Feature Image Courtesy of Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake
Spend your weekends in November tasting all that the season has to offer in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Taste the Season is the can’t miss event in Wine country because it gives visitors the ultimate opportunity to taste the region’s best wines paired with foods that highlight their exceptional flavour.
Warm up your November with wine tasting in Niagara
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. during each of the weekends in November, you can take part in Taste the Season and enjoy a wine and food pairing at more than 25 Niagara area wineries.
November 1-3, 8-10, 15-17 and 22-24, 2019 – From 11am to 5pm
Taste the Season Tickets
Touring Pass:
This $55 tasting pass (taxes and fees not included) enables each pass holder to one VQA wine tasting and food pairing at each of the member wineries involved in this exclusive opportunity.
Designated Driver Touring Pass
You are going to have an incredible day tasting the food and wine that define Niagara’s bounty. Be sure to indulge responsibly and designate a driver or book transportation with one of our local providers. If you have a designated driver in your party, they can responsibly enjoy the Taste the Season tour at a reduced rate of $30, which includes food offerings and non-alcoholic drinks. That way, you can enjoy a carefree day with your loved ones and safely return to the comfort of your upscale Vintage Hotel where you can wind down – or continue the celebration.
Niagara Wineries at Taste The Season
Taste Some of Canada’s Most Celebrated Wineries This November
There are more than enough amazing wineries to choose from during the Taste the Season event. Here is a snapshot of just some of our favourite wineries and the delicious culinary offerings that they are offering guests who visit them during this must-do November event:
CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES
This famous winery was established in 1978, and the winegrowers who run the estate have continued to champion French vineyard practices that produce tantalizing flavours. This winery combines practices of modern science with a traditional love of the land – and all it produces – to share some of the region’s finest wines with guests.
What you’ll taste:
2017 Pinot Noir, Estate Growth & Bottled, paired with thyme and roasted woodland mushrooms and Ontario-made goat cheese.
INNISKILLIN WINES
These well-known wines are perfect for pairing. For over 35 years, Inniskillin has crafted a full collection of award-winning table wines and icewines. The progressive winemakers and artisans at this vineyard have a particular passion for great pairings of food and wine, which you’ll see with each bite and sip you take during Taste the Season.
What you’ll taste:
2017 Vidal Icewine paired with beef brisket Pho and house-made Sriracha.
JACKSON-TRIGGS NIAGARA ESTATE WINERY
Taste what the cool Niagara climate can produce when premium quality grapes are crafted into fine wines by an expert team of winemakers who believe in the power of a state-of-the-art facility. Taste the distinct flavours of the region and enjoy a glass of wine that is the result of carefully selected grapes and creative collaboration.
What you’ll taste:
2017 Grand Reserve pinot noir paired with black pepper and rosemary grilled chicken.
LAILEY VINEYARDS
Cheers to the fruits of Lailey’s labour that combines mature grapes, experienced winemakers and a constant dedication to innovation and creativity. This vineyard boasts a commitment to extremely high standards for production, which includes VQA certification all of their products. This is a great stop for knowledgeable wine drinkers who have an appreciation for detail-oriented winemaking.
What you’ll taste:
2016 Zweigelt paired with mortadella, mozzarella cheese and Italian banquette with fresh cherry tomatoes on a skewer.
MARYNISSEN ESTATE WINERY
When you visit this lush estate, you’ll never guess their first passion was pigs! See how the Marynissen family went from “swine to wine” and began crafting outstanding wines in this Niagara microclimate. The family’s farming roots ring throughout their wines as their love for the land and willingness to work hard for their produce elevates their varietals to extraordinary glasses of wine.
What you’ll taste:
2015-barrel aged chardonnay paired with hearty house-made gourmet mac and cheese. Vegetarian options available. *
PELLER ESTATES WINERY
From the aesthetic appeal to the family traditions, Peller Estates is a special place. It boasts expert winemakers and an incredibly talented chef – both of whose talents you’ll get to interact with via your food and wine tasting. Taste the many nuances of a great Niagara wine and awaken your palette to the award-winning practices of Peller Estates.
What you’ll taste:
Ice Cuvée classic paired with Chef Parson’s Reisling pork sausage with icewine croute and grainy mustard.
PILLITTERI ESTATES WINERY
You have to imagine that six decades of winemaking likely ensures your family has refined their ability to produce some of the region’s best wines. Taste a glass of wine that celebrates viticulture and excellence that is the direct result of their passion for winemaking and creating great experiences for the guests who enjoy their products.
What you’ll taste:
2017 Team Canada red wine paired with traditional Italian meatballs in authentic marinara sauce with garlic crostini.
PONDVIEW ESTATE WINERY
Nestled in the heart of wine country, PondView Estates boasts three generations of winemaking. The family-owned winery shares with its visitors a European sensibility from their Sicilian roots. The family sees grape growing and winemaking as arts that require passion, expertise and a great palette for determining how best to represent the bounty of the Four Mile Creek appellation.
What you’ll taste:
2017 Sauvignon Blanc wine paired with Chef made butter chicken and fresh naan bread.
REIF ESTATE WINERY
The Reif estate doesn’t just see winemaking as work, it’s their lifestyle and they can’t wait to share their obsession with exceptional varietals with you. While you may recognize the brand, you may not know this vineyard is producing wines from the vineyard that was first planted in 1977. This 125-acre farm celebrates sun-loving grapes and the family claims each glass will show you the essence of their vineyard and hard work.
What you’ll taste:
2019 Gewürztraminer wine paired with ‘Fifty-Four Bakery’ pumpkin spice macaron.
TRIUS WINERY AT HILLEBRAND
Taste what one of Niagara’s pioneer winemakers can produce. Nestled close to Lake Ontario, Trius offers what the winemakers refer to as an “unrushed sensory experience.” They extend their passion for winemaking to their foods to highlight the diversity of the region, so you can discover a variety of inspired flavours that showcase seasonal evolution.
What you’ll taste:
2016 Stratus Weather Report red wine paired with autumn mushroom pie with leeks and caramelized onions and herbs.
Book Your Taste the Season Getaway
Can you imagine sampling food and VQA wines are dozens of our region’s most revered wineries? Even if you enjoy the tour at a leisurely pace and only visit a portion of the member wineries, Taste the Season in Niagara-on-the-Lake offers incredible value – and enjoyment – for guests who have a sincere appreciation for the finer things, and tastes, in life.
Don’t let the month of November slip away without taking advantage of this amazing opportunity to explore and savour the flavours of Ontario’s favourite foodie destination. Book your Niagara-on-the-Lake accommodations with Vintage Hotels this November 1-3, 8-10, 15-17 or 22-24, 2019 to embark on your Taste the Season adventure. We look forward to welcoming you back to your elegant hotel accommodations, which we know will pair perfectly with your day of exceptional taste.