Dark Horse Winery’s Outdoor Rink

With the pandemic driving people to outdoor activities, Dark Horse Estate Winery near Grand Bend looked at creative ways to engage their customers. The solution was to build an outdoor rink to draw people to the estate and it was a hit. The customers loved it, but the season was curtailed when lockdowns hit the province again.

Fortunately, the infrastructure was an investment in fun and the rink will be having a second life in 2022. 

Craig Horlor, Dark Horse’s production manager, has taken on the role of rink manager on top of his other duties. The rink itself is 60’ by 100’. The opening and closing schedule is at the mercy of Mother Nature, but Horlor is hoping for a long season. 

A highlight of the skating season is the mobile bar in a converted horse trailer that has been designed to serve wine for the adults and hot apple cider for the kids and drivers. 

The rink will be open (weather permitting) during the day on Saturdays and Sunday, but Horlor says private bookings are also available. The winery is open for retail and tastings all winter. 70665 B Line, Grand Bend www.darkhorseestatewinery.com