*A big thank you to Tourism Nova Scotia for sponsoring my trip! I had a blast sipping my way through wine country.
Looking to explore Nova Scotia wine country, but want help planning your itinerary?
Then you’re in the right place!
The Annapolis Valley covers 528,000 acres in the northwestern part of the province and is Nova Scotia’s primary wine country.
Bordered by the Bay of Fundy to the north and the South Mountain range to the south, this fertile region is famous for its agriculture, particularly apples and vineyards—our focus for this guide.
What makes Annapolis Valley wines so special is the unique climate, with mineral-rich soils and cool coastal breezes from the Bay of Fundy. The result: fresh, crisp wines with a distinct maritime influence.
A standout feature is the region’s signature Tidal Bay appellation—light, aromatic white wines that reflect the province’s coastal terroir and are perfect for pairing with seafood.
Ready to sip your way through the Annapolis Valley?
In this guide, I’ll highlight top vineyards and wine tours, wine-focused restaurants and hotels, and tips for having an unforgettable trip to wine country in Nova Scotia!
Wolfville & Grand Pré: The Heart of Nova Scotia Wine Country
These neighboring towns are in the heart of the Annapolis Valley. And while both are gateways to some of Nova Scotia’s best wines, they have distinct histories and offerings.
Wolfville, originally a farming town, transitioned into a wine hub in the late 20th century as winemakers discovered the region’s fertile soils and cool climate ideal for growing grapes.
Today, Wolfville is a popular Nova Scotia road trip stop and has a lively and walkable downtown with sidewalks lined with shops, cafes, restaurants, and even cideries and breweries.
Just a short drive away, Grand Pré offers a more rural experience. Interestingly, the Landscape of Grand Pré is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its unique cultural and agricultural significance.
The landscape reflects the innovative 17th-century Acadian settlers who developed a system of dykelands to protect farmland from the extreme tides of the Bay of Fundy, which are the highest in the world.
These early engineering efforts helped create the fertile grounds that now sustain the Annapolis Valley’s vineyards and agriculture as well as the growing Nova Scotia wine industry.
Understanding Nova Scotia’s Tidal Bay Designation
Before we go over which Nova Scotia wineries to visit, it’s important to understand the concept of Tidal Bay, which is a designation created to highlight the province’s cool coastal climate and unique terroir.
Introduced in 2012, it refers to a specific style of white wine that must adhere to strict standards to be labeled as such.
These wines are fresh, crisp, and aromatic—often featuring flavors of green apple, citrus, and minerality from the maritime soil—and are designed to pair well with Nova Scotia’s seafood. Cape Breton lobster, anyone?
While each winery adds its own twist, every Tidal Bay wine reflects the essence of Nova Scotia’s coastal vineyards, so you’re truly drinking in local culture.
Best Grand Pré & Wolfville Wineries To Visit
Nova Scotia has over 20 wineries and vineyards, with at least 12 of them being located in the Annapolis Valley.
While the following list is not exhaustive, a few must-visit wineries in Wolfville and Grand Pré include:
Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards
Address: 11143 Evangeline Trail, Wolfville
🍇 Why visit: To enjoy delicious wood-fired pizzas paired with Tidal Bay wines and vineyard views.
One of the best wineries in Nova Scotia is Lightfoot & Wolfville, a family-owned winery where the Lightfoot family has been farming in the Annapolis Valley for eight generations.
Certified organic and biodynamic, the winery is known for its sustainable practices and stunning views.
A highlight of a visit is their onsite restaurant, where you can enjoy dishes like wood-fired pizza and Atlantic oysters while gazing out over the vines and the Bay of Fundy.
Their Tidal Bay wines are a must-try for anyone looking to experience Nova Scotia’s signature wines. They also serve local beers and ciders as well as non-alcoholic cordials from nearby Tangled Garden.
The winery offers lawn games and a happy hour from 3-5pm on select days featuring discounted wine and pairings like Bubbly White with tuna tartare.
In terms of tastings, you can order a flight at their restaurant or opt for a guided experience in their Tasting Room. Groups of less than 6 can walk in, while larger groups should make a reservation by contacting Lightfoot & Wolfville at [email protected] or 902-542-7774.
🍷 Perfect pairing: I had the Tidal Bay L’Acadie Blanc with a PEI clam pizza and it was delicious!
Gaspereau Vineyards
Address: 2239 White Rock Rd, Wolfville
🍇 Why visit: For delicious no-fee wine tastings and their beautiful outdoor patio.
Gaspereau Vineyards is a boutique winery housed in a charming red barn in the Gaspereau Valley, a river valley within the Annapolis Valley. It’s one of the area’s smaller wineries, which gives it a more intimate and cozy feel.
