Wined and dined at Bergeron Estate Winery and Cider Co.

Pulling into Bergeron Estate Winery and Cider Co. visitors are immersed in a small, rustic atmosphere – with stunning views. Owners, David and Mary Bergeron, are on site personally welcoming guests to their winery in Adolphustown, overlooking the tranquillity of the vineyards with a sparkling backdrop of Lake Ontario and Prince Edward County.

This is a dream that started more than 20 years ago and goes back even further. Now, not only do they produce award-winning wine, but also cider, wine soaps, tea, and even authentic Italian pizza.

Getting started

“I grew up on a hobby farm near Cobden and I loved the farming aspect. I always dreamed of going back to that one day,” said David, who is also the winemaker. So, when he heard that wineries were starting to flourish in Prince Edward County, a light went off. David realized that this would be a business opportunity that included farming, which was exactly what he had hoped for.

The Bergerons dove in head first in the early 2000s, taking time to select the right property. The soil at Bergeron Estate Winery and Cider Co. has the same limestone base as the Prince Edward County wine region, but it’s also some of the deepest soils in the region, with up to five feet of Lindsay Clay, which is unique to that area and gives the wines a distinct flavour.

They started planting several acres in 2003 and increased their plantings to 10 acres. Opening to the public in September 2007 they have never looked back. “We came at this from a different perspective,” he said. “We went after the agriculture side of things and had to grow our knowledge for the winery aspects.” They joined the PEC Wine Growers Association, learned a lot quickly from expert winemakers and were the first people to put in vineyards on the east side of the Glenora Ferry.

Wined and dined

The Bergeron’s farming dreams had become a reality and they were discovering the complexities and personalities of the grapes. Fast forward to today and the estate now boasts ideal growing conditions for their Baco Noir, Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir, Vidal, Riesling and Gewurztraminer grapes. 

They are known for their dry Riesling, which has a green apple with citrus, lemon lime flavour. In past, the Gamay Noir has also received accolades, and Bergeron’s artisan hard cider is a fan favourite, made with 100 per cent locally-grown apples, as well as Haskap and Saskatoon berries blended in. In fact, they just finished canning more than 8,000 cans last week!

While their wines are not available in restaurants, they are available directly at the winery and now also at farmers markets in the warmer months in Wellington, Harrowsmith and the Memorial Centre in Kingston.

When it comes to pairing wine with food, Nonna’s pizza always gets rave reviews. Guests have alluded to it being truly gourmet and a taste of Italy, where Mary hails from. David said her family recipes leave people asking for more – from popular potato pizza to traditional tomato-based pizza, staff perfectly pairs them with wine to create a relaxing and mouth-watering dining experience.

Stay a while

What was an apartment for staff was converted into a memorable Airbnb experience for guests to take their visit a step further. Bergeron said The County Vineyard Estate Suite attracts guests who stay to deepen the winery and vineyard experience. “One night there may be someone from Germany, the next from Toronto – it’s been incredible to meet all of these people from around the world,” he said, noting some people come for a night or a prolonged stay, making it a home base while touring the County, the local area, Kingston and Bay of Quinte.

“It’s a great intimate experience to wander the vineyard down by the lake on a morning walk; have access when others don’t,” he said, adding the vineyard is serene when it’s closed to others – and bonfires are nightly occurrences for guests. Not only is there an apartment, but there’s also a waterfront campsite now available, too.

Getting sudsy

In an effort to use the entire grape, Bergeron started producing wine soaps about nine years ago in an Unwine’d series. After filtering the seeds and drying the grape skins, the remainder creates a wine pomace that is turned into soaps and bath bombs. It essentially gives new life to a by-product of winemaking. Teas are also created on site in the same way, including red wine tea and rose tea. Bergeron said these products have proven incredibly popular, often selling out before they can even fully restock.

Rising up

Bergeron said the area itself surrounding Adolphustown has seen a shift since they opened their doors, with other wineries, major craft breweries, a unique corner store, apple orchards, bookstores and cafes, and lots of new businesses popping up in recent years. “It all enhances the visitor experience here – it has become a destination itself,” he said, noting that some of the seasonal activities draw thousands of people.

On the horizon…

Bergeron is known for its welcoming events – including an annual Easter weekend celebration from Friday to Monday featuring food, wine, cider and lots more. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day typically also sees four-course dinners hosted at the winery, featuring bruschetta or pizza, lasagna with homemade pasta, butternut squash curry soup with goat cheese, and tiramisu. Bergeron Estate also hosts events, waterfront weddings, corporate parties and birthdays, serving cocktails, wine and cider overlooking the water with lots of space for a crowd.

Come for a visit

David said they enjoy that the winery is a natural space where family and friends can gather to revel in each other’s company – over wonderful beverages, authentic Italian flavours, and down-to-earth staff who love food and wine as much as their guests. To find out more, visit Bergeron Estate Winery and Cider Co.  or take a beautiful drive and stop in at 9656 Loyalist Parkway. Starting April 1, peak season hours will commence which sees the winery open seven days a week!

The information provided here is current at the time of publication and is subject to change. Please check websites for listings of upcoming events, costs, availability and weather conditions that may affect operations.