White trail markers

I do enjoy an outing that combines a walk with a tasty destination. A Bruce trail hike PLUS a winery EQUALS one fine day.

On one of these fine days, I was looking quizzically at a Bruce trail marker (cover photo) trying to figure out which way to go. I heard someone holler, “Are you looking for the trail?!” Well yes I was. The gentleman kindly pointed me in the right direction, which also happened to be the driveway to a winery: Locust Lane Winery.

Perfect.

The trail head was at the end of the winery’s driveway. From there, the trail passed by abandoned vines, alongside a small pond, across a grassy field and into the luscious forest. The damp earthy scents mingled with musty grapes. It was a lovely stretch of trail.

Perhaps it was my forest bathing session the weekend prior, but I had the urge to stop and rest on a mossy log. I sat for 10 minutes to take in the soothing forest atmosphere. As I sat down I noticed a straggly bush topped with two bright blueberries. Then I saw a few more, and more. The blueberry topped branches were all over the forest floor. I had not noticed them before I stopped. They were everywhere. Once again I was reminded how I can see more when I slow down.

If I am honest I also stopped in the hopes of getting another glimpse of the deer I saw ever so briefly on the trail. It spotted me too, looking straight at me with its large ears pointed in my direction. Quickly (and more quietly than me) the deer turned and bounded into the woods. I was left to watch its fluffy white tail as it gracefully galloped away. Maybe it would return later to snack on the berries.

The hike had many rewards: the white tailed deer, the blueberries and a cluster of slender stemmed mushrooms fit for fairies.

Yet I couldn’t simply walk by the winery without dropping in. I had never been before. The spacious tasting room was modern and bright. I sampled some wines at the sleek tasting bar, including a zippy sparkling Riesling with aromas of apples and a jammy red blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Marechal Foch (the later makes a deeply red coloured wine as both the skin and flesh of the grape are dark red). It also gave me the opportunity to soak in the vineyard views from the wrap around deck.

The stretch of the trail along Locust Lane was also lovely. It’s flanked by spectacular vineyards and wineries like Fielding Estate. I parked at the small lot on Mountainview Road and if I had followed the trail in the other direction, into the forest, I believe it could have lead me to more wineries.

A hike and a tasty destination for another day.