Chasing Fall on the Apple Pie Trail
WORDS + PHOTOS by Stef Richardson
*This post is in partnership with the Blue Mountain Village Association
Well friends, it looks like it’s time to switch out the Birkenstocks for the Blundstones. I’m not complaining though; I’ll gladly opt for warm lattes and fall activities. There’s a sense of community, care and love that comes along with the fall season. We gather, we sit, we cherish and we enjoy the crisp air, apple cider, picturesque views and cozy sweaters.
If you’re ready to dive into all things fall and looking for a local quest, you’re going to want to check out the Apple Pie Trail – a curated route of over 25 restaurants, cideries, orchards and adventure partners that all celebrate this beautiful region + the apple industry. As a local, I’m always exploring and re-exploring the good eats, fun activities and scenic roadies. It’s what I coined ‘lokal diggin’. Never a shortage here.
PITMASTER PLATTER + THORNBURY CIDER // RUSTY’S AT BLUE
Luckily being a Collingwood resident I’m super close and can trail-hop with a moment’s notice. Using the Apple Pie Trail app (you can download on the app store), I mapped out a Sunday afternoon plan that would delight my tastebuds. I picked up a few pals, toured the county and embarked on the ultimate Sunday Funday.
THE HIGHLIGHTS:
FIRST STOP: Rusty’s at Blue – The pitmaster platter is finger lickin’ good! The juicy applewood smoked bbq ribs and glazed pulled pork were so darn good. A must-order if you’re looking for the ultimate shareable and have a sweet spot for BBQ. We paired this with a crushable apple cider from Thornbury Craft.
SECOND STOP: Loft Gallery – This was my first time visiting the Loft Gallery and what a treat. So much wonderful local artwork and beautiful pieces for the eyes to see. We even had the pleasure of witnessing resident artist, Debra Lynn Carroll, on site and mixing paints for her recent landscape piece.
DEBRA LYNN CARROLL // LOFT GALLERY
CINNAMON BUN + STICKY KNOT // THORNBURY BAKERY
THIRD STOP: Thornbury Bakery – The cinnamon buns, sticky buns, and Chelsea buns are a few of my go-to’s at the Thornbury Bakery. Anything that’s sticky and coated with frosting – I’m in! These are a family favourite during the holiday’s but I don’t need to be convinced to go year-round for these delicious treats.
FOURTH STOP: Goldsmith’s Market – Thornbury’s go-to for all things apples + seasonally grown. This place is always busy and there’s a good reason for it! Goldsmith’s offers a variety of grocery items, pre-made meals and of course, baked goods. The Thornberry pie is their claim to fame – hitting your fork with a winning combo of apples, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries with a crumble crust. I highly recommend.
KYLE OAKLEY // GOLDSMITH’S ORCHARD MARKET
FIFTH STOP: Coffin Ridge Winery – Clink clink, time for some wine + cider. Coffin Ridge, nestled on the outskirts of Meaford, is 100% worth the drive. They’ve got a spacious patio to snack on, rows of grape vines for you explore, and some knockout ciders to sip on as the sun passes over. Love the Forbidden Hopped cider. It’s tangy, hoppy and finishes with the perfect amount of zing.
WINE FLIGHT + CIDERS // COFFIN RIDGE
SIXTH STOP: Windswept Cider – This magical micro cidery is a slice of heaven. Housed in a Quonset-like structure, this intimate Apple Pie Trail stop is sure to leave you in a moment of discovery. Their ciders are humble and top-notch quality, bringing a lot of fermented tasting notes, unique flavour profiles and diversity in apple varietals. You’ll definitely want a few take-home bottles to remember this pit stop.
MARK SKINNER // CO-OWNER OF WINDSWEPT CIDER
If there’s one way to bottle up all your favourite parts of fall + the apple-y forward flavours, it’s through the Apple Pie Trail. It’s a year-round experience that ties together some favorite local businesses who are taste-makers and leaders in this community. The APT is perfect for the local who wants a self-guided experience, the weekender who is looking to explore apple country or your back pocket, for when you want to show your friends + fam where you live and why it’s so great.
What are you waiting for? Download the app and get your pals together for an afternoon of fun.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/applepietrail/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ApplePieTrail
