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Niagara-on-the Lake Wine Tasting Getaway

Nix the idea of heading to the falls this autumn and stop just short of the booming tourist wonder that is Niagara Falls. Instead, take a peek around some quaint and charming towns that will capture not only your heart but also your wine connoisseur palette as you experience some breathtaking fall foliage and the bountiful harvests. With over 87 wineries to choose from in Niagara-on-the-Lake and the surrounding areas, one might find it hard to narrow down which to visit. So, here’s a complete guide to getting past the tourist hotspots and embarking on a wine-tasting adventure in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Modern:
Jackson-Triggs Vinters 2145 Regional Road 55, Niagara-on-the-Lake,
1-888-589-4637, www.jacksontriggswinery.com
Jackson-Triggs Vinters is probably one of the most well known of Ontario wines and has earned a reputation for producing top quality wines that can be found straight across the country. It is a mainstay on the shelves of liquor stores and readily accessible to the public. So, to witness just how those thousands of bottles of wine are produced, take a trip to this 47,000-square-foot estate. Co-founders Allan Jackson and Don Triggs established Jackson-Triggs in the fall of 2003 with more than 45 years of winemaking experience between them. In addition to the Niagara-on-the-Lake location, they also have a winery in the Okanogan Valley in British Columbia.

Everything about the Jackson-Triggs Estate is slick and modern. Stainless-steel equipment and clean lines in the futuristic building, along with suave tour guides, will get you curious about the winemaking process. Plus, their amphitheatre showcases some of the best Canadian music talent during the summer months. But autumn is one of the best times to visit a winery because the action is in full swing, and it’s no exception at Jackson-Triggs. Watch the production from start to finish as the grapes are moved straight off the truck to be pressed (either with the skins for red wine, or minus the skin for white wine) and then into stainless steel for processing. You will walk the steel catwalks directly alongside the workers who help produce approximately 100,000 cases of Vinters Quality Assured (VQA) wine and you’ll take a trip down to the cellar to see and understand the oaking process. Lastly, enjoy a wine tasting to finish off the grand tour. Perfect for getting a good base foundation on the wine business.

Daily tours 10:30 am - 5:00pm: Every half-hour year around, $5.00 per person (redeemable as a credit towards the purchase of wine in the boutique once the tour has finished).

September Grape and Wine Festival: Happening throughout Niagara-on-the-Lake region from September 22 - 30.

Taste the Season: Every weekend in November, herb and wine pairings to educate people on cooking with wine. Price depends on group numbers, please contact 1-888-589-4637 for pricing.

Complete package:


Inniskillin Estates 1499 Line #3 at the Niagara Parkway, Niagara-on-the-Lake, 1-888-466-4754, www.inniskillin.com
Inniskillin Estates will give you everything you want or need to know about Ontario wines. Its grounds are vast, but the wine tasting and tour through the vineyards and the cellar will give you an intimate look into not only winemaking but also its history. The most unique part of this winery tour is just how up close and personal you can get with the actual vines before they make the journey to the press and barrels. Even in chilly autumn weather, or the winter months if you dare, tour in the vineyard rows to learn about how the grapes are grown and processed to create wine; if you get there late enough in the fall, you will see the grapes used for ice wine on display—all frozen and chilly. Speaking of ice wine, ever wish you could have more than just one taste of the sweet wine? Stopping by Inniskillin will grant you your wish. They have a separate ice wine-tasting bar apart from the regular wine tastings. Learn about how Don Ziraldo and Karl Kaiser, co-founders of Innisklillin, developed, with Riedel, an ice wine glass (believe us, it really does create a difference in taste) and have the opportunity to taste four ice wines in different glasses. This glass was specifically designed to give you the best ice wine tasting experience, concentrating the sweet flavour on the tip of your tongue, where your sweetest taste buds will dance with joy, rather than along the sides of your tongue. For $20 your taste buds will rejoice and your ice wine sweet tooth will be completely satisfied.


Inniskillin Classic Public Tour (45-60 minutes): Every half-hour on the hour 10:30 am - 4:30pm, $5 per person (redeemable as a credit towards the purchase of wine in the boutique once the tour has finished). Includes two Inniskillin premium VQA table wine tastings, $4 extra for two Icewine tastings.

Riedel Steamware Experience: $20 per person.

