By Monica Kosior
What a difference a little sunshine can make. It’s officially a new season in Niagara, a time for rejuvenation, fresh starts and you guessed it, new wine!
I look forward to getting out and sipping through new releases from all my favourite Niagara wineries, while enjoying the bright beautiful sun. There are lots of options to choose from this spring, from tasting passports to rosé parties. You’ll catch me soon on a patio with a glass of chilled VQA wine. See you out there!
Cheers!
Niagara Events
Get Fresh in Twenty Valley
Pair the fresh spring weather with local spring releases and farm-to-table paired flavours. This self-guided tour pass will take you through the five sub-appellations between Beamsville and Lincoln. Taste through and stock up on your favourite rosés, aromatic whites and reds. Designated driver passes available and for the first time for this event the Magic Winery Bus will be available for pickup and drop offs with your Shuttle Package ticket.
More information available here
Dates: April 27-29 and May 4, 5 at 10 am to 5 pm
Location: Participating Twenty Valley Wineries available here
Cost: Various prices, tickets available online for purchase here
Sip & Sizzle
Niagara-on-the-Lake’s answer to a very long winter. Participating wineries have paired up their best VQA wines with all things grilled. Think Merlot and prime rib, Sauvignon Blanc and pulled chicken with pineapple salsa or Pinot Gris and Thai spiced pork sausage; are you drooling yet? Designated driver passes available.
More information available here
Date: Weekends in May from 11 am to 5 pm
Location: Participating wineries available here
Cost: $55 (+ taxes) per person available online here
Twenty Valley Events
Creekster Egg Hunt
Easter is just another holiday to drink good wine right? Creekside hosts their version of an adult egg hunt, but instead of chocolate goodies, prizes include wine experiences, discounts and a free subscription to the Creek Freek Wine Club. Sign me up!
More information available here
Date: April 20 at 12 pm and 2:30 pm
Location: Creekside Winery
Cost: $15 per person (19+ only), reservations required contact (905) 562-0035 ext.235
Pinot Pre-Release
There is Pinot Noir for every person and every occasion. And Tawse is THE place to get yours. Join the team on Saturday April 13 to taste through the pre-release of their 2017 Pinot Noirs. You will even have the chance to taste the 2018 from the barrel — more information will be available with email sign up below.
More information available here
Date: April 13 from 11 am to 5 pm
Location: Tawse Winery
Cost: TBD
Pinot Affair
Seriously who doesn’t love Pinot? And who do you think produces it best? I love Pinot and Niagara of course! This weekend will include your tour of the best back vintages and current vintages paired with a culinary bite at each winery. Discover the ins and outs of growing the heartbreak grape, why vineyard sites matter and what makes Pinot the King.
More information available here
Dates: April 26-28 from 11 am to 5 pm
Location: Participating wineries available here
Cost: $40 (+ taxes) per person, available online here
Opening Weekend: Veranda and Pizza Oven
Simple and delicious, wood fire pizzas are served up alongside Featherstone wines on their wrap around veranda. Opening weekend for outdoor dining is May 18 with the veranda open every weekend and holiday Mondays until September 2. Margherita, roasted veg, 4-cheese and Canadian, all your favourites. Reservations required for 6 or more.
More information available here
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays 12 pm to 4 pm (May 18 to September 2)
Location: Featherstone Estate Winery
Cost: Varying prices for pizza, wine by the glass or bottle available for purchase on sight
F’ing Wine Tour
Four f’ing great wineries join together for two weekends of fun. Participating properties include Featherstone, Flat Rock Cellars, Fielding Estate and for the first time Foreign Affair. This year themes of fanciful food and wine will awaken all your senses!
More information available here
Dates: May 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 from 11 am to 4 pm
Location: Featherstone, Flat Rock Cellars, Fielding Estate and Foreign Affair
Cost: $20 (+ HST) per person, available for purchase at above wineries
Rosé All Day
I prefer to view life through rosé coloured glasses, so it only makes sense to drink rosé while doing so! Join HoP for their all day celebrations of our favourite pink beverage. Save the date, more information to be released soon!
More information available here
Date: June 8 from 11 am to 4 pm
Location: Henry Of Pelham
Cost: Free entry, Wine and Food available for purchase on site
Summer Solstice Concert
The Jim Cuddy Band and Tawse Winery celebrate their 10th anniversary of Summer Solstice Concerts. Local food will be served up by The Restaurant at Redstone, Tide & Vine and more, alongside beer from Shawn & Ed Brewing Company, Tawse wine and cider, and new this year, Tawse’s own spirits mixed up in delicious cocktails. Tickets will sell out quick!
More information available here
Date: June 8 at 5 pm
Location: Tawse Winery
Cost: $79 to $129 per person, tickets available online here
Niagara-on-the-Lake Events
Etsy: Made In Canada
Sip and shop your way through Hare Wine Co.’s second annual Etsy handmade market. Support local Canadian artists, local food and local wine while you treat yourself to a little something new. Free admission!
More information available here
Date: April 27 from 11 am to 4 pm
Location: The Hare Wine Co.
Cost: Free admission
Dig Our Roots
Let the Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries show you why their terroir reigns supreme. Different participating properties will take you through a behind the scenes experience digging through their history, diversity and quality. Options include tours with winemakers in the vineyards to library tastings to winemakers dinners.
More information available here
Dates: April 12-14
Location: Participating wineries available here
Cost: Varying prices per ticket, available online for purchase here
Comment here