Welcome to Toast the Coast, a place where you can taste local, find adventure and discover new hidden gems. Looking for trip inspiration along the south coast of Ontario? We’ve got you covered. There are a lot of great places to visit along the Toast the Coast Trail – here are a few different road trip itinerary ideas to get you started. 

 

Upcoming Event: Spirit of the Season

Want to try a little bit of everything? You're in luck, because we've got our popular seasonal event, Spirit of the Season starting this November! Find a new favourite this season by exploring the Toast the Coast Trail. 

Included in your passport is access to 19+ different stops where you get to try a different holiday-themed food + drink pairing at each spot. Your passport is valid for 3 full weekends (9 days) on Nov 22-24, Nov 29- Dec 1 and Dec 6-8.

While you’re out and about, we think you could find a gift (or two, or three…) for the upcoming holiday season.
Passports are on sale now. Learn more about this seasonal event and purchase your passports HERE. 
 

Waterford + Area

Welcome to Waterford! A small community within Norfolk County that hums with festive events and local yard sales, and is home to the popular Black Bridge & trail. 

  • Start your day by heading to Meuse Brewing. Home to the popular Cherry Saison, and Belgian-inspired beers, Meuse is a champion of local. They partner with local farmers and businesses to produce innovative beers like their raspberry or peach Wit. Offering a local selection of goodies, preserves and specialty chocolate - this is a great place to start the day! 

  • Next, head downtown Waterford to Wishbone Brewing where you’ll be greeted with modern vibes and good times. This stop will have you excited to order a flight of their unique small-batch beers and seltzers. They often host live music and themed nights and are known for being the go-to spot for Trivia on Sundays. 

  • About 30 seconds down the road from Wishbone, you’ll find your next stop at Belching Barista. Grab a coffee to fuel you to get to your last stop of the day!

  • Finally, you’ll arrive at Bonnieheath Estate Winery & Lavender Farm. Depending on the season (and weather) you can indulge in a beautiful stroll around the property while enjoying a glass of wine or cider. Inside you’ll find a lavender boutique, filled with giftable items and home decor. Keep an eye on their website for upcoming markets they host on-site. 

 

Meuse Brewing Company

 

Delhi + Simcoe

This day includes beers, spirits, and good food! If you’re a foodie who enjoys a variety of beers - this would be the day for you! 

  • Start your day at Ramblin’ Road Brewery Farm. Not only will you find the best kettle chips around, you’ll also find the Roost Restaurant with famous burgers (hello, lunch!), and a huge selection of beers, radlers and seltzers to enjoy. As soon as you pull into the parking lot you’re greeted with their own hops farm that they use in their brews. 

  • Then, you’re going to take a short 5-minute drive down to Delhi to visit Norfolk County’s first distillery! Pure Spirits is known for its smooth vodka that’s crafted and tested by professional consultants. The old warehouse turned distillery is currently undergoing renovations and will soon be a hotspot for everyone to come and enjoy. Their retail has a wide variety for you to try out, including rum, gin, vodka, whisky, seltzers and premixed shots. 

  • About ten minutes East of Delhi, you’re going to come across New Limburg Brewery, which is located in a small Hamlet called Nixon. What used to be an old schoolhouse has been turned into a brewery. Belgian-style beers line the retail shelves with selections like Belgian Blonde and Tripel. Tastings are done in the former school hallways, and an old school classroom houses their restaurant (reservations are required).

  • Time for a coffee and a treat! As you travel to Simcoe, you need to pop into Joy Bakery & Cafe to grab an ‘Oh Joy!’ bar and a specialty drink. Not feeling a hot coffee? They have non-alcoholic sparklers, too. 

  • Then take a short two-minute drive to your final stop of the day: The Blue Elephant. Alongside your Thai egg rolls, you can get yourself a Blue Brew flight. With all brews made in-house, The Blue Elephant has an impressive lineup of beers with a delicious menu alongside it for you to enjoy. 



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Port Dover + Area

The charming beach town that is a must-visit no matter which season it is! With a variety of beer, wine, cider, and shopping this day trip itinerary pleases a wide range of folks. 

  • Start your day at the Cider Keg Farm Market (CKFM) + Backyard Brewing! You can get yourself a hot apple cider or coffee at the Cider Keg Farm Market, or choose to sample one of the unique beers with Backyard Brewing. Cider Keg proudly carries and produces local non-alcoholic ciders, produce and baked goods. Backyard Brewing recently opened up its storefront within the CKFM and is excited for you to try its selection of small-batch brews that are continuously changing.
     

