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Sip the summer away in Niagara wine country: A cool list of what to do and where to go

Niagara wine country

By Monica Kosior

Can you picture it yet? The sun shining down on the vineyards with a beautiful glass of Niagara VQA wine in your hands.

I’m making myself thirsty! No worries, my friends, I have the solution for all your thirsty needs — Niagara is packed to the brim with exciting indoor and outdoor events. Surrounded by wine, food and good friends, Summer 2017 is going to be one for the books!

Here’s my list of summer (and some late spring) wine events in Niagara wine country.

Niagara Summer Wine Events

The International Cool Climate
Chardonnay Celebration (the i4c)

Niagara wine

This weekend-long event is the créme de la créme of all Chardonnay events. Celebrating 30 Ontario wineries and 30 International wineries with the best cool-climate Chardonnay. You will have the chance to experience both educational and inspiring events. The School of Cool, Flights of Chardonnay, Dinners and Brunches all showcase this beautiful wine.

For more information click here

Date: July 21-23
Location: Niagara
Cost: Varies on specific event, purchase all tickets online here

Niagara-on-the-Lake Summer Wine Events

Sip & Sizzle

Niagara wine events

Two dozen NOTL wineries participate in the annual Sip & Sizzle. As the name implies, this tasting pass includes a selected VQA wine paired with something sizzled at each winery. Grilled chicken tacos and flambéd raspberry cheesecake are just a couple of the amazing food pairings lined up for May. Purchase your pass and enjoy a month long food and wine excursion!

For more information click here

Date: May 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 26-28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Participating wineries here
Cost: $45 (plus taxes and fees) or $25 (plus taxes and fees) for Designated Driver passes, available online here

Canada’s First Book & Wine Club

PondView Estate Winery has partnered up with Simon & Schuster Canada to officially launch the First Book & Wine Club. Join the club and enjoy wine and books shipped to your home for free and then come out to PondView to meet the authors! Andrew Pyper (author of The Only Child) and Amy Stuart (author of Still Mine) will be answering questions and signing books. Finally a book club we’ll actually like!

For more information click here

Date: Saturday May 13 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: PondView Estate Winery
Cost: Admission is free, wine by the glass will be available for purchase, register your spot online here

Mother’s Day Brunch

Ravine hosts a delectable prix fixe menu for Mother’s Day, with brunch and lunch options. What better way to celebrate the special ladies in your life while Chef Ross Midgley does all the hard work, thanks Chef!  Wine by the glass is available for purchase. Check out the full menu here

For more information click here

Date: Sunday May 14 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Ravine Vineyard Restaurant
Cost: $48 (plus taxes) per person, reservations required, call or reserve online here

May Long Weekend Cucina
Food Truck at PondView

Cucina A Go-Go, famous for their Italian food truck options, will be setting up shop at PondView Estate Winery. Enjoy your long weekend sipping on some PondView wine while eating a fresh meatball sub, manicotti or penne pollo in a curry cream sauce. Saluti!

(Please note this is a weather-permitting event)

For more information click here

Date: Saturday May 20 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: PondView Estate Winery
Cost: Free admission, wine by the glass available and food by Cucino Food Truck available for purchase

Party in the Vineyard:
Food Truck Edition

Summer wine Niagara

A night of live music and games to pair with Peller Estates wine and local food trucks. This outdoor party is kicking off on the May long weekend. Make sure to purchase your tickets early before they sell out! Ticket price includes your first glass of wine and a commemorative glass. May 20-21 will be 19+ and May 22 will be open to all ages.

For more information click here

Date: May 20-21 from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and May 22 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Peller Estates Winery
Cost: $15 (plus taxes) for adults, $5 (plus taxes) for children, purchase online here

Niagara’s ORIGINAL “SupperMarket”

Best Ontario wine

A true taste of Niagara — the weekly SupperMarket is fun for everyone (you can even bring your dog along). Local food vendors pull up and serve everything from burgers and pizzas, to fresh oysters and pierogies. While rotating wineries, breweries and cideries will be pouring local favourites. This is the best mid-week pick-me-up.