They make a mix of robust reds and crisp whites—including standout varieties like Riesling and Cabernet Franc, along with their Tidal Bay wines.
Something very unique about this Wolfville winery is they don’t charge a tasting fee, so you can sample your options before choosing a glass.
Their outdoor patio is the perfect place to sip while taking in views over the 35 acres of vines, or you can opt for a vineyard hike.
🍷 Perfect pairing: Enjoy their award-winning Riesling with a local cheese platter.
Benjamin Bridge Vineyards
Address: 1966 White Rock Rd, Wolfville
🍇 Why visit: In my opinion, this is the most stunning of the Annapolis Valley wineries on this list, and they offer lovely vineyard trails that take you to hidden areas of the grounds.
If you’re looking to pair stunning views with great wine, Benjamin Bridge is a must.
The winery is known for its traditional Méthode Classique sparkling wines that highlight the cool-climate terroir of the region, though they also have Tidal Bay wines and other varietals as well as non-alcoholic wines and spritzers.
You can sit at one of their patio tables or near the firepit, or stroll one of their onsite hiking trails. I did Trail #1, which led me along the vines and down to a picnic area with a rushing river lined with Adirondack chairs.
For a deal, they do a happy hour every Friday from 3-6pm that includes a discounted snack and wine pairing.
Additionally, Benjamin Bridge offers a variety of guided tasting experiences, which can be booked here.
🍷 Perfect pairing: While they don’t have an onsite restaurant, they offer bar snacks and seasonal dips. I enjoyed the Herb & Sea Salt Popcorn (made with their own garden-grown popcorn) with my 2023 Tidal Bay wine.
Luckett Vineyards
Address: 1293 Grand Pré Rd, Wolfville
🍇 Why visit: To sip Tidal Bay wines in a lovely location and to take fun photos in their red phone booth.
Known for its stunning hilltop location offering panoramic views of the Minas Basin, Luckett Vineyards is a family-run winery and vineyard blending natural beauty with sustainable winemaking practices.
One unique highlight of this Wolfville winery is a red British phone booth nestled among the vines, where visitors can make free calls within North America.
At their onsite eatery, Crush Pad Bistro, you can enjoy locally sourced dishes like steak salad and chicken pie paired with wine and beautiful vineyard views from the patio.
The vineyard also hosts events like live music and offers wine tastings and tours to learn more about their viticulture process.
🍷 Perfect pairing: Enjoy a glass of Tidal Bay with their seafood chowder made with local Nova Scotia seafood.
Domaine de Grand Pré
Address: 11611 Evangeline Trail, Grand Pré
🍇 Why visit: To sip delicious wine in their tasting room or at the onsite restaurant, particularly with their pairing menu.
Atlantic Canada’s oldest farm winery, Domaine de Grand Pré blends history with great wine.
Their Tidal Bay wines are a highlight, and you can enjoy glasses and tastings on their terrace or patio. Another option is doing their onsite Vineyard Walk through the vines to the Grand Pré View Park, which offers sweeping views over the UNESCO-listed landscape.
Note: The Grand Pré View Park is its own attraction, so you can also visit without going to the winery.
Domaine de Grand Pré is also home to one of Grand Pre’s best restaurants, Le Caveau, serving farm-to-table dishes that pair perfectly with their wines. Reservations are recommended if you plan to dine here.
Tours of the vineyard are offered daily at 4pm (on days they are open) and tastings can be enjoyed at any time in their shop. Groups of more than 6 can reserve a guided tasting slot by calling 902 542 1753 Ext 1.
🍷 Perfect pairing: While the tasting room doesn’t serve full dishes, they offer snacks. You can’t go wrong with pairing a Tidal Bay wine with their seafood-tasting platter!
Map Of The Nova Scotia Wineries
To help give you a lay of the land, this map has the above-mentioned wineries pre-plotted:
Annapolis Valley Wine Tours & Experiences
If you’d prefer to ditch the car completely, there are several private and group wine tours departing from Nova Scotia and Grand Pré:
- Magic Winery Bus. Explore the Annapolis Valley on a British double-decker bus, with a variety of itineraries offered, some of which also include cider and beer. The tours depart and return to Downtown Wolfville.
- Grape Escapes Nova Scotia Wine Tours. They offer a few different wine tours at different times, including a Wine & Lunch Escape and an Evening Escape. While they have set pickup locations, including Halifax, you can request to be picked up at your hotel on Monday-Friday tours.
