Canada’s oldest weekly newspaper
© 2026 The Picton Gazette
Since 1830
12° Light Rainshower
The Sills/Hepburn House
The year is 2026, and the County is at an inflection point. Forty years on from the first, brave wineries of the 1980s, its attraction — as a spot to visit, as a place to live, and, increasingly, a region beckoning young families from urban centres, looking for a new way to live — has only grown. But growth comes in fits and spurts. In between there are the ebbs and the flows, marked by milestone changes and moments of transformation. Right now, the County’s wineries and hotels are undergoing a generational shift. Founders and entrepreneurs are stepping aside for a new generation, and fully established businesses are up for sale, changing hands, or already deep into post-sale renovations and transformations. It’s an exciting moment. In this very tip-of-the-iceberg roundup, the Gazette speaks with both new owners and would-be sellers about the changes underway.
Inspired by the iconic French Riviera’s Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc and designed for celebrations, this Picton Harbour home at 346 Main Street shows two very different faces. From the front, the classic exterior, with stone walls and a third-storey belvedere, is all County. But the view from the back suggests the South of France, with lavish outdoor grounds reminiscent of a five-star resort. Purchased in 2024 by the current owners as a place to host their daughter’s wedding, this 1859 stone home was meticulously restored into a lavish retreat.
Listing agent Anna Oliver says the owners are waiting for the right buyer — someone who appreciates the home’s unique character and their vision for it as a generational home. The property is being sold complete with furniture and lighting. The restoration took the house down to the studs while preserving original details, including the historic banister and vintage clawfoot tubs. A Riviera-inspired vision carries through the interiors, while discoveries, including old photographs and war bonds dating to the early 1900s, are incorporated throughout the decor.
For Ms. Oliver, selling the property is about more than the house itself. “It’s about selling the spirit of Prince Edward County.” Marketing events showcase local food, florists, photographers, and caterers, inviting prospective buyers to experience not only the house, but the community that surrounds it.
Across the street is the landmark Merrill House, a stunning, heritage-designated, red brick Victorian Gothic mansion built in 1878, now listed at just under $5 million. “Merrill House doesn’t imitate the nineteenth century — it is the nineteenth century, impeccably kept,” notes agent Andrea Bertucci. “It is three storeys of exceptional architectural provenance, restored rather than reinvented.”
Current owner Jordan Martin acquired the property in 2019 and spent $3 million in renovations to create a Michelin Guide-listed boutique hotel. There are 14 suites, each with a bespoke interior, a private ensuite, and exceptional ceiling height.
Most striking are the historical details. Custom-painted murals, antique wallpaper, exposed brick, marble fireplaces, vaulted, 16-foot ceilings, and hardwood floors compose the dramatic interior. Six private balconies overlook the grounds. A glass conservatory doubles as a bar, while the intimate downstairs restaurant is famous for its wine cellar. “I have lavished attention on this architechtural masterpiece, and in return it’s given me everything I could have hoped for. It’s now time for someone to either purchase a turn-key business with an excellent general manager in place, or to breathe their own vision into this Michelin key property,” says Mr. Martin.
Behind these stone walls, the rhythm of Main Street seems to soften. The bells from the church next door compete with birdsong, while the quiet hum of water replaces the sounds of traffic and passersby. Extensively renovated in 2012, The Manse boutique hotel retains its historic character with all the modern comforts.
Now entering another chapter, new owners Niall McCotter, Kate Lavender, and Shawna Pereira say the priority is not reinvention. They fell in love with “the calm and quiet of the place, just steps from Main St.” Their immediate vision is to honour the work of previous owners Sian, David, Megan and Max.
That philosophy extends to the food. Chefs Corinna Mozo and Bree Seeley are preparing seasonal morning menus. “Each day they make three perfect dishes from scratch for our guests, who cannot believe what they are eating,” Mr. McCotter said. “Absolute legends cooking some of the best food I have ever presented in my career.” Food is part of a broader vision of “pure, unadulterated hospitality,” building connection between patrons and hosts through the dining, drink, service, and atmosphere.
That vision extends beyond the property. The owners want to find ways for County residents to enjoy The Manse, which traditionally caters to visitors. Renovations are still to come. “I hope it will be one of the finest boutique hotels and restaurants in the country,” Mr. McCotter said. “It certainly has the makings for it.” For now, the goal is to preserve what made The Manse special while welcoming more people.
Five cabins are scattered along more than 168 feet of East Lake waterfront at 58 Valhalla Lane, a property with plenty of room for someone with a vision.
Four have two bedrooms, while the fifth has three. A small building containing a sauna sits near the water, and a dilapidated meeting hall anchors the property. The cabins are all in various stages of renovation, while the hall will likely need to be rebuilt. The property is listed for $899k and is zoned Tourist Commercial, which allows for a range of uses.
“It does require someone with vision and skill to bring it up to its full potential,” said listing agent Suzanne White. “But it is a beautiful spot and could definitely be a County showpiece.”
The configuration has attracted a range of prospective buyers. Some envision a small resort, while others see it as a multigenerational family compound, or a friends’ quarters, where several families could each have their own cottage while sharing the property.
One group of prospective buyers brought four young children along for the viewing. “They kept declaring every cottage we went into should be the ‘kids’ cottage’, and claiming rooms and deciding where the couch and TV should go,” Ms. White said.
For all that remains unfinished at Valhalla Lane, the materials are in place: five cabins, a stretch of East Lake shoreline, and room to create something entirely its own.
The Isaiah Tubbs Resort changed hands in 2024, and is now undergoing a major revitalization. Several key areas of the historic West Lake property have been made more welcoming, and more is on the way. At the centre of the work is The Knoll restaurant, now a bright, open space overlooking the lake. Interior walls were removed, while the veranda floor was raised and heating installed to create a year-round setting for dining and gatherings. The 30 guest rooms have also been updated. “There is a lot of positive change happening at Isaiah Tubbs Resort and the Knoll, and these renovations are an important part of where we are going,” says General Manager Cory Haggar. “We want to build on what has always made this property special — the waterfront and our connection to Prince Edward County.”
It’s all part of an eight-phase plan to restore Isaiah Tubbs to a year-round resort featuring accommodations, waterfront dining, beach access, and event facilities. If the early phases brought cosmetic improvements, later work includes larger infrastructure projects, including the resort’s sewer system.
Meanwhile, The Knoll’s new heated veranda has already become the most popular space on the property, and a new patio is underway. The historic farmhouse, built in the early 1800s, has also been renovated.
The resort wants to extend its business through all four seasons, including weddings, conferences, group and corporate retreats, and community celebrations.
November and December will bring an expanded lineup of company holiday parties, seasonal celebrations, festive brunches, live entertainment and family events, including local band Moon Sugar, comedy shows, children’s magic, a Santa brunch and, of course, the Festival of Trees.
“We’re excited to bring more activity to the resort throughout the fall and winter months,” Mr. Haggar says.
The resort is hoping its Sandbanks setting and expanded offerings will give both visitors and County residents a reason to return after summer.
See it in the newspaper
