Ontario’s South Coast

A Road Trip Through the Long Point Biosphere

Road trips are often measured in kilometres, but the journey through Long Point, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, is best experienced through connection to the landscape, the people and the stories that shape this remarkable region. Stretching along the north shore of Lake Erie in Norfolk County, Long Point is a globally significant ecosystem which coexists alongside working farms, family-run businesses, and communities deeply connected to the land and water.

Travelling through the region allows one to slow down and appreciate these connections. Vibrant forests, fertile agricultural lands, and expansive wetlands provide the backdrop for conservation-focused tourism, farm-to-table dining, and innovative wineries and craft breweries. We discovered a region where environmental stewardship and rural entrepreneurship go hand in hand with adventure and relaxation.

Following Highway 3 through Norfolk County, the landscape unfolded in a patchwork of roadside markets, tobacco farms, pumpkin patches, sweet corn fields, cabbage crops and ginseng operations. Carolinian forests and vineyard-covered hills signalled our arrival in Ontario’s South Coast region. The roughly 90-kilometre drive to Long Point Eco-Adventures was defi ned by a gradual slowing down, with time to enjoy a coffee and the view.

Long Point Eco-Adventures Resort
Glamping Under the Canopy

Sustainability lies at the heart of Long Point Eco-Adventures, shaping everything from accommodations and outdoor programming to the dining experiences that showcase Norfolk County’s rich agricultural heritage.

Kayak along local water-ways, explore self-guided hiking trails, test your aim with axe throwing, or soar above the forest on a 2.5 hour zipline tour offering panoramic views of the autumn canopy.

Whether visitors are seeking thrills or quiet reflection, the resort offers countless ways to experience the landscape. Kayak along local waterways, explore self-guided hiking trails, test your aim with axe throwing, or soar above the forest on a 2.5-hour zipline tour offering panoramic views of the autumn canopy. Mountain bike rentals, including fat bikes ideal for cooler-season riding, provide access to more than 90 kilometres of trails winding through vineyards, forests and Norfolk County’s distinctive ridgelines.

Long Point Eco-Adventures offers bike rentals to explore the 90 kilometres of trails

For those seeking a slower pace, fungi foraging workshops reveal the hidden treasures of the forest floor, while Burning Kiln Winery, located just across the road, offers guided vineyard tours and tastings. The resort’s observatory, home to Ontario’s second-largest telescope, offers remarkable opportunities to explore the constellations beneath some of Southern Ontario’s darkest night skies. Although our visit was partially obscured by cloud cover, the presentation and observatory tour provided a fascinating perspective on the universe. Visitors have a unique opportunity to see and learn about the challenges and conservation efforts impacting Ontario’s native turtles. The resort’s seasonal turtle hatchery program, operating from June through September, protects vulnerable turtle populations by rescuing eggs from threatened nesting sites and incubating them in a safe environment which is visible to guests. Egg collection and incubation take place during the summer, while hatching and public turtle releases occur later in September. During our visit, staff shared that more than 1,400 eggs had been rescued this season, representing painted, snapping, northern map, and the threatened Blanding’s turtle. When the day’s adventures came to an end, we settled into our Elite Pod, one of the resort’s signature glamping accommodations. The private yurt-inspired wooden structure featured a queen-size bed, an ensuite bathroom including a shower, electricity and climate control. Outside, a personal fire pit provided the perfect setting to unwind beneath the stars while enjoying campfire s’mores with the provided fixings.

The resort offers larger wilderness pods, glamping tents, camping sites and family-friendly cabins.

While our Elite Pod was ideal for a couple’s getaway, the resort offers accommodations suited to a variety of travellers, including larger wilderness pods, glamping tents, camping sites and family-friendly cabins, allowing guests to choose their preferred balance of comfort and immersion in nature. You can also get a cluster of pods for a group getaway.

Dining and Craft Brewing at the Resort

Beyond its outdoor adventures, Long Point Eco-Adventures has developed a culinary program that celebrates the flavours of Norfolk County and eliminates the need for on-site cooking.

We made stops at the resort’s gathering places, including the Spoke Pizza & Beer Deck, Wishbone Brewery, and Marshview Patio & Bar. Each provided the opportunity to relax and savour local food and drink.

A wood-fired pepperoni pizza from the Spoke and Shaw’s Ice Cream made for the perfect midday break. The crisp, thin-crust pizza and locally produced ice cream delivered simple, satisfying comfort before we headed back onto the trails.

Later, we wandered over to Wishbone Brewery for a well-earned pint. Founded in Waterford by partners Nick Lang and Tyler Ferguson, the brewery recently expanded with a brewing location at Long Point Eco-Adventures. The partnership emerged naturally.

“We’ve been working with Marshview for a few years, and they had built a brewing room,” explained Lang. “They wanted a brewery on site, and we were desperate for more room, so it really has worked out.”

