Prost! Cin cin! Cheers! Kanpai! Saude! However you say it, the Collingwood region has a place for you to toast. When you book a trip to the VanderMarck Boutique Hotel, jaw-dropping scenery awaits, including beautiful vineyards and exquisite wines.
Our luxurious accommodations allow our guests to indulge in the region’s finest offerings of select vintages, peaceful backdrops, and stunning scenery. The Collingwood area is absolutely bursting with things to do, see, and sample—our burgeoning wine scene is just the cherry on top of the cake.
Nestled within the stunning backdrop of the Blue Mountains and South Georgian Bay, our unique microclimate is extremely conducive to thriving vineyards. The winning combination of climate, sunlight, soil, and elevation leads to the production of exemplary vintages.
Here is a quick guide to the best spots to sip, savour, and enjoy the best of Collingwood wine country.
Georgian Hills Vineyards
Situated against the captivating backdrop of the Niagara Escarpment, the Georgian Hills Vineyards features a lovely outdoor patio overlooking the vineyard that grows the grapes that make the wine you’re drinking. This peaceful location is perfect for guests to unwind, unplug, and reconnect with loved ones over a glass of wine or two.
The boutique vineyard is well-known for its cool-climate wines, which can be sampled from the welcoming bar or tasting room or while snuggled around the cozy firepit. The establishment also offers other beverages if some party members are not quite as enthusiastic about wine.
Georgian Hills offers classes and seminars to help you fully understand the unique nuances of wine growing and tastes, should you wish to expand your knowledge while visiting.
Their menu is farm-to-table, perfect for sharing, and pairs beautifully with the wines on offer. This establishment also has provisions for larger groups, so if you’ve got a birthday or bachelorette party coming up, reach out to the venue to help you plan your special visit.
Coffin Ridge Boutique Winery
Coffin Ridge is synonymous with delicious wines paired with absolutely spectacular view – albeit a little further away. It’s a short hour to get there. The venue is situated within Grey County and features beautiful scenery of rolling hills. Guests are often dazzled by the truly stunning Instagram–worthy sunsets.
Coffin Ridge is a complimentary blend of boutique and rustic, so you’ll feel right at home in their tasting rooms.
They have a vast wine selection, and the tasting and pairing menu is delicious. The beverage selection includes local handcrafted brews, perfect for groups with mixed tastes and preferences.
If you happen to visit on a Saturday, the weekend special wood-fired pizzas are delicious!
The Roost Wine Company
The Roost Wine Company is as lofty and cool as its name suggests – a must-stop for any wine enthusiast. The winery is known for its acclaimed blends – specifically, its selection of sparkling wines and roses. In fact, their L’Acadie is one of our favourite white wines anywhere in the world – it “showcases flavours of citrus, melon and fresh cut hay, balanced with rich mineral undertones from the limestone beneath our hillside vineyard”. Sounds spot on.
It’s bright and crisp a perfect pairing the the northwesterly sunsets that make for a perfect evening, every evening.
This winery is dedicated to sustainability, which it demonstrates through its farming practices and eco-friendly wine packaging. The vineyard also offers seminars and discussions focused on their particular style of farming and how it benefits the environment and the end product.
Their tasting room is a reclaimed 19th-century barn featuring exposed rustic beams and soft and cozy furnishings. It is perfect for sampling a cheese plate and spending time with friends.
Grey and Gold Cider Company
Is it possible to tire of wine? Maybe not. But if you need a change of scenery and palette, head over to the Grey and Gold Cider Company for some delicious sparkling drinks.
The Grey and Gold Cider Company specializes in a unique wild fermentation process that features less human intervention and allows for a strong fruity finish with fewer sulphites – which is what you want when you’re trying to avoid that next-day headache.
Their menu of award-winning and critically acclaimed ciders is extensive, so get ready to sip and sample your way through many delectable brews. The Grey and Gold Cidery also features an extensive shop front, so you can take a bottle or a growler or two back to The VanderMarck to enjoy at night.
The bustling farm often holds events throughout the year that typically feature food trucks and local music. Keep up with their website and social media channels to ensure you don’t miss an event.
Bus Tours
If all of these venues sound too good to miss and you have an entire day to explore the region’s finest wineries, cideries, and breweries, then a bus tour might be just the ticket for your party. Plus, nobody has to be the designated driver!
The bus stops at all of the venues outlined in the guide, but admission, tastings and pairings, and lunch are already included in the bus ticket fee. This is the perfect low-stress way to handle the day, as all of the details will be taken care of in advance.
The bus, if booked for a private tour for just your group, can also provide door-to-door services, which is always a pleasant touch after a long day of exploring.
Don’t Forget the After Party
Once the tour is over and you are headed back to your suite at The VanderMarck, your night doesn’t have to end. There are plenty of local wine bars within walking distance if you are looking for dinner and a nightcap.
The town is packed with options for cozy dinner spots, and most venues feature local wines, beers, spirits and ciders.
If you’re ready to call it a night, you can always uncork your purchases from the day, relax, and unwind on a serene balcony.
If this sounds like the perfect trip for you and your crew, contact us today to book The VanderMarck. As locals, we are always available to help you book the best wine experiences the Collingwood area has to offer.