Wine tours
Prince Edward County Wine Tours from Kingston: A Private Tour Guide
Yes, Prince Edward County wine tours from Kingston work as an easy day trip. Picton, the County's main town, is roughly 75 to 90 minutes away by road, and the region has close to 40 wineries. A private chauffeured tour means everyone in your group tastes while someone else drives.
This guide covers the routes, which wineries to choose, how many fit in one day, and what a private tour with Limitless Limo includes. We pick up in Kingston, Napanee and Belleville in a black Jeep Wagoneer that seats up to 7.
How far is Prince Edward County from Kingston?
Picton is roughly 75 to 90 minutes from downtown Kingston, depending on your route and the season. You can take Highway 401 west to Highway 49, or the slower, lakeside Loyalist Parkway with a short ferry crossing at Glenora. From Napanee the drive is shorter, at about 45 minutes.
| Route | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 401 west, then Highway 49 south | The quickest year-round route | Mostly highway driving. You arrive in Picton from the north, close to Waupoos and Bloomfield. |
| Loyalist Parkway (Highway 33) and the Glenora Ferry | A scenic drive along Lake Ontario | The ferry is run by the Government of Ontario between Adolphustown and Glenora. From October 13, 2026, boats leave Glenora on the hour and half hour (Ontario ferry services). Summer daytime service runs more often. |
| From Napanee or Belleville | Groups west of Kingston | Both towns sit closer to the wineries, which leaves more of your booking for tasting. |
Times change with traffic, weather and ferry waits.
What does a private wine tour from Kingston include?
A private tour means the vehicle and the driver are yours for the day. We collect your group at your door in Kingston, Napanee or Belleville, drive you to the wineries you choose, wait while you taste, and bring everyone home. You set the pace, the stops and the lunch break.
- Door-to-door pickup. Home, hotel or Airbnb, in Kingston, Napanee, Belleville or the County.
- Your route. Pick the wineries, or tell us what you like and we'll suggest a route that keeps the driving short.
- Room for up to 7. Leather seating and space behind the rear row for cases and bags. You can look inside the Wagoneer on our homepage.
- No one is the designated driver. Everyone in the group gets to taste.
Most guided tours in the County start from Picton or Bloomfield. Destination Ontario lists more than 20 operators, and only a few mention a Kingston pickup. Here is how the main choices compare.
| Private chauffeured tour | Shared group tour | Driving yourself | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pickup in Kingston | Yes, at your door | Usually starts in the County | Not applicable |
| Who picks the wineries | You | The operator | You |
| Everyone can taste | Yes | Yes | Everyone but the driver |
| Who rides with you | Only your group | Other guests | Only your group |
| Parking and directions | Handled | Handled | Your job |
Which Prince Edward County wineries should you visit?
Choose by area so you spend the day tasting, not driving. Hillier and Wellington on the west side have the densest cluster of wineries. Bloomfield sits in the middle near Picton, and Waupoos is out on the eastern shore. Most groups do best picking one or two areas for the day.
The County is known for cool-climate wine. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the specialties, grown on limestone-rich soil, according to the Prince Edward County Winegrowers Association.
| Area | Wineries to know | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Hillier | Closson Chase, Hillier Creek Estates, Grange of Prince Edward | The heart of County wine country, with several tasting rooms a short drive apart. |
| Wellington and West Lake | Norman Hardie, Rosehall Run, Casa-Dea, Sandbanks Estate | Several wineries a few minutes apart, close to the village of Wellington and the Sandbanks beaches. |
| Bloomfield | Huff Estates | An easy middle stop between Wellington and Picton. |
| Waupoos, east of Picton | Waupoos Estates | Waterfront views. Pair it with Picton for a longer, quieter day. |
Hours and tasting rules change by season, so check each winery before you go. Several of these wineries also host weddings. If that's why you're visiting, read our guide to wedding transportation in Kingston and the County.
How many wineries can you visit in one day?
Three or four wineries makes a comfortable full day, with lunch in the middle. A half-day tour fits two or three. We plan about 45 minutes to an hour at each stop, and most drives between County wineries are short, which is why grouping by area matters more than the number of stops.
Trying to fit six or seven tastings into one day usually means rushing every one. Fewer stops leave time for a vineyard walk, a cheese plate or a second glass of the wine you liked.
A sample full-day tour from Kingston
Here is how a typical full day could run for a group picked up in downtown Kingston. Treat the times as a starting point. We adjust them to your wineries, your lunch reservation and your pickup address.
- 10:00 a.m. Pickup in Kingston.
- 11:30 a.m. First tasting in Hillier.
- 12:45 p.m. Second tasting nearby.
- 1:45 p.m. Lunch in Wellington or at a winery restaurant.
- 3:00 p.m. Third tasting in the Wellington area.
- 4:15 p.m. Fourth stop, or time at the beach.
- 5:00 p.m. Head home, back in Kingston around 6:30 p.m.
When is the best time for a County wine tour?
Late spring through October is peak season, and harvest in September and October is the busiest and most scenic time. Summer weekends book up first, so reserve early. Many County wineries stay open year-round with shorter winter hours, which makes a quiet off-season tour a good option.
| Season | What to expect | Planning tip |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (May and June) | New releases, quieter tasting rooms | A good time for a relaxed first visit |
| Summer (July and August) | Busiest season, beach traffic near Sandbanks | Book tastings and lunch ahead on weekends |
| Fall (September and October) | Harvest, fall colours | Book the vehicle as early as you can |
| Winter (November to April) | Fewer wineries open each day, shorter hours | Check hours before you pick your route |
The Winegrowers Association also runs signature events, including Élevage, Terroir and Wassail. Check their listing for dates if you want to plan a tour around one.
Tips for a better tasting day
- Book weekend tastings ahead. Popular wineries fill up in summer and fall.
- Eat a real breakfast and plan lunch. Tasting on an empty stomach ends the day early.
- Drink water between stops. There is room in the vehicle for a cooler of water.
- Budget for fees and bottles. Tasting fees vary, and most people take a few bottles home.
- Bring ID and comfortable shoes. Some tasting rooms sit beside the vines.
For more trip ideas around Kingston and the County, browse the Limitless Limo blog.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a wine tour from Kingston to Prince Edward County?
Plan on 7 to 8 hours door to door for a full day with three or four wineries and lunch. A half-day tour with two or three stops runs about 4 to 5 hours, including the drive each way.
How many people fit in the Limitless Limo Wagoneer?
The black Jeep Wagoneer seats up to 7 riders, with room behind the rear row for the bottles you buy. If your group is larger, send us your numbers and we'll tell you plainly what fits.
Can you pick us up in Napanee or Belleville?
Yes. We pick up in Kingston, Napanee and Belleville, and anywhere in Prince Edward County. Napanee and Belleville are closer to the wineries, so you get more tasting time for the same booking.
Do Prince Edward County wineries charge for tastings?
Many charge a tasting fee, and the amount and booking rules vary by winery and by season. Check each winery's site, or give us your list and we'll plan the route around it.
Are Prince Edward County wineries open in winter?
Many County wineries stay open year-round, according to Visit Kingston, but winter hours are shorter and some close on weekdays. Call ahead or check each winery's site before an off-season tour.
How much does a private wine tour cost?
Rates depend on the number of hours, the pickup town and the size of your group. Send your date and pickup address through the booking form and we'll reply with a quote.