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Exploring Wine Country, Ontario

Written by Viator, August 2012

No reviews, be the first!

Ontario’s Wine Country is growing in leaps and bounds, with several renowned wine-growing regions. In most places, you can tour the facilities and meet the people working behind the scenes. And, of course, sample some wine!

Summer is the busiest time of year, but for something truly unique, come during the winter to watch the harvesting of grapes. Here you’ll find a special treat: Ice Wine, a dessert drink. Ontario is notorious for this type of wine, and you can bet nowhere else in the world does it better.

To get started, the area is divided into three main regions: Niagara Peninsula, Lake Erie and Pelee Island, and Prince Edward County.

The Niagara Peninsula is located in Southern Ontario, and situated in the Niagara Escarpment (a ridge carved out by glaciers). There are over 50 wineries in this region, such as the Inniskillin Winery and the famous Jackson Triggs Estate. The incredible scenery combined with prime wine touring opportunities makes this region the perfect destination for wine lovers and adventure-seekers alike!

Further south is the Lake Erie region, where warm summers and lake winds produce more full-bodied wines. Head over to the Pelee Island Winery, where the island’s natural beauty will inspire you as much as the wine will.

Finally, Prince Edward County is one of Ontario’s newest wine regions to be developed. Here, winemakers get a little more creative: the Sandbanks Winery produces some delicious hybrid wines, and is additionally somewhat of a contemporary art gallery. Here you’ll also find some of the best Ice Wine at Waupoos Estates Winery.

But don’t stop there: new and emerging wine regions are starting to make themselves known, especially along the eastern shore of Lake Erie. North of Toronto, orchards have been joined by vineyards, and other vineyards have been developing in the Northumberland Hills. Wine is here to stay!

How do you select the best wine from the region? When you see the VQA Ontario marker on a bottle, it means it was created from 100% Ontario-grown grapes. It stands for the “Vintners Quality Alliance,” an organization that takes Ontario wine very seriously.

When you begin plotting your route, you’ll have to narrow your options. After all, Ontario has almost 100 wineries! Pick a destination or region, to begin, and stick to that area. If there’s a particular winery you’re interested in touring, look up the other closest wineries nearby.

Don’t limit yourself: even if you’re a traditionalist who values the old ways of winemaking, try some contemporary vineyards where up-and-coming producers are experimenting and creating some interesting new flavors.

Tours & Tickets

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Niagara Falls Wine Tour with Cheese Pairings

6 Reviews

Discover Niagara-on-the-Lake’s gorgeous wine region, part of the greater Wine Country Ontario, and sample the area's variety of world-class wines on this ... Read more

Location: Niagara Falls, Canada
Duration: 3 to 4 hours

From USD $49.92

Niagara Falls and Winery Helicopter Tour

4 Reviews

A tour that explores the magnificent Niagara Falls area from the air, with breathtaking views, and visits award winning vineyards too. Join this tour for a ... Read more

Location: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada
Duration: Varies

From USD $221.72

Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine-Tasting Tour with Gourmet Lunch or Dinner

3 Reviews

Taste the best of the Niagara-on-the-Lake wine region, part of the larger Wine Country Ontario region, on this small-group tour. Niagara-on-the-Lake is not ... Read more

Location: Niagara Falls, Canada
Duration: 5.5 hours

From USD $111.82

Niagara-on-the-Lake Cycle and Wine-Tasting Tour with Optional Picnic Lunch

Enjoy beautiful scenery, great bike trails and Niagara-on-the-Lake's finest wines on this biking and wine-tasting tour. Niagara-on-the-Lake is an incredibly ... Read more

Location: Niagara Falls, Canada
Duration: 4.5 hours or 6.5 hours

From USD $73.38

See all Exploring Wine Country, Ontario Tours & Tickets

Exploring Wine Country, Ontario

Tours & Tickets

Niagara Falls Wine Tour with Cheese Pairings

Niagara Falls and Winery Helicopter Tour

Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine-Tasting Tour with Gourmet Lunch or Dinner

Niagara-on-the-Lake Cycle and Wine-Tasting Tour with Optional Picnic Lunch

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