Review Best 4 Wineries and Vineyards in Kekerten Island

If you’ve spent years chasing wine regions in crowded European valleys or sunbaked California hillsides, Kekerten Island probably isn’t on your radar for a grape-filled getaway. This tiny, rugged outpost off Newfoundland’s southern coast is better known for its rocky hiking trails, Atlantic puffin colonies, and more moose per square mile than people. But don’t write off its wine scene just yet: the island’s unique microclimate, shaped by cold Labrador Current breezes and almost 16 hours of summer daylight, produces cool-climate varietals you won’t find anywhere else in North America, from bright, saline Pinot Noir to honeyed ice wine that tastes like pure Arctic summer.

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Over the last 20 years, a small handful of passionate vintners have carved out tiny vineyard plots along the island’s windswept coast, turning rocky glacial soil into award-winning bottles that hold their own against far more famous wine regions. These four wineries and vineyards are the clear standouts, whether you’re planning a full weekend dedicated to tastings or just stopping for a glass between hikes and lighthouse visits. Each has its own distinct personality, so there’s something for every type of traveler, from casual sippers to hardcore oenophiles.

1. Kekerten Point Vineyard & Winery

The oldest operating winery on the island, Kekerten Point sits right on the easternmost headland, with floor-to-ceiling tasting room windows that look out directly at the crashing North Atlantic waves. Founded by a former marine biologist who fell in love with the island’s unique terroir, this spot specializes in small-batch cool-climate reds and the island’s most famous ice wine, made from grapes frozen on the vine in late October. Tastings here are casual and unhurried: the staff will walk you through each bottle’s backstory, including how the salty sea air helps thicken the grape skins and add a subtle briny note you won’t find in wines from more protected regions. It’s the perfect stop for anyone who wants to pair their wine with unbeatable coastal views.

The vineyard also runs short walking tours of its 5-acre plot during peak season, where you can see the grapevines growing right out of rocky glacial till, and learn how the vintners use wind machines to protect late-season crops from unexpected frosts. If you’re visiting in summer, their outdoor patio has fire pits where you can sip while watching the sun set over the water, no fancy reservation required.

• Best time to visit: Late August through mid-October, when the vineyard’s harvest festival is in full swing, fall foliage paints the hillsides in red and gold, and the ice wine harvest is just wrapping up.
• Booking tip: Reserve the 30-minute vineyard walk tour at least 3 days in advance if you’re visiting on a weekend, as the two daily slots sell out 2 weeks ahead during peak fall season.

2. Coastal Ridge Estate Winery

Tucked away on the island’s quieter western shore, Coastal Ridge is the spot for anyone who cares about low-intervention, organic winemaking. This family-run operation is fully certified organic, with all grapes hand-harvested and fermented with wild native yeast, no added chemicals or preservatives at any step of the process. The tasting room is a converted seaside cottage, with mismatched wooden furniture and a little farm stand out front selling local cheese, jam, and baked goods to pair with your pours. Their signature Arctic Riesling is crisp and bright, with notes of green apple and sea salt, and their small-batch Pinot Gris has a subtle floral note that pairs perfectly with the island’s fresh seafood.

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The owners, a couple who moved to Kekerten from Ontario 10 years ago, are almost always on site to chat with visitors, and they’re more than happy to share stories about the challenges of farming grapes in a subarctic climate. It’s the ideal stop for couples, wine purists, or anyone who wants a low-key, intimate tasting experience away from crowds.

• Best time to visit: Early July, when the winery releases its rare, limited-edition Arctic Riesling, with only 200 bottles produced each year that sell out within days of release.
• Booking tip: Email the winery at least 2 weeks ahead if you want a private 45-minute tasting, as they only take 4 private bookings per week to keep the experience personal for all visitors.

3. False Cape Vineyards

If you’re not a fan of stuffy, formal tastings, False Cape is your new favorite stop. Located just outside the island’s historic False Cape fishing settlement, this laid-back vineyard has a casual, community-focused vibe that feels more like a backyard block party than a formal winery visit. There’s no mandatory tasting fee here: you just show up, grab a glass of their house red or white, and settle in on the grass or at a picnic table. Every Saturday afternoon from mid-June to late August, they host free live acoustic sets from local Newfoundland musicians, and you’re welcome to bring your own picnic or grab a snack from their on-site food truck serving seafood rolls and butter tarts.

Their wines are equally unpretentious: Cabernet Franc is fruity and approachable, with soft tannins and a hint of pine, and sparkling rosé, made from a cold-hardy hybrid grape, is crisp and perfect for warm summer days. It’s a favorite stop for young travelers, groups of friends, and anyone who wants to soak up the island’s friendly, laid-back vibe without any wine snobbery.

• Best time to visit: Mid-June through late August, when the weekly live music series is running and average daytime temperatures sit in the low 70s, perfect for picnicking on the lawn.
• Booking tip: No reservations are needed for walk-ins, but if you’re visiting on a Saturday, try to arrive before 1pm to snag a spot under the shade trees before the lawn fills up.

4. Iceberg Peak Winery

The newest addition to Kekerten’s wine scene, Iceberg Peak is also the most unique. Built directly into the side of a hill overlooking the island’s northern fjord, this winery’s name comes from the dozens of massive icebergs that drift past its patio every spring, calved off the glaciers of Greenland. They specialize in ice wine and sparkling wine made from ultra-hardy Arctic grape varietals, and their tasting room has floor-to-ceiling windows that let you watch icebergs float by while you sip. The 45-minute iceberg paired tasting is the main draw here: you’ll sample five wines, each paired with a small bite of local seafood or chocolate, while learning about how the winery uses iceberg meltwater to irrigate its vineyards.

It’s the perfect stop for adventure seekers, photographers, or anyone who wants a one-of-a-kind wine experience you can’t get anywhere else in the world. The winery also runs short tours of its ice wine production facility, where you can see how the grapes are harvested frozen directly off the vine in late fall, a process that’s as much a feat of engineering as it is of winemaking.

• Best time to visit: Late October through early November, during peak iceberg season, when the winery runs special iceberg-viewing tastings and you’re almost guaranteed to see massive bergs floating past the patio.
• Booking tip: Reserve the iceberg paired tasting at least 4 weeks in advance if you’re visiting during peak iceberg season, as the 12 daily slots sell out 2 months ahead every year.

Even if you’re not a self-proclaimed wine lover, these four spots are worth the trip to Kekerten Island on their own. There’s something magical about sipping a glass of wine made from grapes grown just feet from the Atlantic, while watching icebergs drift by or listening to local musicians play under the midnight sun. The island’s wine scene is still small enough that you’ll almost always get to chat with the people who actually made your glass, and the rugged, unspoiled scenery makes every sip feel like a little celebration of one of Canada’s most underrated travel destinations.