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Things To Do in Minas Basin and Cobequid Bay
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Minas Basin and Cobequid Bay Attractions
The trim Victorian village of Wolfville (pop. 3,800) has a distinctively New England feel to it, both in its handsome architecture and its compact layout -- a small commercial downtown just 6 blocks long is surrounded by shady neighborhoods of elegant homes. And it's not hard to trace that sensibility back to its source: The area was largely populated in the wake of the American Revolution by transplanted New Englanders, who forced off the original Acadian settlers.
The town's mainstay these days is handsome Acadia University, which has nearly as many full-time students as there are residents of Wolfville. The university's presence gives the small village an edgier, more youthful air. Don't miss the university's Art Gallery (tel. 902/585-1373), which showcases both contemporary and historic Nova Scotian art; it's located at 10 Highland Ave. (at the corner of Main St.) and is open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 4pm, year-round. Admission is free.
Exploring Wolfville & Its Surroundings
Strolling through the village of Wolfville is a relaxing way to spend a few hours; leafy hardwood trees shade the extravagant Victorian architecture and the main drag is lined with shops and restaurants to explore. The town’s refurbished cinema now houses the Al White Theatre at 450 Main St. (tel. 902/542-3344) which hosts live entertainment, films, and in November, the world’s largest food film festival called Devour! The Food Film Fest (tel. 888/311-9090). In addition to showing more than 50 films about food, the festival hosts culinary events by some of Canada’s top chefs.On Saturday mornings year round more than 65 vendors, sell everything from prepared foods to arts and crafts at the Wolfville Farmers Market at 24 Elm Ave. (tel. 902/697-3344). In the afternoon, 45-minute cellar tour are available at the downtown Annapolis Cider Company at 388 Main Street (tel. 902/697-2707). This is the province’s apple capital, so the cidery’s apples are grown in nearby orchards. A C$15 fee gets you a flight of three ciders in innovative flavors such as peach and peppercorn or “autumn sweater”, which incorporates Ceylon cinnamon bark into local pear juice.
Info on events can be found at the Wolfville Tourist Bureau (11 Willow Ave; tel. 877/999-7117 or 902/542-7000) on the northern edge of the downtown area; it’s open Wed-Sun 10am-6pm from mid-May through October. The nearby train station at 21 Elm Ave. is now a National Historic Site, and home to the Wolfville Memorial Library (tel. 902/542-5760).
At Blomidon Provincial Park (tel. 902/582-7319 ), 24km (15 miles) north of Route 101 (exit 11), 14km (8.7 miles) of trail take walkers through forest and along the coast. Among the most dramatic hikes is the 6km (3.7-mile) Jodrey Trail ★, a loop trail atop the escarpment that offers broad views of the Minas Basin. It’s open from mid-May through early October.
The drive from Wolfville to Scots Bay on Route 358 is a scenic one through small towns and farmland. Pull over at Fox Hill Cheese House at 1678 Church St. (tel. 902/542-3599) 2km (1.25 miles) from Port Williams to purchase a delicious hiking snack; we love the dill and chives Havarti, though those with a sweet tooth should not even try to resist the gelato. Then it’s up and over what’s known as the North Mountain. This ancient remnant of the Appalachians is now little more than a long, high ridge that separates the verdant Annapolis Valley from the cooling effects and fog of the Bay of Fundy. The view across the valley from the top of the ridge (to the South Mountain and the Minas Basin) is one of Nova Scotia’s finest vistas.
For a truly rewarding adventure, drive 25 minutes on Route 358 to the end of the road in Scots Bay, and park near the beginning of the Cape Split Trail at Cape Split Provincial Park. This 16km (10-mile) trail offers breathtaking vistas, especially on cresting oceanside cliffs that approach 122m (400 ft.) in height, over tides that roar past the rocks below. Allow a couple of hours to walk to the end (it’s about an hour of challenging mountain biking), and most of a day to truly enjoy an in-and-back excursion through shaded mixed forest to cliff-edge fields at the end of this hook of land that extends far into the Bay of Fundy. Be sure to leash your dogs as many have been injured—or worse—by falling off the sheer cliffs.
Memorable Wine Tastings & Tours
The earliest vines in Nova Scotia were planted in 1611 by Samuel de Champlain’s hardy band of settlers. Today 22 grape growers nurture more than 400 acres of vines and produce award-winning wines. The northeast end of the Annapolis Valley, around Wolfville, is home to the province’s most important wine industry and to Tidal Bay, Nova Scotia’s first wine appellation, launched in 2012. It’s a unique designation in North America. This aromatic white wine embodies the distinctive character of the region’s cool climate, making it an ideal pairing with local seafood. Named after the region’s dramatic tides, Tidal Bay wines follow specific standards but allow wineries to showcase their individuality. Each blend must consist of at least 51% of primary grapes like L’Acadie Blanc, Seyval Blanc, Vidal, and Geisenheim 318, with up to 49% from other approved varieties. To qualify as Tidal Bay, every wine must pass a blind tasting by an independent panel.There are currently 14 wineries producing Tidal Bays. Now several decades in, vintners here are making their mark on the international wine scene, particularly with crisp whites, sparkling wines, and dessert vino. Among the best to visit—and to quaff—are Benjamin Bridge (1966 White Rock Rd), Lightfoot & Wolfville (11143 Evangeline Trail), and Nova Scotia’s oldest, Domaine de Pre (11611 Hwy. 1), which has an inn, and a restaurant we recommend.
You’d be remiss not to take a proper wine tour of this region. But it’s safest—and most fun—to let someone else worry about driving. Some companies we recommend for that are:
Grape Escapes Nova Scotia Wine Tours (tel. 902/446-9463) provides a variety of day and evening tours to the heart of Nova Scotia's wine country, with pick-ups and drop-offs at Wolfville, Halifax, Dartmouth and Sackville. Sip and savor your way through at least three vineyards that show off the cool climate terroir. You’ll enjoy exquisite cheese pairings, and a sit-down, gourmet three-course lunch or dinner, crafted from local ingredients. In the winter, this tour company provides shuttles to the Nova Scotia Icewine Festival, which takes place at Luckett Vineyards. Prices range between C$123-C$197.
Vintage Vino Tours (tel. 902/306-3490): If a big bus, rowdy riders, and strict schedule aren’t to your taste, there’s nothing like pulling up in style in your very own chauffeured vintage car. Itineraries are tailored to guest preferences and can include a combination of wineries, cideries, breweries, and even stops to pick your own fruit, or indulge in farm-fresh gelato. Tours start at C$135.
Magic Winery Bus (tel. 902/306-3490): Hop-on/hop-off bus tours aboard a British double-decker bus begin and end at the Wolfville Visitor Information Centre on Willow Avenue. Visitors get 45-minute to an hour of tastings at each of the four stops, plus lunch; tours range from C$97 to C$127.
