Sugarbush Vineyards & Winery Surprised Me
Located: 1286 Wilson Rd, Hillier, ON
Phone: (613) 399-9000
Located: 1286 Wilson Rd, Hillier, ON
Phone: (613) 399-9000
Prince Edward County is home to some of the best wineries in the province, and Sugarbush Vineyards & Winery is one of them.
This small, family-owned winery is operated by Robert and Sally Peck and is dedicated to producing limited-production premium wine.
Most of these artisanal wines can be found in the LCBO.
Main Features
- Dog-Friendly Winery
- No-Cost Wine Tours
- No Cost Tastings With Purchase
- Large Outside Seating Event Space
- Offer Light Lunches
- Picnic Area
- Real Maple Syrup
- Snowshoe Trails (winter)
- Sustainably Farmed
Estate-Grown Grapes and Limited Production Premium Wines
At Sugarbush Vineyards & Winery, the focus is on estate-grown grapes and limited production of premium wines.
The vineyard is located on a beautiful property in Hillier Deep in Prince Edward County wine country surrounded by grape vines.
The Peck family takes great care in growing the grapes, which are carefully tended to produce the finest small lot of artisanal wines they can offer.
A Passionate Winemaker In a Garage-Sized Winery
Robert Peck is the winemaker at Sugarbush Vineyards and his passion for winemaking is evident in every bottle of wine produced.
The winery itself is small, garage-sized, and produces only small quantities of wine compared to other wineries we’ve been to.
Their Wine List
This list can change as they sell out or offer new wines but at the time of visiting this is what was available.
2021 Petite PECk VQA – Fizzy. A Charmat method sparkling Riesling. Refreshing green apple, pear, and hints of lemon. Great minerality. An off-dry (brut) and crisp finish.
2012 Chardonnay VQA – Un-oaked. Tropical aromas of pineapple and melon. Mouth-wateringly fresh. Zesty citrus flavours, orange and butter at the front and a caramel finish.
2021 Chardonnay Reserve VQA – Just lightly oaked. Elegant aromas of passion fruit, orange, and sandalwood. Notes of vanilla, caramel and butter with a smooth, yet fresh, lively finish.
2021 Viognier VQA – This is a rare grape with aromatic orange blossom and a honeysuckle nose. Bright tropical flavours of tangerine and mango and a smooth finish.
2021 Gewurztraminer VQA – Aromatic with rose petal and lychee on the nose. A touch of sweet spice right at the end.
2021 Riesling VQA – With hints of pear and green apple with hints of apricot. A racy finish with steely minerality and a smidge of sweetness.
2021 Golden White – A unique blend of Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Chardonnay, taken to the next level. This blend has been infused with maple syrup. Bursting with aroma and flavour. Fresh and easy to drink.
2021 Almost Red VQA – Hints of cranberry, raspberry, and strawberry flavours. A nice fruity but off-dry finish.
2021 Pinot Noir VQA – Aromas of cinnamon and allspice mingling with accents of the forest floor. An enticing palate which is smooth and dry with a cherry and raspberry finish.
2021 Cabernet Franc VQA – A bold red with raspberry and hints of leather followed by juicy acidity showcasing red berry and plum. Nice tannins with a smooth finish.
Our Wine Tasting Experience
The tasting room at Sugarbush is the perfect place to sample some of the best wines in Prince Edward County.
We sampled a range of wines, including their Golden White and Gammay and we paid $7 for the flight.
The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting, and the staff is knowledgeable and friendly and gave us suggestions on what to taste.
A Tour of the Vineyard and a Behind-the-Scenes Look at Winemaking
Visitors to Sugarbush Vineyards & Winery can also take a tour of the vineyard and see firsthand how the grapes are grown and tended without any additional cost.
You’ll need to set this up in advance by appointment to ensure availability.
The tour includes a behind-the-scenes look at the winemaking process and provides a unique insight into the art of winemaking.
The Tasting Room And Outside Seating
The tasting room at Sugarbush Vineyards & Winery is set up on wine barrels inside but you can do tasting outside too.
The outside seating area has picnic tables and sun canopies to sit under.
We found the friendly staff were always willing to answer questions and provide recommendations based on our tastes.
Winter Activities
Yep, this winery is open all year round and offers you Snowshoe trails and warm outdoor fire pits.
A very unique experience for a date day where we wine lovers can relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings and have a glass of vino!
Other Wineries in The Area
Domaine Darius – Amazing Gammay Wine.
The Old Third Vineyard – Rustic barn winery.
Gillingham Brewing Company – Not Winery but some awesome craft beer right next door.
Broken Stone Winery – See my video from our visit here.
Have You Visited Sugarbush Vineyards & Winery?
If you haven’t experienced this winery I hope this helps you.
If you have been to Sugarbush then let us know in the comments below about your experience there.
