A Tour Through Niagara Wine Country
Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or just someone looking for a new adventure this fall, there is a hidden gem up north that we highly recommend you explore. Niagara Wine Country, near Lake Ontario, has a climate that boasts dozens of unique wineries and spans Niagara, Monroe, and Orleans counties. Let’s visit some of the highlights in a quick tour of the region.
Eveningside Winery
Eveningside Winery in Cambria is run by Owner Randy Biehl and sits on 21 beautiful acres. Tastings are always available and offer a wide selection of Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and more. Their wine club ships selections twice a year and includes recommended wine pairings.
Enjoy the countryside while at Eveningside
Ian is always ready to welcome you to Arrowhead
Arrowhead Spring Vineyards
Arrowhead Spring Vineyards in Cambria uses traditional winemaking methods to produce their Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Chardonnay, Riesling and Vidal Blanc. They are open daily for wine tastings and charge $5 for four wines. Seasonal tours are available and include walks in the vineyard, tours of the production facility, and a tasting.
Spring Lake Winery
Spring Lake Winery in Lockport is run by three generations of the Varallo family. It sits on 78 acres and includes a vineyard, cafe, park, private lake, and variety of walking trails. Tastings of their Chardonnay, Moscato, Merlot, Cabernet, and Zinfandel are available daily along with lunch.
Spring Lake Winery resembles an Italian Villa
These grapes will eventually become Vizcarra Vineyards’ Pinot Noir.
Vizcarra Vineyards
Many Western New Yorkers are familiar with Becker Farms, but most probably don’t know about its wine and beer operations – Vizcarra Vineyards and Becker Brewing. Vizcarra offers nearly 20 wines including Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Tastings are currently available daily and visitors can expect 4 tastes for $5, which include wine, beer, and hard cider.
Chateau Niagara Winery
Chateau Niagara Winery in Newfane was founded in 2006 by owners Jim and Kathy Baker. This winery has a wide selection of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gerwurztraminer, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Saparavi, Turan and Bleaufrankish. Tastings are available from May to December 12 – 5pm during the week and 12 – 6pm on Saturdays.
These grapes are on their way to be Chateau Niagara’s 2018 Chardonnay
Black Willow Winery’s award winning Mead
Black Willow Winery
Black Willow Winery sits on 43 acres near the shore of Lake Ontario in Burt. Owners Cynthia and Michael Chamberlain manage the winery, which also offers mead (a wine-like drink made with fermented honey) and artisan oils and vinegars. Tastings are available daily. If you’re curious about the hairless cats that grace the labels of their wine bottles, those are the owners’ pets Baggy Wrinkles, Noodle, and Sasha. You might even see one or two roaming around the winery during your stay!
Victorianbourg Wine Estate
Victorianbourg Wine Estate in Wilson is run by Owner Dan Hogue and his wife Victoria. This winery sits on 50 acres and offers Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Meunier, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Chambourcin, and Seyval. The tasting room is open Sunday to Friday from 12 – 6pm and Saturday from 11am – 6pm. Victorianbourg also offers a Wine Society that meets every two months for a seminar, tasting, and discussion.
Award winning wine from Victorianbourg
Conclusion
If there is anything we’ve learned from this brief tour, it’s that you don’t have to go to Napa Valley to taste some of the best wine in the country. And this is only a sample of what Niagara Wine Country has to offer! Check out the Niagara Wine Trail website for more information. Although it doesn’t include every winery in the region, it’s a good place to start for first timers. Happy tasting!
As always, visit the Welcome 716 Events Page for everything going on at our favorite wineries and more.