Today, Wishbone produces approximately 7,000 litres of beer on-site and offers five core beers alongside seltzers and Zers Hard Iced Teas. Lang, who has spent more than a decade as a professional brewer, said serving beer immediately after production is one of the operation’s greatest advantages.

“One day from tank to fridge feels pretty good.” That freshness was evident in Grind Mode, a limited-release 7.3 ABV Gose brewed with Brazilian lightroast coffee from The Belching Barista. Bright citrus notes, subtle acidity and a hint of sea salt created a surprisingly refreshing beer that reflected the creativity driving Norfolk County’s growing craft beverage scene.

Marshview Patio & Bar
A Taste of Norfolk County

After a day spent exploring the trails, forests and vineyards of the Long Point Biosphere, Marshview offers the perfect place to gather and enjoy the flavours of the region.

The culinary philosophy is straightforward: source local ingredients whenever possible and prepare them with care. Relationships with nearby farmers, wineries, breweries and cider producers shape the menu, and 10 Ontario craft beers and a cider on tap further reinforce the restaurant’s commitment to showcasing local producers.

Leading the kitchen is Chef and General Manager Shelli Bosgoed, who grew up on the nearby Inasphere farm before studying Culinary Management at Niagara College and earning her Red Seal certification. During her 10 years with Long Point Eco-Adventures, Bosgoed has helped transform Marshview from a food truck operation into a year-round dining destination serving up to 700 guests daily.

“We call it a resort because it’s a year-round experience,” says Bosegoed. “We have plans to continue expanding our culinary footprint.”

The menu features elevated takes on familiar favourites, including braised short ribs, the Farmer’s Burger, fresh bruschetta, dill pickle grilled cheese with roasted garlic aioli, and steak bites paired with house-made sauces. Local perch and pickerel sourced from Port Dover remain perennial favourites and offer a true taste of Ontario’s South Coast.

Whether stopping in for breakfast or later after time on the trails, joining one of the resort’s popular accommodation- and-dining packages, or gathering with friends during the holiday season, guests are served more than a meal. They are offered a glimpse into the farms, fisheries and food traditions that have helped define Norfolk County for generations.

Burning Kiln Winery
From Tobacco Fields to Vineyards

No exploration of Norfolk County’s emerging wine scene would be complete without a stop at Burning Kiln Winery, the sister property to Long Point Eco-Adventures. Burning Kiln is leading the region’s reputation as a wine destination.

The winery’s story is deeply rooted in Norfolk County’s agricultural heritage. Named in honour of the tobacco kilns that once dotted the landscape, Burning Kiln occupies land that was historically dedicated to tobacco production. The transformation began in 2007 when the winery’s partnership group planted its first vines after discovering the property’s sandy soils were exceptionally well suited to grape growing. The first harvest followed in 2010, with wines reaching consumers the following year.

The 28.8-acre vineyard produces an impressive range of wines, while additional grapes sourced from Niagara-on-the-Lake help supplement production. All winemaking takes place onsite, including bottling through a mobile bottling operation. Visitors can sample a rosé, seven whites — including Savagnin and a Chardonnay aged in German oak barrels — and eight reds ranging from approachable styles to premium oak-aged offerings.

Burning Kiln is particularly well known for its appassimento-inspired wines, created by kiln-drying grapes to concentrate flavours before fermentation. The technique pays homage to its tobacco-drying past while producing distinctive wines such as its Kiln Dried Riesling and bold red offerings. Premium labels including Boss, Kiln Hanger and the unfiltered Inferno showcase the winery’s approach to fuller-bodied, oak-aged wines. The Boss Cabernet Sauvignon stood out during our visit, offering a dry profile with substantial depth and character.

The winery’s tasting room is housed within a beautifully restored 1870s horse barn. The timber construction and curved interior evoke the feeling of stepping aboard an old wooden ship. A patio overlooking the vineyard remains open through the fall season, inviting guests to pair wines with custom-built charcuterie boards featuring local ingredients.

Beyond the tasting experience, Burning Kiln embraces the same connection to nature that defines the biosphere. Walking trails wind through the licensed property, past vineyards, forested areas, and a pond teeming with wildlife. Each October, the winery’s popular Harvest Hike allows visitors to explore the trails while enjoying wine and food pairings at stations throughout the property, creating an immersive experience that blends agriculture, hospitality and the beauty of the autumn landscape.

As both a winery and a celebration of Norfolk County’s agricultural evolution, Burning Kiln demonstrates how the region has successfully reinvented itself while honouring its rural roots.

Front Road Cellars at Blueberry Hill Estates
A New Generation of Wine Country

Established in 1973, Blueberry Hill Farm is home to Ontario’s oldest commercial high-bush blueberry planting.

