Ontario’s Southwest is full of unique and memorable experiences: Imagine unwinding by a serene lakeside, indulging in the rich flavours of local culinary delights, or exploring the great outdoors with a nature hike. Art galleries and shopping districts offer a cultural feast, while the region’s renowned wineries and distilleries provide a taste of local craftsmanship. Join a few wine tastings and tours, sample artisanal spirits, and immerse yourself in the vibrant local food and drink scene.
Sounds good, right? We think so too! Today, we’re sharing two fun self-guided trails to help you discover Ontario’s Southwest. Keep scrolling or click below to jump directly to a specific destination:
- Sip and Savour the Windsor Essex Barrels Bottles & Brews Trail
- Raise a Glass for the Sarnia-Lambton Cheers to the Coast Trail
Getting to Ontario’s Southwest
Ontario’s Southwest is an extensive region with lots of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. It’s the perfect road trip for Ontarians as well as travellers from New York, Michigan, Ohio, and beyond. Here’s how to access the region:
- From Detroit using Ambassador Bridge or Detroit-Windsor Tunnel – access Highway 401 from Windsor
- From Port Huron using Blue Water Bridge – access Highway 402 from Sarnia
- From Buffalo using the Peach Bridge – access Highway 403 from QEW
- From Niagara Falls using the Rainbow Bridge – access Highway 403 from QEW
Driving to and through the region is convenient: Highway 401 runs through the heart of the region and connects to other smaller highways and quiet country roads throughout the region. In the southeastern part of the region, Highway 403 runs from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to Woodstock and in the northwest, Highway 402 connects Sarnia and surrounding area to London.
Car fuelled up, passports packed, snacks at the ready? Let’s get going!
Sip and Savour the Windsor Essex Barrels Bottles & Brews Trail
With lots of local and international culinary delights, a close-knit small-town feel, and close proximity to the United States, Windsor Essex may just be the perfect vacation destination!
The history of brewing and distilling in Windsor Essex goes back to the 1880s, and they’ve been perfecting the craft ever since. Today, the Barrels Bottles & Brews trail takes visitors on a self-guided trip through Windsor Essex to discover the craft breweries, distilleries and cideries that call this region home.
Ready to discover award-winning spirits, craft breweries, and cideries in the birthplace of Canadian whisky? Grab your Barrels Bottles & Brews Trail passport and enjoy a flight tasting at 10 locations along the way!
Banded Goose Brewing Co.
Where: 15 Main St E, Kingsville, ON N9Y 1A1 (View map)
Banded Goose Brewing Co. is a locally-owned brewery in the heart of Kingsville. Visit their taproom to try one of the 12 local craft beers on tap and enjoy a full menu featuring burgers, local perch, wings & shareable appetizers. With live music every Friday & Saturday, there’s always something exciting going on!
BREW Windsor Microbrewery
Where: 1241 S Malden Rd, Essex, ON N9V 2Y7 (View map)
BREW is a rural brewery in Essex, Ontario. Located on a 31 acre wooded estate just 20 minutes from Windsor, this is the perfect spot for a leisurely hangout with a group of friends. Enjoy a pint alongside elevated eats provided by Smashed Apple Catering: think cheesy garlic bread, nachos, classic smash burgers, and much more. VIN, their partner winery, offers a classic lineup as well as a fun canned Sparkling Rosé with refreshing Mojito flavours. Cheers! Note: BREW reopens seasonally in March.
Chapter Two Brewing Co.
Where: 2345 Edna St, Windsor, ON N8Y 2N5 (View map)
Since 2018, Chapter Two Brewing Company has been crafting a delicious line-up of beers under the stewardship of Brewer Michael Beaudoin. The taproom interior reflects the history of the area, with industrial-inspired brick walls and high ceilings that create a cool and welcoming atmosphere. Stop by Tuesday-Sunday to enjoy food and pints with friends.
Cured Craft Brewing
Where: 43 Mill St W, Leamington, ON N8H 1S7 (View map)
Cured Craft Brewing Co. is an independent, small batch brewery located in a heritage building in Leamington. They use high-quality local ingredients to craft their beer lineup, such as their 42nd Parallel Lager, named after Leamington’s location at the southernmost point of Canada. The taproom serves a seasonal food menu of pizzas, sandwiches, pastas, and more.
Frank Brewing Co.
Where: 12000 Tecumseh Rd E, Windsor, ON N8N 1L9 (View map)
Frank Brewing Co.’s 3,400 sq. ft. brewery houses their 15 barrel brewhouse, three 30 barrel fermenters, two 15 barrel fermenters, and lots of tasty brews! Check out the brewhouse floor through huge glass windows or schedule a brewery tour and get the full show. The food menu includes thin crust pizzas, sandwiches and burgers, and shareable appetizers that pair perfectly with a pint.
