Niagara on the Lake Wineries - Home of the Finest Canadian Wineries

With over 60 amazing Niagara wineries and scenic countryside, Niagara on the Lake wineries, 21 of them and 15 000 acres of land they cover, are probably the finest and most visited ones. And they were the first one to open their door for tourist visits and wine tours.

NOTL as the "prettiest town in Ontario" is a home to numerous Inns, popular bed and breakfasts, historic sites and attractions, world known Shaw Festival and many wineries in its neighborhood.

Top wineries that are presented here are famous for the quality of their wines and premium grapes they produce. They earned countless prestige awards on various world exhibitions.

Wineries in Niagara on the Lake town are only 30 min drive from mighty Falls, and many can be seen when driving along Niagara parkway. Thousands of acres under vine and orchards can be seen during the ride, and scores of lovely spots and remarkable mansions.

Top Niagara on the Lake wineries are visited by thousands of visitors annually, attracted by their beauty, picturesque countryside, old and antique wine cellars, state-of-the-art facilities, wine festivals, events and numerous available wine tours and seminars.

Niagara on the Lake Wineries are bordered by Welland Canal, Escarpment, Niagara River and Lake Ontario and grouped within two areas: one below the the Escarpment and the other group surrounds NOTL town.

NOTL wineries with its available tours like Trolley Wine tours, World Wine Tours, Crush on Niagara; is a great alternative to overcrowded city of Falls.

These wineries are easily accessible by car or by bicycle and they are relatively close to each other. Every single winery with its unique personality offers extraordinary experience and many memorable moments.

Top ten Niagara on the Lake wineries are:

Frogpond Farm - producer of certified organic wine.

Hillebrand Estates Winery is one of the larger and top wineries in NOTL and Ontario.

Inniskillin Winery offers a free self-guided tour with a several stations and marked tour path.

Jackson-Triggs Winery is modern in design with a state-of-the-art technology.

Peller Estate is one of the newest Niagara on the Lake wineries, within walking distance form NOTL.

Pillitery Estate Winery is the world's largest estate producer of Ice wine.

Reif Estate Winery - 25 years in wine making business and producer of world class wine.

Joseph's Estate, they are producing specialty and fruit wines.

Chateau des Charmes a winery that offers a taste of France.

Stratus winery is a leader in sustainable production.

Many of these wineries are producing an award winning wine, a Jewel and dessert wine called "Icewine". Icewine is among the top North American wines made from naturally frozen grapes, handpicked and immediately pressed.

The best time to enjoy the Ice wine is during the winter time and when the people from this area are celebrating winter frozen grape harvest and Ice wine festival. Detail information about Niagara on the Lake, wineries and attractions can be found in this all-inclusive tourist guide

Zeljko Mitrovic is the owner of a website called niagara-falls-tourist-guide.com. He passionately writes about his favorite destinations; Niagara Falls, Niagara on the Lake and Toronto.

He recommends the finest attractions, tours, hidden places, wineries, where to find the best eateries, cheapest motels, luxury Fallsview hotels and much more.

Niagara Falls comprehensive guide with the personal touch can be found here

Top 10 Osoyoos Wineries

10. Burrowing Owl Estate Winery
After heavy renovation in 2003, the Burrowing Owl Estate Winery received new wine making facilities as well as a new wine shop and tasting bar. This makes for a more efficient wine-making process and a more enjoyable experience for guests.

The owners also took advantage of the Burrowing Owl's dramatic landscape by constructing a brand new restaurant, called the Sonora Room. This restaurant features a fireplace, large outdoor patio area, and serves the winery's own wine.

The Burrowing Owl Estate Winery's wine shop is open April to November daily, from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

9. Tinhorn Creek Vineyards
Sitting unrivalled atop the "Golden Mile," a former gold mining creek, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards uses sustainable practices when farming their vineyards. Guests here can take in views of the 150 acre vineyard as they sample the different wines.

