Dear Guest!
A little info about the area…. just skip it if you are not interested and go right for the links!
Planning a trip to a wine region sounds easy and straightforward. We just have to stop at wineries and taste the wines….. Than you find out that it can be an overwhelming task to organize. There are so many! And all so different! And there spread out wild! What about villages to visit, where to eat, golf, find entertainment? What about all this buzz concerning cool delicacies? What about local arts? Cool shops? Nature hikes and bike roads?
How can I find the perfect place for wedding?
I am not trying to satisfy all the questions and far from me to boast knowledge of all the great and cool things the area can offer – but in this small area I will try to list humbly a few of the attractions for different needs. The list will grow, and grow – so If you found it interesting than make a note to come back to my site and check out new entries.
About the area in big;
We are located in the middle of one of the most interesting, unique geographical location in North America. The 4 great lakes (one- fifth of the worlds fresh water) water overflow falling at Niagara Falls and flows through the Niagara River to Lake Ontario. So we are on a peninsula called Niagara Peninsula bordered north by lake Ontario with Toronto visible across and south of us is Lake Erie, The Niagara river on the east.The Welland canal connects the two lakes via 8 locks- a very interesting marvel to see. The area is part of the Carolinian region it is one of the most biologically diverse areas in Canada and the Niagara Escarpment a World Biosphere Reserve stretching from Lake Huron (Tobermory) to Queenston Niagara in Canada runs right through it from west to east. It is blessed with a micro-climate and soil that is perfect for many production, fruits, vegetables, nuts and yes- wines!
Even in this area there are smaller distinct areas with their own flavors. The soil , the watershed, the topography slightly different and the produces have their own distinct flavor.
Wedged between the Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment there are the sloping hills of fertile lands , several wine appellations and charming Villages with rich cultural heritage.
Our location is right between the 2 meandering creek the Twenty mile creek and the Sixteen mile creek , among orchards . The Lake is bordering us north and south of us is the Escarpment with the Bruce trail. Jordan Station and Jordan Village are in walking distance.
For wine interest:
The famous wine route just beside us starts right after Stoney Creek and follows all the wine growing subareas called appellations.
What is a wine appellation? It is a named identification system of a wine growing region. In Canada it is administered by the Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) a provincial regulatory system . Basically it is 2 regional area : the Niagara Escarpment plus the Twenty Valley and Niagara-On-The-Lake area.
We are located in the first.
there are sub-appellation areas of each the Niagara Escarpment has 3 (from west to east):
- Beamsville Bench
- Twenty Mile Bench
- Short Hills Bench
and 3 standalone sub-appellations:
- Lincoln Lakeshore
- Vinemont Ridge
- Creek Shores (our area)
a list of some wineries along the way with links: ( If you are coming from Toronto)
Get off the QEW hwy and look for the wine route signs ( blue with white grapes) after Stoney Creek. You can drive through the meandering scenery , follow the route and on your way back drive to the few that located on the shore of the lake in the north side of the hwy or just get a map and drive up and down to find them all. Usually it takes several visits to visit them all if you so inclined.
The area is large it is impossible tp visit all at once and please don’t hurry! The road is beautiful and it is best to savor each wine, find out more about it, the staff is usually wonderfully informative.
If you are new to wines best to go first to a large winery who offers guided tours and tutoring you .
But ready to explore and get try the very small ones too.
I can put together a nice tour itinerary if you contact me, alternatively there are tour companies specializing in wine-tours . I can contact them and customize a tour for you- I might even have some special bonus for you occasionally.
Here is a list of the wineries (not complete, it is just a guideline and sample)
Grimsby and Beamsville area:
- Ridge Road Estate Winery – Attention foodies! Get the Verjus , one of the secret cooking ingredient from Niagara.
- Puddicombe Estate Farms and Winery – Store and bakery, tours.
- Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery – Beautiful Victorian building, barn and elegant banquet place!! Great view
- Rosewood Estates Winery and Meadery – the owner is a beekeeper. Meads, giftshop and picnic area.
- Angels Gate Winery
- Hidden Bench Vineyards and Winery
- Organized Crime Winery
- Fielding Estate Winery
- Aure Winery – Solar heating, natural ventilation and a green roof.
- Good Earth Vineyard and Winery – A must to visit , a great culinary destination too, lunch, nibbles with wine, cook
- Legends Estate Winery – Great for weddings, events, amazing view!
- Mountain Rd Wine Company – It is close to my heart, the winemaker is Hungarian too, he crafts wines with traditional methods with great success. (big wine culture in Hungary)
- Crown Bench Estate – The Hungarians again! They know their wines! Check it out!
