike to you, and collect you when you’re done, taking the guess work out of how to get back to your accommodations. Rentals include a helmet, lock, light, map, water bottle and emergency road service, with folding bikes and mass rentals available for big groups.

RELATED: Insider tips for a Summer County Holiday

Bloomfield Bicycle Co. is a meeting place for cyclists living in and visiting The County, with group rides of varying skills offered throughout the week. Their website also has a wealth of information on cycling routes and they produce the hugely popular cycling map of Prince Edward County. In addition to bike sales, they also offer bike rentals from Bloomfield.

Ideal Bike in Wellington can get you outfitted with all you need for a self-guided cycling tour of The County, and can tune up any problems that might arise with your own set of wheels. They’re also a source for fat bikes, if serious trails or winter riding is your thing.

If the sound of a bicycle appeals, but not the actual pedaling, consider a hybrid electric bike from Pedego Prince Edward County. Pedal as much as you like or twist the throttle to add a bit of extra push and see as little or as much of The County as you like. An e-bike can help you get up the hills or the windy roads of Waupoos. There are 16 bikes available, including a tandem bike, and a lesson to be sure you’re competent/comfortable operating the bike. Their location is conveniently next to the newly refurbished Millennium Trail, which provides an off-road corridor to travel the entirety of The County.

If you’re looking for electric bike rentals closer to Sandbanks, East Lake Electric Bike Rentals and Sales has your back. Theyruns out of the old East Lake Canning Factory on County Rd. 11 just two minutes down from Sandbanks Provincial Park and they sell and rent speciality Daymak electric bikes and mobility scooters. They also offer weekly bike tours on Saturdays.

Just east of Wellington is Westlake EBikes, which rents and sells a variety of E-Bike types. Their rental bikes are designed to be comfy enough to use all day, and capable enough to go anywhere in PEC. The bikes can be booked via their website, and picked up next day or they can deliver them to where ever you would like to start your journey from.

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Cyclists share the road with vehicles, other cyclists, pedestrians and even tractors in our neck of the woods. Anyone operating a bicycle should take the same precautions as if they were driving a car when it comes to navigating the roads and alcohol consumption. Always wear a helmet, keep hydrated, obey the rules of the roadย and call your rental company or a taxi if you need a pick-up.

Actual horsepower

The County Carriage Co. offers wine tours viaย horse-drawn carriage, a scenic way to take in the beauty of the vineyards, shorelines and rich historyย of The County. ‘Nuff said.

carriage horse wine tours

Courtesy: The County Carriage Co.

Hail a taxi

Taxis can be chartered for a tour in advance – keep in mind that you’re in the country, so there’s really no such thing as “hailing a taxi” but taxi details are worth keeping on hand even if you’re headed for dinner and want a drink or two with your meal.

taxi tour wine transportation charter limo

Rick Marshall, the guy behind “Picton Taxi Guy” | Photo Credit: Trevor Crowe

Cronkieโ€™s Cab Companyย covers The County, as does Terry’s Taxi and Taxi Guy. They’re all familiar with the various wineries and can help you decide where to go.

Walk to the local watering holeย 

Staying in town? There are a few spots where you can walk to craft beverage businesses or even the nearby pub that carries County products and go on a virtual tour from the comfort of your table.

Cider slushies at Crimson Cider. Photo by Karen Palmer

In Picton head downtown to The County Canteen or Acoustic Grill for local and seasonal offerings of beer, wine and cider. Hartleys Tavern doesn’t disappoint with its wine list either! If you’re up for the 4km walk you can do a walking tour of Parsons / Prince Eddy’s / 555 Brewing Co. Black Prince Winery is on the western edge of town but worth the trek to nosh on their wood-fired pizza and try samples from Canadian Vinegar Cellars onsite. Off the Sandy Hook exit on our beloved roundabout you can stop in to The Waring House for a ‘County Sampler’ on weekends – reserve your spot! Or keep trekking for Barley Days Brewery. If it’s hot, reward yourself with a brain-numbingly cold cider slushie from Crimson Cider.

Local craft brew-pub The County Canteen | Photo Credit: Trevor Crowe

Those staying in Bloomfield can duck over to Matron Fine Beer to try what’s on tap or pick up takeout cans. Or get what’s local and on-tap at Flame + Smith or the Bloomfield Public House Market.

Anyone staying in Wellington is spoiled for choice with East & Main, La Condesaย and Drake Devonshire each highlighting locally sourced bevies on their menus. Bonus: Midtown Brewing Company is right in the centre of town.

—

Whether you’re getting to and fro via horse or your own two legs, remember that The County’s wine, beer, spirits and cider are about the terroir – not getting tanked. Refuel with plenty of water throughout the day, indulge in the wide variety of local eateries popping up at almost every winery/brewery, and don’t feel badly about not drinking the whole tasting flight – that’s what the spittoon is for. And never drink and drive.

Content updated May 2021

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visitthecounty

Visit The County is the DMMO for #PrinceEdwardCounty, a rural community bursting with creative talent & natural stunners.

