Spring and summer in Niagara Falls are the perfect times to enjoy fresh seafood. The beautiful weather and water breezes make it inviting to head outdoors. Chowing down on delicious sea fare in a gorgeous vineyard is a unique experience, and it’s exactly what you get when you attend the Annual Seafood Picnic at Reif Estate Winery. If you’ll be in Niagara Falls June 14, add this can’t-miss event to your list of things to do in Niagara Falls.
Reif Estate Winery Information
Reif Estate Winery is a popular winery that’s often on Niagara Falls winery tours because of its unique selections. You can get Niagara Falls ice wine here, which is a tasty dessert wine that’s special to the region. Ice wine is created using grapes still frozen while on the vine, which makes for a sweet wine unlike any other you’ll taste.
Reif Estate Winery is a 125-acre estate winery surrounded by breathtaking vineyards. It includes a Wine Sensory Garden, which visitors can wander through to take in the aromas and flavours that go into each wine.
Reif Estate Winery has been producing award-winning wines since it was founded in 1982. Its wines have won more than 150 international awards.
What Can I Expect from the Annual Seafood Picnic?
The Annual Seafood Picnic is held every end of spring/beginning of summer at Reif Estate Winery. It includes mouth-watering fresh seafood selections, handmade desserts, a wine pairing and live entertainment. Here’s a breakdown of the event:
Annual Seafood Picnic Dinner
The evening starts with freshly shucked oysters and shrimp cocktail. Then, each guest gets a 1.25-pound lobster with stuffed clams, marinated mussels and other seafood delights.
Cap off the seafood feast with in-season strawberry shortcakes, paired with Reif Estate Winery’s Stars Sparkling Riesling. Reif Estate Winery named it after a quote that is said to have been originated by French Benedictine monk Dom Pérignon, who said, “Come quickly, I am tasting the stars!” after he tasted champagne.
The winery describes the Stars Sparkling Riesling as having flavours of Granny Smith apple, peach, fresh orchard pear and lemon. The wine has a medium body, and its fruit notes are sure to be a great complement to the strawberry dessert.
Annual Seafood Picnic Atmosphere
Dine under the stars during the family-style dinner, which kicks off at 7 p.m. and lasts through the Niagara Falls fireworks show. Enjoy live entertainment as you dine in this one-of-a-kind Niagara Falls atmosphere.
Annual Seafood Picnic Cost and Booking
The Annual Seafood Picnic costs $140 per person, plus taxes and gratuity. Members of the Reif Estate Winery’s GOLD Reifstyle wine club can get 25 percent off tickets. The club costs $55 per month and includes two bottles of wine a month, among other rewards.
To book a seat at the dinner, call 905-468-WINE(9463), or email wine@reifwinery.com.
More Reasons to Check Out Reif Estate Winery
As mentioned, Reif Estate Winery is one of the most well-known producers of Niagara Falls ice wine. The winery produced its first ice wine in 1984 and still features a 10-acre vineyard block dedicated to producing its award-winning Vidal Icewine.
In order for a wine to get the designation of ice wine, the grapes are picked in winter at temperatures at least as cold as -8ºC. This ensures that icy water crystals are left behind during the pressing process. This results in a uniquely sweet wine with a high concentration of sugars, extracts and acids.
Reif Estate Winery’s ice wine selections have received more than 100 wine awards. Before the dinner, be sure to sample this rare wine that has become a Niagara Falls region favourite.
Want More Niagara Falls Ice Wine?
If you’re a wine lover, Niagara Falls is an excellent destination to visit. The Niagara Falls region has dozens of wineries, many of which are close to each other so you can make a day (or several) of touring them.
We’ve compiled a list of more than 60 Niagara Falls wineries to check out. They’re wonderful to visit in spring and summer, when the weather is gorgeous, and you can enjoy a glass of wine outside amid the vineyards.
When you’re planning your Niagara Falls trip, check out Niagara Falls hotels to see what wine packages are available. The Ultimate Niagara Falls Winery Experience includes a hotel stay at the Sheraton Fallsview hotel or Crowne Plaza Fallsview and includes:
- A winery tour and tastings for two, including transportation and a guided tour, to Reif Estates Winery, Peller Estates Winery & 10 Below Icewine Lounge, Konzelmann Estate Winery and Chocolate FX Chocolate Factory
- Three $20 Fallsview dining gift cards for Prime Steakhouse Niagara Falls, Massimo’s Italian Fallsview Restaurant and Fallsview Buffet
- A $40 credit at the Fallsview Christienne Spa
You can even add on another night for a discounted hotel stay price. Find more great Niagara Falls packages here.