Sipping My Way Through Nova Scotia
When people ask me what I did on my trip to Nova Scotia, I smile and say, “Oh, you know, just drank my way through the province.” And honestly, with views this stunning and wines this delicious, who could blame me? Over two days, I managed to hit some of the region’s most iconic vineyards, meet passionate staff, and even discover a few surprises (spoiler: there was a phone booth in the middle of a vineyard and I made a call!!). Buckle up—this isn’t your average wine tour.
Day One: Starting at the Top with Domaine de Grand Pré
My first stop was the legendary Grand Pré, where I was hosted by the owner herself, Beatrice Stutz. Talk about hospitality! Beatrice has that sparkle-in-her-eye kind of energy that makes you instantly feel like you’re sipping wine with an old friend. She walked me through the vineyards, and yes—I got to pop fresh grapes right off the vine. Let me tell you, there’s something deeply satisfying about tasting the raw fruit that eventually becomes the wine in your glass
I was so lucky to be there on their first day of harvest, I was sad that I didn’t get to be a part of harvest and pick the grapes but I did get to see the very first drop of l’acadie being carted into the winery and being put through the destemmer.
As if that wasn’t enough, Grand Pré sits very close to a UNESCO World Heritage site. So after sipping my way through their beautiful lineup, I was also standing on a piece of world history. It’s the kind of place where you half-expect a history professor to appear and give a lecture—but instead, you’re toasting to life with a glass of crisp Nova Scotian white in hand. Much better, if you ask me.
Next Stop: Lightfoot & Wolfville
Enter Steve Lee, the director of sales and marketing and my host at Lightfoot & Wolfville, who decided to up the ante on my adventure. He not only poured me their gorgeous wines but also handed me my first-ever oyster—fresh caught that very morning. Now, I’ll admit, oysters and I have never been formally introduced. But after a sip of sparkling wine and a slurp of briny perfection, I was hooked. It was one of those “where has this been all my life?” moments. Lightfoot & Wolfville is all about elegance meets East Coast charm, and I was living for it.
Day Two: Luckett Vineyards and a Red with Secrets
Day two began at Luckett Vineyards, where the vibe is equal parts whimsy and wow. Picture this: a bright red phone booth plunked right in the middle of the vines. Yes, it works. Yes, you can actually pick it up and make a call. And yes, I absolutely did. (No, I won’t tell you who I called—secrets are part of the fun.)
But the real showstopper was their “Buried Red,” a wine they literally age underground. Think of it as wine with a mysterious, subterranean edge. It was bold, moody, and just a little rebellious—basically the bad boy of the wine world.
Finale: Benjamin Bridge
I couldn’t end my tour without a stop at Benjamin Bridge, arguably Nova Scotia’s crown jewel of winemaking. I tried everything (yes, everything—no shame), and each sip confirmed why their wines have earned international buzz. But the detail that really blew my mind? They actually age some of their bottles in the ocean beds. You read that right—underwater wine. Suddenly, my wine fridge at home feels very basic.
The Takeaway
Nova Scotia might not be the first place people think of for wine, but it should be on that list. From oysters and ocean-aged bottles to vineyard phone calls and grape-snacking straight from the vine, it’s a wine region that knows how to keep things fresh, fun, and a little bit sassy. I came for the wine, but I left with friends, stories, laughter, and a new appreciation for this vibrant little corner of Canada.
So, if you couldn’t tell, I’m officially smitten with Nova Scotia’s wine country. The vineyards, the people, the history, the oysters (yes, I’m still thinking about them)—it all added up to an adventure I’ll be bragging about for a long time. I’m beyond excited to share more about this region and its wines, so next time you see me, don’t be shy—ask me all about it. Trust me, I’ll have a story ready.