Charming/Family run:


Château des Charmes 1025 York Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, 905-262-
4219, www.chateaudecharmes.com
Just like the name suggests, you will be thoroughly charmed once you set foot on the French-inspired estate of Château des Charmes. The family-run business is equally charmed by its owners, the Bosc family, who have become sixth-generation winemakers. At one point winemakers in the Niagara region were growing mainly Concord grapes, now used mainly for grape juice, and the wine quality in Canada wasn’t at the top of its game. Château des Charmes founder Paul Bosc introduced a variety of European grapes that offered a whole new look, feel and taste to Canadian and Ontario wines when he began his wine ventures in 1978. The family prides itself on old world tradition and utilizing sustainable agricultural practices on the four vineyards. Their motto is “Making wine is not what we do, it’s who we are,” and has been since 1978. And when you embark on a tour at Château des Charmes you will feel more like you have been invited into the family home and been given a private tour. The tour also allows you to taste a range of quality wines, so you aren’t limited in any way.


But to really experience the charm, the fall is the perfect time to visit and not only enjoy the magnificent wine, but also the local harvests. Sit down and enjoy the last in the Farm to Table series in early September, where Niagara’s freshest bounty is brought to your table and paired with the best selections of wine (it features top chefs Anna and Michael Olson and the ripest peaches). If you plan on taking a mid-fall tour, stop by in October for the Harvest Feast also featuring top chefs and delicious food and wine pairings.

Farm to table series: Sunday, September 9th, 2007, 4:30 - 6:30pm, $50 per
person plus taxes and gratuity.

Harvest feast: Sunday, October 14th, 2007, 6:30 - 10:30pm, $150 per person
plus taxes and gratuity.

Daily wine tours: 11:00 am and 3:00pm, French tours at 12:00 noon, $5.00
per person for the tour, $1.00-$7.00 per 1 oz. tasting.

Something different:
Sunnybrook Estate Wines 1425 Lakeshore Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake,
905-468-1068, www.sunnybrookfarmwinery.com
Take your wine experience to a different level, both in taste and presentation. At Sunnybrook Estate Wines you will sip on the finest of 100-per-cent fruit-based wines, all while having a good laugh in the comfortable and cozy atmosphere. After stepping into the barn-like testing area very friendly hostesses greet you and, if you are lucky, you may be met by the constantly joking owner Jerry Goertz. There’s no stuffy talk here about oaking, the grape type or the way in which the fruit is pressed. Let them pour you a selection of samples from Spiced Apple—which feels like “warm apple pie in a mug,” explains Goertz—to Montemorency Cherry (tart on your tongue and gives you that classic sour pucker), to sinfully sweet Nectarine, Cherry Ice Wine or crisp and clean Bosc Pear, to name just a few. Don’t even begin to think that these are wines infused with partial fruit flavouring. This is the real deal; pure fruit wine that has all the wonderful virtues of a ripe orchard on your tongue, with the same qualities of a chardonnay or merlot in terms of quality and alcohol. Make no mistake, this is a different kind of wine-tasting experience, but it is wine, and a refreshing twist for your taste buds after sipping on the usual grape wines.
Tasting: Prices range from $2.00 - $5.00 per glass.

A taste of wine:
Kurtz Orchards 16006 Niagara Parkway, Niagara-on-the-Lake,
905-468-2937, www.kurtzorchards.com
While a wine-tasting tour consists mainly of touring wineries and vineyards while sipping on the delectable wines, you can also experience wine to the fullest in other ways—namely food. And if a small town has you picturing a family-run farmers market, then get ready to experience one of the tastiest and best around by stopping into one of the two Kurtz Orchard locations. No matter which way you turn when you walk in, you will find plenty of samples of all their wonderful creations made from the local produce in the area. Homemade jams, preserves, dressings, marinades, jellies, spreads and countless other items are on hand (and dutifully restocked by the friendly staff) for your tasting pleasure. And each item has one thing in common—they all include only the best local fruits, vegetables, oils and cheeses because the Kurtz family believes in using and supporting local farmers. Plus, Kurtz Orchards also supports the local wineries by including wine in their jellies and spreads—just another way to enjoy the great taste and experience Niagara wines in a whole new light. Check out the Kurtz’s Chardonnay Kurd or Merlot Kurd—perfect for spreading on breads, crackers, or dipping fresh fruit into—and enjoy a creative way to experience the clean and crisp flavour of wine.