For more information click here

Date: Wednesday May 24 to Sept. 20 from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. (every Wednesday)
Location: Garrison Village
Cost: Free admission, food/wine/beer/cider available for purchase

Oyster Fest Niagara

Tide & Vine presents the 5th Oyster Fest. Ravine Vineyard is the official beverage sponsor and will be pouring their wine and cider to pair with T&V’s famous oysters. Live music and other local food vendors will join the roster, and if you’re brave enough, sign up for the Oyster Shucking Competition (contact Mike at mike@tideandvine.com to register for the competition).

For more information click here

Date: Sunday June 11 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Eagle Valley Golf Club
Cost: $28 (plus tax) includes 1 drink ticket and a plate of 5 oysters, purchase at the Oyster House or online here

Canada Day

Ravine is known for some of the best fireworks shows on Canada Day in Niagara. This year’s 150th celebration will stop nothing short of spectacular. Check back for additional details to be released!

For more information click here

Date: Saturday July 1
Location: Ravine Vineyard
Cost: TBD

Niagara Homegrown Wine Festival

The Homegrown festival includes eight experiences per pass and is self-guided so you can pick and choose your favourite wineries to visit. Travel around Niagara and make sure to pick up your TD Tailgate Party tickets too (info listed below) for Saturday night. Food and wine pairings are available here

For more information click here

Date: July 17-18 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Participating wineries available here
Cost: $40 (plus taxes) per Discovery Pass, $30 (plus taxes) per designated driver pass, available online here

TD Tailgate Party

An all inclusive event celebrating 35 wineries and 10 top chefs in Niagara. This year’s event will be held at Niagara College Teaching Winery and your ticket includes an all access pass to the food and wine served, plus a commemorative glass!

For more information click here

Date: Saturday July 18 from 6 to 10 p.m.
Location: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Cost: $85 (plus taxes) per person (early bird), $95 (plus taxes) per person (after June 1) available online here

150th Celebration Dinner

Canada and Ravine share something very special in common, they’re both turning 150 years old this year! How do you celebrate a sesquicentennial birthday? By serving 5 courses inspired by the winery’s history and the nation’s culinary journey and then add wine pairings inspired by the Lowrey farm. Check back for additional details to be released.

For more information click here

Date: July 29 and August 25
Location: Ravine Vineyard
Cost: TBD

Niagara Escarpment/Twenty Valley
Summer Wine Events

Handmade Market

Shop, Sip and Savour. 13th Street Winery hosts the 7th annual Handmade Market this May. Enjoy supporting local artisans while drinking wine by the glass and eating local gourmet fare. Live music will be playing all day so grab your family and friends (please no pets) and head to St. Catharines!

For more information click here

Date: May 12 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., May 13 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: 13th Street Winery
Cost: $6 admission, under-16 free (outdoors rain or shine)

Mediterranean Mother’s Day Brunch

Spoil your momma with this delicious brunch served by Zooma Caters and dessert served by Scratch Bakery. A glass of Rosewood Estates wine (or mocktail) is included during brunch and a “bee-hind the scenes” tour (at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.) with a flight of wine.

For more information click here

Date: Saturday May 13 (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and Sunday May 14 (limited seating)
Location: Rosewood Estates Winery
Cost: $45 per person, reservations are required, please contact Jen at taste@rosewoodwine.com  or 905-563-4383

Sizzle with Syrah

Kacaba’s 2012 Reserve Syrah will be served alongside Zooma Caters’ lamb/beef sliders topped with a sweet and tangy blueberry BBQ sauce, brie cheese and fresh arugula. If that doesn’t make you drool I don’t know what else could. Purchase tickets at the winery and make sure to bring a bib.

For more information click here

Date: Saturday May 13 to Sunday May 14, Saturday May 20 to Monday May 22
Location: Kacaba Vineyards
Cost: $10 per person or free for Founders Club Members

Mother’s Day Brunch

Aure Wines and the Silo Bistro invite you to treat your mom to a delicious brunch. Chef Corey will be serving up eggs benny, smoked mackerel, Icewine ham, pastries AND a chocolate fountain. Tea and coffee included, wine by the glass can be purchased.

For more information click here

Date: Saturday May 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: The Good Earth
Cost: $48.95 per adult, $24.95 age 14 and under, Free for kids under 5. Call to make a reservation at 905-563-7256. Purchase online here

Good Girth Supper Club
— It’s All Greek To Me

The Good Earth transforms its kitchen to a modern Mediterranean dream. Olives, lamb and Loukoumades (Greek donuts) paired with your choice of wine from the Good Earth portfolio. Make your reservation and enjoy a picturesque evening with views of their Lincoln Lakeshore vineyards.

