As the summer’s nearing, and you’re starting to think about what kind of vacation plans to put together, there’s one getaway that has the perfect combination of tranquil, and thrill.
Roughly an hour drive from Halifax, Nova Scotia, is Wolfville, in its own right a town that has everything for the gourmand, wide open spaces to explore, and a long list of one-of-a-kind distilleries to visit.
Start with Main Street, the centre of much action, where there are pubs galore, eateries, a supermarket and boutique shops.
There’s one experience you don’t find every day, and that is a local cidery tour.
The Annapolis Cider Company’s apples are grown in nearby orchards, and fermented into cider in downtown Wolfville. Stop by for a tour; enjoy a tasting for $15. The price includes a 30 minute cellar tour and a flight of ciders on tap, including two flagship ciders and their rotating Something Different Cider. The latter is infused with different flavors depending on season: From Peach & Peppercorn, Pink Pamplemousee, Melon Margarita, to Wine & Strawberry, each cider is unique, crafted in small batches and available for a limited time only.
Joey Courchesne, the on-site self-described “apple nerd,” and distiller extraordinaire, told me about this year’s vintage golden nugget and spy, that were fermented in two types of medium French oak. Their heirloom brew was fermented in chestnut wood. After tasting several ciders, I have to say I’m a fan now – I had no idea so many types and flavors existed in a cider!
Erin Haysom gave me a wonderful tour of The Church Brewing Company, which she co-founded, right off the main strip. They took an old church and turned it into a pub experience, and from time to time you can catch a live music show. Their signature craft beer was quite flavorful. An especially fascinating part of the tour was learning that old church pews as well as old bowling alley lanes were repurposed, for tables and furniture. It’s an all-ages place, as I saw families with kids come for dinner, and couples enjoying a drink together.
(Additional craft beverage attractions in the area include Paddy’s Brewpub, Horton Ridge Malt & Grain, Sea Level Brewing and the Wayfarers’ Ale Society.)
Also on Main Street is Redo’s Pizza, with comfort food such as delicious crispy chicken wings and on-prem made fresh pizza. It seemed popular among the university crowd and young professionals.
The Evangeline Inn, located just minutes from the Main Street strip, was recently renovated by entrepreneur Avram Spatz. Locals speak highly of the Inn. They must have put much thought into the bed, blanket, and pillow combination, because I melted right in and had the cosiest sleeps I can remember.
Amenities at the Inn include infrared sauna, outdoor hot tub, and indoor pool – so you don’t have to go very far to pamper yourself.
Part of the property is Borden House, built in 1858, the one-time childhood home of Sir Robert Borden, former Prime Minister of Canada. Borden House has five individual rooms, a covered veranda with lounge chairs, and a coffee room with a Nespresso machine and a wine cooler fridge.
The on-site restaurant, Longfellow, whose menu is a Maritime delight of local seafood, has a down-home diner feel. The food is everything it promises to be. The tuna tartare is a harmony of flavors, with Korean chili-lime vinaigrette, grainy dijon and horseradish aioli, and pickled vegetable slaw and mustard seeds. Everyone was raving over the “heavenly” Cod and Clam Chowder, with fennel, bacon, fingerling potatoes, and chives.
You can get your fair share of Atlantic treats, like mussels, haddock fish n’ chips with homemade tartar sauce, and lobster spaghetti – but you can also get a specialty “Longfellow” burger, with smoked white cheddar, crispy bacon, carmelized mushrooms, umami mayo, pickle and tomato. Quite lovely service, attentive staff – and the evening I was there, they also had Trivia Night!
Wolfville is for wine lovers, with eight wineries located within 10 km of the town’s centre. Domaine de Grand Pre Winery is one of the oldest wineries in the province, and home to one of the best winery restaurants in the world, Le Caveau. Make sure you speak to Beatrice Stutz of the former, and Jason Lynch, of the latter, and tell them Swagger sent you.
In the region there are 22 grape growers nurturing over 400 acres of vines, producing award-winning wines.
Additional wineries in the area to tour and taste are Blomidon Estate Winery, Gaspereau Vineyard, L’Acadie Vineyards, Luckett Vineyards, Benjamin Bridge, Lost Bell Wines, Planter’s Ridge, Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards, and Mercator Vineyards.
Your Magic Winery Bus or Tidal Bay Express Tour experience begins and ends at the Wolfville Visitor Information Centre on Willow Avenue for a 45-minute or hour of tastings. Or explore wine country with class and style with Vintage Vino tour: travel on your own schedule, with your very own chauffeured vintage automobile!
If you’re there for a weekend, enjoy a leisurely Saturday morning experience with year-round Wolfville Farmer’s Market, featuring dozens of vendors with produce, meat, dairy, breads, and prepared foods, as well as crafts from local artisans.
Whether you’ve spent your day sipping on unique ciders, exploring the rich tapestry of local wineries, or indulging in culinary marvels, Wolfville offers a blend of experiences that cater to the taste of every traveler. The charm of Wolfville extends beyond its food and drink; it’s in the warm welcome of its people, the stories embedded in its historical sites, and the breathtaking natural beauty that surrounds it.
It’s a place where every corner holds a promise of discovery, inviting you to slow down, savor the moment, and immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture.
It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best adventures are found in the quiet corners of the world, waiting to be explored.
Dave’s trip was arranged by Tourism Nova Scotia in cooperation with various industry partners.
