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 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.

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Ontario’s wine regions are a haven for enthusiasts and casual sippers alike, offering a delightful blend of scenic landscapes, rich history, and exceptional wines. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a weekend retreat, or simply seeking to explore the local terroir, visiting a winery can be a transformative experience. From the sun-kissed vineyards of Niagara to the charming estates of Prince Edward County, each winery tells its own story through its wines, architecture, and hospitality.

I have compiled a few rules to help you enjoy your trip to a winery.

A majority of wineries are owned by families who put their hard work, love, and expertise into managing the vineyard. The families take great pride in their wineries, and you are their guest.

Plan out your day

Napa Valley, Prince Edward County, the Niagara Peninsula, the Okanagan Valley, and every wine area have detailed maps and routes to follow. Read the map and plan to visit at least three or four wineries a day.

Have a great breakfast

Never go wine tasting on an empty stomach. Have a full meal early in the morning.

Have a designated driver

Your safety comes first.  You will taste at least four wines per vineyard. These glasses can add up. It is important to have a designated driver. Many wineries offer a free non-alcoholic beverage to the designated driver.

Do not wear perfume

The perfume will interfere with your sense of smell and taste and you will not get the exact aromas of the wine.

Be humble

Even if you are oenophile, it is always good to be humble. Be open to other ways of doing things. You might be used to drinking wines that have a cork. Some use plastic or do not use cork at all. You might not like a blend or unoaked. Have an open mind.

Get to know the winemaker and their concept

Always talk to the owner or the winemaker. Become interested in them and ask questions. You will learn so much about the wine, the vineyard, and their approach to making wine.

Do not ask for a discount

The owners and the winemaker work very hard through challenging climates and the wines are worth every dollar. Do not haggle or ask for a discount.

Respect their time

If they are not busy, it is ok to talk to them. If the tasting room is full then respect the time of the owner and the winemaker.

Taste and spit if visiting more than one vineyard

I strongly recommend this habit. Always have a piece of bread before tasting. Clean your palate. Shake the wine in the glass. Look at the sediments. Put it against the light and see if there are any tannins at the bottom of the glass. Now take a sip and gargle. Most vineyards have a bucket where you can spit the wine out.

Do not ask if there is a better wine

You are insulting the owner by asking this question. Taste the wines that are offered on the flight.

Buy a bottle

The vineyard is offering you free tasting so that you can buy some wine from them. Please buy a bottle.

Bring a cooler to put the wine bottle

Always put the bottle that you buy straight into the cooler. This will protect the wine.

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