Drink it in! From Ciders to Cellars, a Fall Journey Through South Eastern Ontario
There’s a place in Ontario where the pastoral meets a picturesque playground, where the taste of tradition blends with crafted creations, and where a sip and bite tells the story of the region.
Welcome to South Eastern Ontario, a destination as rich in flavour as it is in experiences.
From Prince Edward County, to the Quebec border, from Cornwall to Kingston, and the heritage towns of the 1000 Islands and Rideau Canal Waterways, South Eastern Ontario is a region defined by taste and discovery.
Take Closson Chase Vineyard in Prince Edward County, one of the pioneers that put the region’s cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on the map. Housed in a restored dairy barn, its striking purple exterior is as memorable as its beautifully crafted vintages. The church on the property across the street was relocated from the Christ Church cemetery on Closson Road. The roof was designed by local mosaic artist Helen Boelen, inspired by the Hospices de Beaune. Closson Chase is a must-visit on any County wine tour, and now, many of its vintages can also be discovered at your local LCBO.
Just down the road, the rolling orchards of Loch Mór Cider Company offer a crisp and refreshing detour. This small-batch cidery celebrates Prince Edward County’s agricultural roots with a focus on heritage apples and natural fermentation. Find Loch Mor and other local producers on the new Ontario Craft Cider Trail. Along the way, you'll discover local restaurants and bars that proudly serve Ontario Craft Cider, paired with delicious farm-to-table meals made from the freshest local ingredients.
As your journey continues through the Bay of Quinte, you’ll find a region where craft brewing and local pride go hand in hand. Historic towns like Corbyville and Belleville are home to breweries that honour their roots while experimenting with seasonal flavours and small-batch techniques.
Fall is a great time to visit, with new releases on tap, inviting indoor spaces, and a community feel that turns every pint into a conversation. It’s a region that knows how to brew with purpose, and it shows in every pour.
READ ALSO
Every September, Hops on the Water Craft Beer Festival brings the flavour to Quinte West with a lively day of craft brews, tasty eats, and good vibes. It’s a top-rated, family-friendly bash that’s the perfect way to toast the start of fall. Cheers to that!
Take a scenic drive through Lennox & Addington County, where quiet backroads lead to tasting rooms tucked into historic barns, farm fields, and lakeside estates. Don’t miss MacKinnon Brothers Brewing in a striking red barn on an eighth-generation family farm, crafting beer with homegrown hops and barley. Nearby, Bergeron Estate Winery & Cider Co. pairs lakeview vines with limestone-rich soils, producing distinct wines and crisp cider, all served with warm hospitality.
READ ALSO
Plan a stop in Kingston, where crisp fall days pair perfectly with cool craft brews. This historic limestone city has carved out a name for itself in the Ontario beer scene, thanks to a vibrant mix of creative breweries, welcoming taprooms, and a true passion for the craft.
Whether you’re into bold IPAs, small-batch sours, or rich seasonal ales, Kingston’s breweries offer something for every kind of beer lover. Many are housed in unique spaces, such as converted garages and heritage buildings, and take pride in using real ingredients, inventive techniques, and a lot of local love.
Add a brewery visit (or two) to your fall tasting tour and experience why Kingston’s beer scene is worth raising a glass to.
Explore 5 Incredible Breweries to Visit in Kingston
Venture east along the St. Lawrence River into the 1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterways, and you’ll find something new brewing, The Bottle & Barrel Adventure Trail, a self-guided journey connecting breweries, cideries, wineries, and distilleries across scenic communities like Brockville, 1000 Islands Gananoque, plus Merrickville and Westport along the Rideau Canal. Whether you're touring by car or paddling through history, this trail is your invitation to sip local and meet the makers…Extraordinary, everywhere you go.
READ ALSO
Keep heading east, and the flavour journey continues. As you approach the Quebec border, the rolling country landscapes of Prescott-Russell offer a scenic backdrop for a relaxed wine and beer escape. Here, farm fields stretch into the horizon, and colourful Popsilos, towering farm silos transformed into vibrant, large-scale murals, dot the countryside, celebrating rural life through art. It’s the perfect setting for a slow-paced tasting tour through local wineries and brewpubs that reflect the region’s creative and agricultural spirit.
Further south in Cornwall and SDG Counties, the mighty St. Lawrence River provides a dramatic backdrop to another growing collection of local tasting rooms. These hidden gems offer a blend of urban energy and natural beauty, where riverside patios, creative brews, and bold vintages meet wide-open skies and warm hospitality.
Together, these experiences tell a story of South Eastern Ontario; one rooted in place, passion, and a shared commitment to quality. And the best part? You don’t need to travel far to taste it.
READ ALSO
This fall, discover the distinctive wines, ciders, and spirits of our region on the road and on the shelf. Look for selections from South Eastern Ontario producers at your nearest LCBO, or better yet, plan a tasting journey of your own.
Drink it in! South Eastern Ontario is waiting.
READ ALSO