GL Heritage Brewing Co.
Where: 8728 Howard Avenue, Essex Rd 9, Amherstburg, ON N9V 0C8 (View map)
GL Heritage Brewing Company is located in Amherstburg, just a short drive from Windsor. This agricultural-based stop offers high-quality beer in a beautiful heritage space. Take a tour of their small-batch brewhouse to learn more about how their beer is made, then head to the taproom to taste the results! New to craft beer? Try the award-winning Back Shop Brew, a crisp and refreshing blonde ale that is sure to please.
Lot 10 Brewing Company
Where: 263 Dalhousie St, Amherstburg, ON N9V 1W8 (View map)
Lot 10 Brewing Company is a family-owned and -operated microbrewery located in Amherstburg, on the banks of the Detroit River. Their traditional and seasonal beers are inspired by the seasons and local history of the region: the Thirsty Soldier is a British-style ale with slight bready notes, while the Lekker Lager celebrates their Dutch background. The menu has something for everyone, including wine, craft cocktails, and non-alcoholic options. The food menu includes paninis, flatbreads, pretzels, and other shareable snacks that pair perfectly with a cold beverage.
Sandwich Brewing Co.
Where: 3232 Sandwich St., Windsor, ON N9C 1A8 (View map)
Sandwich Brewing Co. is housed in a (formerly) neglected building in the heart of Sandwich Town. The tasting room is a testament to years of restoration; the owners are particularly proud of the original tin ceiling and turn of the century oak timbers that adorn the space. True to the brewery’s name, the food menu is comprised of gourmet sandwiches. For a perfect pairing, try a pint of White Bronco, a hazy New England IPA with tropical flavours that complement the brightness of the Cubano sandwich.
Walkerville Brewery
Where: 525 Argyle Rd, Windsor, ON N8Y 5B2 (View map)
Walkerville Brewery’s history begins with Hiram Walker, a man better known as the manufacturer of great spirits like the world-famous Canadian Club whisky. Walker launched the original Walkerville Brewery in 1890 with the aim of providing an “Honest Beer,” and 120+ years later, Walkerville Brewery maintains the same ideology, brewing their beer in unpasteurized single batches with no artificial preservatives or flavours. The brewery operates in one of Walker’s original buildings, known as “Surge Plant 16,” which was once an overflow storage facility for the production of whisky! Stay a while and order from the snack bar, which features pretzels and a range of pizzas.
Wolfhead Distillery
Where: 7781 Howard Ave, Amherstburg, ON N0R 1J0 (View map)
Wolfhead Distillery is a craft distillery in Amherstburg that produces a number of Canadian spirits, including vodka, whisky, gin, and more. Head to the restaurant to enjoy the locally-inspired menu and try a few cocktails, or book a tour and tasting to immerse yourself in the art of distilling — more on that below!
Additional Tours and Experiences
Looking for a special and memorable experience? Tours and classes are a great way to gain hands-on knowledge while making core memories with your pals!
J.P. Wiser’s Whisky Blending Class
Every whisky lover has their own tastes, so why not blend a own custom whisky that’s made just for you? Join Dr. Don Livermore at the J.P. Wiser’s Brand Experience Centre for an exclusive educational experience that you won’t soon forget! Dates vary, contact J.P. Wiser’s for details.
Wolfhead Distillery Tour & Tasting
Wolfhead Distillery incorporates local ingredients to produce unique flavours that push the boundaries of standard Canadian spirits. A distinct element is the neighbouring Amherstburg quarry, which supplies limestone-treated water used in the production of all Wolfhead spirits.
Tours offer an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at distillery, barrel room, and bottling line, following by a tasting. Click here to learn more.
GL Heritage Exclusive Tour & Tasting Experience
GL Heritage offers an exclusive, fun and informative Tour & Guided Tasting Experience in their brewhouse, which takes about 30 minutes. Sample 6 beers styles while learning about the history of the brewery and the art of craft brewing. Click here for more information.
Raise a Glass for the Sarnia-Lambton Cheers to the Coast Trail
Ontario’s Blue Coast boasts more than 300 kilometers of waterfront, including two internationally-recognized Blue Flag beaches on the shores of Lake Huron. Located just a stone’s throw from Michigan, the city of Sarnia and the surrounding area of Lambton County are home to a craft beverage scene that is rapidly becoming the new must-visit destination for award-winning wine, craft beer, cider and mead.
