With over 100 VQA wineries and an equally outstanding collection of restaurants, spontaneously finding your way to a fabulous wine tasting or meal in Niagara is always easy. But so much is happening in Niagara’s wine and culinary scene right now that just a little pre-trip planning can generate some very tasty rewards. From MICHELIN-starred meals to sustainable sipping and fresh new ways to taste and tour at area wineries, here are some delicious ways to experience Niagara wine country’s exciting evolution on your next trip.
Niagara’s wineries have long been on the radar of the world’s wine critics, but today, the region’s restaurants are also feeling the love. Fat Rabbit, a restaurant and whole-animal butchery in St. Catharines and Trius Winery Restaurant in Niagara-on-the-Lake both garnered highly coveted recommendations from MICHELIN Guide critics who descended on the region for the very first time in 2024. Niagara Benchlands’ Restaurant Pearl Morissette was recognized as a ‘powerhouse’ by the MICHELIN Guide, becoming the region’s first restaurant to earn a MICHELIN star. MICHELIN Guide Inspectors also lauded Restaurant Pearl Morissette with a Green Star for its robust sustainability efforts, which include a two-acre regenerative garden, local foraging, and educational workshops.
Niagara’s 36 producers of certified sustainable wines love to pour visitors a taste of the wines they craft using environmentally responsible practices, but they don’t stop there. Recognizing the growing interest in sustainability, many wineries now offer beyond-the-glass experiences showcasing their commitment to the planet. Tawse Winery offers a popular Vineyard Tour and Tasting experience showcasing the winery’s organic farming practices and non-interventionist approach. Southbrook Winery’s Green Map helps guests spot the property’s 23 different earth-conscious initiatives.
A quick scroll through the dozens of different Niagara wineries recognized with 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards reveals an interesting aspect of Niagara wine country’s evolution. While well-established wineries like Pillitteri Estates Winery, Two Sisters Vineyards, Hidden Bench Estate Winery, and Vineland Estates continue to earn coveted spots on the annual who’s who list, a number of smaller, boutique-style wineries and up-and-coming entities, including Black Bank Hill, Domaine Queylus, Westcott Vineyards, Leaning Post Wines, 180 Estate Winery, Big Head Wines, Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery, Bella Terra Vineyards, and Lakeview Wine Co. are also claiming seats at the table.
While it’s tempting to fill a Niagara getaway with nothing but wine- and food-focused pursuits, combining the region’s one-of-a-kind natural landscapes, world-renowned arts experiences, and eclectic events adds even more flavour. A cycle or stroll down the historic Niagara River Recreational Trail can effortlessly include stops at Lailey Winery, Reif Estate Winery, and Riverview Cellars Estate Winery. A hike on the section of the Bruce Trail that winds its way through the Niagara Benchlands makes for easy tasting and touring at Henry of Pelham, Malivoire Wine Company, The Organized Crime Winery, Thirty Bench Wine Makers, Domaine Le Clos Jordanne, and Rosewood Estates Winery. Guests of 13th Street Winery are encouraged to wander through the property’s fascinating sculpture garden and take in Canadian art exhibitions at the on-site John Mann Gallery. Live arts lovers can time their trip to coincide with a Shaw Festival performance or a concert right along the Niagara Wine Route at St. Catharines’ First Ontario Performing Arts Centre or Jackson-Triggs’ open-air Amphitheatre.
Niagara’s many passport touring events and seasonal celebrations are an excellent way to enjoy an incredible selection of wine and food pairings at multiple wineries.
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Are you ready to start planning your own Niagara escape? Check out these resources for Niagara getaway inspiration, pre-planned trip itineraries, and travel tools:
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