By Monica Kosior
We can officially say summer is here and it looks like it is going to stay! The sun is beaming down on Niagara and it couldn’t make me any happier. It is time to finally enjoy these hot days and warm nights. I have compiled the top events happening this summer in Niagara to give you another reason to get out and enjoy.
So whether you are out visiting the wineries, catching a concert in the vineyards or home enjoying a glass or two of your latest VQA purchase, I hope you enjoy this season. Cheers!
Niagara events
International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration
Celebrating all things cool, i4C brings together over 53 wineries from nine different cool climates from around the world. If you love chardonnay, this weekend long event is for you. Ranging from the School of Cool, to Flights of Chardonnay to Brunch and Dinner, there is something for everyone. Cheers to this cool grape!
More information available here
Dates: July 19-21
Location: Various participating wineries
Cost: Varying cost per event, purchase tickets online here
Twenty Valley Events
Summer Open House
Foreign Affair is kicking off the new season with featured wines inside the tasting room and the Tide & Vine pop up kitchen outside. Live music, oysters and a glass of VQA? Life is good. In depth tours with the winemaking team will be available at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
More information available here
Dates: June 29-30 at 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Foreign Affair
Cost: $15 – 23 (+HST) per person, available online here
Muddy Paws Wine Festival
Celebrate VQA and your four legged friends at the annual Muddy Paws Wine Festival. The pup themed event ticket includes a glass of wine and commemorative glass. Food tokens will be available for purchase at both wineries. Buy your pup a new accessory, enter a doggy contest or just enjoy the live music. This is a rain of shine event.
More information available here
Dates: July 6-7 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Featherstone
Cost: $20 (+ HST) per person, available online here
Sheep In The Vineyard
A vineyard tour like no other. Walk with Featherstone Estate Winemaker David Johnson to understand the benefits and process for using sheep in the vineyard while sipping on Featherstone Estate Black Sheep Riesling and meeting the furry friends.
More information available here
Dates: July 20 and August 17
Location: Featherstone Estate Winery
Cost: $15 (+HST) per person, reservation required call 905-562-1949
Picnic in the Vineyard
Pick up a prepared picnic basket for two inside The Coach House Cafe, purchase your favourite wine in the retail shop and BYOB(lanket). Basket includes food, wine glasses, corkscrew and charcuterie board, all for you to take home after your picnic is complete.
More information available here
Date: August 10 at 1 to 4 p.m.
Location: Henry of Pelham Family Estate WInery
Cost: $65 (+HST) per couple, available online here
Sparkling Super Series
Some of the best sparkling producers from Beamsville join together to offer you gourmet food pairings with vintage bubbles. This passport program allows you access to Featherstone, Flat Rock Cellars, Vineland Estates, Redstone Winery, Tawse Winery, and Malivoire. Enjoy your brut alongside lobster rolls, strawberry gazpacho and oysters. Need I say more?
More information available here
Dates: August 10 and 11 at 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Participating wineries here https://featherstonewinery.ca/sparkling-super-series/
Cost: $35 (+HST) per person, call winery to purchase tickets 905-562-1949
9th Annual Fall Hand Made Market
1 winery, 10 food trucks, 150 Canadian makers and artisans. Shop and sip your way through this annual event. All day live music and VQA wine poured by the glass, free parking available on site at 13th Street Winery.
More information available here
Dates: Sept. 13-14 at 1 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: 13th Street Winery
Cost: $6 cash only admission (children under 16 free)
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Sip Sip Hooray
Bubbles, bubbles and more bubbles. Peller Estates, Trius Winery, Thirty Bench and Wayne Gretzky Estates are banding together to show you why Niagara Sparkling is better than Champagne. Each winery will pop the bubbly while you enjoy food pairings created by estate chefs, sip and lounge the day away.
More information available here
Date: July 6 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Peller Estates, Trius Winery, Thirty Bench, Wayne Gretzky Estates
Cost: $49 (+HST) per person, available online here
Winemaker Dinner Series
The Bosc Family invites you to an intimate evening showcasing rare Chateau des Charmes wines paired with executive Chef Marc Lyons of Queens Landing cuisine. Limited seats are available per evening.
More information available here
Dates: July 11, Aug. 8, Sept. 5 at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Chateau des Charmes
Cost: $149 (+HST) per person, reservations required call 905-262-4219 x 228 or 237 or by e-mailing svetlanas (at) chateaudescharmes.com or martinl (at) chateaudescharmes.com
Wine & Music In The Vineyard
Pondview Estate will host three Friday concerts featuring Juno and Grammy award winning artists. The “Jeru” Quartet, Joe Trio and Heather Bambrick Quintet will entertain while you sip on your favourite Pondview wine. Additional wine and food will be available for purchase.
More information available here
Dates: July 19, July 26, Aug. 2 at 7 p.m.
Location: Pondview Estate WInery
Cost: $30 (+HST) per person, available online here
Party in the Vineyard: Wine Country Fare
Juno award winning group The Washboard Union hits the stage at this year’s 6th annual Party in the Vineyard. Peller Estates hosts the hoedown of the summer, including line dancing, mechanical bulls, a pig roast and, of course, wine.
More information available here
Date: Aug. 17 at 6 p.m.
Location: Peller Estates
Cost: $65 (+HST) per person, tickets available online here
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