A day in Abbotsford!
Wine...Juice but with more life experience!
I had the pleasure of partnering with Tourism Abbotsford this past weekend and it was so much fun! I think I’ve been to Abbotsford maybe 3 times so it felt great to be able to dedicate an entire day to exploring the area! My best friend and I visited some farms, wineries and a great little spot for dinner!
Our first stop….MAAN Farms!
Farming for four decades, the Maans began growing premium strawberries and introduced themselves via a simple fruit stand. From a fruit stand to a family-friendly destination, the Maan’s Estate Winery is their latest endeavour. From vine to glass, Maan Farms only use high-quality fresh fruit and process with a minimum amount of sulphites. Varieties include a Strawberry/Raspberry blend, Blueberry, and Blackberry. Loyal to the Fraser Valley, these complex, yet elegant, wines capture the delicate accents of hand-picked fruit grown on their family estate. These award-winning berry & red wines can be found in over 50 local liquor stores throughout the Lower Mainland.
The Maans recently won Best Fruit Wine in Canada and show no signs of stopping when it comes to creating more fantastic wines. Maan Farms is also home to the Abbotsford Sunflower Festival, Haunted (the scariest corn maze in Canada), goat yoga, and fall attractions, including their Barnyard Land and renowned pumpkin patch.
We started with strawberry picking and these berries were so juicy! We then went in for a quick wine tasting. Their wines are the right amount of sweet. I love a sweeter wine so they were perfect for me! I also tried their Samosas and hands down they were the best samosas I’ve ever had! They have a great storefront as well with little local trinkets. I would definitely bring my kids back here to play in the Barnyard or visit during fall for the pumpkin patch! There is lots to do and you can easily spend a whole day at MAAN Farms!
Our next stop…..Taves Estate Cidery!
Taves Estate Cidery is Taves Family Farms Applebarn’s newest endeavour. Taves Farms has been growing apples for decades, which led to pressing apple cider and making regular and fall-spiced cold-pressed and pasteurized cider. The newest is hard cider! The Taves also grow goji berries,pears, red, black, white, and pink currants, and gooseberries, which are infused in the cidery’s signature product--The Barnyard Pack. Seasonals include Genji’s goji cider and Pete’s Perry. The Estate Series includes the Traditional Apple Blend and Vintage Cider. NEW this year is strawberry U-Pick beginning in early August and the sunflower patch returns at the end of July!
We both LOVED meeting Loren Taves who gave us a private tour of the Estate! It was such a treat and we felt so fortunate to be able to sit down and learn about the history of the Taves family. We sipped on a flight of fruit-infused apple ciders! (Ram’s Black Currant, Gander’s Gooseberry, Rooster’s Red currant, and Billy’s Best Classic Apple Cider). Every single one was so good! We then visited the baby goats and they were so cute! I love how big Taves Estate is as there is something to do for all ages!
We brought my kids here last fall and Ethan loved it. There is a playground as well as little food stands as well. We are definitely planning on going back as there will be a new corn maze as well as the coveted pony rides that kids love! We learned that on a fall weekend, more than 4-5000 people come through Taves! I can see why! If you’re looking for a very family friendly and modern winery and farm, check out Taves! One of my all time favorites! Goats ‘n Cider...Come Love on ‘Em.
Our next stop….Singletree Winery!
We were running about an hour behind and immediately upon arriving at Singletree, we were greeted by a big smile by Debbie who was so hospitable.
Singletree Winery has two locations: Singletree Abbotsford in the Fraser Valley, and Singletree Naramata in the Okanagan. The Etsell family has deep roots in the agricultural community, and we named our wineries Singletree, after the single-harness yoke which was an essential tool for pioneering farmers from all over the province.
With careful attention to the land, the Etsell family, owners of Singletree, are committed to showcasing the best of British Columbia: the Fraser Valley, which provides a lineup of aromatic, crisp, and juicy wines that highlight this unique terroir; and Naramata Bench in the Okanagan, where the glacial soils and warm climate produce luscious red wines.
We were shown to this beautiful outdoor dome and I’ve always seen these but have never been in one! It was so fun and I mean, can the aesthetic get any better?! Debbie brought us a few different whites and reds and we sipped the tastiest Singletree wines in this gorgeous dome. We then sat out on one of the picnic benches while finishing our wine. The property is covered in luscious greens and I felt like I was on vacation which was so nice! If you’re looking for an upscale & modern experience, Singletree needs to be on your list!
Our next and last stop….Nine Kitchen & Lounge!
Abbotsford’s newest lounge! Inspired by craft cocktails with fresh ingredients and committed to serving traditional foods with thought-provoking tastes and flavours.
Okay this was such a treat as I haven’t been here before either and I loved every single feature of Nine Kitchen & Lounge. It has a low key yet modern vibe which I loved. We were greeted by the kindest hostess who showed us to the patio in the back. The restaurant boasts of a modern upscale yet relatable vibe. I loved the hues of black wood walls and the hanging guitar on the wall. If I lived closer, I could see myself here every weekend. It’s the perfect place to grab drinks with your gf’s or have a date night.
I ordered a pizza (which by the way was SO huge) and my bestie ordered the Tacos. Our food was SO yummy! We also sipped on some tequila that our server recommended and it paired perfectly with our food. I had tons of leftovers so we were able to pack that up to go!
That’s it! We had such a full but fun day and I loved that we got to experience a little part of Abbotsford! I would definitely recommend this exact itinerary if you’re looking for a fun day out with friends or a little day date. One thing I would recommend is to ensure you have a reliable ride. We took Ubers from place to place and that was a bit tough as we waited around a lot to be picked up. Other than that, this was such a fun day and we will be back!
Thank you Tourism Abbotsford for having us!
