Get ready for a food and drink revolution when you visit Ontario’s Southwest
When it comes to summer, there's no place I'd rather be than right here at home, in Southern Ontario, exploring all it has to offer – from wine tours and farmers' markets to cheese trails and (farm-to-table dining)
Ontario's Southwest first caught my attention last spring, when I heard that the Ohio-based company that produces French's ketchup uses tomatoes grown at the farms near Leamington. I began looking for the brand in my grocery store aisles, all the time wondering… what else am I missing out on in that part of the province?
A region long-known for its fertile farmland, Ontario's Southwest has taste trails and an emerging farm-to-table scene that have in-the-know foodies abuzz; it's also attracting some of the world's top culinary talents, from chefs, winemakers and brewers to artisanal cheese makers and organic farmers. The result? A booming farm-to-table, wine and craft beer scene.
Ontario's Southwest is home to some of the country's most fertile farmland and stretches along Lake Erie from Dunnville to Windsor, including Pelee Island, around Lake Huron to Grand Bend and incorporates inland communities between the Great Lakes including London, Woodstock and Ingersoll. At less than a two-hour drive from Toronto, it makes for an ideal weekend getaway or day trip out of the city. In addition to all the amazing grazing, there are charming towns, gorgeous parks, world-class beaches, summer festivals and activities such as cycling, hiking, and boating.
Before you hit the road on your culinary journey, however, take a look at the articles and videos on Ontario's Southwest website (OntariosSouthwest.com) for first-hand information straight from local producers, who share behind-the-scenes stories about their wine, beer and food ventures.
One of the videos, for example, is about a Port Stanley couple who moved from California back to the family farm and opened The New New Age, a market, bistro and brew pub, which features a locally grown organic and wild-crafted menu, offers workshops on topics such as foraging, and serves small, seasonal batches of organic ales.
Another tells the sweet story of the three sisters behind the local landmark Shaw's Ice Cream – which dates back to 1948 – and how they're building on the tradition of making ice cream with fresh, local cream and the purest flavourings.
The videos are accompanied by blog posts of additional helpful tips and suggestions for planning a visit, as well as highlights of many other not-to-be-missed eateries, farmers' markets and events.
For instance, no food tour is complete without sampling local favourites such as the apple-cherry cider, from Bonnieheath Estate Lavender & Winery in Waterford; the Gouda- and Appenzeller-inspired Five Brothers artisan cheese, from Gunn's Hill in Woodstock; the perch tacos at The Combine in Norfolk County; and New Limburg Brewery's old-school Belgian ales that are actually brewed in an old school in Norfolk County.
So, with the inspiring video tours and all the great suggestions available on the blog, planning a trip to Ontario's Southwest is now as easy as pie – bon appétit!
This content was produced by The Globe and Mail's advertising department. The Globe's editorial department was not involved in its creation.