Nova Scotia Ice Wine Guide: Best Bottles, Wineries and Where To Buy

If you know Nova Scotia wine, you probably think Tidal Bay, crisp whites and coastal sparkling. Tucked just behind that is one of the most exciting niche stories in Canadian wine: Nova Scotia ice wine.

In this guide you will:

• Learn what makes Nova Scotia ice wine different from other Canadian ice wines
• Meet the key wineries that make it
• Discover the top bottles to look for
• See exactly where you can buy them in Nova Scotia
• Get simple tips for serving and food pairing at home

Use this as a bookmarkable guide for your own cellar, your holiday shopping or your next trip to the Annapolis Valley. For a bigger overview of the region, read the

.

Ice Wine 101: Quick Refresher

Ice wine is a sweet dessert wine made from grapes that freeze naturally on the vine. They are harvested and pressed while still frozen, so only a small amount of very concentrated juice comes out of each berry.

• Very intense flavour
• High natural sweetness
• Lots of apricot, peach, citrus and tropical fruit notes
• Fresh acidity so it does not feel heavy
• Often sold in 200 ml or 375 ml bottles

In Canada, serious ice wine is always made from naturally frozen grapes and must reach strict minimum sugar levels. If it says “icewine” on the label from a reputable producer, it is not a freezer trick.

Why Nova Scotia Ice Wine Is Different

Nova Scotia sits on the Atlantic coast with a cool, windy, maritime climate. The Bay of Fundy and the Minas Basin create huge tides and frequent winter freeze and thaw cycles. That sounds tough, but it is ideal for concentrated dessert wines.

What that means in the glass:

• Brighter acidity compared with some inland Canadian regions

• Flavours that lean to citrus, stone fruit and citrus peel

• A lighter, more lifted texture instead of heavy syrup

• Sometimes a salty, mineral edge from ancient seabed soils

Vidal is still the main grape for ice wine here, but you will also see Riesling, Muscat and other aromatic varieties in small lots.

Key Nova Scotia Ice Wine Producers

These are the names that matter if you want the real story. Each link goes to the detailed profile on the

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Domaine de Grand Pré

Based in the Annapolis Valley, Domaine de Grand Pré works closely with Warner Vineyards, a grower that specializes in fruit for dessert wines.

• Long track record with Vidal ice wine
• Small lot Muscat and Riesling ice wines in certain vintages
• Restaurant and tourism experience on site, so it is an easy winery to visit

Benjamin Bridge

Benjamin Bridge is the Gaspereau Valley winery known across Canada for sparkling wine and Nova 7. Their Vidal ice wine “Borealis” is a reference bottle for Nova Scotia.

• Intense apricot, marmalade and citrus
• Big flavour balanced by lively acidity
• Strong distribution and a polished visitor experience at the winery

Lightfoot & Wolfville

Lightfoot & Wolfville sits on the edge of the Minas Basin and farms organically with a focus on high quality vinifera like Chardonnay and Riesling.

• Terroir driven Vidal ice wine with major dessert wine awards
• Riesling ice wine in smaller formats for true dessert wine fans
• A beautiful estate that is very “Instagram friendly” for visitors

Jost Vineyards

Jost Vineyards on the Northumberland Shore is one of the province’s oldest producers and still one of the largest.

• Recognized Vidal ice wine that helped put Nova Scotia dessert wines on the map
• Good distribution through NSLC and private retailers

Gaspereau Vineyards

Gaspereau Vineyards focuses on aromatic whites and has a strong record in regional competitions. When they release late harvest or ice wine, it usually shows the same tension and freshness that their dry whites are known for.

Blomidon Estate Winery

Blomidon Estate Winery is a coastal winery best known for sparkling wine and sharp, mineral driven whites. Its Vidal dessert wines bring that same seaside character into a sweeter style.

Avondale Sky Winery

Avondale Sky Winery has a unique relocated church as its tasting room and a reputation for late harvest and dessert bottlings—a reminder that Nova Scotia sweet wines are not just an Annapolis and Gaspereau story.

Best Nova Scotia Ice Wine Bottles to Try

Availability changes with each vintage, but these are the labels to track down. Link each of these names back to their winery profile if you reference them elsewhere on your site.

