Archibald’s Estate Winery

Archibald’s Orchard & Estate Winery is a  fourth-generation family farm and fruit winery. The farm has been a wholesale operation since 1967. The farm has grown to include pick your own apples in 1983, the apple market, and fruit winery in 1997. From September to November is the apple season. From March to December the winery offers wines, non-alcoholic ciders, hard ciders, and many baskets and gift-giving ideas.

Fred Archibald has taken his hobby of making wine and made it into a commercial, successful business. His father was the Director of the Horticultural Research Station in Vineland where research in wine was an integral part of the Horticultural Products Research Laboratory. Fred had a connection to wine growing up in Niagara’s fruit belt and opened the doors to Archibald Orchards & Estate Winery. The winery had 8 selections and has grown to more than 20 selections.

Archibald is part of a supportive business community and works with Clarington Tourism, Durham Tourism, Central Counties Tourism, Clarington Board of Trade, Durham Farm Fresh Marketing Association, and Ontario Craft Cider Association.

In the fall it is worth visiting the apple orchards. The Pick Your Own Apples is a favorite among families. It is on a first come first serve basis. There is a minimum purchase of 20 pounds, which costs $40.  You can drive your car into the orchard, where the staff will tell you which apples are ready for picking. A sheet is provided with various varieties. There are 13 different kinds of apples available for picking. There is a no pet policy.

I have made the annual trek to Archibalds’s since  2004. They offer wine tasting. Due to COVID, it is offered outside in the afternoon.

The non-alcoholic ciders are delicious and my favorite is the Sparkling Sweet Apple Cider.

The long list of apple wines is delicious from Caramel Apple, Canadian Maple, Sweet Peach, Royal Raspberry, and Apple Black Currant. My favorite is the Spiced Winter Apple. This is an amazing dessert wine.

Archibald’s offers apple syrup, apple cider vinegar, apple jelly, apple butter mustard, apple butter BBQ sauce, apple pies, caramel apple dumplings, gift baskets, and a whole range of organic products.

Archibald’s is open Friday to Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM for in-store shopping. Wine tasting is outdoors on Saturday and Sunday from 1 Pm to 3 Pm. Archibald’s is located at 6275 Liberty Street North in Bowmanville, Ontario.