
The Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia is a renowned wine region, celebrated for our beautiful agricultural soil and systems Whether you’re planning a visit or wanting to make a move to the Annapolis Valley, hitting up a local winery is a must do. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the wineries in the area, plus a list of reputable local wine tour companies so you can safely enjoy the sampling.
Wineries with restaurants
Luckett Vineyards. Offering arguably the best views on the list, with its stunning panoramic views of the Minas Basin, Luckett Vineyards is known for its diverse wine selection and the iconic red British phone booth amidst the vines. This is great choice if you have people in your party who want good wines and others who want cool photos, and their excellent restaurant food selection is upscale casual.
Domaine de Grand Pré. As Nova Scotia’s oldest farm winery, Domaine de Grand Pré offers a blend of traditional and innovative wines, reflecting the region’s unique terroir. Their restaurant, Le Caveau, features local and seasonal items and they have an excellent brunch.
Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards. Emphasizing biodynamic farming practices, Lightfoot & Wolfville produces elegant wines that express the distinctive character of the Annapolis Valley. Their restaurant is heavily focused on local, seasonal food, so they have a limited menu in the winter, but a robust one in the summer and fall. Their wood-fired pizza is fantastic.
Benjamin Bridge. Renowned for its sparkling wines, Benjamin Bridge has gained international acclaim for its Méthode Classique sparkling wines. They have really pretty walking trails here but only serve small nibblies at the winery.
Planters Ridge Winery. Housed in a renovated 19th-century barn, Planters Ridge combines traditional and modern techniques to craft distinctive wines. They have a nice patio for enjoying their restaurant.
Avondale Sky Winery. Known for its unique history, Avondale Sky’s tasting room is a restored church that was floated down the river to its current location. Their restaurant has won Restaurant of the Year in years past.
Bent Ridge Winery. A small-batch winery and brewery, Bent Ridge offers a relaxed atmosphere with Italian-inspired cuisine to complement their wines, and a Latin-inspired menu.
Beaver Creek Vineyard. This winery in Lawrencetown (the Valley one, not the Lawrencetown outside the city) is a rustic and down-home-style place with a comfort food menu.
Wineries without restaurants
If it matters to you (it does to my wife, who doesn’t drink wine but loves food), there are no restaurants at the following wineries:
Blomidon Estate Winery. Blomidon Estate Winery offers a range of award-winning wines, including their acclaimed Crémant.
Gaspereau Vineyards. Specializing in Rieslings and robust reds, Gaspereau Vineyards provides a boutique wine experience in the heart of the Gaspereau Valley. A more traditional winery for sure.
L’Acadie Vineyards. Pioneers in organic winemaking in Nova Scotia, L’Acadie Vineyards is celebrated for its traditional method sparkling wines.
Mercator Vineyards. Situated near the historic town of Wolfville, Mercator Vineyards focuses on artisanal wines that reflect the local terroir (for those who don’t know, that’s the environmental factors that affect the taste of food and drink, such as the soil and climate).
Bear River Vineyards. Waaaay down the Valley in the picturesque village of Bear River, this winery produces a variety of wines in a unique microclimate.
Casa Nova Fine Beverages. Also in Bear River is Casa Nova, where you can explore the historic grounds and learn about the production process of their wines, cellos, and ciders.
Winery tour operators
To fully experience the Annapolis Valley’s wine offerings, consider these reputable tour operators:
Magic Winery Bus. Offering a set schedule or a hop-on-hop-off experience, the Magic Winery Bus transports guests to select wineries aboard a classic British double-decker bus.
Valley Wine Tours. Providing sommelier-guided tours, Valley Wine Tours offers curated experiences through various Annapolis Valley wineries.
Grape Escapes Nova Scotia Wine Tours. Specializing in daily tours from Halifax and the Annapolis Valley, Grape Escapes offers both group and private wine tours. Their Sip & Lunch tour is their most popular, and they offer winter tours (some companies don’t).
Wildgrape Tours. Focusing on intimate, guided tours, Wildgrape Tours provides personalized experiences through the region’s wineries.
Vintage Vino Tours. Offering tours in vintage vehicles, Vintage Vino Tours combines classic car charm with visits to select wineries. Why not have fun and dress up for this tour?
Finally, if you want a super custom trip, I’ve heard great things about booking with Annapolis Valley Travel for an affordable and flexible wine tour.