Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island is located on the east coast of Canada with a population of approximately 139,000 residents. Prince Edward Island, is the smallest of the Canadian provinces both in size and population . While it is densely populated, it is not overcrowded. The Province is also called 'PEI', or simply 'The Island'. The capital city is Charlottetown The Island is 224 kilometers long and is connected to the mainland by the Confederation Bridge which is the world's longest bridge (12.9 km) over ice covered waters.

The climate on Prince Edward Island is milder than the Canadian mainland due to the warm waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence surround it. This makes for damp conditions throughout the year. The Island receives an average yearly rainfall of 868 mm and an average yearly snowfall of 340 cm. The Island enjoys an average temperature of -7C (19F ) in January, and 19C (67F) in July.

Summers are quite warm, but rarely humid. Daytime temperatures are usually in the 20's (70's) and can go as high as 32 degrees C. (90 degree F.). Summer days and evenings have a refreshing breeze. July and August are the warmest and driest months

Arlington Orchards

1150 Orchard Rd
Just off the 167
Arlington, PE

Arlington Orchards is a family run farm, Eco-Apples farm, with Carol and Barry Balsom celebrating their 20th year of growing apples in 2013. They are the PEI largest orchard with 32 acres of apples, plus pears and plums equaling 50 acres.

The first of their hard cider line is "Malpeque Bay Cider", in honour of Malpeque Bay and the soft breezes and warmer conditions the Bay provides. They also make Iced Apple Cider.

Arlington Orchards was a part of a provincial study involving federal and provincial governments, researchers, and other Island apple growers that focused on using natural pollinators and not importing any honeybees. We rely on our native Prince Edward Island bees and not honeybees to pollinate our fruit crop, and since 2000 we have identified over 120 native PEI bee species.

Honeydew Apiaries

6718 Rte. 19
Canoe Cove, PE
C0A 1H7

A bee farm producing meads owned by Daniel and Beatrice Ficza. Daniel is a very experience Beekeeper having worked in California, Alberta and British Columbia before settling in New Brunswick

The meadery is between Charlottetown and the Confederation Bridge on the south shore. Most of the hives are located within half hour drive from the apiary. They have 400 hives

Their mead is sold under the label The Golden Drop.

Mead Maker: Daniel Ficza
Philosophy: To strive for high quality, reasonably priced.

Newman Estate Winery

2404 Gladstone Road
Murray Harbour
C0A 1W0

Nestled outside the luxurious water views of Nicole's Cove and Fox River in the charming rural community of Gladstone lies Newman Estate Winery . Owned by Mike Newman the wineries first release was 2011 Blueberry.

Mike has a Bachelor of Engineering Degree from the University of New Brunswick, a Master of Business Administration degree from Carleton University and a winemaker certificate from the University of California – Davis. He currently runs the winery in the summer months and is still a contractor in Engineering during the off-season.

The vineyard was planted in 2009 with Marechal Foch,Lucie Kuhlman and in 2010 with Visal and Seyval.

The winery was built with help from the community and endless hours of volunteer labour

Winemaker: Mike Newman

Matos Winery

3156 West River Road
St. Catherines PE
C0A 1H0

Jaime and Heather Matos were both born on the island of Pico in the Acores, just off of Portugal. Heather came to Ontario when she was 5 and Jaime when he was 18. While in the Acores Jaime helped his father tend to his vineyards there and make wine.

It had always been a dream and passion for Jaime to have his own vineyard and winery one day. Many travels around the world scouting for the perfect location and a place that he could enjoy and call home. This ended up being Prince Edward Island

In the summer of 2007, 16,000 Gamay Noir and Chardonnay grapevines were imported from France and planted on 10 hillside acres. In the spring of 2008, the Matos family sold their wine business in Ontario and moved to PEI

Rossignol Estate Winery

RR4 Murray River
Prince Edward Island
C0A 1W0

902-962-4193

The first winery in PEI, located in Little Sands along the picturesque south shore of Prince Edward Island. Owner John Rossignol left his home in Ontario in1990 moving to Little Sands PEI. The winery opened in 1995.

The warm waters of the Northumberland Strait allows for the vineyards to flourish. The grape varieties grown include L'Acadie Blanc, Seyval Blanc, Muscat, Marechal Foch, Valient, Lucie Kuhlman and Marquette.

As winemaker John Rossignol looks for clean stable products with balanced acids. No pesticides are used operating as an ecologically friendly winery They winery has a 50,000 bottle capability creating both table and fruit wines

The winery uses labels based on original artwork created by John, his wife Dagny, and other local artists.

Tours are available wine tasting is by donation given to local charity.

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Canada's Wineries