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards is open during all months of the year from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

8. Twisted Tree Vineyards & Winery
Hand crafted and family owned are the two phrases that best describe Twisted Tree Vineyards and Winery. Producing only a small amount of wine every year, the winery will only sell the best wine it is capable of creating. These hands on wine-makers consider their product to be an expression of their regional terroir and passion for winemaking.

Like most wineries in this reigon, Twisted Tree Vineyards & Winery offers breathtaking panoramic views of Osoyoos and the lake. The tasting room is open daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm between May to October.

7. Inniskillin Winery
Located just north of Osoyoos in the nearby town of Oliver, the Inniskillin Winery offers table and icewine for sale. Inniskillin may be more a more recognized name for Canadians as they also have a winery in Niagara Falls which shares the same commitment to excellence.

Inniskillin has three large vineyards in the Okanagan providing enough room for discovery harvests where the winery tests new technologies and harvesting methods. Due to the harvesting of icewine, the winery is open all year round from 10:00am to 5:00pm during the summertime, and 10:00am to 4:00pm during the wintertime.

6. Hester Creek Estate Winery
Also located along the Golden Mile, Hester Creek Estate is one of British Columbia's most awarded wineries. Guests can relax, shielded from sunlight, on the vine-covered patio with views, snacks, and refreshments to enjoy. The Hester Creek Estate Winery is open from May 1st through Canadian Thanksgiving weekend from 10:00am to 5:30pm. From then on, the winery is still open up until April 30th, however they close earlier at 4:00pm.

5. Le Vieux Pin Winery
Named after a historic pine tree on the northwest corner of the vineyard, Le Vieux Pin is a fairly new winery first opening its doors in 2006. This winery has taken many design inspirations from the property where an old French barn and railway station are situated. Wines here are made in the French tradition while still taking advantage of modern day farming technologies.

Le Vieux Pin Winery is located just north of Osoyoos in the town of Oliver.

4. Blasted Church Winery
Blasted Church Winery gets its' name from a church which was re-located from a deserted mining camp. In 1929 a small crew set out on a mission to bring the deserted church back to where it belonged, the Okanagan Falls. Before physically moving the church, the crew used sticks of dynamite to "loosen the nails," which eventually led the church to its current location high along a cascading hillside peering over Skaha Lake.

Blasted Church Winery is open 7 days per week from 10:00am to 5:00pm between May 1 and October 31.

3. Nk'Mip Cellars
Nk'Mip Cellars is accredited as North America's first aboriginal owned and operated winery. Since 2007, Nk'Mip Cellars has garnered over 40 prestigious awards for its wines. This winery also has a small restaurant for guests to enjoy after a tasting session. The winery and restaurant is open from May 1 to October 31 between 9:00am to 5:00pm, however their gift shop is open all year round.

2. LaStella Winery
LaStella Winery is a newer winery to the Okanagan Valley first opening its doors in May of 2007. LaStella Winery has a gorgeous view of the lake which actually provides functionality by helping cool the air at night. This makes for less harsh conditions and allows the grapes to grow to their fullest potential. This winery also has a very distinct soil composition which gives its grapes a unique taste. LaStella's wine shop is open 7 days per week from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

1. Jackson-Triggs Vintners
Situated across a 410 acre site on the Osoyoos Lake Bench, Jackson-Triggs Vintners features stunning views of the Okanagan lake and exemplifies the beauty of the Okanagan Valley. Starting wine production in the Niagara Falls area, it wasn't until 1998 that Jackson-Triggs Vintners decided to start production in the Okanagan. Currently, the Okanagan winery takes advantage of advanced wine-making technology and produces a multitude of different wines. The wine gallery is open from 10:00am to 6:00pm during the summer, and 10:00am to 4:00pm in the winter.

Devon O'Malley is a staff writer for alluraDirect, a vacation rentals website featuring an advanced property search tool, credit card payment option, and instantly confirmed reservations. Book Osoyoos Lodging directly with the property owner and save!