- Vintage Vino Tours. For something unique and private, this experience includes being driven around the Annapolis Valley in a vintage car at your own pace. Since it’s private, their suggested itineraries can be customized to your liking.
Additionally, you can explore this Nova Scotia wine country through the various vineyard walks and cycling trails.
If you love events, time your trip to Nova Scotia wine country with the annual fall Devour! The Food Film Fest or the Nova Scotia Winter Wine Festival (sometimes known as the Nova Scotia Ice Wine Festival).
Winery Hotels In Wolfville & Grand Pré
If you’d like to truly immerse yourself in Nova Scotia’s wine country, consider staying overnight at a vineyard or within walking distance of one. Some recommendations include:
- The Inn at the Winery. Located right on the Domaine de Grand Pré vineyard in Grand Pré, the inn offers 6 comfortable suites and easy access to the onsite tasting room and Le Caveau restaurant.
- The Evangeline Inn. Just a 5-minute walk to Domaine de Grand Pré, your stay includes a spacious wine fridge-equipped room plus access to onsite amenities like a hot tub, indoor pool, sauna, fire pit, and the Longfellow Restaurant, focused on local ingredients.
- Blomidon Inn. Located in Downtown Wolfville, you’ll be able to able to easily walk to the wine tour pickup locations from this stately property—which also features a lovely outdoor terrace and a fine dining restaurant showcasing local ingredients and herbs from their garden.
Best Wine-Focused Restaurants In Wolfville & Grand Pré
For a delicious meal paired with local Annapolis Valley wines, check out:
- Lightfoot & Wolfville. I already mentioned this eatery above, but it really is one of the best restaurants in Wolfville, especially as you’ll enjoy salads and wood-fired pizzas paired with their own organic and biodynamic wines.
- Le Caveau. For a fine dining experience on a vineyard, this delicious eatery at Domaine de Grand Pré features elegant dishes like Hamilton Farm’s Trout and Seared Nova Scotia Scallops made with local ingredients. They also offer a 4-course tasting menu with wine pairing.
- Church Brewing Co. This local brewery also has a large selection of local Grand Pré and Wolfville wines, meaning you can try the best of both worlds. Plus, their pub fare showcases local and homemade ingredients.
Tips For Visiting The Annapolis Valley
To help make the most of your visit to wine country, let’s go over some important tips:
Know when to visit. The best time to visit the Annapolis Valley is between late spring and early fall (May to October), which aligns with the grape growing season. Mid-September through October is harvest season and offers the chance to see the vineyards in full production.
Check to see if reservations are recommended. This is especially true if you’re visiting in a group.
Have a designated driver. Driving with a blood alcohol level (BAC) of 0.08 or higher is a crime in Canada, so have a designated driver or opt for a guided wine tour. If you’re visiting solo, many wineries offer non-alcoholic wines, spritzers, and cordials that allow you to enjoy the vineyard vibes without imbibing.
Don’t miss out on local non-wine attractions. There are so many things to do in Wolfville and Grand Pré that go beyond visiting wineries and vineyards. A few ideas:
- Explore Acadian history at the Grand-Pré National Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Do a tasting and explore the art-filled gardens at Tangled Garden
- Take in beautiful views along the Cape Split Trail or opt for a scenic trail in Blomidon Provincial Park
- Drive up to the Blomidon Look-Off for an aerial view of the Annapolis Valley
- Pick apples and pumpkins at Stirling Fruit Farms
FAQ About Wine Country In Nova Scotia
Now that we’ve gone over where and how to enjoy the best Nova Scotia wine, I want to answer some frequently asked questions:
There are more than 20 wineries and vineyards in Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia is known for its signature wine, Tidal Bay, a crisp, aromatic white wine made from local grape varieties like L’Acadie Blanc, Seyval Blanc, and Geisenheim.
Yes, Grape Escapes Nova Scotia Wine Tours offers pickup in Halifax for their Wolfville wine tours.
No, Nova Scotia is a province in the country of Canada.
The main wine regions in Nova Scotia include the Annapolis Valley, the Gaspereau Valley (which is a sub-valley of the Annapolis Valley), the South Shore, and the Malagash Peninsula. Additionally, there is a small but growing wine region on Cape Breton Island.
Final Thoughts About Exploring Nova Scotia Wine Country
Whether you’re sipping a Tidal Bay on a vineyard terrace, learning about sustainable winemaking practices, or hiking among the vines, Nova Scotia’s wine country offers an unforgettable experience.
By exploring the best of Wolfville and Grand Pré, you’ll not only enjoy top-quality wines but will also immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and natural beauty of the region.
So plan your visit, raise a glass, and toast to the unforgettable flavors of Nova Scotia!