Prince Edward County โ„๏ธ๐Ÿท๐Ÿฝ๏ธ๐Ÿ
๐Ÿ Maple in The County is back! ๐Ÿ Maple seas ๐Ÿ Maple in The County is back! ๐Ÿ

Maple season is in full swing and the celebrations in Prince Edward County will culminate in the long-awaited return of Maple in The County from March 25-26, 2023. Featuring 5 local sugarbushes and a host of local businesses, Maple in The County is a wonderful outing for the whole family. Come on out to tour a sap house, enjoy a pancake breakfast, walk through the maple woods, and so much more. Head to mapleinthecounty.ca for more information and to plan your Maple in The County route! 

Participating Sugarbushes: 

Sweetwater Cabin / Hubbs Sugarbush
Fosterholm Farms
Vader's Maple Syrup @vadersmaple 
Roblin's Maple Syrup @roblins.maple 
Loha Farms @lohafarms 

๐Ÿ“ท by Ramesh Pooran of the Wellington Times

#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #mapleinthecounty
๐ŸŒฑ Spring Countylicious ๐ŸŒฑ Countylicious is b ๐ŸŒฑ Spring Countylicious ๐ŸŒฑ

Countylicious is back for spring from April 12 - May 1, 2023! Come out to The County for three weeks of prix fixe dining at restaurants you know, love, and have been dying to try. Stay tuned as we reveal menus and gift card giveaway from all 16 participating restaurants: 

@flameandsmith 
@7numberspicton 
@bloomfieldpublichouse 
@555brewingco 
@parsonsbrewing 
@pastaonesta 
@theroyalhotelpicton 
@TheWaringHouse 
@DrakeDevonshire 
@MerrillHouse1879 
@JacksonsFallsCountryInn 
@BocadoPEC 
@MatronFineBeer 
@StellasEatery 
@HartleysTavern 
@waupoosestatesrestaurant 

Head to http://countylicious.ca/ today to start planning your Countylicious experience.

#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #Countylicious
๐Ÿ Maple & More ๐Ÿท Wondering what to do in Th ๐Ÿ Maple & More ๐Ÿท

Wondering what to do in The County this March? Check out our latest blog for a round-up of everything you can see and do this month, from indulging in maple treats at local sugar bushes and eateries with @maplemadnesspec  and @mapleinthecounty, to tasting wines at the inaugural ร‰levage: PEC Winter Wine Festival hosted by @pecwine , and everything in between. We've also included a preview of what you can expect next month (hint: it's de-LICIOUS ๐Ÿ˜‰).

Link in bio ๐Ÿ‘†

Image description: Sweetwater Cabin at Hubbs Sugar Bush, Maple in The County participant, taken by Karen Palmer. Above the image is a banner which reads "Experience Maple & More in The County this March." 

 #PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #MapleInTheCounty #MapleMadnessPEC #elevagepec #pecwine #MarchinTheCounty
๐Ÿท ร‰levage: PEC Winter Wine Festival ๐Ÿท Want ๐Ÿท ร‰levage: PEC Winter Wine Festival ๐Ÿท

Want the chance to tour through 7 Prince Edward County winery venues while tasting wine and cider from 21 local producers?

Want to experience culinary delights from local chefs that showcase the winter cooking techniques integral to Canadian food culture?

Join us for ร‰levage hosted by @pecwine on March 11-12, 2023 and celebrate winter in wine country.

