Napa Valley of the North

On a recent trip to the LCBO, I could not help but notice the selection of wines from Ontario and I will admit I recognized and have tried a few. Where once Niagara on the Lake area was known for its variety of vineyards, the wine region in Ontario has extended it boundaries to not only the Niagara Escarpment but Lake Erie North Shore and Prince Edward County. You cannot but ask, do we live in the Napa Valley of the North?

I have been fortunate enough to visit wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake on more than one occasion. Well you have to admit there are too many to visit on just one trip. One of my first wineries to visit and experience was Peller Estates, which was quite grand with its own restaurant, suitably called The Winery Restaurant. There were no complaints in regards to my wine tasking adventure and I have been back a few more times. Other wineries on my stop have been, Jackson Triggs Niagara Estate, Inniskillen Wines and the smaller wineries but just as worthy, Reif Estates and Pillitterie Estates Winery. Getting a tour of these wineries was just as delightful as trying their wines from some white sauvignon blancs, to more bold red cabernets sauvignons. My favourite still remains, Two Sisters Vineyards and their red Eleventh Post and Margo Rosé and if you ever make it there, you must try their restaurant Kitchen 76 for an Italian culinary experience.

After a day of sipping and tasting, there are just as charming inns located in the Niagara-on-the-Lake area. I have stayed at the White Oaks a couple of times and it is conveniently situated by the Premium Outlets and the hotel even as a spa. If you are looking for something more traditional there is the Pillar and Post Inn, Prince of Wales Hotel, Queens Landing and the Riverbend Inn and Vineyard. Niagara-on-the Lake not only has ample wineries to visit and inns for a good night's rest, but it also has its share of boutiques, restaurants and cafés along Queen St. Be it you visit in the busy touristic summer, the festive time of Christmas and winter, the colourful season of fall or in the spring with new life and the anticipation of the growing season, there is never a bad time to visit Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Further to the east is Prince Edward County. More recently, I was taken aback with all the new wineries now established in that county as I sampled the wines of Redtail Vineyards. My very first time in Prince Edward County, was for a wedding at the Waring House, I stayed in a beautiful suite and the meals there were excellent, but no time to for wine. On a second trip, I stayed at Huff Estates and I sampled their selection of wines as well as enjoyed a walk on the grounds with rows and rows of vineyards. Since then I have tried a refreshing rose from Sandbanks and a red from Three Dog Winery. I do hope to go back, especially in the fall with all the beautiful folliage. Aside from the wineries, some other places to visit and rest are the Drake Devonshire, the June Motel and the Manse Boutique Inn and Spa.

As much as I enjoy the sunny state of California and it's wine region, there is much to explore here in Ontario!