The Niagara Peninsula juts out in to Lake Ontario, a flat promontory kept cool by Lake Ontario and thus perfect for grape growing. This region is therefore home to a fine range of vineyards, from family-owned, small batch specialists to large estates offering whites, reds and everything in between. Most of the wineries have open cellar doors and you can just turn up and sample some of their produce, and in some places do a short tour.

PLEASE NOTE: The drink drive limit in Canada is the same as in the UK and they are very strict in enforcing this. Please ensure you do not exceed the limit during a wine tasting session. If you are at all concerned it is possible to take a taxi or even walk to several of the wineries.

We can pre-book local winery tours in Niagara-on-the-Lake at the following estates:

Jackson Triggs Estate – take a one hour guided tour to get a behind the scenes glimpse of how this multi award-winning estate operates. It features three classic grapes – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling – and at the end of the tour you will get to sample them. The estate is a leisurely 30-minute walk from central Niagara-on-the-Lake, along a fairly busy road. Alternatively a taxi will take about 5-7 minutes.

Peller Estate – Peller Estate has been in the same family for three generations and this one hour tour is a great introduction to their wines – a wide selection of varietals from all over the region. With a philosophy of producing food-focussed wine you will learn about how this is achieved and taste three wines as you go around. If you wish to experience the result of the philosophy then why not stay for lunch at the winery restaurant where you can enjoy fine food with, of course, expert wine-matching. The estate is about a 30-40 minute walk from central Niagara-on-the-Lake along tree-lined street, in part alongside Paradise Grove Park. A taxi would take 5-7 minutes.

Chateau de Charmes – Owned by the Bosc family, and with a long history of wine growing, this estate is committed to sustainable practices and producing 100% home-grown wines. This tour takes roughly an hour and a half and takes you on the journey of the grape from the vine to the glass. Learn about the techniques and process used here and then sample the finished product. This estate is 14 kilometres from Niagara on the Lake so a bit too far to walk. A taxi would take around 20 minutes.