Guide · Food and drink

The Windsor-Essex Wine Route (2026-27): 13 Wineries Worth the Drive, and How to Plan the Perfect Day

Canada's most southern wine region is 35 minutes from downtown Windsor. Here's your 2026-27 guide to the Windsor-Essex wine route: the best wineries in Harrow, Kingsville and Amherstburg, what each does best, a ready-made day plan and how to visit in winter.

People in Toronto plan whole weekends around Niagara. Meanwhile, Windsor has more than 20 wineries in its own backyard, in Canada's most southern wine region, and most locals have visited exactly two of them. Usually for a wedding.

The region is officially the Lake Erie North Shore wine appellation, marketed as EPIC Wine Country (Essex Pelee Island Coast). Lake Erie keeps the area warmer than most of Canada, which is why you'll find bold reds next to crisp whites and icewine. It's also why the views are so good: half these places have the lake at the bottom of the vineyard.

The wine route at a glance

Harrow: the heart of the route

If you only have one afternoon, spend it here. A handful of wineries sit within a few minutes of each other along County Road 50, so you can visit three without anyone spending the day in the car.

• CREW (Colchester Ridge Estate Winery): a charming restaurant with a screened-in patio (no bugs, no regrets) and sunset views. The brisket sandwich has fans.
• North 42 Degrees: right next door, with Bistro 42, a view of the lake and a menu that does brunch and gluten-free well.
• Viewpointe: a huge property that rolls right down to the lakeshore. Go for the view; on busy weekends, expect a wait for food.
• Erie Shore Vineyard: small and family-run, no bells and whistles, just friendly tastings, icewine and bottle prices that make you buy a case.
• Oxley Estate: beautiful grounds and one of the best winery lunches around. The Lake Erie perch is the move.
• Paglione: the drive in feels like Tuscany. Wood-fired pizza, gelato, fire pits and you can even stay the night.
• Muscedere Vineyards: a family winery north of town with great reds, Vidal icewine and wood-fired pizza. The goats and chickens are a bonus.

Amherstburg: the beach one

Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery is the closest major winery to Windsor and has something the others don't: its own stretch of Lake Erie beach, with a beach bar in summer. Order a flight, then wander. It's also one of the most popular wedding venues in the county, so check for private events on Saturdays.

Kingsville and Ruthven

Head east and you can pair wineries with Kingsville's restaurants and shops. Cooper's Hawk Vineyards (on the way, on Iler Road) has The Vines restaurant and a kid-friendly area out back. Pelee Island Winery's mainland home on Seacliff Drive is the big, polished stop with knowledgeable staff and wine slushies in summer. Kingscoast has a full restaurant, Mastronardi has lovely vineyard views (closed Mondays and Tuesdays), and Aleksander in Ruthven lets you pick your own flight.

A ready-made wine day

1. 11:30 am, Sprucewood Shores: start with a flight and a walk to the lake.
2. 1:00 pm, Oxley Estate or Paglione: a proper lunch. You'll want food in you before stop three.
3. 2:30 pm, CREW: a flight on the screened patio.
4. 3:30 pm, North 42 Degrees: walking distance from CREW. One more flight, or a mocktail if you're driving.
5. 4:30 pm, Erie Shore Vineyard: pick up bottles for home at great prices, then head back to Windsor.

Visiting in winter

Wine country doesn't shut down in November. Most tasting rooms stay open year-round, though many shorten their hours in the colder months, and patios close. Winter has its perks: no crowds, cozy tasting rooms, holiday markets and icewine season. If you've only ever visited in July, a December afternoon with a glass of red by the window is a different (and arguably better) experience.

• Check hours before you go. Some wineries close one or two weekdays in winter.
• Rural roads near the lake can be icy and dark by 5 pm in December. Plan to drive back in daylight.
• Winery gift cards and mixed cases make easy holiday gifts. Many wineries ship within Ontario.

Getting there safely

There's no transit to wine country, and the county roads have no shoulders, so choose a designated driver or book a winery tour that picks you up in Windsor. Ontario's blood alcohol limit is 0.08, but you can face penalties from 0.05, and drivers 21 and under (and novice drivers) must have zero alcohol. Tasting pours are small, but four flights add up.

Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island sells an EPIC Wine Country Tasting Pass that covers four 1-oz tastings at each of six participating wineries, plus a discount. It's a good way to try several places on a budget.

Every winery on one map

Keep reading

• The 10 Best Date Night Restaurants in Windsor
• Point Pelee National Park Guide
• The 9 Best Italian Restaurants in Windsor, Ontario

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