Pelee Island Winery (Kingsville)

Grapevines draped over archway at entrance to Pelee Island Winery

The Pelee Island Mainland Winery is located at 455 Seacliff Road (#20), Kingsville, Ontario (519) 733-6551.

Guided wine tours, retail wine store and gift shop. Open seven days a week. Call for tour times.

Wine Pavilion on Pelee Island (519) 724-2469, 1-800-597-3533. Open seven days a week from May to October 15. Guided wine tours, picnic facilities, family barbecues in wine garden, petting zoo and playground, restaurant. Call for their special events calendar. One and a half hour ferry trip from Leamington required, call (800) 661-2220 for rates and schedule. Wine tours $5.00 per person. Free tram ride from ferry docks.

The Monarch butterfly migrates from here South each year. One of the unique features of this winery is their beautiful wine labels featuring art of local flowers, birds, and the Monarch butterfly (on bottles of their Monarch wine).

The island is the Southernmost point in Canada and is the same latitude as Northern California. Award-willing wines are Pinot Noir Country Red, Fenian Cuvee and Vidal Icewine. My personal favorite is their Pinot Gris, look for it at your local LCBO store. Pelee Island

The mainland area of this wine region runs from Kingsville through Harrow and Amherstburg. Allow about 3 days to visit the entire region, if driving from Toronto. For more information on Lake Erie North Shore, visit the Southwestern Ontario Vintners Association site.

Grape Tree Estates

308 Mersia Rd. 3 Leamington Ontario 519-322-2081 Hours open to be announced. Located on the same road as Jack Miners and Colasanti's Tropical garden. The wines are to be made from varietals which are suitable to the Essex County region. These include Cabernet Franc, Merlot Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Expansion plans include a bed & breakfast, tourist oriented visitor and cultural centre and a restaurant. Touring and tasting information to be announced.

Colio Estate Winery

1 Colio Drive, Harrow, Ontario (519) 738-2241, (800) 265-1322. And 14 retail outlets across Ontario. Wines made here are internationally acclaimed. An upscale tasting area has been established by their new barrel room with hand-painted murals on the wall. This is the only winery that uses grapes from all 3 designated VQA areas in Ontario. Award winning wines include Riesling-Traminer, Pinot Gris, Blanc de Noir, Vin de Cure (made from grapes dried in a greenhouse), Ice Wine Chardonnay, and sparkling wine. Bulk wines are also made. Public tours and tastings available. Colio

LeBlanc Estate Winery

4716-4th Concession R.R.#2, Harrow, Ontario (519) 738-9228 email: leblanc@mnsi.net Seasonal store hours. Call for details. A cosy 22 acre operation growing Vidal, Riesling, Seyval Blanc, Pinot Blanc, and other experimental plantings. All wines are bottled and labelled by hand, and with the thumbprint of the winemaker on each bottle. A tented luncheon and barbecue area is available for themed breakfasts, lunches and other events in season. Platters of cheeses and baguettes can be purchased. Award winning wines are Cabernet Franc, Zweigelt, Auxerrois, and Pinot Blanc.

D'Angelo Estates Winery

5141 Concession 5, R.R.#4, Amherstberg, Ontario (519) 736-7959. Grows Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Baco Noir, Vidal grapes. Award winning wines in Cabernet, Pinot Noir and Marechal Foch, and Ice Wines. Vineyard picnics and Blues concerts in summer. Second floor terrace and tasting bar with panoramic view of the vineyards. Retail store faces barrel room. Tours are available.