Unique culinary experiences in Niagara

If you’re a wine lover, you may have explored renowned regions like Tuscany, Bordeaux, Provence, or Napa Valley. But have you experienced Niagara?

Just across the border, world-class wine is waiting. Niagara’s unique microclimate is ideal for growing delicious grapes, and its rolling countryside is perfect for scenic summer drives. Niagara’s wine country is also just a 20-minute drive from the spectacular Niagara Falls, one of the world’s most iconic natural wonders. If you haven’t yet been, you have so much to discover—from sun-soaked afternoons sipping wine with friends to cozy winter evenings enjoying icewine by the fire. Fly into the nearby Toronto International Airport or drive across the border for a weekend or longer. This might just become your regular getaway. 

Over decades, winery owners in this area have worked hard not only to export their products to the world but to turn their expansive locations into decadent destinations. Niagara Falls has already been a tourist mecca for decades, but today’s wine producers are elevating the experience, developing intimate tasting experiences and tours through their vineyards. With a rich assortment of top-quality varietals to choose from, including world-class sparkling wine, Burgundian-style pinot noir, and chardonnay, visitors can hop between vineyards and sample novel offerings at every stop. 

Many wineries also feature top-notch restaurants that showcase the region’s best seasonal produce, as winemakers and local producers come together to celebrate the land’s abundant offerings. Visitors are the guests of honor, invited to share in the growers’ passion for the beautiful vistas that surround their orchards. 

Ready to explore? Here are some must-visit events to add to your itinerary.

Niagara Icewine Festival

You may have been to a wine festival, but have you ever attended a celebration dedicated entirely to icewine? First crafted in 18th-century Germany when frozen grapes unexpectedly produced a rich, sweet wine, this world-renowned 'liquid gold' is now one of Niagara’s most prized specialties. The Niagara Icewine Festival celebrates this bounty in the month of January when the winter beauty adds its glow and sparkle on the region. 

Held over three weekends, each begins with the fabulous Cool as Ice Gala at the historic Niagara Parks Power Station, a building that’s over 100 years old and formerly harnessed power from the falls. Walk through the cavernous station’s 2,000-foot tunnel sipping wine and snacking on nibbles, only to emerge at the breathtaking Niagara Falls.

With an Icewine Discovery Pass, available on the festival website, you can choose six unique tasting experiences at many partner wineries (or select a mini pass for three tastings). Stop by participating wineries and sample the exclusive food and wine pairings crafted just for this event. 

Between tastings, make a stop at the Icewine Village in charming Niagara-on-the-Lake, where Queen Street is transformed into a winter wonderland. Join your fellow visitors around fire pits surrounded by Muskoka chairs, a perfect spot to spark conversation. You can also rent a heated VIP snow globe for a cozy winter retreat, perfect for up to eight guests sharing a bottle of icewine and a gourmet cheese platter. Each weekend wraps up with the lively IceHaus Cocktail Competition, where you can dance to live DJs while sipping creative icewine cocktails, voting for your favorite in a Top-Chef-style showdown. 

New in 2024, the festival introduced “Wine & Dine” experiences to pair Niagara’s top icewines with local farm-to-table dishes. In its first year, the experiences included food crafted by notable chefs such as Jason Parsons from Peller Estates winery. 

Niagara Peach Festival

Summer is the ideal season to celebrate Niagara, both at individual wineries and within local communities. As with grapes, stone fruits including cherries, plums and peaches thrive in the region’s hot summers and moderate winters. Around 90 percent of Ontario’s peaches are produced in the area, and now the Niagara Peach Festival thrives too, held annually in August to celebrate the peach harvest in all its glory. With live music, vendors and entertainment, the party takes over Queen Street in the quaint town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Peach dishes abound, from pies to savory entrées featuring the region’s 15 peach varieties, you’ll find plenty of new flavors to sample and recipes to inspire your own creations at home. The relaxed yet festive atmosphere makes it the perfect place to stroll, savor, and celebrate with family and friends. 

Visitors can buy freshly picked peaches from local growers or visit a nearby farm to pick their own. Try Parkway Orchards, where you can also pick cherries (June 15 to July 15), plums (August 1 to 31), nectarines (August 15 to September 15) and apples (September 10 to October 15) in addition to the season’s star peaches (July 10 to September 10). Several other local farms also offer fruit picking, so you can add more than one stop to your peachy adventure! 

Make every weekend a festival

Beyond festivals, the Niagara region offers a variety of tours for every type of visitor. Fancy a chauffeured visit to four wineries with tastings included—or perhaps a leisurely tour with lunch? Check out Winery Tours of Niagara’s offerings. If you’re feeling energetic, the Grape Escape Wine Tours offers bike tours as well as options by car. Or download a map and create your own tour at your own pace, maybe chasing your favorite varietals or planning a mix of large and smaller wineries, cellar tours and on-site restaurants. With over 35 wineries eager to share their flavors and stories, the possibilities are endless. 

When you’re exploring a beautiful region, you’re always looking to make merry. In Niagara, the locals, restauranteurs and wine producers are equally eager to showcase their region in new ways. Whether you’re planning a quick getaway or a longer escape, Niagara’s wineries, chefs, and warm hospitality will make you feel right at home.