12 Wineries You Must Visit in Niagara on the Lake
The birthplace of modern Canadian winemaking. Niagara-on-the-Lake is home to some of the oldest and most established wine producing vineyards in Canada.
Situated below the crest of the Niagara Escarpment and stretching to the Niagara River and the shores of Lake Ontario, this region encompasses four sub-appellations: Niagara River, Niagara Lakeshore, Four Mile Creek and St. David’s Bench. These regions produce world class wines from varietals like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, and more.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is the heart of Ontario wine culture and a world-renowned wine country destination. There are plenty of wineries to enjoy during a visit, so to get you started, here are some of my favourites!
Learn more about the different wine regions of Ontario here
Stratus Vineyards
2059 Niagara Stone Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Stratus is a small-scale luxury winery in Niagara on the Lake that’s marrying tradition and innovation with their unique, ultra-premium wines. Besides its excellent wines, Stratus is also well-known for its commitment to sustainability. In fact, in 2005, it became the world’s first winery to get completely LEED-certified. The back patio at Stratus has got to be one of the most gorgeous patios in the entire Niagara Region. The modern architecture featuring a wide array of seating and a fireplace overlooks the vineyard, making it the perfect spot to capture photos of your Niagara wine tasting experience.
Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery & Distillery
1219 Niagara Stone Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Choose from wine, whisky, beer, and cocktail tastings and experiences, memorable meals, festive fetes, icy winter fun on the skating rink and so much more at Gretzky Estates. I knew The Great One was great at hockey, but I didn’t realize he was also this great at hospitality! Gretzky Estates is more than just a winery, with fun events happening all year long. Their back patio is gorgeous in the summer when water flows from the fountains and a new kind of fun in the winter when you can strap on a pair of skates and enjoy some fun on the rink after your tasting!
Pillitteri Estates Winery
1696 Niagara Stone Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake
For Gary Pillitteri, the opening of Pillitteri Estates Winery in June of 1993 was the culmination of a lifetime dream. Since arriving in Canada from his native Sicily in 1948, and through many years as a grape grower in Niagara and amateur winemaker, his goal had been to open his own winery. Their ice wine has been praised by Queen Elizebath herself, so it’s definitely something you’ll want to taste! They also have a new wood fired pizza restaurant that makes their patio a perfect stop for wine and pizza pairing!
Château des Charmes
1025 York Rd, St. Davids
Château des Charmes was founded in 1978 by Paul Bosc, a fifth-generation French winegrower. Paul and his young family arrived in Niagara with the idea that growing their own grapes was the best way to make fine wine. Their premium single-vineyard wines are a reflection of where they were grown. St. David’s Bench Vineyard wines are elegant with signature minerality. Just across the road, the Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard gives us wines that are bold and complex. Our Estate Bottled series of wines use high-quality grapes from all four vineyard sites to craft wines that are consistent from vintage to vintage.
Trius Wines
1249 Niagara Stone Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Trius might be the most Instagrammable winery in Niagara on the Lake. I don’t know if they’re more well-known for their sparkling wine or their stunning decor that makes for the perfect photo backdrop. Trius also has a stunning restaurant on site, so I highly recommend making a dinner reservation and enjoying a tasting flight with your meal.
Lakeview Wine Co.
1067 Niagara Stone Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Lakeview Wine Co. is home to a wide selection of top selling VQA Ontario wines including: 20 Bees, FRESH, Lakeview Cellars, EastDell, Seasons, and Canadian acting legend, Dan Aykroyd’s line of wines. The winery produces a full range of red, white and rosé table wines, Icewine and other dessert wines.
Queenston Mile Vineyard
963 Queenston Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake
One of the newest boutique wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake comes to you from dedicated industry veterans. Queenston Mile is focused on crafting small-lot sparkling wine, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from one of Niagara’s most award-winning vineyards atop the St. David’s Bench.
Southbrook Organic Vineyards
581 Niagara Stone Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Southbrook’s philosophy is engrained in their biodynamic, organic vineyard, and winery. This is where Southbrook produces fine age-worthy wines, most notably Cabernet Sauvignon, classic Bordeaux blends, and Chardonnays.
Riverview Cellars Estate Winery
15376 Niagara Pkwy, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Riverview has cultivated a reputation for offering a hospitable experience featuring a range of wines for every palate. Popular varietals include Gewürztraminer, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon as well as a rare Reserve Malbec.
Peller Estates Winery
290 John St E, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Pellar is said to be the ultimate wine and food lover’s playground. They offer tours and seminars throughout the day, including Niagara’s only igloo-like lounge where you’ll don a Peller Estates parka and taste Icewine at -10C. You can also indulge in a barrel cellar dinner, fine dining in The Winery Restaurant, or casual dining on the patio’s Barrel House Grill.
*featured photo courtesy of Stratus Vineyards
