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There are locations that sneak up on you. Locations you may not anticipate to resonate with till you’re immediately standing in the midst of them, glass of wine in hand, heat solar in your face, and considering, I might stay right here (effectively perhaps in the summertime). For us, that was Wolfville, Nova Scotia.
On the tail finish of our weeklong highway journey by way of this beautiful Canadian province (in partnership with Nova Scotia tourism), we landed in Wolfville for 2 nights. We thought it will be a enjoyable technique to spherical off our journey with a bit wine tasting and leisure. As a substitute, Wolfville drew us in with a lot extra.
The mixture of excellent summer time climate, a way of life that hums with the vitality of a college city but nonetheless feels laid-back, an agricultural area brimming with contemporary produce and world-class wines, and locals who radiate that uncommon skill to make you are feeling immediately at house – it was all too engaging.
It reminded us a lot of wine area dwelling again in Australia – the winery views, the relaxed tastings, the meals that celebrates what’s grown close by, and the overall ethos {that a} good life is lived in concord with nature, good firm, and good occasions.
When you solely have two nights in Wolfville, you’ll get a scrumptious style of all of it: wine, wellness, historical past, meals, and that intangible sense of pleasure that appears to float by way of its streets and vineyards like a breeze off the Bay of Fundy. Right here’s an itinerary of how we spent our two nights in Wolfville and the way you may plan yours. And because it’s solely an hour from Halifax, you too can simply go to on a day journey!
Be aware: Nova Scotia Good Cheer Path is Canada’s first and solely vineyard, brewery, cidery, distillery and Meadery path. Gather stamps by visiting a shocking wine area, attempting a craft beer tasting, sampling a cider or taking a distillery tour.
However first: Examine into Planters Ridge Vineyard
We arrived in Wolfville within the late afternoon, driving in from Lunenburg, simply in time to test into Planters Ridge, our vineyard house for the subsequent two nights. There’s one thing additional particular about staying proper at a winery, particularly in a area that’s rapidly changing into generally known as Nova Scotia’s “wine nation.”
We saved all our exploring for the subsequent day and spent the rest of the afternoon and night having fun with the fruits of this vineyard come inn.
Planters Ridge is housed in a superbly renovated 1864 farmhouse, perched amongst rolling vineyards with large valley views. Though we arrived simply on closing time, the workers warmly welcomed us as visitors of the inn.
A desk was ready on the patio, the place we might watch the solar spill its golden mild over the vines whereas sipping a flight of their premium wines: an unoaked chardonnay, a Riesling, and a pinot noir.
It was the right first style – actually – of why Wolfville is so beloved. We ordered forward for meals from the kitchen (a lot of gluten free choices) that we might get pleasure from on the patio.
We loved the contemporary flavors of salmon crostini – so scrumptious with the pineapple salsa on tip -, a grazing board, backyard salad with rooster, rooster sandwich with a facet of soup. All of this paired with a relaxing bottle of their Tidal Bay, Nova Scotia’s signature white mix.
Sitting on that patio felt like stepping right into a scene from house in Australia’s Hunter Valley or Barossa Valley. Relaxed, scrumptious, and downright dreamy.
Our farmhouse room was simply as inviting: trendy and splendid but grounded in its rural setting. Outsized loos with soaking tubs and walk-in steam showers, customized birch furnishings, heated flooring, and considerate touches like wi-fi telephone chargers and Netflix-equipped TVs made it onerous to depart. However the star of the present was the view — vineyards stretching throughout the horizon, the form of view you wish to get up to with a espresso in hand.
Professional tip: When you’re arriving late, you may at all times save the wine tasting for the subsequent day. As visitors, we popped again within the following afternoon for an additional complimentary glass (chardonnay for me) earlier than heading into city for dinner. Company obtain one complimentary wine!
Day One: Wellness, Lobster, and Native Flavors
Our morning started with artisanal breakfast at Planters Ridge — gluten-free granola and bread for me, due to their gracious hospitality — earlier than driving a 30-minute drive north to the Bay of Fundy within the Annapolis Valley.
Cease 1: Morning at Saltair Nordic Spa
Tucked down a brief drive alongside a dust highway above the shoreline is Saltair Nordic Spa & Wellness, a sanctuary that rapidly turned considered one of my favourite stops of our complete Nova Scotia highway journey.
The setting is sort of otherworldly: infinity-style cold and hot swimming pools overlooking the Bay, panoramic saunas with wall-to-wall home windows framing the tides, hearth bowls, and strolling paths by way of 14 acres of coastal woodland.
We began with a guided class known as All of the Feels, which wove breathwork, meditation, and mild teaching into the hot-cold-rest cycle of Nordic spa custom. It was the right technique to settle into the rhythm of the spa.
Over the subsequent three hours, we floated between steaming saunas, icy plunge swimming pools, mud masks, and silent leisure rooms the place the one sounds have been birdsong and waves.
When starvation struck, Saltair’s café — run in collaboration with a neighborhood chef — supplied contemporary snacks, espresso, and even a scrumptious gluten-free brownie that paired superbly with the view. Rumor has it they’re including on-site lodging quickly, and if that’s true, I’d return in a heartbeat. I’d return even with out it!
