Grey County is quickly becoming one of Ontario's premier destinations for craft beverage lovers. Within a short drive of Blue Mountain, you'll find award-winning wineries overlooking Georgian Bay, craft breweries with deep roots in Collingwood's shipbuilding heritage, and cideries pressing apples from 7,500 acres of local orchards.
Here's your complete guide to sipping your way through the region — and if good food and drink is the whole point of your trip, pair this with our local dining guide and our 48-hour foodie weekend itinerary to round out the weekend.
Wineries
The moderating "lake effect" from Georgian Bay creates ideal conditions for cold-hardy grape varieties. These boutique wineries offer intimate tasting experiences with spectacular views.
Georgian Hills Vineyards
A small-scale Winery & Cidery in the picturesque Beaver Valley (20 min from Blue Mountain) overlooking Georgian Bay. They focus on cold-hardy grape varieties and also produce Ardiel Cider House ciders using heritage apples.
Must Try: Wine & cider flight paired with artisanal kettle chips
The Roost Wine Company
A hilltop winery in Ravenna (20 min from Collingwood) with stunning Georgian Bay views, known for pushing the boundaries of cold-climate winemaking. Their signature blind tasting experience pairs 6 wines with local cheese and charcuterie.
Must Try: Blind tasting experience with cheese & charcuterie
Coffin Ridge Boutique Winery
Grey County's first winery, in Annan (30 min from Blue Mountain), overlooking Georgian Bay from the Niagara Escarpment. Their signature wines — Into The Light White, Back From The Dead Red, and Resurrection Rose — reflect the unique terroir.
Must Try: Wood-fired pizza on Saturdays + wine on the deck
Craft Breweries
Collingwood has earned its reputation as Ontario's Craft Beverage Capital. From the village's only brewpub to award-winning craft operations, there's something for every beer lover. For a deeper dive on the region's beer scene, see our Collingwood and Grey County craft beer trail.
Side Launch Brewing Company
A Craft Brewery in Collingwood (10 min from Blue Mountain), and a dog-friendly one at that. Winner of 2016 Canadian Brewery of the Year, Side Launch operates from a stunning 27,000 sq ft facility. Named after Collingwood's ship-building heritage, they brew traditional, highly drinkable beers.
Must Try: Side Launch Wheat, Dark Lager, or Mountain Lager flight
Black Bellows Brewing Company
A Brewery + Restaurant in Downtown Collingwood, set in a restored heritage blacksmith building. The beerhall-meets-arthouse vibe features 12 beers on tap, excellent food, and multiple patios.
Must Try: Black Bellows White (Witbier with Elderflower)
Northwinds Brewhouse & Kitchen
The only brewery right in Blue Mountain Village, this brewpub brews ultra-fresh small-batch beer on-site. Grab a pint on the waterside patio overlooking the Mill Pond and Mountain.
Must Try: Handmade beer dough pretzels + beef tallow fries
The Collingwood Brewery
A Craft Brewery and hidden gem set amongst the natural wonder of Collingwood. Family-owned with a passion for quality craft beer and a welcoming atmosphere.
Must Try: Seasonal rotating taps
Cideries
The Blue Mountains region is surrounded by 7,500 acres of apple orchards — making it the perfect place for craft cider. These cideries turn local apples into award-winning drinks, and several cluster around the charming harbour town of Thornbury, which is well worth a wander in its own right (see our guide to Thornbury).
Thornbury Craft Co.
A Cider House & Brewery in Thornbury (15 min from Blue Mountain) producing Ontario's most awarded craft cider, made with fresh-pressed apples in the heart of Ontario Apple Country. Since 2006, they've also brewed excellent craft beers including their world-recognized Czech-style pilsner.
Must Try: Blood Orange Apple Cider or Dam Dark Lager
Spy Cider House & Distillery
A boutique Cidery & Distillery in Clarksburg (10 min from Blue Mountain) with a James Bond theme, crafting ciders and spirits using local Ontario fruit. The two-story tasting room offers sweeping vineyard views from their four-season patio. Seasonal hours — check their website before visiting.
Must Try: Golden Eye cider + small-batch apple brandy
Grey & Gold Cider
A sustainable, farm-based cidery in the heart of Grey County apple country. Small-batch ciders made with traditional methods and local apples.
Must Try: Traditional dry cider
Craft Beverage Tours
Don't want to drive? Several companies offer guided tours with transportation:
- The Beer Bus Co. — Brewery, winery, and "mashup" tours with Cicerone-certified guides
- Canadian Craft Tours — Wine tours including Georgian Hills, The Roost, and Spy Cider House
- Big Blue Air — Helicopter wine tour to Georgian Hills Vineyards
Plan Your Craft Beverage Crawl
Here are three suggested routes depending on your interests.
The Wine Lover's Route (Half Day)
- Start at Georgian Hills Vineyards for a wine and cider pairing
- Head to The Roost for their signature blind tasting with charcuterie
- End at Coffin Ridge for wood-fired pizza and sunset views
The Craft Beer Circuit (Afternoon)
- Tour Side Launch Brewing and sample their award-winning lagers
- Walk downtown to Black Bellows for lunch and their Witbier
- Finish at Northwinds in Blue Mountain Village for apres-ski vibes
The Cider Trail (Half Day)
- Begin at Thornbury Craft Co. for Ontario's most awarded ciders
- Continue to Spy Cider House for their James Bond-themed tasting room
- Circle back to Georgian Hills for Ardiel Cider House selections
Tips for Your Visit
- Make reservations — Especially for wineries on weekends and during peak seasons
- Designate a driver — Or book a tour with transportation included
- Check seasonal hours — Some venues have reduced winter hours
- Pace yourself — Take advantage of food pairings to extend your experience
- Buy local — Many products are only available at the source or through limited Ontario distribution
When the tasting is done, keep the food momentum going with a dinner reservation from our roundup of the best restaurants in Collingwood and the Blue Mountain area.
Stay Close to the Action
Our chalets near Blue Mountain Village are perfectly positioned for craft beverage exploration — just minutes from Thornbury, Collingwood, and the Village itself. After a day of tasting, relax in your private hot tub and enjoy the mountain views before heading out again tomorrow.
Or call us at (416) 203-2057




