Catch the buzz and join Buzz Tour Co and host extraordinaire Christine for a tour to remember, on this fun, non-stop, full day tour from Kitchener, Ontario to the up and coming Region of Norfolk County. Make sure that you are revved and ready to indulge in a day of wine, beer, hard cider, food and a ton of laughs with Christine the Buzz founder, or one of her just as fun side-kicks.
You certainly won’t be bored as you tour and learn about the history of the up and coming Ontario wine region in Norfolk County. If you are paying attention on your way to Norfolk County, you will catch a glimpse of the tobacco fields and gingsing farms along the way.
This is a sponsored post, but as always all opinions expressed are my own opinion and thoughts. If I claim to appear to be an expert on a certain topic or product or service area, I am not, and I will only endorse products or services that I believe in my opinion are worthy of such endorsement.
CATCH THE BUZZ WITH BUZZ TOUR CO
All Aboard With Buzz Tour Co
The particular tour that I went on was open to the general public and we met Christine and the driver between 9 and 9:30 in the morning at the VIP Cinema on Fairway Drive, in Kitchener, Ontario (on private group tours, pick-up is arranged at your place of business or an individuals home). Grab your morning coffee from Starbucks and empty your bladder before boarding the bus, as you will have a short and very entertaining 1 1/2 to 2 hour roadtrip before reaching your first destination in Norfolk County.
Throughout the drive to Norfolk County, Christine will entertain you with the history behind Buzz Tour Co and how her vision came to fruition, as well as the history of how the wineries in the Norfolk Region came to be. This is the perfect time to get to know all of your travel companions, if you don’t already, tell jokes, sing songs, or anything else that you may find amusing.
NOTE: Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on the bus.
The tours chosen for your group will vary, but the following was the itinerary for the tour that I was on and for me it was perfect! It really doesn’t get much better than a day of wine, beer, hard cider, cheese, and candy.
Hounds of Erie
At this winery, the planting and experimenting with various types of vines began in 2012. By 2016 the vines were mature enough to bear fruit and the wine tasting began! Also 2016 was the first year that Hounds of Erie was able to use their own apples to craft their very own hard cider.
The Hounds of Erie is best known for its hard ciders, which you will be happy to learn are made with no additives or sugars added.
Our particular cider tasting consisted of a few different types of hard cider, including Top Dog and the Sassy Bitch, all of which were yummy (and I’m not a cider lover). My absolute favourite was the Sassy Bitch, and not just because the name suited me. It really was yummy! The Hounds of Erie really does offer the best hard cider in the Norfolk Region.
If you are visiting the Norfolk Region, I highly recommend that you stop in, say hello and grab a tasting (or two). If you are not in the area, it is well worth a special trip for the day just for a taste of the hard ciders produced at this up and coming vineyard.
IF YOU ARE ENJOYING WINE TASTING WITH ME, CONTINUE TO FOLLOW ALONG 🙂
Charlotteville Brewing Company
Next stop……beer AND cheese tasting! I have to confess that I am not a beer lover, heck, I’m not even a beer drinker, but man this stuff was fantastic! Pair the beer with cheese and it couldn’t have gotten any better!
A life-long dream was brought to life in 2010, when this family purchased the farm and began planting hops. Today, Charlotteville Brewing Company is a dream come true for the owners. The brewery is currently operating out of two turn-of-the-century barns. One houses a bar, sitting area and patio where patrons can enjoy a bite to eat, as well as taste the amazing beer. There is also a sitting area with loads of books where you can really sit back and relax.
The second barn houses the brewery and it is in this barn that you will enjoy a freshly made lunch while on your tour. I have to admit that this was the freshest salad that I have ever tasted.
Don’t let looks deceive you! Fantastic Beer!
The tasting consisted of three LARGE (and I mean very large) glasses of beer, along with cheese, grapes and crackers. I honestly never thought beer and cheese could taste so good together. The guide made learning the history of the brewery entertaining, fun and kept us laughing throughout the tour.
I can’t say if I had a favorite beer to try (I loved them all), so I guess you will just have to give them all a try when visiting Charlotteville Brewing Company. The beer, the food, the atmosphere, and the hosts were absolutely amazing at this brewery. I’ll be going back for another taste for sure!
