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The Top 10 Spots for Wine Tasting in Ottawa to Elevate Every Pour!
There’s something special about wine tastings—an elegant experience with every sip, where a flurry of aromas and notes will tickle your senses. Just picture yourself holding a glass of a full-bodied red while snacking on delicious appetisers—fancy!
The whole experience screams refined taste! It’s exciting yet relaxing, and exactly where our adult money should go!
So if you’ve been itching to go on a memorable wine tasting in Ottawa, we’ve got the best places to go! After a couple of tipsy but delightful visits, we’ve gathered the spots that will intoxicate your palate! Read on!
Bars and Tasting Rooms in Ottawa
Soif Bar à vin
Media credit: soifbaravin
Address: 88 Rue Montcalm, Gatineau
Contact: 819-600-7643, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Sunday – Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Thursday: 4 pm – 10 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 4 pm – 11 pm
In Gatineau, just a little outside Ottawa (literally, there’s no long drive needed), Soif Bar à vin is a refined bar that serves wine and seasonal dishes. It hosts wine events and workshops, offering tips so you can taste wine like a sommelier!
Various wine tastings happen here, and even the workshop is a must-attend because it’s like wine school (without homework!). And during multi-course meal experiences, you’ll discover new wine pairings that you probably haven’t tried before.
It’s all about wine in this bar. The tasting events are catered to beginners and pros (basically, anyone who loves wine), where you can gain in-depth insights on wine tasting, elevating your sipping experience!
Pro Tips:
Check out the bar’s calendar of events. You can purchase your tickets there, but be warned, they sell out quickly!
Always read the event details because most workshops are in French, not in English.
Buyers + Cellars
Media credit: buyersandcellars_ottawa
Address: 327 Somerset St W
Contact: 613-233-0886, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Sunday: 3 pm – 10 pm
If you’re serious about wine tasting, Buyers + Cellars in Ottawa is worth a visit. Its tasting room is made for everyone to enjoy wine, where wine connoisseurs will have an uninterrupted experience.
How? The air in the tasting room is neutralised, the water is pure and unfiltered, and the washrooms have unscented soaps. Wines are also sealed using an enomatic dispenser for accurate pours and to keep the freshness, and served at the proper temperature.
The entire environment is perfect for peaceful wine tastings—you’ll smell every aroma and taste every note! And you can pair wines with cheeses by ordering small plates from the kitchen.
Those who want to chat with the founder can book The Owners Table, where you can socialise and listen to stories about their rare wines. Meanwhile, women can go on Wine Therapy for a gender-exclusive evening to unwind or socialise.
Pro Tip:
In the summer, try looking into a ride-sharing service instead of driving. The street will be closed to vehicles on certain days from 4:30 pm.
Aperetivo
Media credit: aperitivokanata
Address: 655 Kanata Ave. Unit L2, Kanata
Contact: 613-592-0004
Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Thursday: 4 pm – 10 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Sunday: 4 pm – 9 pm
Not only does Aperetivo serve delicious Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, but they’ve started offering wine tasting! That was expected, given their ever-evolving wine menu!
It has a more exclusive feel to it. Members of their Wine Club will have the opportunity to mingle while snacking and drinking, where the wines are carefully chosen for each event. The spotlight goes to the conversations you’ll get to have with wine experts!
It’s not an everyday event, though. So be sure to sign up first on their website. The club doesn’t even require a membership, and there are no obligations—just for people who enjoy wine!
Pro Tips:
Drop-ins are welcome at the wine tasting, but note that there are limited seats. For a better chance of getting in, reserve your ticket online.
Don’t forget to sign up at the Aperetivo Wine Club website for wine tasting updates.
JoJo CoCo Chocolate
Media credit: jojococochocolate
Address: 499 Terry Fox Dr, Unit 56
Contact: 613-435-7722, [email protected]
Hours:
- Sunday – Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Friday: 11 am – 6 pm
- Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm
Indulge in a chocolatey adventure at JoJo CoCo Chocolate, where you can revel in delicious wine and chocolate pairings! They’re an iconic duo that complements each other’s flavours—perfect for individuals with a sweet tooth, like us!
Attendees will get a plate of different chocolate flavours from Canadian and international businesses—perfect for chocoholics! Everyone will also receive samples of various wines that go well with each chocolate. Talk about absolute yum!
If you prefer an epic trio, the Cheese, Chocolate, and Wine Pairing is truly an enjoyable experience. The creamy and tangy flavours of cheeses match the sweetness of the chocolates, which both balance out the acidity of the wines.
Pro Tip:
Since wine tastings aren’t always announced on the website, it’s best to sign up for their newsletter. It’ll keep you updated with upcoming events since not all are announced on their socials.
Wineries in Ottawa
Kin Vineyards
Media credit: kin_vineyards
Address: 2225 Craig’s Side Rd, Carp
Contact: 613-519-1621, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: Closed
- Friday: 4 pm – 9 pm
- Saturday: 11:30 am – 9 pm
- Sunday: 11:30 am – 8 pm
Hours are subject to change depending on the season
Right in the Carp Ridge sits Kin Vineyards, a 47-acre winery and vineyard that produces vinifera, focusing on chardonnay and pinot noir wines. This picturesque destination overlooks the Ottawa Valley, making it an incredibly beautiful place for wine tasting!