- Cornerstone Estate Winery
- Malivoire Wine Company – Gravity-flow method, organic
Vineland area:
- Royal the Maria – The icewine specialists
- Green Lane Estate Winery
- The Foreign Affair Winery – Amarone inspired wines with old world technic. Very interesting.
- Alvento Winery – Barolo type of wine, Tuscan influence.
- Wayne Gretzky estate
- Tawse Winery- Bio-dynamic production, gravity-flow
- Megalomaniac – Beautiful view toward Toronto and the lake from high point, underground cellar
- Ridgepoint wines
- Kacaba Vineyards
- Vineland Estates Winery – beautiful restaurant with terrace, private function carriage house
- Featherstone Winery and vineyard – insecticide free, trimmed in season by sheep
- Stoney RidgeEstate Winery – Great garden and cheese shop
Jordan area! (yeah, we are here!)
- Calamus Estate Winery – observatory, facilities for group function very close to Balls Falls
- Cave Spring cellars – elite wine shop in the middle of the charming Jordan Village, with a great elegant restaurant
- Flat Rock Cellars – try the 2hr winemaker boots workshop, great scenery
- Harbour Estates Winery – summer events with live music
- Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery – weddings and corporate events
- Creekside estate Winery – outdoor grill deck open on summer weekends
- 13th Street Winery – actually now it is between Ninth and Seventh, right on Fourth Ave… beautiful wraparound terrace, lunch, bakery, gallery, private events, garden….
- Rockway Glen Winery Rockway Glen Winery – it is a winery and a golf course, a restaurant, banquet hall
- Hernder Estate – very scenic, good wedding spot up to 400 guests, tour
- Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery – coach house coffee
- Harvest Estate Wines – its closer to St. Catharines, inside the Harvest Barb fruit market
Enjoy!
Nature lovers highlights:
Hike the unique and unforgettable Bruce Trail
- www.brucetrailwholemap.com
- www.brucetrail.org
- www.niagarabrucetrail.org
- www.trailmaps.torontogeocaching.com
Balls Falls Conservation Area
- www.ballsfalls.ca – picnic, wedding, park, falls, old mill, barn and church
- www.ontariotrails.on.ca
- www.gowaterfalling.com
Bike Routes
You can pick up from the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce (or from me) or go cycling beside the Welland Canal in nearby St. Catharines. Call 905-688-5601 ext. 1731 for map
Fishing
- www.niagarafishingadventures.com – boating, sailing and rowing
- www.stcatherines.ca
Golfing
- Rockway Glen Golf Course – 18 hole, with winery on site and restaurant, banquet hall
- Twenty Valley Golf and Country Club
Shopping and Villages to Visit
- Jordan Village – great spot to linger, shopping, visit galleries, museum, winery, have a hotel and a tavern, a spa, one of the greatest innovative cuisine in the restaurant…and it is just steps to us!
- Fonthill – charming small town
- Vineland
- Niagara Falls – what can we say? Its one of the wonders of the world. Its a must if you never seen it and it is just a 25 min. drive from us. I can help to plan your trip.
- Niagara-On-The-Lake – The prettiest town in Ontario, an other must see. Beautiful town, shops, restaurants, bakeries and coffees , 3 theaters hosting the famous summer Shaw Festival, galleries, and a whole other area of wonderful wineries!
- St. Catharines Downtown – shopping and art , great farmers market 3 times a week
- Port Dalhousie – boating, harbor, fishing, charming “village in the city”, nice old tourist area, beach and pretty downtown area.
Theather:
Foodies!!!! a humble list of some culinary delights on the Culinary Trail in Niagara:
- Lakeland Meats and Farm Market
- Upper Canada Cheese – its just walking distance from us! the only artisan cheese makers in the area, its a must.
- White Meadow Farms- maple products
- www.ogsniagara.com – he organic general store
- Tree and Twig Vegetable farm
- Morningstar Mill St Catharines – authentic historical mill
- De La Terre bakery, Vineland
- De La Terre Bakery Fonthill – great artisan breads
- Victory Herbs and Farms Inc. – 7200 Seventh St., St Catharines – Teaching classes too!
- Creek Shore Farm – Vineland – tours available
- Good Shepherds – Mennonite store in Vineland
- Lake Land Meat – naturally grown
Organic foods
- www.trulyorganicfoods.com
- www.hometownicecream.com – Ice cream
- Good Earth Food and Wine Co., Beamsville
Farmers Markets:
- Market square St Catharines, (1 King St.) every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
- Pelham
- Grimsby Farmers Market – Thursdays May to October – Fairground
Cool Places to Eat
…….coming soon……….
Some Tourism Info Sites
Local Events
- No upcoming events
