The Roost Winery
The Blue Mountains, Ontario
Vaughan - March 1st, 2022 - We’re back at our girls' staycation in the summer of 2020. After our last stop at Georgian Hills Vineyards (now that we know the difference between a winery and a vineyard, I’m using these words much more confidently), we drove for nine minutes south towards our final stop before we made our way to accommodations in the Blue Mountains. Driving south on 10th Line surrounded by acres of vines, the sun was peeking through the clouds (finally) when we saw the sign on the end of the driveway to The Roost Winery.
We drove down the dirt driveway towards the parking lot that also sits on raw earth. Dirt ground or not, the entire view and atmosphere from this vantage point was absolutely beautiful. We exited my vehicle and looked around in awe, then started to follow the stones amongst the green grass which brought us to front of the large, wooden barn where the magic happens (I’m not talking about the wine making, I’m talking about the wine drinking).
The winery was bustling with people, so we hastily made our way to the reception area to secure our spot in the tasting room. After getting organized, we were brought to a GORGEOUS table by a large window that overlooked Beaver Valley. Here, we spent almost two hours nibbling on the delicious charcuterie boards that were a part of the tasting, and tried six of their wines. The tasting may have been almost two years ago, but I distinctly remember enjoying each of them (minus the sparkling rose, because sparkling rose in general is just not my jam). We especially enjoyed the Riesling which was a shock for a bunch of ladies who love a chardonnay or a deep red.
The Roost is a family owned and run winery in the Blue Mountains. They grow, make and serve cold climate wine that is sustainably farmed, made small-batch with minimal intervention. Few winemakers have braved the wooly setting of The Blue Mountains. So when the family relocated from the UK to this property here to start a winery and a family (hence, the name The Roost), they faced challenges. For one, regular European grape varieties don’t grow well in the freezing conditions. So, when they began the process of creating The Roost, they decided to turn the challenging climate into a strength. They consulted Canada’s premier wine creators and researched famous cold climate regions in France, Germany and others peppered around Europe. Eventually, they stumbled upon several incredible varieties that naturally thrived in the local extreme temperatures and the clay loam of the Niagara Escarpment.
Today, the wine and the winery are a go-to among circles of critics, locals, and wine buffs who want to step outside the norm and, in the striking surrounds of the Blue Mountains, have a one-of-a-kind cold climate wine experience. This is a must visit. Before you go, check out their website.
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