Going Wine Tasting in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Touring Vineyards in Southern Ontario: A Great Day Trip from Toronto

Apr 4, 2009

Taking a day trip to tour wineries in the Niagara region is a fun and delicious experience. Taste award winning icewine and crisp Pinto Gris, all grown here in Canada.

Southern Ontario has an abundance of vineyards and wineries. There are more than 30 in the Niagara region alone. Driving west from Toronto, the cities soon turn into farms and fruit stands. These three vineyards are located fairly close together and show a broad range of the wines produced here.

Stratus Vineyards is Chic and Sumptuous

Established in 2000 and opened to the public in 2005, Stratus definitely sets the precedence for this area. The first building in Canada to receive the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, Stratus produces small quantities of high quality wine.

Despite the expensive prices, one taste is enough to prove their wine is worthy of the price tag. Wine maker, J.L. Groux believes strongly in blending wines and is also the first vintner to create red icewine.

Stonechurch Vineyards is Quaint and Delicious

The Hunse family has been farming this land since 1955 but it wasn’t until 1989 that the farm established itself as a vineyard. The spacious tasting bar and shop sits right beside the 170 acre vineyard and guests are encouraged to take the self guided walking tour though the rows of vines.

Wine maker Jamie Evans has created a daring “cold soak” Pinot Gris that is not recognized by the Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) due to the colour but is a spectacular wine all the same.

Strewn Winery is Friendly and Easy to Drink

More than a winery, Strewn has a restaurant, Terroir La Cachette and is Canada’s only winery cooking school. The large facility may not be the prettiest vineyard in the area but the huge selection of wines offers a price point for everyone.

Tours of the winery currently run everyday at 1 pm, and finish with a tasting of three wines. Please note, starting May 16th, 2009 tour time changes to 11:30 am daily.

Getting There and Driving from Toronto

While it is possible to book a wine tasting tour from the city of Toronto, the best option is to choose a designated driver. The freedom to stop whenever and wherever is more enjoyable than adhering to a company’s itinerary.

From downtown Toronto take the QEW (Queen Elizabeth Highway) west. Drive through the city of Hamilton and St. Catherines. Choose exit #47 before the Skyway Bridge and the Welland Canal, or the second exit (#38B) at the base of the bridge.

Taking a day trip to visit the wineries in Niagara on the Lake can be a fun way to see the lush farm land of southern Ontario all within a two hour drive from Toronto.

Road Map of Wineries in Niagara

The copyright of the article Going Wine Tasting in Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario Travel is owned by Allison Anthony. Permission to republish Going Wine Tasting in Niagara-on-the-Lake in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.