Now to get the most out of the experience, you need to spend some part of the day or week-end in the area. If you are familiar with the area then this section may just be interesting reading. But if you are not familiar then listen close as this is a place of many surprises. Petite Riviere and Green Bay are two sister communities that are nestled pretty much half way between the LaHave River to the north and Vogler’s Cove to the south. This stretch of NS is about 30 km as the crow flies, with about 50 km of route 331 and probably a 100 km of coast line. And it is spectacular.

It is kind of the forgotten south shore with Hubbards, Chester, Mahone Bay and Lunenburg to the North and the great beaches of Liverpool to the south. This area is often missed; but once visited, it is never forgotten. We have two charming cafés: one at Broad Cove called the Best Coast Coffee about 11 km south from the vineyard and the other the LaHave Bakery about 15 KM north. Both are worth the stop, great food and charming people.

There are numerous ways to approach the travel itinerary. Consider that all the exits off the 103 between 10 and 17 as possible approaches. Exit 10 will bring you to Mahone Bay and exit 11 to Lunenburg. From here you can travel route 332 to Riverport on the LaHave River. The NSLC stores in Bridgewater, Lunenburg, Chester, and Hubbards carry Petite Riviere Vineyard wines that cannot be purchased at the winery. These wines are also available at the agency store at the Green Bay General Store.

You can also take exit 12 and drive through middle LaHave on the north side of the river (one of my favorites). All these approaches will land you at the LaHave River Ferry, the last cable ferry in Canada. The ferry runs south at 15 and 45 minutes after the hour and does not require a reservation. The LaHave Bakery is just past the ferry depot. Try the fish burger.

Another approach is to drive Route 311 (highly recommended). Exit 12, or, 13 will bring you through Bridgewater and down the south side of the LaHave River. You will drive along many beautiful homes and real nice communities; there is plenty of antiquing and crafts. The museum at Fort Point is a great side trip and about 5 Km past the bakery. Bridgewater also has a lot to offer; at exit 12 there is a big shopping center and the downtown has some nice places to eat like the River Front Pub and local food specialist Wildwood Café, both on King St. To get through town, just follow the museum signs.

For those running a little late, exit 15 is the fastest but perhaps least comfortable road as the winery is 6.5 km directly in from the exit. Our Premier Dexter and his wife were by the Winery twice this summer, so we are hoping the exit 15 road will be added soon to the NS highway construction list. All the other roads mentioned in this Guide are wonderful to drive and the scenery is stunning.

Our final suggested route is to travel to exit 17 and then travel north on the 331. This is something else; take every little side road. Conrad’s Road next to the Cherry Hill Fire Hall is the entrance to Cherry Hill Beach. Just across the road is a small microbrew; drop in and taste their suds.

This drive will bring you through Broad Cove and you can simply thank us when you arrive. It is one of those areas of the south shore that makes the tour operators on the Cabot Trail worry about traffic volumes. Drive slowly, enjoy the feeling and fight the urge to phone a real-estate agent immediately. At least wait until you get home. And remember, the Best Coast Café; wonderful food, creatively presented, healthy, and, super friendly staff. Order one of their signature sandwiches and a latte.

 

Quick Map

Take Highway 103 towards South Shore, then take exit 15. Follow Italy Cross Road, Petite Riviere Vineyards will be on your right.

For a Google Map, click here.

 

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