As the school year begins and the leaves turn a red and golden colour, it’s time to get your fill of the outdoors before your winter adventures begin.
While Greenbelt farmers are cultivating the last harvest and preparing for the winter months, you and your family can head out and have some on-farm and on-vineyard fun. With 84 VQA wineries and 1,187 VQA-approved wines in the Niagara Region, make sure you are taking advantage of all the Greenbelt has to offer this fall.
Check out the food and drink trails below to help you curate your own local food adventure.
1. Kawarthas Northumberland Butter Tart Tour in Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Peterborough County - Where you can find butter tarts for everyone’s taste!
2. Pumpkin Pie Trail in York Region - Visit the 23 farms along this trail to pick your own pumpkin or grab some pumpkin-inspired goodies - it’s a celebration of all things pumpkin from Saturday September 26 to Sunday October 4.
3. Fall Rural Romp in Wellington County - Experience a day in the countryside, meet local farmers, eat, learn about food and experience agriculture’s bounty. Don’t forget to bring your whole family on Saturday September 26!
4. Pumpkin Trail in Halton and Peel - From pumpkin pies to pick-our-own pumpkins, you and your family can get to try all that Greenbelt grown pumpkins can offer!
5. Ontario Craft Beer Route in Niagara, Hamilton, Halton and Peel Region - If you’re a craft beer fan you probably already know that Ontario’s got a world-class craft beer scene. This trail lets you sample some of the best small-batch beers coming out of the Greenbelt!
6. Niagara Wine Routes in Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Niagara Escarpment - Wine Country Ontario’s “Wine Route Planners” allow you to build your own wine route through the Greenbelt’s renowned wine county!
7. Greenbelt Beamsville Beach Vineyard Trail located in Beamsville - Looking for a wine trail in Beamsville? This trail lists seven vineyards in the heart of Niagara’s Greenbelt!
8. Greenbelt Brewery Discovery Routes in Peel-Halton, Waterloo, and the Grey-Bruce area - Check-out these self-guided beer and cider routes to explore some of the breweries, hop farms, restaurants, cideries and farmers’ markets that the Greenbelt has to offer. With 3 different routes and 9 stops, don’t forget to bring your friends and enjoy all the Ontario’s craft breweries have to offer.
9. Saints & Sinners Trail in Bruce-Grey-Simcoe area - Use the map to tour 13 beer, wine, and cider producers where you can enjoy tastings and pairings, tours, purchase beverages, and enjoy pub-style meals!
10. Apple Pie Trail in Simcoe and Grey County - Love apples? This trail’s for you! With over 36 things to see and do - from choosing your favourite variety at the farmers’ market, to sampling apple-based culinary treats, to sipping on hard apple cider-you can sample the Greenbelt’s apple diversity in all its forms.
– Andreea Nicoara