Niagara Escarpment Wineries

Niagara on the Lake is a great tourist destination especially for the wine lovers. Every year thousands of tourists travel to this heavenly place from all parts of the world to taste the best ice wine and visit some of the most renowned Niagara Escarpment Wineries. The tourists who visit Niagara on the Lake not only get to taste the award winning ice wine but also get to see some picturesque scenery that will leave them spellbound.

Niagara on the Lake is often referred to as the "Land of wineries" and if you had been lucky enough to visit the land, you won't ask why? The minute one sets foot in Niagara, the mesmerizing smell of the liquid gold of Niagara Escarpment Wineries and delicacies of Niagara on the Lake Restaurants begins to fire their imagination. The pristine ambiance, friendly people, calm atmosphere, serene life style, and sumptuous Niagara on the Lake Wineries provide an impetus to the dormant desire of booking for a Niagara Falls Ontario Wine Tours.

Niagara on the Lake is truly a tourist's haven and offers a paradisaical environment to pamper one's senses. The awesome Niagara Falls Ontario Restaurants are really a visual and appetite treat for the beholder. The place is an amalgamation of Niagara Restaurants, beautiful Niagara Falls Wineries, marvelous natural sights, delectable treats, and what not's. The climatic conditions offered by the Niagara on the Lake are an asset to the tourism and Niagara Escarpment Wineries. If you have already basked in the majestic glory of the place, then you would know the splendor of Niagara on the Lake.

The whole magic of Niagara Falls Ontario Wineries Tours can turn sour if you don't visit a Niagara on the Lake Winery. You will find umpteen Niagara Escarpment Wineries offering the best ice wine in the world. You will never get to know what you have been missing on until and unless you don't set your foot in a Niagara Falls Winery. You will have your plate full with fun and merriments while your stay in Niagara on the Lake. The festive mood in the place during the ice-wine festival will drown you in the pool of seamless joy and fun.

Book a Niagara Falls Ontario Wine Tour to drench yourself in some exotic fun. With a marvelous climate and landscapes the Niagara winery tours offers you the memories that you will cherish for a lifetime.

One of the leading wineries of the region is Peller; it brings in for you the largest variety of pure ice-wine from the vineyards of Niagara.

Peller Estates Winery Restaurant is enriched with wine clubs, wine tastings, wine tours, Ontario wineries, Niagara Winery, Niagara falls Ontario wine tours, Canadian ice wine, Niagara on the lake Wineries, Niagara restaurants, Niagara wine tours. For more details visit http://www.peller.com/

To Taste Fine Quality Ice Wine, Visit Niagara Wineries

Niagara in Ontario is a place that offers a wonderful experience to wine lovers as it has multiple things which one can indulge in the city, its wineries, winery restaurants and several beautiful places attract the visitors to throng the place particularly to taste the wide variety of ice wines. However, the best way to enjoy the beauty of the place and come across its rich culture is by joining one of the winery tours in Niagara that are specially organized to provide a perfect vacation experience to the visitors.

Wine tours have become a source of fun and joy for all those who wish to explore the numerous Ontario wineries especially the Niagara wineries and their inherent beautiful characteristics such as vineyards where different varieties of grapes are grown along with restaurants, wine events and festivals. There is growing linking for Winery restaurants among people as they offer the sumptuous treat by serving the best Canadian ice wine with interesting delicacies that double the pleasure and make the whole experience extremely exciting.

For wine lovers, nothing can be more charming than tasting the authentic Canadian ice wine sitting in a winery restaurant and enjoying the food and they are able to get all theses luxuries by becoming a part of a Niagara winery tour.

If one visits the Niagara region, then it becomes obvious that Niagara Falls known for its exemplary beauty is one of the target destinations. The site offers an eye soothing experience and as one moves down the Falls, he/she comes across the Niagara Falls wineries that again present a beautiful view. Closely located is the city of Niagara on the lake which is renowned to house several wineries and organize wine events for wine lovers.