The Cheers to the Coast Trail highlights 15 beverage producers who are striving to make the region shine. Ready to start exploring Sarnia-Lambton? Take your pick from the list and hit the trail!
Cider & Mead
You may have tried cider before, but are you familiar with mead? This alcoholic beverage is made by fermenting honey mixed with water and adding ingredients such as fruits, grains, or hops to give the mead different flavours. Ontario is a bee hotspot – more than 400 of Canada’s 800 native bee species call Ontario their home – so there’s no better place to sample local mead (and see how it’s made!).
Munro Honey & Meadery
Where: 3115 River St, Alvinston, ON N0N 1A0 (View map)
Munro Honey produces all-natural, 100% premium Ontario honey with no added sugars, preservatives, or artificial ingredients. Their breeding program has been meticulously designed to optimize the health and success of each beehive; this means choosing bees for their overall health, temperament and genetics to carry on the wellbeing of the hives. Bees have access to a diverse range of local flowers from which to pollinate to promote a healthy local flora.
If you’re new to mead, try the Classic Session Mead, made with Ontario wildflower honey. This is the perfect choice for those who seek a lighter, sparkling mead experience! Adventurous palates may be intrigued by the Black Currant Melomel, a smooth blend of tart and sweet that picked up double gold at the All Canadian Wine Championship 2023.
Twin Pines Orchards & Cider House
Where: 8169 Kennedy Line, Thedford, ON N0M 2N0 (View map)
Twin Pines is a 50 acre property located in Lambton Shores and set on the sandy loam beach ridge between the shores of the old Lake Burwell and a limestone dolomite ridge. The land is rich with naturally-occurring aquifers and is perfect for growing fruit. Currently, the farm produces well over one million pounds of apples from 25 commercial varieties, as well as approximately 15 heritage and specialty cider varieties.
Twin Pines grows and hand-picks an array of Heritage and English Cider apple varieties, which are used for making their traditional British Hard Cider, Ice Cider, and apple wine. Enjoy their walking trails and grab a wood-fired pizza on weekends!
Craft Beer
Good things are brewing in Sarnia-Lambton! Here are a few craft beer stops to add to your list:
Black Gold Brewery
Where: 395 Fletcher St, Petrolia, ON N0N 1R0 (View map)
Over a decade and a half ago, Brent Gauthier embarked on a journey to learn and perfect the brewing process. Today, Black Gold Brewery offers small-batch craft beer in the heart of historic Petrolia, Ontario. The oil town’s history inspires both the brand and the brewhouse, which provides a great place for locals to gather and tourists to discover.
Imperial City Brew House
Where: 1330 Exmouth St, Sarnia, ON N7S 3X9 (View map)
Imperial City Brew House started as a backyard passion project. Mike Barker, Craig Brodie and Kyle Blandford started brewing on a wood-fired, old world brewing system. After much experimenting, they set to work creating their dream brewery! The team adopted Sarnia’s nickname of the “The Imperial City”, a nod to Sarnia’s regal history. Under the stewardship of Brewmaster Tim Miller, Imperial City won gold in the Herb and Spice Beer category at the 2024 Canadian Brewing Awards!
Point Brewing Co.
Where: 705 Lite St, Point Edward, ON N7V 1A7 (View map)
Point Brewing Co. is the culmination of a dream to open a brewery in the beautiful community of Point Edward and to be a catalyst to further commercial growth in the Village. The three owners are committed to sharing their passion with others, and they love talking about beer and educating anyone who wants to learn about approachable beer in an inviting environment.
Refined Fool Brewing Co. (2 Sarnia Locations)
Where: 1326 London Rd, Sarnia, ON N7S 1P7 (View map) and 137 Davis St, Sarnia, ON N7T 1A2 (View map)
Refined Fool is a group of teachers, creatives, blue collars, entrepreneurs, musicians and pastors who care about beer, business, Sarnia and each other. They began by brewing out of their houses in midwinter with propane burners and DIY converted maple syrup drums to brew. Today, Refined Fool Brewing Co. has grown into a successful brewery, with three locations and a team of over 30 wonderful people! In their taproom at 1326 London Rd, Burger Rebellion serves classic cheeseburgers. Duck into the Sports Bar behind the taproom for cornhole, darts, and sports on the big screen. Meanwhile the Davis location features mouth-watering menu, top notch cocktails, the finest beer and a beautiful setting.
River Run Brew Co.
Where: 146 Christina St N, Sarnia, ON N7T 5T9 (View map)
Established in 2019, River Run Brew Co. is a nano-brewery turning out super-fresh, high-quality beers. Their products are available at The Tin Fiddler, a brew pub and cocktail bar in the heart of downtown Sarnia.
