6 Best Ottawa Wine Tours & Tastings in 2024
Are you looking for the best Ottawa wine tours and tastings?
I have lived in Ottawa since 2021 – and I can tell you – the local wines are really something else! It is no surprise that all tours have amazing ratings and reviews.
There is a great selection of different wineries offering wine tours and tastings near Ottawa, making it hard to narrow down the best one to visit.
To help you pick the perfect wine tour for your vacation in Ottawa, I have created this list with the 6 best Ottawa wine-tasting tours. This list should help you plan for your trip better.
My Top 3 Picks: Best Wine Tours in Ottawa
#1 TOP PICK
#2 PICK
#3 PICK
1. Full-Day Pontiac Wine & Cider Tour – Day Trip From Ottawa & Gatineau
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 7 hours | ✅ Book it!
This fantastic day trip filled with wine tours from Ottawa will teach you everything you need to know about the Pontiac region by offering a taste of the local products.
This unique wine and cider-tasting tour visits several different wineries in the Ottawa region. At the same time, the tour guide will offer you interesting information about the history and culture of the Pontiac area.
The Ottawa bus tour provider offers pickup from selected hotels in Ottawa and Gatineau before the official part of the tour starts.
The charming Domaine de Pontiac vill is the Ottawa wine tour’s first stop, where you can sample three different wines at the local, family-run winery.
Visitors can also tour an old car museum on the premises as an extra tour bonus experience.
The Little Red Wagon Winery is the next stop on tour. Here, visitors can sample two to three wines with some accompanied food.
“Brandon is definitely the man, he had plenty of water and wine for Sarah. I would strongly recommend this tour to anyone. 10/10.” – Jamal G. (Read more reviews)
Later in the day, you will visit the Cidrerie Coronation Hall Cider Mills, where you can sample some delicious apple cobbler and sweet cider.
Lastly, see the Vignoble les Collines winery in Luskville. You will be amazed by a scenic view over the Gatineau hills while sampling some delicious, rustic wine.
All in all, this winery tour from Ottawa includes everything wine lovers could dream of.
Location: Pontiac
Duration: 7 hours
Included: Lunch, Snacks, Wine & Cider Tastings.
Distance From Ottawa: Pickup from Ottawa Hotels included
🤩 Check Prices and Availability!
2. Domaine Perrault Vineyard – Sommelier Select Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 hours | ✅ Book it!
The Domaine Perrault Sommelier Select tour is undoubtedly a great experience for wine lovers and one of the best Ottawa valley wine tours.
The tour starts with a short presentation of the vineyard, where you learn about the wine-making process and enjoy the vineyard’s rolling hills.
After the vineyard tour, the sommelier will take you to the beautiful patio, where the tastings are held.
The Sommelier Select Tour includes the tasting of five of the winery’s most premium wines, including wines of the reserve. You can sample the outstanding Réserve Bernard or the delicious Cabernet-Sauvignon Merlot of the Domaine Perrault Vineyard.
The winery offers red and white wines so that you can experience variety. If you have a sweet tooth, you will enjoy the delicious Liqueur Du Vignoble, a rich dessert wine with tropical fruit notes.
“I would highly recommend Domaine Perrault. Everything about it was fantastic; the location, the accompanying food and of course the wine tasting. The staff were very friendly and extremely knowledgeable. There is also a shop on site so that you can take home your favourites. Who would have thought there is a vineyard just outside of Ottawa. I will be back!” – Gillian T. (Read more reviews)
For a well-rounded experience, the wines are accompanied by carefully paired cheeses and a mouth-watering charcuterie board.
The winery is located 30 minutes outside Ottawa. It is easy to reach by car and makes for a perfect trip.
Location: 1000 Perrault Rd, Ottawa, Ontario K4B 1H8 Canada
Duration: 2 hours
Included: 5 wines (2 oz of each pp), 3 pieces of cheese, charcuterie board, and bread
Distance from Ottawa: 30 mins
3. KIN Vineyards – Private Vineyard Tour and Tasting
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour | ✅ Book it!
