Picture - Lailey Vineyard
Picture - Lailey Vineyard
The Niagara Peninsula is the most well-known and developed wine region in Canada. The protection of the Niagara Escarpment has allowed a microclimate to form for the production of world-class Vinifera grapes. This cool-climate region is similar to Germany in its growing conditions.
People from all over Canada, the U.S., Britain and Asia flock to Niagara to see the famous Falls. However, there is so much more to the region. The Niagara Wine Route starts off at 50 Road, South of Stoney Creek. It winds through some pretty countryside, called The Bench (Niagara Escarpment). Further East, the Wine Route terminates at St. Catharines. Drive through St. Catharines and pick up the Wine Route again at Highway 55. This takes you up to the Niagara Parkway, just West of Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Niagara Parkway winds parallel to the Niagara Gorge.
The Niagara Wine Route is well marked with distinctive white and blue signs. Each winery has its own sign, marking their turn-off from the route. Use the link at the bottom of this page to go to the Ontario Wine Route web site, where you can download a wine route map.
Picture - Trillium Hills Winery and B&B
The wineries in the region itself are approaching 40 in number and for people who are coming for the first time, determining which wineries should be visited in a fixed period of time could be daunting. The following is a suggested route to a series of wineries that I found to have especially good wines, and beautiful surroundings, an aspect that can add to the atmosphere when tasting fine wine.
Turning off Fifty Road from the South of Stoney Creek, you go to Highway 8 and head East. First stop is: Peninsula Ridge Winery 5600 King St. Beamsville (905) 563-0900. Here you will encounter beautiful buildings surrounded by acres of rolling vineyards. You can dine in the restaurant and find out why this place may well become a regional leader in the near future.
EastDell Estate Next stop is EastDell Estate Winery (formerly Walters Estate) 4041 Locust Lane, Beamsville (905) 563-WINE. Here you can dine on the deck and take in the magnificent view of Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline.
De Sousa Wine Cellars 3753 Quarry Road Beamsville (905) 563-7269. A Portuguese Villa with a landscaped terraces, fruit trees, vineyards and gardens, along with a museum.
Lakeview Cellars Estate Winery,RR #1,4037 Cherry Ave, Vineland Ontario 905-562-5685. If you are on a budget but still want to experience the ambiance of have a patio lunch with fine wine surrounded by beautiful vineyards then this the place.
Cave Spring Cellars, 3836 Main Street, Jordan (905) 562-3581, have no vineyards at the winery, but you have the renowned On the Twenty Restaurant, Inn on the Twenty (luxury B & B), museum, antique shops and boutiques.
Harbour Estates Winery 4362 Jordan Rd. Jordan Station 1-877-hew-wine. Enjoy the nice walk to the back of this beautiful property andexperience a little bit of "cottage country" in Niagara.
Hernder Estates, 1607 8th Ave. St. Catharines (905) 684-3300, features a restored century barn of split log and post beams, along with a pond and the region's only covered bridge. Planted far away from any major highway, the grounds make for great photo opportunities.
Peller Estates Winery, 290 John St. Niagara-on-the-Lake Ontario 905-468-4678 The most magnificient winery building in Canada to my knowledge. Opulence and elegance abound.
Last stop is Chateau des Charmes 1025 York Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake (905) 262-4219. A replica of a French Chateau with vineyards surrounding it. You get the feeling that you are in the Bordeaux region of France.
For more information on the above wineries, read the individual reviews below.
Picture - Riverview Cellars winery store
Picture - Peninsula Ridge Wine Shop
Picture - Peninsula Ridge Restaurant
Peninsula Ridge Winery
5600 King St. Beamsville Ontario Open daily 10am-6pm This is a winery to watch. They plan to concentrate on fewer grape varieties (Chardonnay, Savignon Blanc, Cabernet Savignon Franc Merlot and Vidal) but make wines that thrive in the local terrior. The restaurant is situated in a newly renovated Victorian house on the grounds. It concentates on seasonal fare from local suppliers. A Coach house is constructed for corporate and private banquet functions. Plans include construction of a heliport landing platform and a bed and breakfast at the front of the property. There is tremendous opportunity for expansion of vineyards since the property is over two hundred acres. Don't be surprised if you start hearing of this winery as a regional leader. Public tours offered 11am-330pm year long, private tours are available seven days a week as well as private tastings but reservations are recommended. Peninsula Ridge website
Picture - EastDell Estate Winery
EastDell Estate Winery
4041 Locust Lane, Beamsville, Ontario (905) 563-9463 Formerly Walters Estate Winery. The prettiest view in all of Niagara wine country. Honeymoon/Second honeymoon bed and breakfast cottage on private pond. Nature walks; Bench Bistro restaurant open daily 11am to 8pm till October 30. Reservations recommended.
