Perched atop the Oak Ridges Moraine, the Willow Springs Winery of Stouffville is 11 acres of fusion, combining tradition with cutting-edge cold climate viticulture and vineyard management techniques.
The winery's 2400 square foot facility is designed to appear as a rustic farmhouse on the exterior, but entering reveals a lavish interior. The main building features a high vaulted cathedral ceiling and houses both the wine and gift shop and the complimentary wine-tasting bar.
The processing facility attached to the main building houses every step of the winemaking process, from crushing and de-stemming to bottling the final product. The winery is the furthest north commercial vineyard in Ontario, and was the first vineyard in Ontario to successfully plant cold-hardy Frontenac hybrid grapes.
Willow Springs initially produced both fruit and grape wines, but today the winery produces only premium grape wines, having joined the Vintners Quality Alliance in 2001. Willow Springs produces high quality red, white, and ice wines. These wines are available online, at the winery itself, or at select LCBO locations. Tasting a sample at the wine-tasting bar in the winery's main building is an excellent way to get acquainted with a wine prior to purchasing it, and the staff is both helpful and knowledgeable.
The Willow Springs Winery website also features a section of recipes specially designed to use Willow Springs wine. This section includes wine marinated grilled flank steak, easy garlic shrimp, and a nice, summery red wine sangria.
Willow Springs Winery is located at 5572 Bethesda Road in Stouffville. For more information, call (905) 642-9463 or visit www.willowspringswinery.ca.