If you haven’t started planning your summer getaways yet, now is the time to learn about what’s going on in the vineyards across Niagara, so you can eat, drink and be entertained and merry in the heart of wine country.
We’ve tried to capture all of our favourite spring and summertime events within the list below, but we highly recommend you escape to Niagara for a few days and explore all the options for palette pleasing, toe-tapping and relaxing available to our discerning visitors.
Dining Events in Niagara Vineyards
Niagara is celebrated for its bold flavours and talented chefs, so it’s no wonder many of our best-loved summertime events make food their focal point. Here are just two of the region’s foodie-centric winery celebrations to give you a taste of every Canadian’s favourite season.
Annual Harvest BBQ at Reif Estate Winery
Why travel to Germany when you can have a traditional Harvest BBQ within the lush comfort of wine country during the Reif Estate Winery’s Annual Harvest BBQ. Get your hands on renowned German eats including grilled bratwurst, potato salad and handmade bread that is pulled from the oven as you arrive. Finish off this robust meal with a gorgeous apple strudel to satisfy your sweet tooth.
The harvest meal is paired with either a popular Riesling or Cabernet Merlot – dependent on your palette and mood during that evening. What a wonderful way to spend time outdoors at one of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s loveliest estates!
Date: September 13, 2019 – begins at 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $65 per person plus taxes and gratuity includes family-style barbeque dinner, wine and live entertainment! 25% off for Reifstyle wine club members
Call 1-905-468-WINE or email wine@reifwinery.com to buy your tickets today.
Annual Seafood Picnic at Reif Estate Winery
The more you visit wine country, the more you’ll come to understand how passionate the wine and food connoisseurs at Reif Estates are about bold flavours and beautiful food and wine pairings – and the Annual Seafood Picnic is no exception. If you like to indulge in upscale culinary experiences, this is a can’t miss event for those who know that everything tastes better under the sea.
The Reif culinary team looks forward to welcoming you with freshly shucked oysters and a succulent shrimp cocktail. From there, you’ll be wowed by an impressive 1 ¼ lb lobster that is elegantly adorned with a variety of sensational seafood: from stuffed clams to marinated mussels you and your lobster will be in great company.
You’ll also have the opportunity to taste the sweetness of fresh Ontario strawberries baked into shortcakes. Of course, don’t forget the hand-selected wines that will pair perfectly with your meal, fireworks and the live entertainment that culminate in an absolutely perfect evening under the stars.
Date: June 14, 2019
Cost: $140 per person plus taxes and gratuity, which includes a family-style dinner, wine, dessert, glass of sparkling, fireworks and live entertainment. 25% off for GOLD Reifstyle wine club members.
Call 905-468-WINE or email wine@reifwinery.com to book.
Musical Events & Concerts in Niagara Wine Country
Music makes the summertime extra fine in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Not that our region is full of music snobs or anything, but when we say Niagara-on-the-Lake aims to foster passion for the arts through internationally-renowned talent, we really mean it.
Jackson Triggs Summer Concert Series
This Concert Series is all about stars – the ones in the sky and the ones on stage! Join music lovers from across Southwestern Ontario as we celebrate performers of every persuasion who bring their best vocals, strings, keys and beats to Jackson Triggs open-air amphitheatre.
Many of the concerts are already selling out, so if you want to see the likes of the Bahamas, Matt Mays and Tom Cochrane, you should start booking your spots now. There are concert-only options, or you can take part in an exclusive food and wine experience that will elevate the enjoyment of all your senses.
Learn more about the Jackson Triggs Summer Concert Series and purchase tickets.
Wine and Music in Niagara-on-the-Lake
Spend your afternoon at the Hare Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake to enjoy great food and exceptional music. The Hare has partnered with Music Niagara to offer its guests a fabulous day under the sun with a freshly prepared farm-to-table meal that pairs perfectly with award-winning VQA wines and the musical stylings of uniquely talented musicians.
Dates: July 27, 2019 from 11:00am to 1:30pm
Tickets: From $35
Niagara Vineyard Festivals & Events
There’s not really any explanation required here – everyone knows Niagara-on-the-Lake is home to Canada’s finest wineries. But more than just offering unparalleled food and wine, our favourite estates are creating immersive tasting and entertainment experiences that will surely add vibrancy to your summer escapes.
