This hidden farm in Ontario is home to one of the best maple syrups in the world

The day I decided to head over to Elliott Tree Farm, nestled in a secluded pocket of Erin, Ontario, the sprawling 100-acre property felt even more picturesque through a drizzly lens due to the rain that day.

As I turned into the grounds, the scene instantly felt cinematic. This is when it hit me: Elliott Tree Farm isn't just a winter attraction.

I walked into the farm's museum, housed inside a rustic barn and serving as the perfect introduction to one of Ontario's most unique agritourism destinations.

Photo: Sandeep Panesar

There was so much to explore on the property that I knew I'd made the right choice by signing up for the Private Maple Syrup Farm Experience — a chance to get a little taste of everything. 

Photo: Sandeep Panesar

The experience began with a maple syrup flight featuring the farm's three signature syrups. To say I was delighted (and maybe drooling a little) would be an understatement.

See, I'm a bit of a maple syrup epicure (or at least I like to think so). Granted, that mostly means sitting at a different diner every Sunday morning, judging the syrup soaking into my pancakes. But still, I'm confident I know a thing or two about the sweet stuff.

Photo by: Sandeep Panesar

With that said, the standout of the trio was the Golden Harvest syrup, which was recognized by TasteAtlas as one of the Top 20 maple syrups in the world. While each syrup showcased a distinct flavour profile, the Golden Harvest tasted almost like taking a spoonful of French vanilla ice cream straight from the tub.

The generous volunteers on-site — shoutout to Cooper and Michael! — even told me it was the first time they'd heard someone describe it that way. See? I told you I was onto something.

I could have easily gone back for another round of syrup flights — although my teeth might disagree — but it was time to board the farm's Zoomobile, sourced by the Toronto Zoo, for a tour of the grounds.

The ride carried us through the property, which also features Santa's plane for holiday-themed decor, and into the sugarbush, where towering maple trees — some more than 200 years old — form the backbone of the farm's syrup operation.

Photo: Sandeep Panesar

We passed Christmas trees, which take roughly eight years to grow before they're ready to be sold during the farm's Christmas Experience, running from mid-November through December. We passed maple trees and camping sites, and eventually stopped at the Sugar Shack, where maple syrup is produced on-site during harvest season.

"It takes around 14 hours to make one batch of maple syrup," says Derek Elliott, whose family has owned the farm since 1984, explained as he walked us through the process.

But the farm's dedication to maple production extends beyond syrup itself.

"We make the syrup by evaporating 100 per cent of the water out of the sap, and then we take the leftover maple sugar that's left, and we make maple-shaped candies," he says, describing another popular product made right on the property.

The tour lasted about half an hour, and while I walked away with two massive mosquito bites on my forehead, making it look like I was growing a second one, it was worth it. But if you're anything like me, and mosquitoes tend to view you as an all-you-can-eat buffet, pack the bug spray. You'll thank me later.

Back at the main area, it was time for another experience highlight: fresh waffles topped with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of the maple syrup of your choice.

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Having sampled all three varieties earlier, with Golden Harvest being my favourite, I opted for the Amber Harvest syrup. The slightly lighter, more balanced flavour felt like the right choice given the mountain of melting ice cream sitting on top of the waffles.

But that wasn't all for tasty treats!

The team even whipped up some syrup taffy on a block of ice for the group to enjoy. At this point, my teeth were begging me to stop.

And so we ventured inside the Maple Syrup Museum of Ontario, which Elliott Tree Farm calls home. The museum houses more than 40 years of collected artifacts, chronicling the history of maple syrup production and its significance within Canadian culture.

Photo: Sandeep Panesar

One particularly fascinating exhibit features a section of a maple tree that had been tapped for sap over many years. Now on display, the cross-section reveals how the tree gradually heals itself after each tapping season, offering visitors a closer look at the natural process behind syrup production.

While maple syrup has long been associated with Canada, the farm's newest attraction is helping share that story with visitors from around the world. The year-round Maple Syrup Experience launched in 2025 and is now in its second season.

"We were getting so many calls from people arriving in Toronto in the middle of the summer saying, 'Hey, can I come and learn about maple syrup?'" Elliott says. He recalled telling people it was the off-season and that operations typically run from mid-winter to around Easter.

But visitors remained determined.

"They're like, 'Well, we don't care. We're from Argentina. We're from Australia. We're from the United States. We're from France,'" he recalls. They simply wanted to learn about one of Canada's most iconic culinary staples.

A small nook of the museum. Photo by: Sandeep Panesar

The demand ultimately inspired Elliott Tree Farm to create an off-season maple experience running Easter through November, allowing visitors to learn about maple syrup long after the sap stops flowing.

"This off-season maple tour is actually new and exciting," Elliott says. "It really is an international visitor attraction because most of the Canadians come during maple season."

Despite the growing popularity of private tours, Elliott Tree Farm's focus remains unchanged. "We're very much specific about Christmas trees and maple trees. That's all we do," he says.

And it seems that focus has helped the farm earn a reputation that extends far beyond Ontario.

In fact, it has even caught Hollywood's attention.

Photo via: Elliott Tree Farm

The property, which relocated from St. Jacobs, Ontario, to the Hillsburgh community in Erin in 2023, became a filming location for the Netflix holiday movie A Merry Little Ex-Mas. Elliott says that visitors often compare the farm to a Hallmark movie set.

As the rain continued to fall outside, it was easy to see the appeal. With centuries-old maple trees, award-winning syrup, rich history, and a welcoming atmosphere, Elliott Tree Farm offers a deeper appreciation for an iconic Canadian tradition and a reminder that maple syrup season doesn't have to end with spring.

The year-round Maple Syrup Experience costs $39.50 plus applicable taxes, and tickets can be purchased directly through the farm's website.

Elliott Tree Farm is located at 9467 Erin East Garafraxa Townline, Hillsburgh, Ont.