For more information and to purchase tickets, head to the link in our bio ๐Ÿ‘†
โค๏ธ PEC is for Lovers โค๏ธโ  โ  Valentine's โค๏ธ PEC is for Lovers โค๏ธโ 
โ 
Valentine's Day is almost here! Whether you're spending the day itself in PEC or you're joining us for a romantic weekend getaway, there's plenty happening this weekend to help make for a memorable stay with your love (or your bff, we're here for platonic love too)! โ 
โ 
๐ŸŽ™๏ธ Enjoy Dinner and a Show on Saturday night at @KarloEstates with The Bees Knees, which includes a vegan meal and wine pairings, or start your weekend with Tasty Trivia โ 
โ 
๐Ÿ–ผ๏ธ Head to @oenogallery for their latest exhibition, "Conversations" and then have a conversation about your experience over a wine tasting @huffestateswine. โ 
โ 
๐Ÿฝ๏ธ This weekend, enjoy early Valentine's Day meals at @adegapec, @wandertheresort, @flameandsmith, @grangewinery, @7numberspicton,  @the_blue_sail_seafood_company, and @TheWaringHouse. โ 
โ 
๐Ÿง˜ Start your Valentine's Day weekend with a refresh at @bodymatrixpec with Acu-Detox+Yoga.โ 
โ 
๐Ÿซ Attend a chocolate-making workshop @shedchetwynfarms (limited spaces remain). โ 
โ 
๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿป Dance your way to Valentine's day on February 11 at @thewaringhouse and on February 13 at @stellaseatery. โ 
โ 
๐Ÿณ Go for brunch at @jacksonsfallscountryinn, @bermudapec, @parsonsbrewing, @karloestates, and many more delicious spots.โ 
โ 
๐Ÿง€ Have a cheesy day with a visit to @lighthallvineyards for Raclette Sunday. โ 
โ 
๐Ÿˆ If football is your love language, spend Super Bowl Sunday in PEC at @555brewingco, @princeeddysbrewing, and @thecountycanteen.โ 
โ 
โค๏ธ On Valentine's Day itself experience special menus at @bloomfieldpublichouse, @creekside_cafe_pec, and @theroyalhotelpicton. โ 
โ 
๐Ÿ“ท๏ธ Thanks to @OntarioTravel and @rto9_onโ 
Image Description: Two women, a couple, smile at each other while clinking glasses of white and red wine together at Adega in Consecon, PEC. โ 
โ 
#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
๐Ÿ” Burger it Forward ๐Ÿ”โ  โ  This month, enj ๐Ÿ” Burger it Forward ๐Ÿ”โ 
โ 
This month, enjoy the signature burger at four participating restaurants in Prince Edward County and do some good. With each burger sold as part of the #BurgerItForward campaign, @lovecdnbeef will donate will donate the equivalent of 1 meal to Food Banks Canada. โ 
โ 
๐Ÿ” At @creekside_cafe_pec in Wellington check out their Creekside Burger, a 4 oz Local Beef Patty with Caramelized Onions, Tang Sauce, Garlic Aioli, Bread & Butter Pickles, and Cheddar Cheese. โ 
โ 
๐Ÿ” Head to @theacousticgrill to enjoy The Acoustic Jam, a an 8 oz Angus Beef Patty with Fresh Tomato, Greens, Onion, Horseradish Mayonnaise, Roasted Corn Salsa, and Caramelized Onions served on a Toasted Bakery Bun.โ 
โ 
๐Ÿ” Head to @theroyalhotelpicton for The Royal Burger, which features a Canadian Beef Patty, Cheddar Cheese, Shallot Butter, Rosemary Ketchup, and Aioli.โ 
โ 
๐Ÿ”  And finally at @thewaringhouse you'll find The County Burger, an 8 oz 100% Brisket Patty topped with Canadian Cheddar, Crispy Bacon, Canadian Maple Syrup, Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Pickle and Homemade Chipotle Mayo Sauce served on a Brioche Bun.โ 
โ 
โ 
#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
โ˜•๏ธ Take a Coffee (or Cocoa) Break โ˜•๏ธโ 
โ 
It's a chilly one this weekend! When you need some relief from the cold, why not head inside for a bit of a winter warmer at a local cafรฉ! Luckily, The County has lots of options for you and your kiddos to get warm with a coffee, hot chocolate or tea: โ 
โ 
๐Ÿงธ Speaking of kids, if you have them you definitely want to head to @beaconbikebrew in Picton where their kid-friendly play area is perfect to keep them entertained while you relax with a brew. But thei cafรฉ menu is ideal for big kids too! โ 
โ 
โ˜•๏ธ Also in Picton youโ€™ll find @misslilyscafe, the @thebeancountercafe, and @LusoBites, where youโ€™ll find a whole host of delicious Portuguese delights (including pastel de nata!) alongside a large coffee menu. You can also pop into @theroyalhotelpicton for a warm drink alongside a memorable cannoli. โ 
โ 
๐Ÿซ– If tea is more your speed, donโ€™t miss @SavonDuBois, whose apothecary is sure to provide the perfect remedy to a chilly day. โ 
โ 
๐Ÿต Other spots to warm up throughout The County include @BloomfieldPublicHouse and @BloomfieldBeautyCo, @GOODPlacePEC, and @PiccolinaMercato and @demorestvillecafe_convenience. (Honourable mention to @ConseconHoneyHouseCafe who are currently hibernating like the bees, but will be back again soon.)โ 
โ 
Image description: A young child plays with toys on the kid-friendly green carpet Beacon Bike+Brew. Their mother is on the floor with him, coffee in hand. โ 
Image by OneLookโ 
โ 
#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #WinterinPEC
โ„๏ธ A Winter Bucket List for PEC โ„๏ธโ  โ  โ„๏ธ A Winter Bucket List for PEC โ„๏ธโ 
โ 
We're going to let you in on one of our best-kept secrets: winter in Prince Edward County. Sure, it's colder and quieter, but for us those are just added benefits that make for some unforgettable experiences. For the uninitiated that may need some convincing, so head to our blog to discover our complete bucket list for an incredible winter experience in The County.โ 
โ 
Link in bio ๐Ÿ‘†๏ธโ 
โ 
Note: this bucket list might not be accomplished in a single weekend getaway, but maybe that calls for making a PEC winter getaway a tradition. Or better yet, book a longer stay to enjoy a whole week of winter fun in The County. Discover unique and luxurious accommodations on our website at visitthecounty.com/stayโ 
โ 
โ 
โ 
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