Niagara Escarpment Wineries

World-class wines, breathtaking landscapes and an incredible culinary scene. That’s how I’d describe Wine Country Ontario in a nutshell. With almost 200 unique wineries dotting this beautiful province of ours, I basically feel like a kid in a candy store every time I flip through my handy-dandy Travel Guide (you can grab your free 2016 copy here). Oooh, the possibilities…

As the proud co-pilot on all of our road trips to wine country, I’m tasked with the very important role of planning the route (hubster is usually the DD and friends in the backseat distribute snacks and provide endless entertainment). For me, the most difficult decision is determining which direction to head — this alone takes forever because each region offers something completely different. But there is one that holds a special place in my heart, a region where countless memories (including my engagement) were made: Niagara Escarpment and Twenty Valley. Not only is the area picturesque, but its unique microclimate allows winemakers to produce some of the most innovative wines in the country. Sounds pretty special, right? It is. And since you guys always ask for my recos, I thought I’d finally do a post about my fave Niagara Escarpment wineries:

1. Domaine Queylus – 3651 Sixteen Road, St. Anns

This new winery knocked my socks off at first sip. I guess I should’ve expected that with Thomas Bachelder at the helm (Canada’s Winemaker of the Year 2009). His European style wines are elegant and made with a high degree of finesse. I recommend tasting your way through each and every varietal (Merlot, Chardonnay, Cab Franc and Pinot Noir) – they are all beautifully complex. My Pick: 2012 Tradition Pinot Noir. Intense fruit (mainly cherries) with a silky mouthfeel and warm finish.

2. Kew Vineyards Estate Winery – 4696 King Street, Beamsville

I could spend the entire day lounging at this winery surrounded by serene gardens with a glass (or two) of sparkling in hand. Oh, the life. Winemaker Philip Dowell produces a range of exquisite terror-driven wines, but it’s his bubbly that has me going back time and time again. That and the charming 80-acre property on the Beamsville Bench. You can soak in the views on their terrace, gather around a communal table with friends or have them prepare a basket for a romantic picnic in the vineyard. Dreamy, right? My Pick: 2011 Blanc de Noir. Made entirely from the Pinot Noir grape, this is a crisp sparkling with a fine mousse.

3. Hidden Bench Vineyards & Winery – 4152 Locust Lane, Beamsville

This artisanal winery produces some of the most memorable wines I’ve ever tasted (I still remember the 2007 Terroir Cache and 2010 La Brunante vividly). I’m talking powerful, deeply layered reds that have the ability to transport you to another realm. It’s no wonder these guys have landed in Canadian Wine Awards’ top 10 every year since opening in 2007! Meticulously crafted using estate fruit from their vineyards in the Beamsville Bench, these are the kinds of wines that really come to life after cellaring for a few years. My Pick: 2012 Terroir Cache. Made in a traditional style, this Meritage has beautiful aromas (plum and blackberry) and a firm structure. If patience isn’t your virtue, pick up a bottle of the 2013 Estate Pinot Noir.

4. Vineland Estates Winery – 3620 Moyer Road, Vineland

This winery has been producing exceptional wines and delicious, locally-sourced cuisine for over 30 years! Known for their Rieslings (which are consistently rated amongst the best in Ontario), it’s the kinda the place you want to head for leisurely dining in a gorgeous setting. With buildings that date back to the 1840s, the former Mennonite homestead is bursting with character. And the patio overlooking the vineyard is one of my faves in the region! My Pick: 2012 Elevation St. Urban Vineyard Riesling. This off dry Riesling has lots of minerality and really shines when paired with food (fresh seafood and chicken are my recos).

5. Leaning Post Wines – 1491 Highway 8, Stoney Creek

Co-pilot success: I discovered this hidden gem in the Travel Guide last summer and am so glad I did! The small-scale winery is a dream come true – not just for the owners, Ilya and Nadia Senchuk, but for anyone lucky enough to pop in for a tasting. Ilya’s wines are unpretentious, terroir-driven and exciting. While he’s made great wines in the past (at Daniel Lenko and Foreign Affair), I think the creative freedom that comes with having his own winery has really translated into exceptional winemaking. No compromises here, just artistic expression (or scientific genius) in a bottle. Wines that say something, have depth but still exhibit old world sensibility. My Pick: 2010 Merlot. This is a big, bold and beautiful wine. A classic with a long finish. 

6. Flat Rock Cellars – 2727 Seventh Avenue, Jordan

A glass-encased hexagonal building perched on stilts. That’s what you’ll see when you arrive at Flat Rock Cellars. Founded in 1999, it’s one of Niagara’s most architecturally unique and environmentally sustainable wineries. But that’s not all. Lead by a passionate father and son duo (Ed and Ed), they produce top quality wines by essentially pampering the heck out of them: their 5-level gravity flow system allows the handpicked grapes to be processed with minimal handling and no harmful pumping. Happy grapes = delicious wine. That and a breathtaking view of the Peninsula from their wrap around deck. My Pick: 2012 Rusty Shed Chardonnay. This is a rich and robust Chardonnay with an elegant finish. I love the notes of poached pear and baked apple. Yum!

Inspired and ready to explore the Niagara Escarpment wineries yourself?? I hope so! Located just over an hour by car from Toronto, it’s a scenic and delicious road trip that I’d highly recommend to anyone. Not only will you meet incredible winemakers along the way, but you’ll devour top-notch cuisine, sip on world-class wines AND get a chance to take in some breathtaking views. Yup, it’s as epic as it sounds. Oh, and to help your co-pilot navigate the route, make sure to pick up a free copy of the 2016 Travel Guide (avail at wineries and in the summer issue of LCBO’s Food & Drink magazine on shelves on May 4th). The pull-out map is brilliant and the info about the wineries is super helpful (especially the hours). Trust me, I never head to the region without it. I just #GotTheGuide and am already planning our next visit. Wishing you all countless wine-filled adventures in Wine Country Ontario!

This post was sponsored by Wine Country Ontario. As always, all reviews and opinions are entirely my own. I visit the Niagara Escarpment wineries regularly and am incredibly passionate about the wines produced in the region.