Driving for Dinner: Wolf Willow Winery near Outlook

Situated on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River, Wolf Willow Winery is a destination that is definitely worth the drive. As the site of a winery, restaurant, organic orchard, campground and more, it’s a spot that makes for an ideal summer day trip or weekend.

Photo supplied by Wolf Willow Winery

Open seasonally from May to September, Wolf Willow Winery is a 20-minute drive north of the town of Outlook. The winery and restaurant opened in 2013 and are owned by the Vander Schaaf family, who have a passion for all things fruit wine. All of the wines are made with organic fruit grown on the property, in three very distinct Saskatchewan flavours – sour cherry, rhubarb and honeyberry (or haskap).

Photo supplied by Doxa Photography

“There are two things we want to do [at Wolf Willow Winery],” said Joel Vander Schaaf, one of the co-owners. “We want to highlight the physical location – it’s a beautiful spot right along the river and we have lots of amenities for people to explore. The other part is that we really want to elevate [fruit wine] and to make a product that people see as fun, inventive and creative – and quintessentially Saskatchewan.”

Photo supplied by Wolf Willow Winery

Vander Schaaf says fruit wine has a completely different flavour profile than that of grape wine, and can best be described as having a sweet and tart flavour all at once. In addition, Wolf Willow Winery makes a canned cocktail line featuring its wines, in flavours like Raspberry Rhubarb Press and Prairie Sangria.

Photo supplied by Doxa Photography

At the restaurant, the menu is built around a camping theme – to go with the onsite campground, known as Camp Wolf Willow – and features snacks like smoky popcorn and roasted nuts, alongside mains like gourmet hotdogs and handcrafted pizzas, with many of the menu offerings featuring local ingredients, too.

Photo supplied by Wolf Willow Winery

“We do elevated comfort food. We want there to be a sense of familiarity and nostalgia but with something a little bit extra,” Vander Schaaf said. “Everyone remembers Jiffy Pop [when camping], so that inspired the smoky popcorn, and it’s a sort of elevated popcorn. With the pizzas, we get our meats from the local butcher and we have our own crust recipe.”

Photo supplied by Wolf Willow Winery

While you’re enjoying your camp-inspired meal, you’ll also want to try the wine, which is available at the restaurant by the glass or as a tasting flight. As a bonus, the restaurant features a large wood deck that overlooks the river valley, which is perfect for taking in a meal and the sunshine at the same time. And if you’re there for dinner, you’ll most likely catch a fantastic Saskatchewan summertime sunset, too!

Photo supplied by Wolf Willow Winery

Make it a day trip or a weekend

Turn a meal at Wolf Willow Winery into a day trip or a weekend and explore what the area in and around the winery has to offer.

Where to stay

Photo supplied by Wolf Willow Winery

If you’re visiting Wolf Willow Winery and want to make it an overnight trip, book a stay at the onsite campground, Camp Wolf Willow. Just steps from the winery and restaurant, the campground offers both tenting sites and glamping sites, including several large luxury tent sites. Campsites come complete with a picnic table, firepit and, of course, a stunning view!

What to see/do

Photo supplied by Storm Ironchild

At Wolf Willow Winery/Camp Wolf Willow, there is no shortage of things to do! On the property, you’ll find plenty of trails for hiking and biking, plus access to the river for all of your beach needs. Additionally, new this summer is a corn maze, pumpkin patch and U-pick with strawberries, melons, vegetables and flowers, all of which will be ready in late-summer or early-fall (stay tuned to the Camp Wolf Willow website for details). A tournament-level disc golf course is being built onsite, and plans for a mini golf course are underway, too. You can also book a trail ride through Misty River Trail Rides, which has partnered with Camp Wolf Willow to offer private guided trail rides on horseback. Trail rides are available for individuals and groups of up to four people and can be booked for one hour to three hours in length.

If you want to take your weekend to the next level, Camp Wolf Willow also offers special events throughout the season. From a summer survival camp for kids to wellness and adventure retreats featuring yoga, stand-up paddleboarding and horseback riding, there’s something for everyone.

Bonus Points

Check out the nearby communities of Outlook and Broderick, both a 20-minute drive from Wolf Willow Winery. In Outlook, visit the Riverview Golf Club in Outlook & District Regional Park, and then head to the Outlook Bakery to pick up a sweet treat. Terrace Dining Room in Broderick is another spot worth checking out for a meal. Located in the former town hall, Terrace Dining Room has an extensive menu focused on steakhouse classics with a gourmet twist, plus a large patio that is popular with locals and visitors alike.

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Wolf Willow Winery is located near Outlook, SK (SE 36-30-08 W3/S0L 2N0). For more information and hours, visit its website. Wolf Willow Winery and two of its recipes are also featured in Naomi Hansen’s book, Only in Saskatchewan: Recipes & Stories from the Province’s Best-loved Eateries. Visit www.naomihansen.ca for more information.