WOLFVILLE EVENTS FIELD GUIDE
Botanical Medicine in the Annapolis Valley: Forage, Make, and Learn at Benjamin Bridge
A hands-on 3.5-hour herbal immersion at Benjamin Bridge Winery that teaches foraging, wild‑harvest protocols and the craft of oxymels while you sample local flavors and landscape.
Botanical Medicine in the Annapolis Valley: Forage, Make, and Learn at Benjamin Bridge.
Set among the vineyards and river corridors of Wolfville, this guided sensory walk and workshop introduces the medicinal life in the Annapolis Valley. Led by Benna, a 5th‑generation Nova Scotian, registered herbalist and biologist, the experience moves from freshly foraged tea to vineyard and riverbank foraging, the practice of honorable harvest, and culminates in crafting a take‑home oxymel while you enjoy a curated charcuterie board.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Learn directly from a local registered herbalist
Benna combines regional knowledge, botany and clinical herbalism to explain how plants signal uses through taste, smell, sight and touch—an embodied approach intended to make lessons memorable and practical.
From forage to jar: make a traditional oxymel
After learning wild‑harvest protocols and honorable harvest, the group prepares oxymels—sweet‑and‑tart herbal preparations made with local honey and apple cider vinegar—to take home, reinforcing skills learned in the field.
Vineyard, gardens and riverbank immersion
The walk moves through Benjamin Bridge’s vineyard and gardens and along the Gaspereau River, using the landscape that supports the vines as a living classroom about plant ecology, history and biodiversity.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
The experience opens with freshly foraged tea and a grounding conversation about place and plant story, then unfurls into a sensory walk through vineyard rows, gardens and river edge where you meet plants up close, learn respectful harvesting techniques and probe ecological and historical context. Back at the winery you’ll craft oxymels, share a charcuterie board curated by Benjamin Bridge, and close with reflection and story‑sharing—an intimate blend of field practice, conversation and hands‑on preparation.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this experience suits—and who should make other arrangements.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Bring a refillable water bottle, weather‑appropriate clothing, good walking shoes, a rain parka and sunscreen.
Expect uneven trail sections and some ground‑level sitting, so wear sturdy shoes and layers suitable for outdoor movement and changing weather.
Mats for sitting are provided; a curated charcuterie board is served during the workshop and winery offerings are available at participants’ cost.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the experience?
The experience runs approximately 3.5 hours.
Where do we meet?
Meet at Benjamin Bridge Winery in Wolfville (1966 White Rock Rd).
Is food or drink provided?
A curated charcuterie board is served as part of the workshop; winery offerings are available to purchase at participants’ cost.
What should I bring?
Bring a refillable water bottle, appropriate weather clothing, good walking shoes, a rain parka and sunscreen.
Is this suitable for young children?
The experience is not well suited for children under age 8; contact the host to arrange a family‑friendly sensory herb walk if needed.
Can I contact the host for custom locations or accessibility needs?
Yes—this experience is available in various locations by request; reach out to Benna via email to discuss custom or more inclusive arrangements.