Learn our full evaluate of Saltair Nordic Spa & Wellness on the Bay of Fundy
Cease 2: Lunch at Corridor’s Harbour Lobster Pound
After such serenity, it was time for one thing quintessentially Nova Scotian: lobster. Simply west of Saltair is the tiny fishing village of Corridor’s Harbour, the place the tides of the Bay of Fundy rise and fall dramatically, leaving fishing boats excessive and dry at low tide earlier than lifting them dozens of ft again up once more.
The tidal actions listed here are the most important on the planet (rise has excessive as 54 ft with motion change averaging 11.6 m) – a truth I’ve identified since we labored at Kuri Bay pearl farm in Western Australia, house of the second largest tidal actions on the planet. So being on the Bay of Fundy was a particular expertise for us.
Besides… I clearly can’t learn a tidal chart as we arrived at excessive tide and missed the expertise! I suppose I actually do have to come back again now. (You’ll be able to stroll on the ocean ground twice in a day – so that you do have two probabilities to get it proper)
However we nonetheless loved a hearty lunch on the Lobster Pound and Restaurant, a well-liked spot to get pleasure from some contemporary native seafood. Craig’s lobster roll was contemporary and basic, whereas I attempted a lobster poutine — a decadent twist I didn’t know I wanted.
Confession: lobster has at all times felt a bit overrated to me, however there’s one thing about consuming it in Nova Scotia that feels nearly like a ceremony of passage. If you would like the complete “lobster within the tough” expertise, time your go to with low tide for probably the most dramatic views.
Be aware: The Nova Scotia Lobster Path highlights eating places, retail and fisheries which have a number of the freshest lobster dishes and lobster-related experiences in Nova Scotia. Â
Cease 3: Afternoon espresso and gardens
On the way in which again to Wolfville, we stopped at Simply Us! Espresso Roasters, Canada’s first honest commerce natural espresso roaster. Their Grand-Pré café served up a wonderful flat white — proof that Australia has skilled my espresso palate for all times.
Subsequent, we wandered the quirky grounds of Tangled Backyard, a labyrinth of overgrown herbs, sculptures, and flowers. It felt a bit wild and unkempt, however that was a part of its allure.
The proprietor transforms her harvest into jewel-like jellies, vinegars, and even liqueurs, and the entire place smelled like a therapeutic apothecary. When you’re brief on time, you may skip it, however backyard lovers will get pleasure from its eccentricity.
Cease 4: Wine and cider tastings
Again in Wolfville, it was time to dive deeper into what the area does greatest: wine and cider.
- Domaine de Grand Pré Vineyard – The oldest farm vineyard in Atlantic Canada, run by the Swiss-born Stutz household because the Nineties. Their wine flights showcased the range of Nova Scotia varietals, from crisp whites to daring reds, all in a convivial ambiance. Their on-site restaurant, Le Caveau, is world-renowned for positive eating if you wish to splurge on dinner.
- Annapolis Cider Firm – Whereas we’re not normally cider drinkers, we couldn’t resist stopping by after studying they’d simply gained Canadian Cidermaker of the 12 months. Their tasting flight included a Geneva crab rosé, a standard Gravenstein, and a hopped pear — mild, fruity, and surprisingly advanced. We sat on their out of doors patio watching downtown Wolfville hum with life. I appreciated the friendliness and cider ardour of the servers who shared the cider firms’ tales and ciders with us.
By this level, Wolfville had totally labored its allure on us. The small city buzzed however by no means rushed, and each dialog we struck up with locals appeared to finish in laughter.
Cease 5: Dinner in Wolfville
Downtown Wolfville is a energetic place to be of a night so price consuming at considered one of their many eating places.
An area favourite is Church Brewing Firm, set inside a restored stone Presbyterian church, which took me again to dwelling in London and visiting a couple of pubs in church buildings. The hovering structure, landscaped out of doors patio, and elevated pub meals made it a spotlight of the journey.
My maple soy-glazed salmon dragon bowl was each hearty and refined, whereas Craig declared his brisket sandwich top-of-the-line he’d eaten in Nova Scotia. Bonus: they typically host stay music, making it a vibrant night spot should you can time it.
When you’re after one thing extra intimate, locals raved about Juniper Meals & Wine., a comfortable, farm-to-table restaurant with a pared-down however beautiful menu. A tip given to us by the house owners of Nature People Nordic Spa in Halifax – extra on that later.
And should you’re not fairly able to name it an evening, head to The Library Pub, a comfortable tavern the place cabinets of ale change cabinets of books. We popped upstairs for stay music — they host bands on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays — and it felt just like the form of place the place conversations with strangers simply flip into friendships.
Day Two: Farmers’ Market and a Farewell Feast
Cease 1: Breakfast at Wolfville Farmers’ Market
On our closing morning, we headed to the Wolfville Farmers’ Market — and wow, what a group hub. Each Wednesday and Saturday morning from Waterfront Park, greater than 50 distributors collect right here with contemporary produce, meats, breads, cheeses, crafts, and ready-to-eat meals.
