This Ontario island hides medieval-looking wine cellars underground — and you can explore their secrets on guided tours
A historic wine estate located on Pelee Island in Windsor-Essex takes visitors below ground and into wine cellars, where you can dine or participate in wine and chocolate tasting.
Inside the restored Vin Villa below-ground wine cellars, showing the dining area and chandelier.
The Vin Villa Behind the Gates Tour and Tasting is a 'gentle walking tour' that features guided visits of the ruins, cellars and grounds of Vin Villa, one of the most historically significant viticultural sites in North America, and Canada's first commercial estate winery, according to
Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island
.
Established in 1866, the estate — located at
56 Sheridan Point Rd. on Pelee Island —
doesn't operate as a full-scale winery anymore, but its doors are now open for guided tours of the historic ruins and the stunning restored underground cellars.
Pelee Island Adventures
offers the tours where you can 'Go behind the gates of this historical winery and discover the history of winemaking on Pelee Island as the secrets of Vin Villa unfold.'
The medieval-looking gate leading to the underground wine cellars.
The tour takes guests on a trip to learn Pelee Island's winemaking history, and features a descent below ground into the restored wine cellars lined with antique stained glass and accented by a 48-inch chandelier suspended above a 28-seat timber wine-tasting table.
Inside the Vin Villa dining area.
The experience lasts for an hour and 10 minutes and starts at the Vin Villa gates.
The tour includes a complimentary wine tasting for guests and chocolate tasting for children and non-wine drinking visitors.
Adult tickets go for $47. Senior tickets for those 65 years old and above are listed at $41, while tickets for teens aged 13 to 18 are sold for $37 and kids aged 12 and under can get the $21 ticket.
Inside the restored Vin Villa below-ground wine cellars.
All guests will receive a souvenir medallion. The tickets for adults and seniors include a complimentary wine or chocolate tasting, while the entrance fee for kids and teens includes chocolate tasting.
Reservations are required through their
site
. Private VIP tours at non-public scheduled times are also available, according to information on their booking page.
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