The Minas Basin
The boutique wineries that dot the hills and valleys ringing the Minas Basin in the picturesque Annapolis Valley make for an excellent vine-hopping road trip. Just northeast of Halifax, this is cottage country, so the variety of things to do besides sample wine makes for a full weekend. With more than a dozen establishments, many family-run, along the way, the basin’s roads are well-worn by visitors searching for vineyard-side patios, picnic spots, cool tasting cellars and new labels to fill the wine cellar back home. Thanks to multiple microclimates and unique techniques forged by innovative small-lot winemakers, there are plenty of interesting bottles to sample.
Common grapes: Riesling, Seyval Blanc, L’Acadie Blanc, Gamay
Tastes to try: Mercator Vineyards, Domaine de Grand Pré, Blomidon Estate Winery