There was stay music and even a dance class throughout our go to, giving the entire area a joyful, communal vibe. When you’re the sort who likes to style your means by way of native specialties, don’t miss this market. You possibly can spend hours sampling jams, chatting with farmers, and filling a basket with picnic provides.
Cease 2: Downtown Stroll and Espresso
Earlier than leaving city, we wandered Wolfville’s boutique retailers. Market Common Retailers supplied artisan items, whereas Wild Lily was a classy clothes boutique price a browse. Take note of the road artwork as you wander the primary streets of Wolfville and it’s possible you’ll come throughout some stunning plant lined buildings like this one …
For one final espresso repair, we popped into TAN Espresso, a neighborhood roaster dedicated to honest commerce and sustainability. Their flat white was spot-on.
Cease 3: Lunch at Luckett Vineyards
We had saved top-of-the-line wineries for final: Luckett Vineyards. Perched on a hill overlooking the Gaspereau Valley, it’s some of the picturesque spots within the area.
A crimson phone field sits in the midst of the winery — sure, the basic British sales space — and you may even name anyplace in North America without spending a dime from it. Naturally, it’s turn out to be some of the Instagrammed spots in Nova Scotia.
We sat on the lined patio for lunch, and it was considered one of our favourite meals of the journey. My taco al pastor with braised lamb, pineapple, and roasted poblano was excellent, paired with a crisp chardonnay. Craig went for a shrimp and lobster roll, which he declared his journey favourite.
The wines have been very good, and we realized we’d really loved considered one of their reds earlier within the week with out understanding it. Even higher, we had lunch with very long time journey running a blog mates, Dalene and Pete Heck (who helped arrange this journey) and we lastly bought to fulfill in actual life and be taught much more about why this area of Canada is so particular they selected to stay right here!
It was the right word to finish on — bellies and hearts full, overlooking a valley that felt each rooted in historical past and brimming with chance.
Extra Strategies
By 2:30 pm, it was time for us to move to the airport. However should you’re something like us, you’ll already be plotting your return. We have been meant to go to lunch at Lightfoot & Wolfville, as beneficial by Dalene and Pete, however it was closed for a personal occasion. So, if you’re searching for one other vineyard to go to, this one’s additionally liked by locals!
If in case you have extra time in Wolfville, listed here are a couple of extras price contemplating:
- Wine Excursions: From the Magic Vineyard Bus (a hop-on-hop-off expertise by way of a number of vineyards) to chauffeured classic automotive excursions, there are lots of methods to discover with out worrying about driving. We met folks on the wineries on this tour having a good time.
- Grand-Pré Nationwide Historic Website: A shifting monument to Acadian historical past, telling the story of the 18th-century Deportation and celebrating the tradition that endures at the moment. Go to this web site to see completely different sights throughout the Panorama of Grand Pre UNESCO web site.
- Extra Wineries: Lightfoot & Wolfville, Gaspereau Vineyards, and Blomidon Property Vineyard are all inside minutes of city.
- Devour! The Meals Movie Fest: In case your go to coincides with this worldwide occasion, don’t miss it. It’s the most important competition of its sort on the planet, celebrating meals and movie facet by facet.
- Actual Scoop Ice Cream – In hotter months, the Actual Scoop is alleged to be the place to go to get award-winning scratch made ice cream
- Deep Roots Music Pageant – Happening on the finish of September, this competition is the most important annual celebration of tradition and heritage in Wolfville. It’s run by the City of Wolfville and Acadia College and is a charity occasion that includes stay music and community-focused occasions.
- Blomidon Look Off – A viewpoint in North Mountain with sweeping views of forests, Wolfville, and the Bay of Fundy within the distance.
Last ideas
Wolfville is wealthy in historical past. Simply outdoors city lies Grand-Pré Nationwide Historic Website, a UNESCO World Heritage Website marking the Deportation of the Acadians within the 1700s, a tragic chapter that formed the tradition of this area.
Right now, Wolfville feels just like the epicenter of renewal, a spot the place vineyards flourish, creativity thrives, and foods and drinks festivals draw guests from all over the world.
I’ll be trustworthy: earlier than this journey, Nova Scotia wasn’t on the prime of my journey record. I’d heard it was fairly, however I didn’t anticipate to fall so onerous. Wolfville, specifically, left us smitten. It was the right finale to our highway journey for its mix of wine, wellness, meals, historical past, and people intangible vibes that make you wish to linger.
From sipping Tidal Bay because the solar set over the vines, to plunging into icy spa swimming pools overlooking the Bay of Fundy, to chatting with mates in a sure wine model paying homage to house, Wolfville supplied us a style of life well-lived. And isn’t that what we’re all trying to find after we journey?
When you’re planning a Nova Scotia journey, make certain Wolfville is in your record. Keep two nights should you can — extra if attainable. As a result of when you arrive, it’s possible you’ll discover, like we did, that two nights simply isn’t sufficient.