Yes Way, Rosé: International Rosé Day
There are few things that are more fun and feminine than a beautiful bottle of sparkling or still Rosé, so it makes sense that there’s actually an international event dedicated to celebrating all the shades of Rosé wines and bubblies.
During this special event aka International Rosé Day, you’ll get to visit multiple wineries that will tickle your taste buds pink. The event is fast approaching, so grab your girlfriends and spend the weekend sipping wines, enjoying a silent DJ party in elegant outdoor lounges and tasting locally-inspired foodie flavours.
Date: June 8, 2019
Cost: $39-$49 per person. You may learn more and purchase tickets here.
Wine Country Fare
If you love high-quality country music and downhome inspired flavours, you cannot miss this very special event that pairs cowboy boots with wine, barbeque and several of Canada’s hottest country acts. The headliner is The Washboard Union – a Juno Award-winning group that will transport you out west and down south with their talented twang.
From a pig roast to banjo playing, this is a celebrated country-centric event that will make for the perfect summer night in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Date: August 17, 2019 – From 6:00 p.m. to 10:30pm
Cost: $65 per ticket, which includes entrance and samplings.
International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration
Travel the world one glass of Chardonnay at a time. During this very unique event, winemakers from around the world have come together to present the very best that this well-loved grape has to offer. From vintages to more recent VQA varietals, this three-day celebration of the grape includes immersive wine education, world-class culinary creations and a truly unique cool climate that elevates the tasting experience of this collaborative celebration of Chardonnay.
Dates: July 19-20, 2019
Learn more about this three-day foray into Chardonnay and choose the events that best suit your tastes.
Niagara Home Grown Wine Festival
Niagara wines are exceptionally well-crafted, which means they typically boast an air of elegance that elevates your days and evenings of indulgence. However, just because our region’s wines are hand-crafted with care does not mean they don’t pair well with high-energy entertainment and raucous events.
More than 30 wineries will come together to host the ultimate tailgate party and associated events to kick off summertime in Niagara. Enjoy wines, freshly prepared foods and live entertainment at a variety of beautiful outdoor venues, as you and your favourite party people take part in a “truly Canadian experience”!
Dates: June 15-23, 2019
Learn more about the Niagara Homegrown Wine Festival.
Activities in The Vineyards
More than just dinning and musical performances, the Niagara vineyards often play host to some unique activities. Take part in some of these great vineyard activities this summer:
Yoga in The Vineyards
Work on your flexibility, while having fun and enjoying the gorgeous outdoor venues that the Green Belt’s wineries have to offer. Take part in yoga classes at each of the following estates, so you can pair your Downward Dog with a glass of award-winning VQA wine. These events offer the perfect combination of wellness and wine, so you and your friends can enjoy a feel-good escape to Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Choose your yogi destination and prepare to unwind with exceptional food and wine:
- Yoga at Reif Estate: Sunday, June 9 for $30, which includes yoga, sushi and a tasting of Sauvignon Blanc
- Yoga and Wine at Ravine Vineyard
Movie Nights in The Vineyard
Lights, camera, Niagara! Throughout June and July, you can visit Trius Winery to take in a screening of some of the most notable films from the 2000’s. Movie Night at Trius is a great way to combine delicious wine with movie theatre style snacks and the glow of the stars, so you can have a fun or romantic night out with your most-loved moviegoers.
Movie Line-up
- June 14: Mamma Mia
- June 21: My Best Friend’s Wedding
- June 28: Mean Girls
- July 5: You’ve Got Mail
- July 12: The Notebook
- July 19: Jurassic Park
- July 26: A Star is Born (2018)
Cost: $25 per person (plus tax) which includes movie admission, a glass of wine, souvenir and bag of popcorn.
You have to experience summertime in Niagara for yourself to truly understand how delicious it can be!
Now that you’ve had a taste of some of the events that will be taking place in the Green Belt this summer, it’s time to plan a sun-filled getaway in Niagara-on-the-Lake. When you decide on which entertainment, foods and wines will match your summertime vibe, don’t forget to book luxury accommodations with Vintage Hotels.
When you stay with Vintage Hotels in Niagara-on-the-Lake, you will be treated to the very best the area has to offer in terms of dining, amenities and service. From gorgeously-appointed guest rooms through to internationally-celebrated chefs, we are committed to creating unforgettable getaway experiences for each of our discerning guests.