Blueberry Hill Estates Winery
Our next stop, Blueberry Hill Estates Winery, was perfect for those people who have a sweet tooth. Wine and candy! Who would have thought? It certainly wasn’t a combination that I thought that I would ever try, but I am sure glad that I did.
I am sure you guessed by the name of the winery, that its specialty is blueberries…..and yes, they do use the blueberries to make some of their wines.
During the wine and candy paring, we sampled the wineries fruit wine, made with….you guessed it….blueberries, as well as white wine, red wine and hard cider.
If wine isn’t your cup of tea, the farm also offers pick your own blueberries, as well as a market with homemade preserves, such as blueberry honey, maple syrup, jams and jellies, salsa and relish, as well as pickled vegetables.
Next time you are in Norfolk County, stop by Blueberry Hill Estates Winery to satisfy your sweet tooth with a tasting of their fruit wine.
Burning Kiln Winery
The Burning Kiln Winery which opened in 2011 was our last stop. Norfolk County is historically known for its tobacco farms, many of which remain in existence today. The Burning Kiln Winery has preserved and re-purposed the original tobacco barn in order to pay tribute to Region’s history.
While the farm consists of 85 acres, only a small portion of the land is used for planting, which enables the winemakers to focus on the quality of the wine over the quantity of wine produced.
During our tasting at this stop, we were treated to several award winning red and white wines, all while be entertained and increasing our knowledge of the history of the winery going back to the days of tobacco farming.
Each vine in this vineyard is tended to by hand, including pruning, cropping, netting and harvesting. This is definitely a winery that I will be keeping my eye on as the vines mature. The wine can only get better and better with every year that passes.
A visit to the Burning Kiln Winery is an absolute must! Sit back, relax and sip on an award winning wine, all while taking in the beauty of the UNESCO-designated Long Point Bay World Biosphere Reserve.
Home Time – Leaving Norfolk County Wine Region!
The tour has now sadly come to an end, or so I thought.
Once we boarded our comfy bus to head home, we were given water and snacks…as if we hadn’t already eaten enough throughout the day! As Christine was familiar with the majority of the guests on this particular tour, she brought a game to entertain us which may or may not be suitable for all 🙂 The group on my tour were a hoot and we laughed the entire way home.
As a solo traveler and adventurer, I was made to feel welcome by Christine and the rest of the gang. Meeting new people and making new friends is certainly one of the benefits of adventuring and traveling solo.
Buzz Tour Co specializes in tours accommodating 4 to 20 people, and departs from the comfort of your place of business or your individual residence. I was lucky enough to experience this tour on an open tour which is periodically offered to the general public. If you are looking to schedule a corporate event, a bachelorette outing, or just a day out with some friends, I strongly recommend booking with Buzz Tour Co. Christine will schedule the perfect itinerary for your outing, and her enthusiasm and bubbly personality will keep you entertained for the entire day. A tour with Buzz Tour Co is certainly a tour to remember!
To schedule your tour, contact Christine at Buzz Tour Co. for a tour to Norfolk County. It is bound to be a tour to remember!
HAPPY TASTING 🙂
Kelly xoxo
SAVE TO CATCH THE BUZZ 🙂
JUST ONE PASSPORT 
pamelard
I love wine and I love a good tour guide! Your tour guide sounds awesome!!! I’ll have to save this for when I’m back in Ontario
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Just One Passport
It was SO much fun! Honestly one of the best tours I’ve been on anywhere!
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Nyri H Rhodes
I would never have thought about a beer pair with cheese, never heard of that at all. I do enjoy cider as well and would love to sample the tobacco. I also love the snow covered vineyard, great photo opportunity.
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Just One Passport
I’m not a beer drinker but I loved the beer and cheese combination! Yes the snow made the vineyards so beautiful
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pamelard
Good wine AND a good tour guide?! Sign me up! She sounds awesome!!!
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Just One Passport
She was awesome! Best tour guide I’ve come across
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clairebromm
I’m not a big fan of traditional beer and wine but I do love me a cider and fruity wine!
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Just One Passport
There were lots of both on this tour lol. I’m not a cider lover but I changed my mind here.
