When planning a road trip through Ontario, most travelers think of Toronto, Niagara Falls, or perhaps the famous Niagara-on-the-Lake wine region. But sometimes the most memorable discoveries happen in the places you least expect. During our recent journey between Ottawa and Montreal, we stumbled upon a delightful surprise that’s worth adding to your Ontario travel itinerary.
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Our base for this adventure was Voyagers Provincial Park, located about an hour between Ottawa and Montreal along the Ottawa River. While the campground had its quirks – including surprisingly busy bathrooms and a definite party atmosphere – it offered something special: spacious, well-wooded sites that provided plenty of privacy. The Ottawa River beach area gives the park a resort-like feel, making it popular with weekend visitors looking to unwind.
Despite some logistical challenges (long bathroom lines seem to be the park’s main drawback), the natural setting more than made up for it. The large, secluded campsites made it an ideal spot for relaxing and planning our next moves.
The real revelation came when we spotted a winery sign while driving into the park. A bit of research revealed that Eastern Ontario has quietly developed into an impressive wine region that flies completely under the radar. We visited two standout wineries: Vankleek Hill Vineyard and Stonehouse Vineyard (left).
At Vankleek Hill, we enjoyed a lovely charcuterie board paired with their wines – good enough that we couldn’t resist taking a bottle home. But Stonehouse Vineyard was the real showstopper. This family-friendly winery offers multiple tasting areas, from intimate spots near the main building to a larger pavilion, and even a secluded area deeper in the vineyard.
The highlight at Stonehouse? Watching their resident sheep and goats roam the property. These entertaining animals provided endless amusement as they followed each other up and down the hills in perfect herd formation – a delightful addition to an already excellent wine tasting experience.
What impressed us most was the quality of wine being produced here. Many of the grapes are hybrid varieties, perfectly suited to the shorter growing season, and the results are genuinely impressive. It’s proof that excellent wine can be made in unexpected places when winemakers adapt to their local conditions.
This Eastern Ontario/Western Quebec wine region feels like Canada’s best-kept secret. While everyone flocks to Niagara-on-the-Lake, this area offers a more intimate, authentic experience without the crowds. The geological similarities to the more famous Niagara region, combined with the moderating influence of the Great Lakes and Ottawa River, create ideal growing conditions.
For travelers seeking something off the beaten path, this hidden wine country offers the perfect blend of excellent vintages, beautiful scenery, and genuine hospitality – all with that wonderful sense of discovery that makes the best trips truly memorable.
Thanks for stopping by! Check out our Go See Do Explore Podcast, available wherever you listen to podcasts. To read more about this trip check out the Chasing Summer Road Trip page. To read about some of our previous trips, visit my Trips Page. If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page and follow me on Instagram! For my list of gadgets to make your travels easier, click here.