Happy Sunday, everyone! I hope you had a great weekend and sent the summer off in style. Even though we’re officially into autumn now, we still have a few weeks of nice weather left before we welcome that Canadian chill. This is actually one of my favourite times of year, weather-wise. It’s still sunny and warm enough to enjoy outdoor activities, but the dreaded humidity and thunderstorms that often accompany summer heat become a thing of the past. Plus, the slight dip in temperatures is a great excuse to break out some of those transitional wardrobe items! (Around this time of year, I always start getting bored with the same old sundresses I’ve been wearing all summer.) There’s still plenty of time left to enjoy some fun outdoor activities before the big chill arrives, and if you’ve been following this blog for a while, you probably know that one of my favourite things to do outdoors is enjoy some wine at a local vineyard. And if you’re a winery fan like me, you’re in luck, because I happen to have an especially fabulous one to share with you today!
This winery is actually one that Tania and I visited last summer, but I never got around to sharing the photos on the blog (better late than never, I suppose!) Cornerfield Wine Company is located in the picturesque cottage town of Bayfield, situated along the shores of Lake Huron in Huron County. Although everyone typically associates Ontario wine country with Prince Edward County and Niagara-on-the-Lake, there are so many amazing wineries located elsewhere throughout the province. (Case in point: St. Thomas’ Quai Du Vin, which we recently visited.) And as much as I love both PEC and NOTL, I highly recommend that my fellow wine lovers venture outside of familiar territory, because our province has so many hidden gems to explore. Plus, you’ll usually find that the further away you get from these wine country hotspots, the fewer the crowds and lower the prices… talk about a win-win!
Cornerfield Wine Co. is a family-owned and operated winery that was established by the Durand family in 2015. Their five-acre vineyard sits on land that’s been used for farming for the last 175 years (and owned by their family for the last 40.) The region’s unique terroir, combined with the land’s rich agricultural history, helps the Durands produce the complex, well-balanced wines they’re known for.
Last summer on a day trip to Bayfield, Tania and I stopped into Cornerfield to enjoy a tasting, and we were thoroughly impressed by the experience. Their quiet, secluded patio is surrounded by beautiful gardens and has an amazing view of the vineyards. An adorable, very friendly golden retriever was wandering around the patio the entire time, keeping things in check.
There’s a cute white camper van parked outside where you can order tasting flights, wine by the glass and charcuterie to enjoy on the patio. A flight includes four pours of your choice, and is served in the coolest standing holder. We tried The Farmer & Frenchman White (a seven-varietal blend spearheaded by Frontenac Gris and Frontenac Blanc), the Riesling, the Pale Red Rosé and The Last Furrow Sparkling White. All the wines we tried were delicious, but I particularly enjoyed the Riesling (fruity but not overly sweet) and Sparkling White (crisp, light and refreshing.)
Cornerfield also serves charcuterie boards made with food from local small businesses. We got a small board for $11.95, the perfect size for two to share. It included cheeses from acclaimed local cheesemakers Gunn’s Hill and Mountainoak, cured meats from Metzger and Cedarvilla Angus Farms, assorted crackers, grapes from Masse Fruit & Vegetables, and chocolate and licorice from Sweets N’ Treats. If you’re on the hungrier side or are visiting with a group, you can get a large board for $19.95. Tania and I loved the charcuterie offerings! We thought they were so reasonably priced, and loved that the food was all locally sourced.
The day we visited, Cornerfield was playing host to the Blue Hens Market, a travelling market featuring products by local artisanal makers. We had a fun time checking out all the beautiful handcrafted items for sale – and the dog did too!
Cornerfield is open to visitors Mondays and Thursdays from 12-5, Fridays and Saturdays from 12-6 and Sundays from 12-4. Their patio will remain open through the end of October, weather permitting. On October 21, Cornerfield is hosting a Fall Harvest Dinner, where chef Peter Gusso from Goderich’s Part II Bistro will treat lucky diners to a gourmet three-course meal paired with Cornerfield wines, for just $100 per person (HST included.) Click here to reserve your seat – I can only imagine this event will fill up fast!
Do you have any off-the-beaten-path Ontario wineries you love? Please let me know in the comments, or send me an email – I’d love to hear your recommendations!