Bistro items include: Appetizers: Grilled Calamari & Beetroot Cake, Bogdan River Mussels, Countryside Pate Platter. Lunch: Vegetable Sandwich, Roast Beef Melt with Caesar Salad, Chicken Farfelle. For Dinner: Lamb Curry, Atlantic Salmon, Herbed Capon, Striploin Steak.
Check EastDell's website for upcoming events. Try their Proprietors Riesling and Cabernet Franc/Merlot. The wines can be ordered online. EastDell Wines
De Sousa Wine Cellars
3753 Quarry Road, Beamsville phone (905)563-7269 Open daily May to October, Saturdays and Sundays November to April. Specializes in Portuguese-styles wines. Well-known on the Ontario wine scene for their Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc, Ice Wines and Port. Enjoy the free tastings of these wines in the midst of a Mediterranean villa with trees, groves, gardens and ornamental gates. Sample their reds in a terra cotta cup and taste the difference. Free tours also available. Experience a little bit of Portugal. Try their house red. De Sousa Wines
Lakeview Cellars Estate Winery
RR #1,4037 Cherry Ave. Vineland Ontario 905-562-5685 Open daily 11 am - 5 pm, Summer Months 10 am to 6 pm I had never thought that this winery would make this list. I dropped in to pick up some Meritage and became excited with the ambiance of this location. The patio looks out onto rolling vinyards which were immaculate in their layout. If you want to experience lunch in a vineyard but have budget considerations then this is the place to go. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic lunch along. You can also checkout the website for information on BBQ's that are held through out the summer months. The winery itself is located in a renovated barn with a Gambrel roof. The main word to describe the setting is quaint. Wines are made from Chardonnay Vidal, Pinot Gris, Baco Noir, Marechal Foch Gamay/Zweigelt, Riesling Vidal (Icewine)and Cabernet Sauvignon. Tours are offered daily through the summer months and reservations are required. Lakeview Cellars website
3876 Main Street, Jordan phone (905)562-3581 Open seven days a week. Free tour and tastings. This winery makes premium table wines. All are VQA standard. There are no vineyards at the immediate location. What is striking about this winery are the attractions right by it. Located in the hamlet of Jordan, you can spend the day checking out the Inn on the Twenty, museum, antique shop, boutiques and the renowned, On the Twenty Restaurant. Riesling is a major product, in 5 different styles, as well as Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc-Merlot blend. You can get a taste of Niagara wine country, without having to face the tourist crowds. Try their Rose. Cave Spring Cellars website, and their other website Inn on the Twenty and On The Twenty Restaurant
Harbour Estates Winery
4362 Jordan Rd. Jordan Station Ontario 1-877-hew-wine Open Summer 10 am to 6 pm Winter 12 pm to 5 pm At first glance, there doesn't appear to be anything special about this winery's location, however once you get behind the winery boutique the grounds opens up to a very long property which takes 10 minutes to walk to the waterfront. On the back of the property when you look through the brush you can see a semi protected bay with houses and cottages on it. You can't help get a feeling you are seeing a little bit of cottage country. There is also a covered area for weekend barbecues during the summer months. Wines are made from Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc, Baco Noir Gamay, Merlot and Pinot Noir. Public wine tastings and self guided tours. Harbour Estates website
Hernder Estates Winery
1607 8th Ave, St. Catharines (905) 684-3300 Photographers will enjoy taking pictures here. Driveway curves past landscaped pond and under covered bridge. Century barn has been restored to house the winery and retail shop. Reception and meeting facilities available upstairs. Bed and breakfast cottage nearby. Free tastings. Weekend barbecues in the summer. Try the '97 Riesling and Vidal. Hernder Estates Web Page
Picture - Peller Estates Tasting Bar
Peller Estates Winery
290 John St. Niagara-on-the-Lake Ontario 905-468-4678 Open Sunday through Thursday 10 am to 6 pm and Friday and Saturday 10 am to 8 pm. The elegance and grandeur of this property is second to none in Canada. The only thing I can say is that I felt like I was on the Carrington estate on Dynasty. From what I saw no expense has been spared in the construction of this facility. They have an in-house restaurant which will have to meet the standards that visitors will expect from their touring of this place. Grapes used in their wines include Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon, Merlot, Gamay, Chardonnay, Riesling, Muscat and Gewurtztraminer. Complimentary open cellar tours as as well more in depth specialized tours (contact the winery for details). Peller Estates website
Chateau des Charmes
1025 York Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake phone (905)262-4219
Open daily. Nominal charge for wine tasting. The first winery in Canada to
plant Vinifera grapes. The chateau and vineyards give you
a taste of the "Bordeaux Experience". They produce a
variety of wines but are best known for the Pinot Noir,
Cabernets, Chardonnay, and Riesling. Also grown are
non-Ontario varieties, including Viognier, Aligote and
Auxerois. The interior of the chateau exudes elegance and
style and is host to a wine store, dinners and other wine
related events. Customer service could be more friendly,
however. Try their Aligote. Chateau des
Charmes
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