Niagara on the Lake wineries producing fine quality ice wines are one of the principal attractions of the entire Niagara Peninsula and make a major contribution to the total wine produce in Canada. However what draws people to the place is Niagara on the lake restaurants which built inside the wineries in the natural atmosphere present an excellent option to relax after a tiring but knowledgeable wine tour. People love to taste the variety of wines produced there while learning the art of wine making from the wine experts. At the same time, they learn the various combinations of wine and food.

If one wishes to have all these exciting moments, then Peller Estates winery situated in Niagara on the Lake is the best option to visit for tasting quality Ice wines at its winery restaurant. One can also take its Wine Club membership.

Peller Estates is a renowned wine producer of Canada with its wine tasting, Ontario. It produces some great variety of wines and has a Restaurant within the wine tastings to offer sumptuous treat to wine lovers. Peller Estates also provides Wine Club membership.

Family Trip to Three Sister Wineries of Niagara Peninsula

Three Sister Wineries of Niagara Peninsula

For those of you who are not familiar with these wineries, they are all related. The owners of these 3 sister wineries enjoy the benefits of separate brands and the convenience of shared vineyards. Eastdell Estates is the largest of the three, followed by Lakeview and then Birchwood.

Lunch or a Wine Tour?

Our experience at Eastdell was quite pleasant. We were greeted as we walked in. We inquired about the wine tour and lunch hours and were given a few options. It sounded like we could only do one or the other at the time we had available. We were getting hungry, so we decided to decline the tour, and just go for wine tasting while our table was set on the restaurant's patio.

The lady at the tasting bar was relatively new, but extremely friendly. She suggested various wines based on each of our preferences. Surprisingly, all four of us picked a different favourite. Shortly, we were called to take a seat on the patio.

The menu was quite skinny. I don't eat bread, so, after trying hard to find something without suitable, the only item that was not breaded or did not come on a bun was grilled vegetables with warmed goat cheese. I ordered that, and my mom chose the same. My dad and my husband each got a burger. Man, were we ever surprised when the 'Vegetable Towers' arrived. They each consisted of literally 6 peaces of vegetables, 2 slices of sweet pepper, 2 slices of zucchini, an onion slice, and a mushroom. It was situated in the middle of the plate, taking up about 1/8th of the plate space. So, if you're hungry, don't order that, even thought it's on the Entrée menu. The guys got a good size burger. The rest of the plate was filled with green salad. I could not believe they cost almost the same. Our men had to share with us a part of their meal after all.

Now, the best part was selecting wine to go with our meals. My husband and my dad got 2004 Merlot - very good wine. My mom was a designated driver. I went with a suggestion on the menu - Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2006. It's good that I tried it before getting a full glass. It was so sweet! Apparently, they leave residual sugars in the barrels for better fermentation. I had to order another white. It was way too sweet as well, so I settled with a regular unoaked Chardonnay. It was also on a sweeter side, but quite refreshing. I didn't want to bother the waiter any longer, and got a glass of that.

We left the winery with a bag of wine bottles, some for us, some for my folks.

Birchwood and Lakeview

Our next stop was Birchwood Estates. It was short and sweet. We had a pleasant tasting at their modest tasting room, bough a couple of bottles, and headed toward the Lakeview Cellars.

On our way there, we stopped at the roadside farmers market and stocked up on peaches, plums and apricots.

When we arrived, we were surprised to find familiar labels on some of the wines offered for tasting. The Chardonnay I had with my lunch was Lakeview Cellars. So, I knew it was not worth buying or even trying one more time. It's one of those "try it once" kinds of wine. So, I tried their Vidal 2003. Oh, goodness gracious, was it ever delicious! It hit the spot. It one of the few tasting glasses I actually finished. My husband liked their Cabernet Merlot. We got a few bottles and went back to the car where my parents were waiting. My mom wanted to see what we got, and when I showed her a Vidal bottle, she decided to go back in and actually taste it. She also loved it and got a bottle for herself.

It was our last stop on our way to the Niagara Falls, so, slightly tipsy from all the samples, we happily took off for our next destination.

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