1. Domaine de Grand Pré Vidal Icewine (375 ml)

• Style: Vidal ice wine from the Annapolis Valley

• Flavour profile: Apricot, lemon, blood orange, marmalade, honey

• Why try it: Classic Nova Scotia Vidal from a benchmark producer. Sweet but balanced enough to stay refreshing.

• Good for: First time ice wine buyers, gifting, pairing with citrus desserts or blue cheese

2. Domaine de Grand Pré Muscat Icewine

• Style: Muscat based aromatic dessert wine

• Flavour profile: White flowers, orange blossom, stone fruit, exotic fruit

• Why try it: Adds perfumed, floral lift compared with Vidal. Great for people who love Gewürztraminer or aromatic whites.

• Good for: Sipping on its own after dinner, pairing with fruit tarts or mild cheeses

3. Domaine de Grand Pré Riesling Icewine

• Style: Riesling ice wine

• Flavour profile: Lime zest, lemon curd, green apple, honey

• Why try it: Higher natural acidity gives structure and aging potential. Lovely with richer desserts.

• Good for: Cellar collectors, pairings with blue cheese, foie gras or salty charcuterie

4. Benjamin Bridge “Borealis” Vidal Icewine

• Style: Vidal ice wine from the Gaspereau Valley

• Flavour profile: Apricot jam, clementine, candied citrus peel, sweet spice

• Why try it: Signature dessert wine from one of Canada’s most respected sparkling producers. Often earns strong reviews.

• Good for: Food pairings, tasting flights alongside Nova 7 or Benjamin Bridge sparkling

5. Lightfoot & Wolfville Terroir Series Vidal Icewine

• Style: Organic Vidal ice wine

• Flavour profile: Tropical fruit, stone fruit, citrus peel, layered sweetness

• Why try it: Award-winning dessert wine that shows what carefully farmed organic vineyards can do in this style.

• Good for: Special occasions, gifting, long winter evenings

6. Lightfoot & Wolfville Terroir Series Riesling Icewine (200 ml)

• Style: Riesling ice wine in a smaller 200 ml bottle

• Flavour profile: Lemon, lime, white peach, floral notes, bright acid

• Why try it: Great “half” bottle size for two people. Higher acidity makes it flexible with desserts and cheese boards.

• Good for: Restaurant pairings, dessert flights, wine bars and home tastings

7. Jost Vidal Icewine

• Style: Vidal based ice wine from the Northumberland Shore

• Flavour profile: Tropical fruit, honey, citrus, soft spice

• Why try it: Often easier to find on local shelves, with a very friendly style.

• Good for: General gifting, introducing friends and family to Nova Scotia ice wine

8. Gaspereau Vineyards Ice Wine (various labels)

• Style: Small lot dessert wines based on Riesling and hybrids

• Flavour profile: Citrus, green apple, delicate florals and savoury notes

• Why try it: Shows the Gaspereau Valley’s tension between ripeness and freshness in a sweeter style.

• Good for: Wine geeks, people who already visit the valley for tastings

9. Blomidon Estate Vidal Icewine

• Style: Vidal ice wine from a coastal site

• Flavour profile: Stone fruit, citrus, hints of sea spray and mineral

• Why try it: A perfect bridge between Blomidon’s coastal sparkling wines and a dessert style.

• Good for: Pairing with local seafood starters or salty cheeses

Where to Buy Nova Scotia Ice Wine

For a deeper shopping guide, link readers to the Where To Buy Nova Scotia Wine guide. Keep things focused and practical here.

1. Direct From the Winery

If you are in Nova Scotia, the best option is almost always:

• Visit the winery tasting room
• Taste a flight that includes their dessert wines
• Buy bottles on site or order online from the winery

Key stops with ice wine or dessert wine potential:

• Domaine de Grand Pré

• Benjamin Bridge

• Lightfoot & Wolfville

• Gaspereau Vineyards

• Blomidon Estate Winery

• Jost Vineyards

• Avondale Sky Winery

Your directory listings can handle maps, opening hours and booking links so this article can stay story focused.

2. NSLC and Private Wine Shops

For local retail, readers can look at:

• The

  NSLC online store

  for dessert wine listings and home delivery inside Nova Scotia

• Private shops like

  Bishop’s Cellar

  ,

  Harvest Beer Wine Spirits

  and

  RockHead Beer Wine Spirits

  for seasonal features on Nova Scotia dessert wines

Tip for readers: search by “dessert wine” and “Nova Scotia” on store websites, or ask staff directly for “Nova Scotia ice wine” or “Nova Scotia Vidal icewine.”

