Ontario's emerging wine country is actually just outside of Toronto

When someone from Ontario thinks "wine country," the Niagara region is likely what comes to mind, but another part of the province is now coming in hot for that title.

The wineries popping up in York Region, Durham Region and Headwaters Region — as well as the local restaurants serving the products they create — show that there are far less crowded destinations that are much closer to Toronto, where you can get the full wine country experience.

Take an hour-long roadtrip up to Adamo Estate Winery (half the time it would take you to get to Niagara or Prince Edward County!) for a tasting and guided walking tour, or come for Sunday brunch or a delectable dinner with perfect wine pairings.

Get a wine tour from Adamo and see how their vintages are made, from grape to bottle!

The Mono, Ontario facility also hosts special events, like Wine & Unwind Fridays featuring live music, and you can even stay the night at Hockley Valley Resort, which has golf, skiing, a spa and more just a few minutes' drive away.

Outdoor globe dining is just one of the experiences available at Hockley Valley Resort.

Then there's Windrush Winery, which likewise has award-winning wines on tap that you can enjoy during a tour of the estate's fermenting cellar and eponymous chateau.

Sample award-winning wines with a view of the local escarpment.

And if you want to explore further, you can imbibe in local wines at the nearby Mono Cliffs Inn — which also has a lower-level cellar you can rent out for events — or Millcroft Inn, Greystones Restaurant, Blue Bird Café and Grill, Black Birch Restaurant and others in the region's numerous towns.

Mono Cliffs' wine cellar is an immersive option for any wine lover.

Also in the vicinity are shops, cafes, art galleries, pottery studios, museums, parks and gardens, hiking trails, scenic lookouts, historic locations, pumpkin patches, breweries, distilleries, a maple syrup shack and the iconic motel from the Netflix series Schitt's Creek, among tons of other sights and activities.

Bluebird is one of many dining options in Orangeville for a delicious night out.

Visit yorkdurhamheadwaters.ca to learn what else you can do in Headwaters and surrounding regions.

There's no end in adventure when you're exploring York, Headwaters and Durham region's nearby wine country.

Or at the very least, try out the region's wines here in Toronto at spots like Harbour 60, Peter Pan Bistro, Lambton Golf Club, Barberian's Steakhouse, Cineplex, Landing Group restaurants, and way more!