Stonepicker Brewing Co.
Where: 7143 Forest Rd, Plympton-Wyoming, ON N0N 1J4 (View map)
Joe’s idea of brewing beer came to him in 2006. After doing some research, he decided to plant 3 acres of malting barley. Being full-time pig farmers didn’t leave the Donkers a lot of free time to do what they wanted, and the barley eventually was fed to their pigs. After retiring from the pig business five years ago, Joe put his idea to work and planted grain once again. After much experimentation, it was now time to open a brewery! Their taproom offers a variety of rotating seasonals available by the glass or for growler/howler refills as well as a selection of crowd favourites available in cans or bottles.
Torched Brewing Co.
Where: 36 Ontario St N, Grand Bend, ON N0M 1T0 (View map)
What do you get when you combine six friendships, three couples, and a shared passion for craft beer? That’s the winning formula behind Torched Brewing Co., Grand Bend’s first and only craft beer brewery! Join their team in the taproom or on the patio to sample their distinctive craft beers, created by using the best locally sourced ingredients.
Two Water Brewing Co.
Where: 446 Lyndoch St, Corunna, ON N0N 1G0 (View map)
Two Water Brewing Co. is Corunna’s brewery! Co-owner Myka Barnes said the idea to open a brewery started after making beer in a basement, and that she and she and the other two co-owners wanted to incorporate details of Corunna and Lambton County into their business. For example, the brewery’s name and logo represents the local area, as “Two Water” refers to the St. Clair River and Lake Huron coming together. Stop by this hyper-local spot for a pint or beer to go!
Widder Station Golf, Grill & Tap House
Where: 8395 Decker Rd, Thedford, ON N0M 2N0 (View map)
Widder Station Golf and Country Club is located in Thedford, Ontario and offers many challenges in a railroad theme setting, with natural and man made terrain. Widder Station Restaurant offers a unique dining experience that changes with the seasons: in the summer months, the restaurant is located at the Tap House, where guests can enjoy delicious food, refreshing drinks, and live entertainment in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. When winter arrives, the restaurant moves to Widder Flats, a cozy and scenic space featuring crackling fire pits, walking trails, and warm, inviting vibes that make it the perfect winter retreat. Whether it’s summer at the Tap House or winter at Widder Flats, you’ll always find great food, good company, and memorable experiences waiting for you at Widder Station.
Wineries
Breaking ground outside of Ontario’s established wine regions, trendsetting winemakers are bringing unique and delicious wine experiences to the Huron Shores wine region! With blue waters, sandy beaches, and unforgettable sunset views, this wine region is a perfect complement to your next beach vacation.
Alton Farms Estate Winery
Where: 5547 Aberarder Line, Plympton-Wyoming, ON N0N 1J5 (View map)
One of the wine pioneers along Huron Shores, Alton Farms Winery opened its doors in 2005. Since then, they’ve been devoted to producing handcrafted wines using traditional techniques to maximize flavour and minimize their impact on their environment. They handcraft all their wines using traditional and sustainable practices that highlight the bounty of South Lake Huron.
Looking for something a bit different? Try a wine and chocolate tasting! Gather a group of friends and sample four wines with four different types of chocolate. Click here for more information.
Dark Horse Estate Winery
Where: 70665 B Line, Grand Bend, ON N0M 1T0 (View map)
John Rasenberg combined his passion for farming, a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and the dark, rich, loamy soil of his beloved Huron County to build an agri-tourism destination winery that would engage and delight visitors from around the world. Dark Horse Estate Winery is located just minutes from the shores of Lake Huron and next door to the iconic Huron Country Playhouse. The centrepiece of the estate is a 31, 000 sq. ft. manor house that houses event and conference spaces, tasting rooms, and patios with beautiful views of the grounds! The menu at Danu Cellars Restaurant reflects the region’s growing seasons and changes frequently.
Shale Ridge Estate Winery & Cidery
Where: 9090 Widder Rd, Thedford, ON N0M 2N0 (View map)
Shale Ridge Estate Winery & Cidery is a destination where friends gather in Lambton Shores, a short drive from Grand Bend, London & Sarnia! Alicia and Garren are third-generation farmers who made their first batch of cider in a two-car garage with fresh-pressed apples from the farm. Today, each bottle and can is still handcrafted by the family in Thedford — the entire team is proud to be making something that you can feel good about drinking. Pay them a visit to try their farm to glass products and enjoy a light food menu that includes charcuterie and pinsas!
Discover the sights and flavours of Ontario’s Southwest
Ready to set sail for sandy beaches and cool brews in Ontario’s Southwest? Click here to start planning your trip!
