The Niagara region is home to dozens of Niagara Falls wineries, offering plenty of wines both familiar and unique to the region. Whether you’re looking for an afternoon of fun or are planning a trip down the Niagara wine route, these picturesque landscapes make for an exciting visit with most opening their doors to the public and taking part in special events throughout the year. Equal parts entertaining and educational, anyone looking for things to do in Niagara Falls should make sure a winery visit is on the calendar.
Looking ahead to 2020, Niagara wineries have plenty of signature events planned, as well as festivals and celebrations emphasizing the region’s wines. Here’s a rundown of some of the best events and locales those visiting the Niagara region this year won’t want to miss.
Snow Globe Soiree
One of the best ways to learn about wines of the region is to experience a variety of offerings during one of the many festive Niagara Falls events. The Snow Globe Soiree will let you do exactly that, all while enjoying a memorable night in view of the falls from inside your very own snow globe. You heard right – your very own snow globe.
Hosted by Niagara Grape & Wine, the Snow Globe Soiree runs across eight weekends, with food provided by top chefs and restaurants from the area. On top of the three-course meals, visitors will sample a variety of Niagara VQA wines, which means they were all made from grapes grown in the region.
The Soiree begins and concludes with a toasty visit to the Snow Globe Lounge, where plenty of wines will be available for visitors. The 90-minute, 3-course dinner follows, which guests will enjoy from within their very own snow globes overlooking Niagara Falls. Each globe seats six and comes with its own concierge, who will be happy to answer any of your wine-related questions throughout the event.
The Snow Globe Soiree offers two dining sessions per night, Friday through Sunday, from the weekends of January 16 through February 13.
Days of Wine & Chocolate
Heading into February, it’s hard to pass up an event that boasts both wine and chocolate. Niagara on the Lake hosts Days of Wine & Chocolate across four weekends, beginning the weekend of January 31 and concluding with the weekend of February 21.
Similar to the Snow Globe Soiree, one of the biggest advantages of visiting Days of Wine & Chocolate is that it will allow you to sample a number of wines from Niagara, with the added bonus of being paired with chocolate-infused meals and treats.
This event includes the wineries of Niagara on the Lake, about two dozen establishments ranging from Reif Estate Winery and Southbrook Vineyards to Strewn and Riverview Cellars Estate Winery. There are a lot of wineries to get through, which is why organizers recommend visitors stay for a full weekend or plan more than one trip to the event.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway with friends or a romantic weekend for two, Days of Wine & Chocolate allows visitors to learn more about their passions through this mouthwatering event.
Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery
Wayne Gretzky is known for more than his prestigious hockey career these days. Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery has become a fan favorite for Niagara wine aficionados over the years, with its staff of expert winemakers producing multiple award-winning beverages. As an added bonus, proceeds from the winery support Gretzky’s foundation, which introduces youngsters to hockey. If you’re looking for even more reasons to visit Gretzky Estates, this winery has got you covered.
First up is Saturday DJ Night, where resident DJ Dave Stiles will keep everyone moving from 6 to 9 p.m. Drink wine, grab some snacks and enjoy groovin’ music every weekend. Don’t forget to lace up your skates and hit the rink located right there on the property. It’s Wayne Gretzky we’re talking about, so of course his winery has an ice rink.
If you’d prefer a more intimate evening, that’s where Friday Date & Skate comes in. This weekly package includes skate rentals for two, a pair of craft cocktails from The Whisky Bar, a large warm pretzel to share and a wine tasting flight for two.
Dig Our Roots
If you’re planning a trip to the Niagara region this spring, the Dig Our Roots event hosted the weekend of April 17 promises to be a great way to sample wines and learn all about the wineries of Niagara on the Lake.
As the name implies, Dig Our Roots is just as much about sampling wine as it is learning about the birthplace of Canadian winemaking and the various wineries responsible for that storied history. Throughout the event, visitors are invited to drop by the many wineries of Niagara on the Lake and get a firsthand education on what makes the region so special.
Book Your Niagara Falls Winery Vacation Now
Whether you’re in the mood to sample tasty wines or want to know more about the process and wineries that make them, Niagara is a top destination. You can learn about many of the wineries of Niagara and upcoming events by visiting Niagara Falls Hotels.