“Blueberries are what make this place special,” says Amanda Vranckx. The property has been in the Vranckx family since 2005, and Amanda and her husband Nick purchased it four years ago, expanding it into a winery.

After studying viticulture at Brock University, Nick developed the Front Road Cellars wine program into a diverse portfolio of more than 30 wines, including fruit, sparkling and fortified, traditional red, white and rosé offerings, and ciders. A strong advocate for hybrid grape varieties, he cultivates seven acres of vineyard while producing small-batch wines using fruit from the nearby Simcoe Research Station.

“We are at the precipice of where we can grow as a wine region along Front Road,” says Nick. Standing among the vines, shaped by the moderating influence of Lake Erie, it’s easy to see why he believes the region’s best days are still ahead.

Inasphere Winery & Farm Market
Wine, Family and the Farm

A short drive farther along Front Road is Inasphere, where the connection between farming and winemaking feels especially authentic. Owned by Shantel and Ryan Bosgoed, the winery is situated on a working family farm where vineyards share the landscape with extensive vegetable production, including onions, squash and the cabbage crop that helped establish the family’s agricultural roots.

From the moment visitors arrive, the atmosphere is intentionally relaxed. “We want people to feel comfortable,” says Shantel. “There’s no bar to stand at when tasting wine. Our kids are often running around, and we’re usually in our rubber boots, so it’s an approachable experience.”

That down-to-earth philosophy extends to the wines themselves. “Our wines are very natural to what is grown here,” she explains. Popular offerings include a refreshing Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc, both available through select LCBO locations, as well as a distinctive and tasty peach sangria made with Cabernet Franc and peach concentrate.

The family’s agricultural heritage is visible in every direction. Beyond the retail room stretches a patchwork of vegetable fields and vineyards, serviced by an intricate dyke system originally built by Ryan’s grandfather after emigrating from the Netherlands.

Ryan, who studied winemaking and viticulture at Niagara College and trained at Jackson-Triggs, planted his first half-acre of grapes after returning home to the family farm.

A Final Taste of the Biosphere
The Chip Ship and Charlottesville Brewery

Near the entrance to Long Point Provincial Park, we stopped at the highly recommended Chip Ship for its famous Pickle Fries. The generous portion of crispy fries topped with shredded dill pickles, seasoning and dill pickle ranch sauce was immensely satisfying. Fair warning: sharing is highly recommended. Fortunately, the park’s expansive beaches are just minutes away, providing the ideal setting for a post-lunch stroll along the shores of Lake Erie.

Nestled among the Carolinian Forest near Delhi, Charlotteville Brewing Company is a labour of love created by the husband- and-wife team of Melanie Doerksen and Tim Wilson, whose passion for the land is evident throughout the property.

Self-described environmentalists, they have built a brewery experience that encourages visitors to slow down and connect with both nature and the local community. “What we are looking for is for people to come here for the experience,” says Wilson.

That philosophy has earned Charlotteville Brewing Company designation as one of the Long Point Biosphere’s Amazing Places, recognizing its commitment to stewardship and its connection to the region’s natural heritage.

Set on a 41-acre property, much of it forest, the brewery incorporates responsible water management, composting and pollinator habitat established through ALUS, a conservation program that supports biodiversity on working farms. Wilson also produces hay on a small portion of the property while maintaining the largely natural setting.

Visitors are welcomed Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, making it an ideal stop for a leisurely weekend afternoon or happy hour in the countryside. They quickly discover that Charlotteville is more than a brewery. Limited cellular connectivity and an inviting country-chic atmosphere encourage guests to put away their phones and settle in. Under the direction of brewmaster Doerksen, the brewery produces a rotating lineup of 12 craft beers, most of which are sold directly on-site. Their signature Local 519 Pale Ale is a malt-forward English-style ale with rich caramel and biscuit flavours, complemented by hints of honey and raisin and a restrained hop profile that creates a smooth, refreshing finish. Accompanying the beer menu are traditional Neapolitan-style pizzas prepared with sourdough fermented for four days and topped with premium Ontario ingredients.

As conversations drifted across the patio and the afternoon sun filtered through the forest canopy, Charlotteville Brewing Company epitomized the spirit of the Long Point Biosphere. Like the wineries, farms and tourism operators we encountered throughout the journey, Doerksen and Wilson have built something that reflects the character of the region itself, grounded in the land, shaped by community and designed to be shared. It was the perfect final stop on a road trip that revealed not only the beauty of Ontario’s South Coast but also the people whose passion continues to define it. •

Some accommodations and experiences were gratefully accepted from Long Point Eco-Adventures Resort, Burning Kiln Winery, Inasphere Winery and Charlotteville Brewing Company. None of these businesses reviewed or approved this story.

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BRUCE FYFE is a researcher, writer and retired librarian who enjoys spending spare time exploring the back roads.