The outdoor wine tasting creates a memorable experience, as you get to enjoy reds or whites produced in the winery while enjoying the gorgeous view. Also, you can taste award-winning bottles and indulge in the complexities of the aromas and notes.
This winery offers a relaxed setting, as tastings are purely outdoors. Events push through, rain or shine, but you can take shelter in the patio while enjoying every bite from their charcuterie board.
Pro Tip:
Wine tastings don’t need reservations, so just drive there early to get the best table. But remember to check weather updates if you want to avoid a muddy experience.
Domaine Perrault Winery
Media credit: domaineperraultwinery
Address: 1000 Perrault Rd, Navan
Contact: 613-853-3860, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: Closed
- Friday – Saturday: 11 am – 5 pm
- Sunday: 12 pm – 4 pm
Domaine Perrault Winery offers a unique wine tasting experience—much like those sip-paint experiences (which they also have!).
If you want something classic and more refined, the Sommerlier Select tasting package is definitely worth it. You’ll sample five wines selected by their sommelier, paired with cheeses and bread, which is accompanied by a tour of the vineyard.
But, sometimes, a more laid-back experience is just what you need. The Going Local tasting package comes highly recommended by us. Sampling five different wines produced from the vineyard will let you know which bottle you’ll end up going home with!
Pro Tip:
Always check the website for upcoming events because they have a lot! There’s something for everyone. Some wine tastings include activities, like yoga!
Vignoble Clos du Vully
Media credit: closduvullywine
Address: 2501 Magladry Rd, Navan
Contact: 613-558-1107, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Friday: Closed
- Saturday – Sunday: 11 am – 5 pm
In the Navan community, Vignoble Clos du Vully makes weekends a delightful time for adults. Sipping on wine while nibbling on cheese is the best way to spend your days off.
The Wine and Cheese Tasting is for beginners and pros who want to sample six types of wines! Savour red, white, rosé, and fortified wines, which are perfectly paired with some appetisers, like bread, cheeses, and fruits.
For a more memorable experience, we suggest the Picnic at the Vineyard. It’s made for couples who want a romantic yet laid-back experience in the scenic and peaceful outdoors.
Remember, they’re open only on weekends. Don’t make the mistake of driving there on a weekday!
Pro Tip:
Vignoble Close du Tully isn’t a big winery, so production will be relatively small. When you see a bottle you like (maybe one you sampled during the wine tasting), grab it before it’s gone!
Wine Tasting Events in Ottawa
Wine for Wishes
Media credit: rogerscentreottawa
Address: Rogers Centre – 55 Colonel By Drive
Event Date: Annually, specific date and time vary
Wine for Wishes is more than your typical wine tasting experience. It’s an annual fundraiser by Make-A-Wish Canada, where attendees can savour different kinds of wines from the best Ottawa wineries, all while supporting a good cause.
Aside from wines, you can also sip beers and spirits from breweries and distilleries in the city. That includes sampling food to get the best wine pairings from various restaurateurs. It’s basically a food and wine event!
This wine tasting event is a fundraiser, too. Your donations will grant wishes to children in Eastern Ontario battling life-threatening illnesses.
Pro Tip:
This event has limited tickets. Reserve your spot as early as you can because they sell out quickly.
Taste Ontario
Media credit: somm613
Address: Fairmont Château Laurier – 1 Rideau St (usually the venue, but may change)
Event Date: Annually, specific date and time vary
Wine aficionados will love Taste Ontario, an annual trade and media tasting where you can sip on VQA wines from various wineries in Ontario. Support Canada by tasting wines made in Ontario.
But how do you know you’re drinking Ontario-made wines? The VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) basically makes sure that wines meet specific standards. If you see it on a bottle, it means it was 100% produced from grapes made in Ontario.
This wine tasting event feels more exclusive, as it doesn’t accept walk-ins. You can still join since attendees can come in without purchasing a ticket, but are invited by registration or by invitation.
Don’t worry, though, because you can register online, usually on Eventbrite. Just keep an eye out for updates!
Pro Tip:
Check Eventbrite or Culinary Tourism for the registration so you don’t miss out.
WIE Wine and Cheese
Media credit: carletonwie
Address: Subject to change each year
Contact: [email protected]
Event Date: Annually, specific date and time vary
Meeting new people and networking has never been more refined. At the annual WIE (Women in Engineering) Wine and Cheese event, engineering and STEM students can build relationships and make new connections in a more relaxed setting.
It’s a casual wine and cheese tasting organised by students of the University of Ottawa and Carleton University. It’s not just about wine, but is a way to support students in their future paths, while sipping on wine and munching on appetisers.
And no, students aren’t the only attendees. Faculty members, educators, and professionals are welcome to join and mingle with students and peers. They can meet future employees here!
Pro Tip:
Visit the website for early bird ticket updates to save a couple of loonies!