The Private Vineyard Tour and Tasting of the KIN Vineyards will fulfill every wine lover’s dream.
KIN Vineyards is located in the heart of Ottawa Valley and was named Ottawa’s best local winery in 2022.
The tasting begins with a private tour of the vineyard and an explanation of the wine-making process.
You will learn about the different wines that they offer and about sustainable and organic wine-making. The focus of this winery is to produce wines via sustainable viticulture.
After the tour, you can participate in a tasting in the winery’s tasting room. From the patio of the wine-tasting room, visitors can enjoy an amazing view over the valley.
You can sample the award-winning estate Chardonnay and the super popular KINdling sparkling wine from their collection. They also offer visitors their Pinot Noir and the Pinot Noir Rtor.
The entire experience takes about an hour, and you can bring groups of up to 14 people.
Location: 2225 Craig’s Side Road, Carp, Ottawa, Ontario K0A 1L0 Canada
Duration: 1 hour
Included: several glasses of wine, cheese platter, charcuterie board
Distance From Ottawa: 30 mins
“We just moved over the summer to the area and I first discovered Kin wines at the Carp Farmer’s Market. Imagine my delight when I was told that their winery is less than a kilometre up the road from the market! Small and intimate venue with a lovely view and welcoming staff, my trip to the winery did not disappoint. I have returned several times and quite enjoy the Civil Grit Chardonnay (unoaked) and oaked Chardonnay 🙂 As someone who searches out both local/ sustainable and biodynamic/ organic wines due to a sulphite intolerance and personal preference, I am happy to be a returning customer of Kin Vineyard. As I said, we recently moved, and used to be close to Niagara. I had feared I would miss my trips to the biodynamic/ sustainable wineries there – nothing to fear – Kin Vineyards is my new fav!” – Iao214 (Read more reviews)
4. Vignoble Clos du Vully – Picnic at the Vineyard
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 hours | ✅ Book it!
What could be a more scenic experience than this picnic at the Vineyard experience at Vignoble Clos du Vully? This is such a memorable tour for anyone interested in an afternoon wine-tasting experience.
The winery prides itself on having 5000 vines growing on a clay-loam slope. You can find the winery and the wine shop in an old, renovated dairy barn.
Five different varieties of Ottawa wine grow on the property of Vignoble Clos du Vully. They sell wines of different ages in their shop under a brand called Etter.
“When I was visiting friends, Caroline Robitaille and Dan Williams, up in Ottawa this past November we went to visit Vignoble Clos du Vully on Sunday. Jan is an amazing winemaker and his passion for the art, and yes winemaking is an art, and the excellent product he makes. Caroline, Dan and I very much enjoyed his tour of his small production facility, and tasting his great wines. I cannot wait to go back to visit Caroline and Dan, and I can guarantee we will be visiting Jan too.” – Davec7784 (Read more reviews)
You can visit the winery for a wine and cheese tasting or a picnic at the vineyard. The wine tasting includes 6 different wines paired with cheese, dried fruits, local honey, and jelly.
The true highlight of the winery is the picnic at the vineyard. The staff will provide you with a lovingly prepared picnic basket. You can then choose a spot in the vineyard or sit at one of the picnic tables.
Your picnic basket will include a bottle of wine of your choice. You can choose from Cuvée Analie, Riesling, Cuvée Marie-Louise, the Frontenac Noir or Marquette, and more.
For the perfect pairing, the picnic basket will include a cheese platter for two and also a charcuterie board.
Location: 2501 Magladry Road Ottawa, ON, K4B 0H3
Duration: 2 hours
Included: 1 bottle of wine, cheese & charcuterie Board
Distance from Ottawa: 35 mins
5. Ottawa: Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2.5 hours | ✅ Book it!
The Taste of the Ottawa ByWard Market Food Tour is a great tour for culinary enthusiasts who want to learn more about Ottawa’s food & wine culture.