3. Outside Nova Scotia

A few Nova Scotia ice wines travel further:

• Some bottles are listed in other provincial liquor boards

• Certain restaurants and specialty shops in Canada, the US and the UK carry Nova Scotia dessert wines, especially from Benjamin Bridge and Lightfoot & Wolfville

Encourage out of province readers to:

• Check their local liquor board search tools for Nova Scotia listings
• Browse winery websites to see where their wines are shipped or distributed

How to Serve Nova Scotia Ice Wine

You do not need special gear, but a few details make a big difference.

Temperature

• Chill ice wine to about 8 to 10 °C
• Too cold: flavours shut down
• Too warm: sweetness dominates

Glassware

• Use small white wine or dessert wine glasses
• Avoid shot glasses
• Fill only the bottom third of the glass so aromas can build

How Much to Pour

Ice wine is rich. Think of it as a flavour concentrate.

• A 200 ml bottle usually serves 4 tasting pours
• A 375 ml bottle is perfect for 4 to 6 people after dinner

Food Pairing Ideas

Because Nova Scotia ice wine has bright acidity, you can pair it with more than just cake.

• Local seafood: Pan seared scallops; lobster roll with a touch of spice

• Cheese: Blue cheese; washed rind cheeses; aged cheddar with toasted nuts

• Desserts: Lemon tart or citrus cheesecake; crème brûlée with orange or lemon zest; simple vanilla ice cream with berries

• Snacks: Salted almonds or cashews; prosciutto and melon; spiced nuts

Simple rule: the dessert should be less sweet than the wine. That keeps the wine tasting bright instead of flat.

Storing Open Bottles

1. Recork it or use a tight stopper
2. Store it in the fridge
3. Enjoy it over the next 1 to 3 weeks

The combination of high sugar and acidity helps preserve the wine longer than a dry table wine.

Planning an Ice Wine Focused Trip

Ice wine grapes hang on the vine into deep winter, but you can plan an ice wine themed visit almost any time of year.

• Winter: Ice wine dinners and special tastings; snow covered vineyards and cozy tasting rooms

• Spring to fall: Best weather for touring; patio flights that might include a dessert wine finish; easy to combine with Tidal Bay and sparkling tastings

On your site, you can turn this into:

• An “Ice Wine Trail” map in the Annapolis and Gaspereau Valleys
• Tags or filters like “ice wine available” on each winery profile
• A seasonal blog block that highlights which ice wines are currently in stock

For trip planning, also link readers to the Nova Scotia Wine Tourism guide.

If You Cannot Find Nova Scotia Ice Wine

Ice wine production is small and some bottles sell out quickly. If the exact wines listed here are sold out:

• Ask local retailers for “Nova Scotia dessert wine” or “Nova Scotia Vidal icewine.”
• Look for dessert wines from the same producers, even if the label says “late harvest” instead of “icewine.”
• Consider other Canadian ice wines from Ontario or British Columbia if no Nova Scotia options are in stock.

If you cannot find these bottles, ask your local shop for a Nova Scotia Vidal icewine or any Canadian Vidal or Riesling icewine with bright acidity.

Quick Answers: Nova Scotia Ice Wine FAQ

Is Nova Scotia ice wine good quality?

Yes. Top bottles from Domaine de Grand Pré, Benjamin Bridge, Lightfoot & Wolfville and Jost Vineyards are serious dessert wines with regional awards and strong reviews.

What grape is used most in Nova Scotia ice wine?

Vidal leads the category, with smaller releases of Riesling and aromatic varieties like Muscat in certain vintages.

How much does Nova Scotia ice wine usually cost?

Expect roughly 35 to 60 CAD for a 375 ml bottle, with premium or 200 ml gift formats sometimes higher.

How long can I keep a bottle of ice wine after opening?

Recork, refrigerate, and enjoy within one to three weeks; the combo of sugar and acidity helps preserve it longer than a dry table wine.

Can I cook with ice wine?

Yes, but use it sparingly in fruit compotes or pan sauces—otherwise pour it in a glass and enjoy it straight.