Disclosure: Not sponsored – products highlighted were purchased myself.
Valentine’s is my absolute favourite. The pink and red and hearts… it’s all just so pretty. Whether you are looking to celebrate your Valentine, your Galentine, or your beautiful self, here are some gift ideas from local Ontario makers.
Silver Swallow Luxury Kombucha
Looking for some non-alcoholic bubbly? Based in Ottawa, this luxury kombucha brand makes kombucha that is like a non-alcoholic version sparkling wine, with fine bubbles. I don’t enjoy a lot of kombucha (Cove Kombucha and Silver Swallow being the exceptions), and I don’t enjoy a lot of non-alcoholic wines or sparkling wines, but found this to be quite nice – not too sweet, but not trying to be something it’s not either. I have tried the original, but they recently released a rosé as well which looks intriguing.
My colleague introduced me to this Cornwall based bow and hair accessories company and I just cannot, they are SO CUTE. I can’t believe how much I restrained myself when I placed my order (bonus – they ship to the US as well as Canada!). I don’t have my order yet but can’t wait. If you are in Ottawa and want to buy them locally, Humen Kind just got their Valentine’s collection in and have some others from past seasons as well.
Ontario Wine
There are so many delicious Ontario wines out there. My favourite region is Prince Edward County because of the earthiness that comes through in their wines. For Pinot Noir, Keint-He and Closson Chase tend to be my favourites. Closson Chase also has amazing, buttery Chardonnay. For sparkling, I enjoy everything at Rosehall Run, including their sweeter pink sparkling – Pixie. I currently have a bottle of Stardust chilling in my wine fridge. I planned on drinking it for my birthday, but breaking my ankle kiboshed that idea.
Finally, my favourite rosé in the County is at Huff Estates. Their All Day Rosé is available in cans and is just delightful with the perfect amount of sweetness.
Ontario Beer
Honestly, there is so much good Ontario beer out there, it is impossible to just pick a few, but I am going to share a couple of current favourites with a solid selection. First, Whitewater, located in the Ottawa Valley in Cobden, which has an incredible selection with unique flavours. My favourites there are the Farmer’s Daughter and Dawn Patrol (Tangerine! Yum). The other is Sleeping Giant in Thunder Bay, which I discovered in my law school days. The Skullrock Stout is a solid stout, but they also make a chocolate vanilla porter seasonally that is to die for and would (IMO) be a perfect Valentine’s gift.
Ontario Spirits
Kinsip in Prince Edward County has interesting spirits, such as a barrel aged gin. My go to there is in fact not a spirit at all, but whiskey barrel aged maple syrup. It is SO good. In Niagara, Dillon’s is my go to for gin and unique gin liquers. For your gin loving valentine, I’d suggest a cherry, rose, or strawberry gin. Yum! They also have a fantastic cocktail recipe book. Both distilleries also carry a wide selection of house made bitters, to make your cocktail (or mocktail!) dreams come true.
For the chocolate fans in your life – especially dark chocolate fans – you absolutely cannot go wrong with Hummingbird. Based out of Almonte, this company is available in local retailers in Ottawa (including Farm Boy!), as well as online on their own shop and Indigo (and possibly more). I dream about their caramels and regularly stock up on their chocolate bars (fleur de sel is my go to, but you really can’t go wrong with any others). In the local shop in Almonte you can get drinking chocolate and gelato as well (both approved by my 1-year-old).
Hands down, this Thunder Bay company makes my favourite hot sauce. It started out as a very small operation and now it’s huge, sold both in small shops and large retailers. I was amazed to see it in a shop in Des Moines, Iowa in December last year. My favourite is the classic Red Habanero, but the Pineapple Habanero is delightful on fried eggs and in a margarita – especially a mezcal margarita. While I haven’t tried them all, I have tried many of them, and I expect you can’t go wrong with any. Yes, the dill pickle is worth it.
Motherhood At Law 