Review: Grape Escapes Wine Tour

My brother and his fiancé were very generous this year and got me a gift card for a wine tour for my birthday back in April.

The wine tour company was Grape Escapes and they run tours all year round (probably covid dependent but what isn’t these days)

I finally cashed it in in October on my vacation to take in my own back yard of Wolfville. The tour guide was well informed of the area and it’s history- it was sometimes hard to hear her with the mask but again.. Sign of the times.

We hit up 3 vineyards:

1. Luckette’s Vineyard

2. Benjamin Bridge; and

3. L’Acadie

The thing that I enjoyed the most had very little to do with the actual wine tour- there was a sense of normal this day I hadn’t felt in awhile. Full vaccination was required because of course you can’t have a mask on while taste testing wine so you were just simply surrounded by 25 other strangers drinking wine, seldom mask wearing, pretending the world isn’t going bonkers just for a second. That was nice. Especially as I write this 99% of my holiday plans have been kyboshed due to Omicron… But I digress, I have little to complain about living in Nova Scotia through all of this.

First stop: Luckette’s Vineyard for wine and lunch.

We tried 5 types of wine, all whites (yay) and some had a sparkling touch which was very enjoyable. Lunch was very carb centric (no surprise- but also no complaints- I love bread)

Everything was well scheduled, we spend the most time here since we could eat, drink plus they had a shop to enjoy (that I bought a book from). There was also lots of time to get the iconic red phone booth photo.

Second Stop: Benjamin Bridge

I can not even begin to describe the beauty of this location, if I didn’t know better I’d swear we teleported to Italy. The valley plains were just incredible.

This stop we probably spend the least amount of time, it’s not a huge site but the wines were certainly delicious. I believe we tried 3- 2 whites and a rosé. All sparking as Benjamin Bridge is known for.

We got a small tour of their production which was neat but it was a little squish for so many people to be in there. (still need some personal space c’mon guys). Due to the small space this was probably my lesser favorite of the 3 stops but you still can’t beat that view.

Benjamin Bridge Winery

Final Stop: L’Acadie Vineyards

Another breathtaking site but this one more so for it’s architecture as opposed to the nature. These buildings are rich in culture and I look forward to going back and trying the restaurant out.

We had 5 different wines here and this was the first place that served reds (not my favorite) but my partner loved the dessert wine we got to try and we grabbed it from the shop before leaving the site (along with bacon jam)

Overall it was an enjoyable time, I do think however, if I do it again I’d attempt to arrange a private tour. As much as it was nice to feel like I was in a normal group setting it’s still nicer to be a part of your own “bubble” when laughing and sipping wine.

For the public event they used a large Coach bus and from what I was told a smaller more intimate van is used for the private tours which would feel a little less tourist-y.

Review: Local New Brunswick Wines

I drove and stayed in Saint John for a few days for work- while I was there I figured I would indulge in some local wines.

I headed for NB Alcool and grabbed the first store clerk I could find to direct me to the best local wines available. That poor girl didn't know what was coming....

1) "Verger Belliveau" a pear wine from Memramcook, NB.

The wine was sweet. smooth and fresh tasting. It went down like fruit juice without any issues. You could very easily enjoy this as a treat, with dinner, or at an event.

2) "Richibucto River" from Mundleville, NB

This wine was much more dry than my first choice, and also much more tarte. Better for someone who prefers their wine a little stronger and not with the personality of juice (I can be in the mood for either sometimes).

I found this was best combined with a meal, it's not sweet enough for a treat and a bit strong to sip on at an event.

3) "Dunhams Run Long Reach" made with honey from Kingston, NB

This bottle was SWEET I would even place it as more of a dessert wine to be frank. It has a very strong honey taste as was quite dry. I recommend one glass at a time as a treat with this one- it can get over powering very quickly.

The verdict:

3 nights, 3 bottles (I'm sure the hotel cleaners thought I was a lush... But after my experience with the hotel I'm not overly concerned of what they thought of me. My favorite of the 3 was definitely the Verger Belliveau- it's sweet and smooth personality made it perfect for a relaxing evening.