Other great vineyards to visit:
Fielding Estates: Looking for a wine that you can only pickup in the Niagara region? Stop by the midsized estate of Fielding where you can get an intimate tour of their modern facility and buy bottles of wine that aren’t available at the liquor store (great for taking to a party, or if hosting a dinner party, because it is unique and a conversation starter). The family-run estate gives the modern feel, but in an intimate and smaller setting. Of course, you can also order it online to make sure you get your Fielding wine fix all year long. www.fieldingwines.com

Joseph’s Estates Wines: Joseph Pohorly opened the doors of this family-owned and operated winery in 1996. A legend in the wine industry, Pohorly had previously helped turn Hillebrand Winery into one of Canada’s tops, and was also a pioneer of Canadian Icewine in 1983. Great giftware, food and wine pairing suggestions, tasting and tour experiences all make a visit to this winery memorable and fun. www.josephsestatewines.com

Vineland Estates: This estate is three stops in one: a winery, an amazing restaurant, and a bed and breakfast in the stone, chateau-style building. It is surrounded by a landscape of rolling hills of vines that will let your mind wander. www.vineland.com

Stonechurch Vineyards: Take an indepth vineyard tour or guide yourself around the picturesque grounds of this serene winery in the heart of Niagara. Established in 1990, you will also find at Stonechurch Vineyards an extensive retail boutique which offers gourmet food items, wine and wine accessories as well as souvenirs. www.stonechurch.com

Peller Estates: Another well-known and large estate in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake that makes wine that is readily available at liquor stores and in restaurants. It’s a great way to see how wine is made in vast quantities and a chance to dine in one of the best restaurants on site (nothing is better than going on a wine tour, tasting wine and then enjoying a bottle as you enjoy delicious food paired perfectly with wine). www.peller.com

Coyote’s Run: Located on a 58-acre vineyard outside the town of St. David’s just outside Niagara-onthe-Lake. This vineyard has a unique terroir, combined of a warm micro-climate and heavy limestone clay soil which allows for the production of quality wine with complexity and finesse. The winery has teamed up with the well-known and celebrated fisherman, and fantastic chef, Bob Izumi, to produce a set of signature Bob Izumi wines, from which $1 of every bottle sold will be donated to the Fishing Forever Foundation. www.coyotesrunwinery.com

Where to stay:
Prince of Wales Hotel
6 Picton Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake
1-888-669-5566,
www.vintage-hotels.com/niagaraon-the-lake/hotels/prince-of-wales.php.
The Prince of Wales Hotel is the epitome of class and comfort in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Its old world charm will take you back to the days of true hospitality, high-end luxury and the ultimate in customer service. Equipped with an award-winning restaurant and a spa, there is little reason to leave the Victorian-inspired hotel—except to go taste the wine of course.

Shaw Club Hotel
92 Picton Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake,
1-800-511-7070, www.shawclub.com
Just as the name implies this hotel is a part of the famous Shaw Theatre Festival, and just as the festival rarely is a disappointment, neither is this central hotel. Be sure to stop at Zees Patio and Grill for the perfect blend of casual and sophistication while dining on amazing dishes.

Moffat Inn
60 Picton Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake,
905-468-4116, www.moffatinn.com
In the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake, this quaint inn will have you thinking of the olden days and is centrally located, so trips to nearby restaurants and wineries will be easy to get to.

Niagara on the Lake’s Bed and Breakfasts often housed in historical and unique homes are one of the most popular lodging choices for visitors. You can find details about B&Bs and convenient on-line booking for the B&B of your choice and more at www.niagarabedandbreakfasts.com.

What else to do:
Antique hunting: Antique hunters rejoice because Niagara-on-the-Lake is your haven! Even if you have never even thought of searching through antiques, it may be worth diving in and hunting for some treasures. Whether you find a bargain or not, seeing all the unique and historic finds can be relaxing, and exciting at the same time...and you may find a new hobby. For those antique lovers, the plethora of antique stores will provide the perfect stop in between your wine-tasting tours. Check out this link for a complete list of antique shops in Niagara: www.niagaraonthelake.worldweb.com/Shopping/Antiques/

Shaw Festival: Don’t think that the theatre festival is merely for the summer months. Shows run straight through October, giving fall travellers plenty of time to catch the famous fest in between wine tasting. It could be the perfect way to spend a mid-afternoon, after some early wine tasting and just before a fabulous dinner. It truly is a jewel, so take the time to enjoy at least one show. www.shawfest.com

Golf: Take in the view of the gorgeous fall weather and scenery, sip some fantastic wine and take in a round of golf all in a day’s work. Take advantage of the many pristine golf courses in the area and then, after an afternoon of putting on the green, dine on delicious food. It’s the perfect way to finish off a wonderful and relaxing wine-tasting getaway and get in the last round of golf before the colder weather arrives.•

Check out more great wineries, vineyards, and attractions in Niagara-on-the-Lake by visiting our website at www.lifestyleontario.com