Three Visits, New Discoveries & Old Friendships: My Essex County Girls’ Getaway
Some places you visit once. Others keep calling you back. Essex County is definitely the latter.
This was my third time experiencing Essex County, and each visit has given me something new to discover and even more reason to return.
For our annual high school girlfriends’ getaway, we spent the day exploring the wineries, farms, distilleries and breweries of this beautiful region. But what makes Essex County so special to me isn’t just what’s in the glass or on the plate. It’s the people behind it, the farmers, winemakers, chefs, brewers and producers who pour so much passion into what they do.
And after three visits, some of those people have become more than just people I meet along the way. They’ve become friends.
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A day of wine, food, farms and friendship
For my wine tours in Essex County, I always choose Grape Vine Tours. Having experienced the region with them before, I know I’m always in good hands and Peter and Sherry make the day so much fun.
For our girls’ getaway, they once again took care of everything, allowing us to sit back, relax, laugh, catch up and enjoy every stop without worrying about the driving.
There is something pretty special about travelling with your high school girlfriends. We have so many years of memories between us, and having the opportunity to spend a day together discovering new places, enjoying incredible food and wine, and simply being together was exactly what we needed.
Our first stop: Paglione Estate Winery
We began our wine adventure at Paglione Estate Winery, a family owned winery that beautifully reflects the Italian heritage and traditions of the Paglione family.
The story of Paglione is really a story of family and dreams. Paglione Estate Winery opened its doors in 2013. Today, that family history and Italian influence are woven throughout the winery, from its Tuscan inspired architecture to its small batch wines made with locally grown grapes.
What made our visit particularly memorable, was having Jan Schulte-Bisping, Paglione’s winemaker, spend time with us personally and share his expertise as we tasted through the wines.
I always love having the opportunity to speak with the person behind the bottle. Hearing about the grapes, the winemaking process and what goes into creating each wine gave us a much deeper appreciation for what we were tasting. It wasn’t simply a wine tasting, it felt like being welcomed into someone’s passion and having the opportunity to learn from someone who truly understands the craft.
And that’s one of the things I have come to love about Essex County. You aren’t simply handed a glass of wine, you have the opportunity to meet the people behind it, hear their stories and understand the passion that goes into every bottle.
Back to The Fruit Wagon with Farmer Doug
I was so happy to return to The Fruit Wagon and see my friend Farmer Doug and his family again.
I remember my very first visit. Doug had planted apple trees with a dream of one day making his own cider. I remember hearing him talk about that dream and seeing the beginning of something he was so passionate about.
Coming back now and seeing that dream come to life is incredibly special. Farmer Doug launched Carolinia Cider Co. Which is also part of the experience and is a stop on the Barrels Bottles & Brews Trail.
The Fruit Wagon farm stand is such a wonderful reflection of the family and the land they work. It is filled with the beautiful seasonal bounty of the farm, from fresh local fruit and produce to the delicious products they make from what they grow. There is something so special about walking into a farm stand and knowing that what you’re buying is connected directly to the people and land around you.
We enjoyed a cider tasting, browsed the farm stand and picked up some of the local produce.
That’s what I love about returning to Essex County. You don’t just see a finished product, you get to witness the journey.
For me, this stop wasn’t just about cider. It was about friendship, farming, dreams and seeing what can happen when people believe in what they’re growing.
Wine and an incredible lunch at CREW Winery
Next, we headed to CREW Winery, or Colchester Ridge Estate Winery, where we enjoyed a wonderful tasting paired with an incredible local lunch by Chef Vanessa.
CREW has been part of Essex County’s wine story for many years. The winery is home to a 12-acre vineyard and produces a selection of VQA wines that are approachable, expressive and made to be enjoyed with friends.
We had the opportunity to taste through several of their wines, including some of the wines that have become favourites at CREW. Their Posh Cuvée is particularly lovely when you’re looking for something celebratory, while their Flagship Chardonnay is a wonderful example of the variety and character that can come from this part of Ontario.
What I especially enjoy about CREW is that the wines feel very connected to the experience of being there. You can sit back, take in the vineyard, enjoy a glass and really appreciate the connection between the land, the wine and the food.
And speaking of food, our lunch by Chef Vanessa was fantastic. She shared with us that the Street Corn Flatbread was one of her favourites, while their House Smoked Brisket Sandwich is so popular they can barely keep up with demand. After tasting it, we completely understood why!
The combination of local wine and food made this one of those stops where you just want to sit back and stay awhile. I love how food and wine can tell you so much about a place. The ingredients, the people who make them and the stories behind them all come together around the table and CREW does that beautifully.
From wine to whisky at Wolfhead Distillery
Our next stop took us from the vineyard to Wolfhead Distillery in Amherstburg, where we enjoyed a tasting of some of their locally crafted spirits.
Wolfhead is known for pushing the boundaries of Canadian spirits, and there is certainly no shortage of creativity here. Their Premium Whisky is a great choice for whisky lovers, while their Apple Caramel Whisky and Coffee Whisky Liqueur offer something a little more playful and approachable. If whisky isn’t your thing, their River’s End Gin and Grapefruit Vodka are also worth exploring.
We had such a fun time tasting our way through their offerings and learning more about the craft behind the spirits. I love that Wolfhead isn’t afraid to experiment with flavour while still celebrating its Essex County roots.
Ending with family roots at GL Heritage Brewing
We ended our day at GL Heritage Brewing Company, where Jenn welcomed us and shared the story behind the brewery.
The brewery sits on land that has been farmed by the family for more than 170 years, and that history is woven into everything they do.
Their philosophy says it beautifully: family roots, good friends and great times.
And there’s something for everyone—from their craft beers to refreshing seltzers and non-alcoholic options. We enjoyed delicious eats from Frate Street Food, paired with our brews, and it was the perfect ending to a wonderful day.
Discover Essex County your way
After three visits, what keeps bringing me back is the incredible connection between the land, the people and the food and drink being produced here.
You can taste the passion in the wine. You can hear the stories in the farms. You can see generations of family history in the breweries. And everywhere you go, you are welcomed with such warmth.
If you’re planning your own Essex County adventure, there are some wonderful resources to help you explore.
EPIC Wine Tasting Pass
The EPIC Wine Tasting Pass Winery Guide is a wonderful way to discover the region’s wineries and create your own wine adventure at your own pace.
Barrels Bottles & Brews Flight Logs
If craft beer, cider and spirits are more your style—or you want to experience a little bit of everything, the Barrels Bottles & Brews Flight Logs are a fantastic way to explore. You can choose from three options: one day, a weekend, or an entire year.
And don’t forget to look for stops like Carolinia Cider Co. along the way.
W.E. Heart Local
For me, this one is especially meaningful. W.E. Heart Local is all about discovering the growers, producers, markets and makers who make this region so special.
It’s also a reminder that when we visit somewhere, we can do more than simply see it, we can support the people who live and work there.
2026 Official Visitor Guide
Before you go, be sure to explore the 2026 Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island Official Visitor Guide. It’s a great resource for planning your trip and discovering even more places to eat, drink, shop and explore.
Three visits and I’m still excited to be back
If you’re looking for your next summer getaway, put Essex County on your list.
Come for the wine. Stay for the food. Meet the farmers, winemakers, brewers and makers. And leave with a few new memories and perhaps a few new friends of your own just like I did.
Cheers to good friends, local flavours and returning to the places that keep giving us reasons to come back. 🥂
Click here to explore more highlights from this recent plus past visit to Essex County!
Original blog post by Irene Matys @irene_matys
