Ontario wine fans are spoiled for choice. Whether we’re visiting wine country in Prince Edward County or Niagara, exploring the all-Ontario selection at Ricky + Olivia or one of Toronto’s top wine bars, or simply picking up a standout local bottle, there’s no shortage of excellent options.
That’s why we were thrilled to hear about a new government agreement that will remove red tape restricting the sale of wine, beer, and spirits from Nova Scotia. The move means Nova Scotia residents can purchase their favourite Ontario craft beer, wine and more — and, importantly, Ontarians will be able to enjoy Nova Scotia products, too.
While it may take some time for these bottles to become widely available locally as producers roll out shipping and distribution, we’re already planning what we want to try first.
Nova Scotia is home to some of the most exciting wine in the country. Annapolis Valley, nestled between two mountain ranges along the Bay of Fundy, is renowned for its dramatic tides, vineyards and apple orchards. The region is also home to celebrated wineries and vineyards, including Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards, Benjamin Bridge and Domaine de Grand Pré.
Premium cider is another Nova Scotia staple, with award-winning producers like Annapolis Cider Company and Bulwark Cider House crafting some of the region’s most exciting releases. Here are our picks for the best wine and cider from Nova Scotia that we can’t wait to crack open once they're more widely available in Toronto.
The 5 best wines and ciders from Nova Scotia
1. Benjamin Bridge Nova 7
No Nova Scotia wine roundup would be complete without Benjamin Bridge, a winery that arguably put the region’s wine on the map.
Nova 7 remains its most recognizable release — a lightly sparkling, aromatic wine bursting with citrus, peach and floral notes. Its blend of gentle bubbles and lively acidity strikes a nice balance between refreshing and expressive. Pour it alongside oysters, pair it with cheese boards or serve it with brunch. This iconic bottle continues to be a benchmark for Nova Scotia’s cool-climate winemaking.
$23.65, benjaminbridge.com
If you can't wait to try it, a more effervescent expression — Benjamin Bridge Nova 7 Sparkling ($25.95) — is currently available at the LCBO.
2. Gaspereau Muscat
Aromatic white wine is one of the areas where Nova Scotia really shines, and that’s never more true than in Gaspereau Vineyards' Muscat. This bright floral wine opens with notes of orange blossom and stone fruit and finishes with a refreshing uptick that makes it extra quaffable, perfect for long patio afternoons. Produced in the heart of the Annapolis Valley, this bottle feels like Nova Scotia's easygoing personality personified — cheers to that.
$23.76, gaspereauwine.ca
3. Lightfoot & Wolfville Brut Rosé Sparkling 2021
The cool coastal climate of Nova Scotia makes the region well-suited to crafting traditional-method sparkling wine. Lightfoot & Wolfville’s Brut Rosé 2021 is a fabulous example — elegant, with fine bubbles, strawberry notes, and gentle brioche flavours. Enjoy this refined sparkling wine made from grapes grown on Lightfoot & Wolfville's biodynamic vineyard when you're celebrating — whether that's a big birthday or the end of a tough week.
$54.95, lcbo.com
4. Domaine de Grand Pré — Tidal Bay
One of Nova Scotia's earliest wineries, Domaine de Grand Pré plays a huge role in shaping the wine identity of the province.
Tidal Bay is quintessentially Nova Scotia expressed in a glass, complete with the region's crisp, aromatic signature style; it's dreamy when paired with coastal cuisine. We adore the bright citrus notes, green apple and delicate minerality on the palate, reflective of the Annapolis Valley's maritime climate. A scallop dish — ideally from Nova Scotia — feels like the ideal companion to this refreshing wine.
$20.88, grandprewines.com
5. Bulwark Cider — Original Cider
Nova Scotia is rapidly gaining a reputation for its expressive wines, but agriculture has been a mainstay of the region for even longer.
Bulwark’s Original Cider showcases orchard traditions going back centuries with a blend of locally grown apples that yields a sip as crisp and refreshing as the fruits themselves. The fresh apple flavours and light sweetness are unmistakably Nova Scotian — crack open a can with a board featuring sharp cheeses, ideally out in the sunshine.
$3.48, nscraftbeverage.com
