Raise a Glass to the Season: 14 Festive Spots to Sip in Style

Looking for a festive place to sip? South Eastern Ontario has you covered! Breweries, wineries and cider houses here are known for their creativity – and that extends out of the glass, too. Holiday ambiance is next level at some of the tasting rooms and tap houses. From sparkling lights to cozy winter vibes, discover 14 places to sip with atmosphere this season.

Lost Villages Brewery
This heritage-motivated brewery in Long Sault is a nod to the past but its present is holiday inspired, too! With eclectic murals in the taphouse, a window to see the brewery tanks hard in action and ample seating for thirsty patrons, LVB has become a community gathering place. Christmastime is no different – friends and family meet up here and it takes on a new holiday feel of a venue for reconnecting and celebration. Look for a new release on the horizon and holiday gift baskets here with merch, glasses and assorted LVB beers.

StoneCrop Acres
This winery in SDG Counties is open weekends from Nov. 30 to Dec. 22 with a focus on the holidays! Think hot seasonal comfort foods, ticketed concerts and fantastic wine. Take a break from preparations to sit back and get lost in a packed holiday season of music featuring Miss Emily with Christmas at the Winery on December 7. Next, feel the beat with Gail Gavan and Friends on Dec. 14, the annual Celtic Christmas Kitchen Party at the Winery on Dec. 15, and a String of Lights with Lynn Miles on Dec. 22.

Crimson Cider Company
With ciders like Crimson Crisp, Mull it Over and Mint to Be they are begging for a visit and shop for the holidays! Crimson Cider Company is located near Picton on the Loyalist Parkway in an intriguing grey stone heritage house venue that brings old fashioned holiday remembrances. Stop in to sip, learn and feel festive with lots of greenery adorning the bar area. Crimson Cider has been known to host wreath-making workshops, too!

Karlos Estates Winery
Like something out of a Christmas movie, the rustic and enveloping Karlos Estates fireplaces and iconic couches in Wellington make the holidays special. Every nook here is feeling cozy at this time of year, festive with greenery and sparkling like the wine. Karlos Estates’ wine lounge is the perfect meet up for wishing family all the best in the new year. What’s more, the wines here are thoughtfully made with old ways, so book in for a wine tasting and discover “heaven in a glass”.

Daft Brewing
Daft is always funky and non-pretentious, turning the holidaze into holi-yays! With loads of attitude, colour and a fresh and friendly vibe, Daft Brewing in Kingston is the comfortable Christmas place to reunite with your friends and share a pint while toasting to a new year.

Black Prince Winery
Whether you’re pairing a crisp white with your turkey or savouring a bold red by the fire, the collection at Black Prince in Picton has a special taste to complement the flavours of the season. The rustic barn is welcoming and intimate; be sure to try the unique gourmet Balsamic vinegar tastings, here, as well as the wood-fired pizza at Barrel House. Psst! They are in the Christmas giving mood early: until Nov. 30 you can try the new on-site 18-hole County Disc Golf Course free!

Vankleek Hill Vineyard
We spy all things festive! Open on weekends until the end of December, Vankleek Hill Vineyard is adorned with festive greenery and toasting to holiday cheer. Nestled on a 55-acre estate, the vineyard offers a serene and picturesque setting for visitors to explore while getting ready for the holidays. 

King’s Lock Distillery
Experience all the King’s Lock magic by visiting the distillery! Stop in for a behind-the-scenes tour and see firsthand how their organic spirits are created. Learn about sustainable practices, take in the process from grain to glass, and get a taste of the latest releases. It’s a perfect outing for spirit lovers looking to make the most of the season. We hear they have a maple pecan liqueur right now that is bringing the coziest tastes while the seasons change.

Meyers Creek Brewing
From the lightest lager to the darkest stout, this creekside brewery in Belleville has you covered. Everything here is made on the premises, in this renovated heritage space that feels extra cozy around the holidays. What’s more, Meyers Creek Brewing just released a warmth-inducing seasonal beer: Fireside Winter Warmer! A strong dark ale with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and orange, balanced bitterness with hints of dark chocolate and coffee – find it on tap and in cans to go.

Westport Brewing Company
This small-batch craft brewery is known for its good vibes and beautiful all-season lakeside views. Already decked out for Christmas, Westport Brewing Company is a fun stop for delicious beer, brewed right behind the bar, and that tight community feel that everyone craves during the holidays.

Arbru Solar Brewery – Winter Dome Experience
Arbru is brewing great beer – but also crafting a unique holiday memory: they are offering winter dome experiences! Enjoy wood-fired pizzas and beer in a cozy and decorated dome perfect for Christmas cheer with friends or family. This is a private experience as each dome fits up to six people and comes with a Bluetooth speaker to customize your fun!

Grange of Prince Edward County
 Pull up a chair fireside at this intimate space that’s all set to be the cozy yet elegant backdrop to your holiday season. Don’t forget that Wassail 2024 is going for the next three weekends: if you have a carol in your heart and you’re a little bold, they’re offering a complimentary sample of their mulled rose to toast the season!

Gather Brewery & Glassworks
This is a fun place to venture to not only drink some great beer, but to get creative! Gather in Merrickville is Canada’s only glassblowing studio and brewery, and offers private workshops to try your hand at glassblowing, celebrate the season and come together for an afternoon with a group of your friends or family that will leave you with fun memories, and a piece of beautiful glass art that you had a hand in creating. Essentially, you’ll make a glass ball under the expert guidance of an experienced glassblower. While you sip, you can also shop the unique glass treasures with everything from classy drinkware or eye-catching glass art. Do something different to celebrate the holidays!

Kingston Brewing Company
Walking in the doors of KBC instantly feels like home. That’s because you’ve probably been here before! KBC is Ontario's oldest and most legendary brew pub opened in 1986, brewing an incredible range of beers and ciders on site. The building dates back to the 1800s and the blend of brick and stone interior gives it a festive and comfortable atmosphere, like everyone’s favourite living room. From Dragoon’s Pale Ale to a Cranberry Apple Cider, this place is as authentic as it gets - especially for a time of homecoming.

Watch for some upcoming holiday releases from local breweries, wineries and cideries across the region!

Where will you sip during the holidays in South Eastern Ontario?