Niagara-on-the-lake Wineries
My love for Niagara-on-the-lake or NOTL as many call it began last summer. After living in Toronto for almost 2 years I had yet to go and visit, so T and I decided to take a long weekend and head over to the beautiful lake and wine country. What we found quickly became our new home. Shortly after my parents decided to move up there for the year and so the love story, exploration and discovering of NOTL continued.
I have created so many posts on IG about different highlights in the town, wineries we love, and activities to do, but finally my blog series featuring NOTL is kicking off. You can expect to find out about the best wineries, restaurants, hotels, and more in this beloved town.
To start off, I figured I would have to share favourite wineries since that’s the #1 question I get.
No wineries in St. Catherines / The Bench (the area about 20 minutes outside of NOTL proper) have been included in here. We will have another blog post covering our fave spots in in this area, coming soon.
Niagara Wineries:
Two Sisters Winery
Cost: $$$
Drink: The Stone Eagle Red & Margot Rose
Eat: Kitchen 76 , scallops were incredible!
240 John St E
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
L0S 1J0
Pillitteri Wines
Cost: $$
Drink: The Pino Squared Rose and the Exclamation Cab Franc.
Eat: BarrelHead , Spicy Diavolo was our favourite with the meat on the side for veggies!
1696 Niagara Stone RdNiagara-on-the-Lake, ON
L0S 1J0
Sunny Brook Winery (fruit wine)
Cost: $
Drink: The Spiced Apple wine
1425 Lakeshore RdNiagara-on-the-Lake, ON
L0S 1J0
Peller Estates
Cost: $$
Drink: Signature Chardonnay
Eat: Barrel House Grill , the lobster poutine is AMAZING!
290 John St ENiagara-on-the-Lake, ON
L0S 1J0
Jackson Triggs
Cost: $
Drink: Shiraz
2145 Niagara Stone Rd
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
L0S 1J0
Inniskinllin
Cost: $
Wine: Inniskillin Discovery Series P3
Eat: 1st & 43rd Grill
1499 Line #3
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
L0S 1J0
Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery
Cost: $$
Wine: All votes go to the fact that they make froze!
Eat: Restaurant, pizza is awesome!
1366 York RdSt. Davids, ON
L0S 1P0
Château des Charmes
Cost: $
Drink: Gamay Noire
1025 York Rd.
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
L0S 1P0
Trius
Cost: $$
Drink: Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc
Eat: Restaurant
1249 Niagara Stone RdNiagara-on-the-Lake, ON
L0S 1J0
De Simone Vineyards
Cost: $$
Drink: Cab Franc & Merlot
865 Niagara Stone Road
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
L0S 1J0
Colenari
Cost: $$$
Drink: Cabernet Sauvignon
Eat: Piazza
348 Concession 6 Road
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
L0S 1J0
Strewn Winery
Cost: $$
Drink: The Chardonnay
1339 Lakeshore Rd
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
L0S 1J0
Reif Estate Winery
Cost: $$
Drink: Back Vintage Chardonnay Reserve
15608 Niagara Pkwy,
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
L0S 1J0
Here are a few others I haven’t tried yet, but are on my list to check out this summer!
BEST WINERY PRACTICES & COVID TRAVEL ADVICE FOR NOTL
The number one question I get….whatever you do make reservations! Everyone is trying to find local spots to travel to for the summer and if you don’t have a reservation you won’t get into wineries or restaurants. Plus they are limiting numbers for safety.... so limited spots and increased demand means, RES NEEDED.
Bring your mask and sanitizer everywhere.
Plan for your travel around accordingly like biking or walking to wineries since the tour busses are mostly not operating.
Google maps that stuff!!! Set an itinerary and time out how far away each winery is, how you’ll get there, and plan in those meals too!
Hit up a local grocery store and find a hotel with a fridge so that you can keep snacks and food handy between wineries. Always important to keep eating and drinking water with any wine tasting days.
Try and have fun even if travel brings anxiety right now. Disconnect from your phone where possible, find yourself in the moment and be THANKFUL for the little things we can do and enjoy right now.
