When Kawartha Country Wines founder and co-owner John Rufa began making wine at home over two decades ago, he couldn’t have imagined that his passion would lead to one of the most successful businesses in Peterborough County and, in doing so, also end up supporting other local businesses by selling their products and hosting events and workshops.
Specializing in fruit wines and ciders, wine coolers, vinegars, and gourmet preserves, the award-winning winery is located near Buckhorn in the Municipality of Trent Lakes — one of the eight townships in Peterborough County. The four-season destination is open seven days a week, welcoming residents and tourists alike to enjoy its charm all year long.
It offers a truly Canadian experience, with its wine-making facilities, tasting room, and gift shop housed in an 1866 authentic pioneer log cabin and 1889 board and batton house, complete with the original square hewn logs and pine floors.
Whether you’re taste-testing the specialty wines, dropping in to enjoy live music, registering for a yoga class, or buying handmade honey and candles from the gift shop, when you spend the day at Kawartha Country Wines, you can be certain you are supporting more than one local business.
The wines and ciders at Kawartha Country Wines are all made with Ontario-grown fruit and berries — peaches, apples, pears, blueberries, black currants, and much more.
“Almost any fruit you can think of, we make a wine out of it,” says co-owner Donna Rufa.
Kawartha Country Wines sources its strawberries, black currants, and pumpkins from McLean’s Berry Farm in Peterborough County’s Selwyn Township, with cider apples coming from Allen’s Orchards in Newcastle in nearby Clarington. The company sources warmer-climate fruits from as close to home as possible, including the Niagara region.
As well as selling its products to international visitors from the U.S. and Europe who come to the winery, Kawartha County Wines also supplies regional businesses. The company sells cider kegs to restaurants including Old Dog Brewery and Just For The Halibut in Bobcaygeon and Gusto Grande in Lindsay, and produces a specialty cider for Elmhirst’s Resort in Keene in Peterborough County’s Otonabee–South Monaghan Township. Closer to home, Shambhala Bed and Breakfast in Buckhorn uses the winery’s locally made jams.
Extending the local love, the gift shop at Kawartha Country Wines is stocked with honey, maple syrup, soaps, jewellery, and more handmade products from over 25 local makers and artisans. An event space also offers the opportunity for both private and public events, with the Rufas often inviting regional musicians to take to the stage, as well as yoga instructors, artists, mediums, reflexologists, and other local experts to lead events and workshops.
As with most local business owners, the Rufas are concerned about the current economic uncertainty but remain confident in the community that has supported them for over two decades.
“We wouldn’t be here for twenty years without the support of our community,” Donna says. “Despite everything going on in the global economy, our town and The Kawarthas come out to support us. We’re looking forward to continuing to expand our offerings and bring a great experience to our community.”
Kawartha Country Wines is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2452 County Road 36 north of Buckhorn. For more information, visit kawarthacountrywines.ca and follow Kawartha Country Wines on Facebook and Instagram.
The Local Advantage in Peterborough County is a branded editorial feature series about locally owned independent businesses in Peterborough County, created in partnership with Peterborough County’s Economic Development & Tourism Division.
As part of its response to the impact of U.S. tariffs, Peterborough County is showcasing the many unique businesses located in the county, both by sharing their stories of success and how they support both residents and other businesses in their communities.
Whether by shopping at local businesses, dining at local restaurants, staying at local accommodation, or enjoying local experiences, residents and visitors can enhance the economic resilience of Peterborough County during these challenging times and help establish a sustainable foundation for the future.
For more information about economic development and tourism in Peterborough County, visit www.ptbocounty.ca/ecdev and The Kawarthas Tourism at thekawarthas.ca.