This Ottawa food and wine tour starts at the TOTEM POLE outside the Ottawa School of Art, where your local guide will explain the history of the ByWard Market, one of Ottawa’s most interesting neighborhoods.
The tour includes 6 different food stops. You will enjoy some savory delights at four of these stops, and the other two stops are reserved for desserts.
A tour highlight will be two glasses of local wine served with delicious food.
While this tour is less focused on the wine-tasting experience, your local guide will show you some of the best restaurants in the neighborhood and introduce you to the chefs and food artisans.
This tour provides a unique experience of smells, tastes, and culture. There is no better way to get to know a city than by trying out the local food with a fun group of like-minded people and an experienced local guide.
“Delicious food, animated guide, great experience. Highly recommended.” – Robert (Read more reviews)
A special treat will be a stop at the world-famous Beavertail stand. Here, you can sample deep-fried dough pastries in the shape of a beaver tail.
Overall, this tour is a great option for people searching for a combined food & wine tour in Ottawa.
Location: ByWard Market
Duration: 2,5 hours
Included: Food samples, 2 glasses of wine or beer, non-alcoholic drinks
🤩 Check Prices and Availability!
5. Jabulani Vineyard & Winery – Wine Picnics and Tasting Tables
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1.5 hours | ✅ Book it!
The Jabulani Vineyard and Winery is an amazing place for a wine picnic or wine tour near Ottawa.
The scenic winery is named after the Zulu word “happiness,’’ which is also their motto. The winemaker learned the process of viticulture in South Africa and has applied them to Ottawa land since 2006.
Today, the Jabulani Vineyard offers eight different varieties of cold-climate vines. The wines grow on 11 acres of farmland. By now, the wines are worldwide renowned and have won Double Gold for their Marquette Chete in 2015.
The winery hosts its tastings on a lovely tasting patio that can hold groups of up to 120 people.
Apart from traditional tastings, the winery also offers their guests wine picnics on their grounds.
Location: 8005 Jock Trail, Richmond, ON K0A 2Z0, Canada
Duration: 1,5 hours
Included: several glasses of wine
Distance from Ottawa: 37 mins
“This is a great place to spend an afternoon. Everyone is so friendly and you just get to sit and relax outdoors and taste great wine. I have been a few times and can honestly say that every wine that they make is fantastic! I try to buy at least 1 case every visit and wish I could buy more!” – Bruce M (Read more reviews)
Other Amazing Wineries Near Ottawa
Are you looking for more places to go wine-tasting near Ottawa? Apart from the fabulous wine tours of Ottawa listed above, there are still more wineries around the city that you can visit as well.
There are about 10 different wineries within about an hour of driving in Ottawa. Many of these places offer tastings and tours as well.
Here are some other great wineries around Ottawa:
- Vignoble du Chelsea (28 mins from Ottawa)
- Vignoble du Clos Baillie (28 mins from Ottawa)
- Les Vergers Villeneuve and Blueberry Farm (42 mins from Ottawa)
- Smokie Ridge Vineyard (50 mins from Ottawa)
- Green Gables Wines (57 minutes from Ottawa
- Stonehouse Vineyard (1 hour 05 from Ottawa)
- Vanleek Hill Winery (1 hour from Ottawa
- Vanleek Hill Winery (1 hour 07 from Ottawa)
- Stone Crop Acres Winery (1 hour 8 minutes from Ottawa)
How To Organize A Rental Car In Ottawa
Are you trying to figure out how to arrange transport to one of these great wine tastings near Ottawa? I’ve got you covered.
DiscoverCars offers reliable, cheap, and comfortable rental cars in Ottawa. Pick your favorite car, make a reservation before your trip, and enjoy complete flexibility during your vacation.
FAQs About Wineries in Ottawa
Does Ottawa have wineries?