For more information click here

Date: Saturday May 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: The Good Earth
Cost: $60 per person (plus taxes, gratuity, beverages), reservations required 905-563-6333

Roots on the Twenty

Not your average Bush Party — Twenty Valley Tourism hosts a brand new weekend event of celebrating everything Canadian. Local beverages, local food and local bands. There will also be live educational demonstrations on site. Purchase your drink tickets early and receive a discount.

For more information click here

Date: Saturday May 27 (11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.) and Sunday May 28 (12 p.m. to 5 p.m.)
Location: Ball’s Falls Conservation Area
Cost: No cost for admission, wine/beer/spirits $5 per drink ticket or $25 for five drink tickets + commemorative glass purchase in person or online here

Ginger Festival

Well if you’re a redhead, know a redhead or just want to enjoy a night of good food and wine, the Ginger Fest at Westcott invites you join them on May 27. Carben Food + Drink from Ottawa will be serving up summer appetizers while Westcott pours wine by the glass. Gingers even get their first glass free! Everyone is welcome, children and non-gingers too.

For more information click here

Date: Saturday May 27 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Location: Westcott Vineyards
Cost: $35 per adult (ginger and non-ginger), $25 per child tickets available online here

Opening Weekend at The Deck

Creekside Estate Winery opens up The Deck with In The Smoke Cookery serving up some delicious rustic BBQ inspired dishes. Enjoy lunch or dinner with a glass of wine and if you come by on a Friday enjoy live music during the Friday Night Creekeasy.

For more information click here

Date: Friday May 19 at 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: Creekside Estate Winery
Cost: Reservations required for groups of 8+, email at reservations@creekside.com or call at 905-562-0035 ext 229

Graze The Bench

This isn’t your typical passport program with wine and food pairings. Think of Graze The Bench as a more “laze and graze” event. Eight wineries in Beamsville will offer a featured wine, they’ve invited a favourite chef to create unique dishes and they’ve even hired entertainment at each location. A much more relaxed event where you can spend more time enjoying the sights and tastes at each location. Organizers have also arranged a shuttle bus to take attendees around for the whole day for only $5.

For more information click here

Date: June 3-4 from 12 to 5 p.m.
Location: Participating wineries here
Cost: $30 (plus taxes) per person, tickets are available online here

Ribs and Reds

Zooma Caters Memphis Style Baby Back Ribs + Kacaba’s newly released 2015 Cabernet/Syrah. Need I say more? Purchase tickets at the winery and don’t wear white.

For more information click here

Date: Saturday June 10 to Sunday June 11, Saturday June 17-Sunday June 18
Location: Kacaba Vineyards
Cost: $10 per person or free for Founders Club Members

Rosé Festival

Who doesn’t love Rosé? Westcott invites you to join in their festival celebrating their 2016 Delphine Rosé. La Carnita will be serving delicious Mexican street food, your ticket price will include 3 food items. Event requirements — you must wear PINK & you must love Rosé! Everyone is welcome to join the celebration. ID will be required for 19+ purchasing wine by the glass.

For more information click here

Date: Saturday June 17 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: Westcott Vineyards
Cost: $35 per ticket, purchase online here

Canada Day Celebration

Kacaba’s brand new 2016 Rebecca’s Rosé will be paired with the Heat Is On catering’s Pan-Seared Trout with Bacon and Cranberry Succotash. Celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary with good food and even better wine.

For more information click here

Date: July 1-3
Location:  Kacaba Vineyards
Cost: $10 per person or free for Founders Club Members, larger groups please RSVP at info@kacaba.com or 905-562-5625

Muddy Paws Wine Festival

Dog owners and dog lovers unite! Featherstone and Vineland Estate are hosting the annual Muddy Paws Wine Festival. Split between the two properties, enjoy local wine and food with activities planned for both days. Bring along your family and four legged friends for a small hike from one winery to the other. Event etiquette is required please read details on the event website here. Portion of sales will be donated to National Service Dogs.

For more information click here

Date: July 8-9 from noon to 5 p.m.
Location: Vineland Estates Winery and Featherstone Estate Winery
Cost: $20 (plus taxes) includes one glass of wine and one commemorative glass, purchase online here

Note: Events will be added as their dates and details have been confirmed. Check back often to see what’s been added!