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Nicole Hunter
I feel a delightful hangover coming on just reading your blog. I LOVE cider. I’m from British Columbia and we have some wonderful ciders. I’d love to try some from Ontario soon!
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Just One Passport
Oh you’re lucky! You have so many great vineyards out there in B.C. I’d love to go back to explore the Okanagan more!
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gofargrowclose
I feel a delightful hangover coming on just reading your blog. I LOVE cider. I’m from British Columbia and we have some wonderful ciders. I’d love to try some from Ontario soon!
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Just One Passport
A girl after my own heart. If you come to Ontario I’ll join you!
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WanderlustBeautyDreams
What a cool tour! It looks like you had a blast. I will have to check out this tour whenever I’m in the area.
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Just One Passport
It was so much fun! The beer and wine was pretty good too
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SherianneKay
This sounds like a great experience to have in Norfolk. Love that the guide was not just informational but also funny, makes all the difference. I’m positive Blueberry Hill Estates Winery would be my favorite, I’m a fan of sweet wines
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Just One Passport
I completely agree that the guide makes all the difference. Christine was probably the best guide that I’ve come across anywhere.
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Carrie Ann | Should Be Cruising
What a fantastic tour! I love that they mixed it up with the wines, beers, and ciders. I’ve done winery and brewery tours, but nothing with this much variety. Then add cheese to it? This sounds like my kind of tour 😀
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Just One Passport
It was fantastic! So many different tastings of wine cedar and beer…even a freshly made lunch and snacks on the bus. One of the best tours I’ve been on!
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Marina
Wow! This looks like a great trip to get buzzed haha! I have never gone to a winery before!
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Just One Passport
Oh you are missing out! It’s my of my favorite things to do🍷
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Albi Mrázová
A good tour guide is always key to a good tour and the wine sounds really delicious.
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Just One Passport
I completely agree. They make all the difference!
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Kristy B
You had me at wine,beer,hard cider,and cheese! Seriously, this sounds like so much fun and I’ve never tried wine and candy together before. It sounds delicious!
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Just One Passport
It was so much fun with lots of booze food and laughs!
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Medha Verma
Not a fan of cider but I am definitely a wine person! The Buzz Tour Co sounds like a great way to learn about the history of wines and wineries in Norfolk County. Christine sounds like a great host as well, which only adds to the fun of taking a tour like this. A day of wine and food is totally up my alley!
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Just One Passport
I’m not much of a cider lover either, but honestly, the cider I tasted was actually pretty good!
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Ella
This sounds like so much fun! I would never have thought to add a beer/wine tour to my Ontario itinerary, but you’ve got me thinking now 🙂 I always think it’s way more interesting if you can actually hear the history and information about what you’re drinking whilst you’re drinking it!
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Just One Passport
I was surprised at how good this wine region of Ontario was given that it’s fairly new. The wine and beer were VERY good.
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Kristin In Motion
That sounds like a great tour! I love that it wasn’t all just beer or wine and they mixed it up a little. I’m dying to get up and explore Canada more!
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Just One Passport
If you get to Canada (specifically Ontario), let me know and I would be more than happy to give you some pointers.
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Iuliya (@vidadeliya)
Looks great! I don’t drink so this won’t be something I’ll do 🙂
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Just One Passport
The food was good too😉
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Jen
I’ve been hearing so much about the wines etc from the Ontario region in Canada, but not really this particular area. Great to know as we explore Canada more. (I also don’t often get to see images of snow covered vineyards–beautiful!)
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Just One Passport
This area is relatively new to wine. Niagara region is the big area
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Just One Passport
Wine is relatively new in this area. Niagara is the big area
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coriramos
Wine? Now you’re talkin’! Looks like you had a lot of fun! Thanks for sharing your adventure with us! 🙂
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Just One Passport
This was one of the best tours I have been on yet and it was local!
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Michelle Segrest
What a super fun tour! Thanks so much for taking us along with you! I would love to see that Burning Kiln Winery! Actually it all looks really cool and I love that the tour provides a lot of the history! Thanks for the buzz!!!
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Just One Passport
the burning kiln was great. I love doing this kind of thing
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