Yes, Ottawa has several great wineries that offer tastings and tours for visitors. There are about 10 different wineries located within an hour of Ottawa. Some of the best wineries in Ottawa are KIN Vineyards, Domaine Perrault Vineyard, Jabulani Vineyard & Winery, Vignoble Clos du Vully, and the Little Red Wagon Winery. These vineyards offer some of the best wine tastings in Ottawa!
What wine is being made in Ottawa?
The top planted grapes in Canada are Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir.
Ottawa wineries usually make their wine from French American grape varieties. They use grapes like Vidal Blanc or Maréchal Foch, Marquette, Saint-Pépin or Frontenac Blanc, and Noir. Ottawa wineries produce red, white, rose, and sparkling wine.
How many vineyards are in Ottawa?
There are about 16 different vineyards near Ottawa, all within an hour of driving time from the city. The best vineyards in Ottawa offering tastings and tours in Ottawa are KIN Vineyards, Domaine Perrault Vineyard, Jabulani Vineyard & Winery, Vignoble Clos du Vully and the Little Red Wagon Winery.
What is the best vineyard in Ottawa?
The best vineyard in Ottawa is the Domaine Perrault Vineyard. Their Sommelier Select Tour is among the most highly-rated wine tours in Ottawa, and it includes a 2-hour tour and tasting of 5 different wines. KIN Vineyards and Vignoble Clos du Vully also count as visitors’ favorite wineries in Ottawa.
Conclusion
Ottawa’s wineries offer great culinary highlights for guests visiting the city. Many wineries in Ottawa provide visitors with an explanation of the wine-making process and let them try their best products.
Visitors trying to find a great Ottawa wine tour shouldn’t have any trouble booking an enjoyable experience.
From a great Sommelier Select Tour at the Domaine Perrault Vineyard to a Full Day Pontiac Wine & Cider Tour, everyone has a great option.
For a more intense culinary experience, the Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour will be your best bet.
Whichever tour you choose, you can taste some fantastic Ottawa wines and snacks and learn so much about the wine-making process in the region.
Make sure to also check out my 35 favorite restaurants in Ottawa to make your visit complete.
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- 6 Best Ottawa Wine Tours & Tastings
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Ottawa Travel Planning Guide
🚑 Should I buy Ottawa travel insurance?
100% YES! — There’s a misconception that Canada has “free healthcare” for everyone. Nope! Only Canadians. So you’ll need to get travel insurance to visit Ottawa. I recommend this one.
💧Can you drink the tap water in Ottawa?
Yes – ish — While you can technically drink the tap water in Ottawa, as a local I don’t recommend it. Old hotels especially can have some nasty things in their pipes. Instead, get a filtered water bottle. (Read more)
🚙💨 Do I need to rent a car in Ottawa?
Yes — Renting a car in Ottawa is one of the best ways to get around! You’ll be able to see more of the city and beyond, like the epic hiking trails. I recommend Discover Cars for the cheapest rates possible.
📲 Do I need to know French in Ottawa?
Nope! — The primary language of Ottawa is English. While French is also spoken and on some signs, you can easily get by without knowing any French. (Read more)
🏩 What’s the best way to book my Ottawa accommodations?
For Ottawa hotels, Booking is the best site. If you’re considering an Ottawa Airbnb, don’t forget to also check VRBO, which is often cheaper than Airbnb. My #1 hotel recommendation in Ottawa is the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.
✈️ What’s the best site to buy Ottawa flights?
For finding cheap Ottawa flights, I recommend Skyscanner. You can even set a price alert to find out when flights are on sale.
🎫 Do I need a Visa for Ottawa?
Likely Not — U.S. and most European Passport holders don’t need a Visa to visit Canada.
📍 Where is Ottawa? And what’s nearby?
Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, located in Ontario. It’s right on the border of Quebec. It’s about 2 hours from Mont Tremblant, 3 hours from Montreal, or 5 hours from Toronto. You can take a road trip to get to other places or fly.
