In Niagara, wineries can range from large, elaborate winemaking facilities, to small, family run estate operations. Take a day or two to indulge your senses, and visit some of the most picturesque places in Canada, including wineries with fabulous views of Lake Ontario and the Niagara River. Vineyards can be found just 20 minutes outside of Niagara Falls! There are 25 which surround Niagara-on-the-Lake and over 50 along the shores of Lake Ontario! Follow the wine route through countryside by car, bike, or guided tour. Many wineries even have restaurants where you can enjoy cuisine which has been expertly paired with Niagara wines.

Niagara has a cool climate and is a viticulture area, similar to Oregon and Washington State. In fact, Niagara’s vineyards are situated in a latitudinal band between 41 degrees and 44 degrees north, the same bank as the Chianti Classico region in Italy and the Rioja region of Spain. The Niagara region is known for making wonderful ice wine, a traditional Canadian treat. This delicious dessert wine is created under strict conditions and includes grapes that are left to hang on the vines past harvest and into the winter months. Pickers go out at night to gather the frozen berries, which are then pressed for their concentrated juice, fermented and aged. 

Niagara Wine Festivals

If you’re arranging a visit to Niagara Falls, why not plan it around one of Niagara’s wine festivals! The Niagara Wine Festival takes place annually in autumn, and features over 100 events, including wine seminars, vineyard tours and tastings, Niagara cuisine, concerts, artisan shows and family entertainment.  Take part in Niagara’s Ice wine Festival every January and celebrate Ontario’s favourite wine in a winter setting. In the summer, the Niagara New Vintage Festival showcases new wines, and gives visitors the chance to be the first to try the year’s newest wines. 

Visit www.niagarafallstourism.com/thingstodo-wineries.html for detailed information, or www.winesofontario.org  for a list of Niagara wineries.