Time to start the car and head down to Port Dover by taking Radical Road. Along the way, you’re going to come up to your next stop.

Your last stop of the day is 10 minutes down Highway 6 in Jarvis. What was once an old firehouse, is now home to Concession Road Brewing. 

  • More than just a brewery, Concession Road Brewing is a community hub, welcoming families and furry friends alike. Their taproom is a lively space, hosting a variety of events such as Trivia, Family Feud, book club meetings, Euchre nights, Live Music performances, Drag Murder Mystery nights, and paint and art classes. It’s a great place to spend a Friday night. 

 

Couple walking in snow with wine

 

Turkey Point + Area

Some of the most picturesque views along the trail are around the Turkey Point Area. You’ll find a mix of wineries and breweries along this stretch in Norfolk County. These stops are quite close together, making it easy to visit in a single day or enjoy a leisurely weekend.

  • Starting at Hounds of Erie Winery, this is a dog + wine lover’s paradise. Offering cider, wines and recently their first beer, you can enjoy a variety of flights to find your favourite. Each wine and cider has a unique dog image on them that is mainly selected from customers’ dogs. Dogs are welcome at this stop, and there’s even a dog-run where they can get some energy out and play with others. This stop is 100% outdoors, so make sure you dress for the weather!
     

A short 15-minute drive will bring you to Front Road where you’ll find your next handful of stops for the day!

  • Front Road Cellars is crafting the unexpected. Family-owned and operated, this winery offers a large selection of wines, ciders, cocktails, fortified wines, preserves and an impressive snack menu. They offer a variety of tastings, including wine and cheese, and their ‘Vine to Wine’ tour (must be pre-booked). You can enjoy patio views year-round, but don’t worry, there’s plenty of room inside, too.

  • The next stop on your list will be Inasphere Wines. This third-generation family farm specializes in small-batch wines. They have breathtaking views of the Long Point Biosphere Reserve. Whether it’s fall and the colours are vibrant and warm, or if it’s snow-dusted, it’s a beautiful view and absolutely worth the stop.

  • The last winery on the itinerary is Burning Kiln. Take in vineyard views, check out their production room, and sample passito-styled wines. Winter-time calls for cozy fires on the patio, and a bite to eat from their in-house restaurant, Back Kitchen. They often host live music and special events. You can pre-book their Tipsy Tutorial for a fun and immersive experience. 

  • Hop across the road and you can find Marshview Patio & Bar + Hometown Brewing in a newly constructed welcome centre. Chef Shelli is always cooking up the next best culinary dish, and soon, you can visit Hometown Brew in the same building! Plus, there are over 70+km of trails surrounding the property that you can access for free! 

Time to hop back into the car where 10 minutes North, you’re going to find your last stop of the day.

  • Charlotteville Brewing makes micro-batch brews that will leave you no choice but to order a flight to try. Located in an insulated barn, this stop gives you all the cozy and rustic vibes. Each week they have a rotating cocktail special that you’ll want to try with their snack menu. They are proudly making steps to better our environment and are recognized as a sustainable tourism certified silver business with GreenStep as well as a certified organic hop farm.

 

Front Road Cellars Wine Pour

 

Elgin (St Thomas and Area) 

The western part of the Toast the Coast Trail is located within Elgin County. Continuously growing, this area is known for its highly curated agi-tourism and emerging beverage scene. 

You’re going to start in the heart of downtown St Thomas. We recommend that you take a stroll around to check out the impressive hand-painted murals. Afterwards, you can walk to your first stop.

  • Caps Off Brewing has a quaint taproom that has 6 different beers on tap, and a year-round patio that you can enjoy. They rotate their drink menu between their core beers, seasonal beers and one-offs! 

  • A short 10 minute drive, just outside of St Thomas you will find Quai du Vin (future home of Skye Chase Winery). Elgin’s first winery, it has an incredible history and has the oldest vines along the Toast the Coast Trail that are 50+ years old. Winter domes await your visit in the cooler months for a unique and fun tasting experience! They have a great selection of munchies and specialty candies that you can grab to snack on for the next portion of the road trip! 

Next up, you’re going to drive about 35 minutes west to the area known as West Lorne in Elgin County for your final stop. 

  • Welcome to Natterjack Brewing! A brewery that was established to live out the dreams of the late Matthew Soos. A family-run business, they are a hub in West Elgin where everyone is welcome for a pint of unique beer. They offer free tours throughout the facility that allow you a behind the scenes look at the brewing process. 

*Rise & Ruin is based in Elgin County and is currently only operating as an online shop. You can find their ciders at local farmers' markets, or order online!  

 

women serving beer sampler