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Nova Scotia in a Glass: Tidal Bay Wine
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Nova Scotia in a Glass: Tidal Bay Wine

Around the world, wine regions produce wines that are synonymous with the location. France is famous for Bordeaux, Champagne, and Burgundy, Italy is well known for Chianti, California is renowned for Chardonnay – and here in Nova Scotia, we have Tidal Bay.

Get to know Tidal Bay Wine

Influenced by Nova Scotia’s cool climate and coastal breezes, Tidal Bay is a crisp, fresh, and aromatic white wine that pairs perfectly with our world-famous local seafood. First launched in 2012, Tidal Bay is the first wine appellation for Nova Scotia.

To receive the designation, a Tidal Bay wine must be made from 100 per cent Nova Scotia-grown grapes and use specific grape varieties. The wine must demonstrate the signature Nova Scotia wine profile: lively and fresh green fruit, dynamic acidity, characteristic minerality and not exceed 11% alcohol. Every Tidal Bay must pass a blind winetasting and be approved by an independent panel. Despite these requirements, no two bottles of Tidal Bay are alike.

Amherst Shore Country Inn
Amherst Shore Country Inn

Nova Scotia Wineries

With 14 wineries producing a Tidal Bay vintage, if your summer bucket list includes heading to a Nova Scotia winery, we suggest visiting one (or all) of these beautiful wineries to learn what makes each wine stand out. From wineries with restaurants, to giant patios overlooking vineyards, fun photo opportunities, educational experiences, and more, there’s a winery experience for everyone, including some non-alcoholic options.

Wineries producing a Tidal Bay include:

Le Caveau Restaurant at Grand Pré Winery
Le Caveau Restaurant at Grand Pré Winery

Wine Tours

If being chauffeured from winery to winery sounds like your ideal day out, there are many unique options to choose from.

The Magic Winery Bus is North America’s only hop-on hop-off wine tour experience. Step on board a British Double-Decker bus on this one-of-a-kind experience as a guide narrates your journey to four incredible wineries. The Magic Winery Bus also offers the Tidal Bay Express tour on a luxury coach bus, featuring three wineries and a farm craft brewery, along with tastings, and small plates.

For those looking to experience a small group tour, Grape Escapes Nova Scotia Wine Tours, Wine and Beer Tours of Nova Scotia, and Wildgrape Tours offer a variety of tour experiences while Ambassatours’ Wine Enthusiast Tour is sommelier-led. If you’re looking for something a little more intimate, Vintage Vino Tours provides personalized tours, chauffeured in a vintage car, for groups of two to four guests. If a tour on the water is what you’re after, J. Farwell’s Tidal Bay Wine Tour might be for you. Experience Nova Scotia’s stunning coastline aboard the J. Farwell sailing vessel while learning more about our appellation wine.

Each week in the summer, Ambassatours’ Wines on the Water, provides an opportunity to sip and savour award-winning Nova Scotia wines, including Tidal Bay, as the Tall Ship Silva sails through the picturesque Halifax Harbour and Northwest Arm.

Magic Winery Bus
Magic Winery Bus

12 Tides of Nova Scotia: Annual Tidal Bay Launch

Held each year in June in Halifax, don’t miss your opportunity to experience all 14 Tidal Bay wines! Join Wine Growers Nova Scotia at as they celebrate the release of the new vintages with two tasting sessions to choose from. Featuring samples of Tidal Bay from participating wineries, food, and live music, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

*Always check business and tour websites before visiting as opening and operating hours may vary. 

Avondale Sky Winery
Avondale Sky Winery

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