Visit Picton (Ontario) Canada - the Lighter Side!

Originally, I was supposed to spend my 50th birthday with my family in France. Travelling constraints made this difficult, so I decided to visit a new town instead. I had heard many great things about Prince Edward County and set my sights on the region. I found a beautiful place to stay at the Empire Inn and Suites, a former 1904 schoolhouse in Bloomfield, where my daughter and I had a giant suite with a fully equipped kitchen, perfect for dealing with the unknowns of the pandemic. Sabrina's welcome was warm and friendly; I even had a bottle of sparkling wine, from one of the local wineries Hinterland, waiting for me on the dining room table.

We quickly understood why this area is so highly rated: the Sandbanks Provincial Park boasts beaches as grand as any at the ocean shore, the villages are charming with all their Victorian homes, and the vineyards are beautiful sight with their neat rows, even in the wintertime. The flat land is perfect for biking, especially with the new Millennium Trail, and we came across all the important staples of summer: café terraces, ice cream stands and adorable shops. We vowed to come back when the weather is more clement.

In our short stay, and despite closures, we were still able to see plenty. Bloomfield has an array of antique shops and galleries. We picked up our foie gras, truffle chips and triple chocolate cookie batter at Public House (we were celebrating a birthday after all). We drove down the street to Sandbanks for a hike.

In Picton, we walked along Main Street and had the inspired idea of having pizza at 555 Brewing Co. We gobbled our delicious meal, picked up some local beer and cider and, best of all, met Natalie Wollenberg who told us about her book, County Heirlooms, published by Invisible, Picton's very own publishing house. My daughter chose one of their books at bookstore, and I've ordered Natalie's book to find out more about the region's gastronomic delights and cast of characters.

Next up: wine country! Natalie's favourite, Lighthall Winery, was closed, so we made our way to Huff Estates. We were thrilled to be the first tasters since the re-opening of the tasting area. I'm not usually a big fan of chardonnay, but the Catherine's South Bay chardonnay is crisp with a round finish, a lovely balance of freshness and buttery feel. I may have picked up a bottle for home and few others to try as well... including their new fortified wine, Nightcap, which I have yet to try.

We stilll had time to enjoy our grand lodgings and celebrate my birthday in style. Overall, we had a marvellous time and are plotting for our return. So how could it be that I discovered Picton's darker side when I got home? The adventure continues!