Niagara Wine Region is Open
Come for a visit
Jackson Triggs Vineyard
Niagara Wine Region is Open
Come for a visit
Jackson Triggs Vineyard
After a mandatory shut down of all wineries in Ontario in March 2020, the Niagara region is struggling to recover. With the U.S. borders still closed and much of Canada still under restricted travel, tourism will be slow to return. Wineries are doing everything they can under the government guidelines and have come up with creative ways to get people back while maintaining social distance.
For several months, wineries have been offering curb-side pick up or free delivery but this cannot replace the in-person winery experience and definitely does not bring tourist dollars to the area. My husband and I came down for a day while Niagara was still in Phase 1. Stores had just opened up and were happy to have business. Some wine stores were open for in-person shopping but still no wine tastings and only take-out dining options were available. With the nice weather, the town was quite busy but all business owners were anxious to move to phase 2 which eventually happened mid-June.
In July, I had a couple of opportunities to visit the Niagara region to see how the wineries were managing the next stage in their recovery. My first explorations were in the Niagara Escarpment area which includes, Lincoln, Twenty Valley, Jordan and Beamsville. From there I travelled into Niagara-on-the-Lake for a couple of days.
Over 4 days, I visited 11 wineries. Click on a name to be taken directly to that section or just scroll through them all. Links to the winery websites are provided in each post and indicated in red, underlined, italicized text. These links will open in a new tab. I have not been compensated for any of these reviews.
Calamus Winery, Jordan
I have been visiting the Niagara Wine Region for decades and have never visited Calamus but now I have discovered this little gem, I shall be returning often. This is a family run winery where everyone greets you with a smile (behind their mandatory masks). The 1800’s barn is situated next to Ball’s Falls Conversation area and the winery is surrounded by scenic trails and waterfalls. Calamus only use locally grown grapes and produce various whites and reds with one sure to please every palate.
The winery is currently open 7 days a week but reservations are recommended especially on weekends. Tastings are being provided, with restrictions. There is a tasting fee but is waived with purchase of wine. Since Covid rules are changing daily, I suggest checking their website here for current opening hours for the store and the Bistro. (Link will open in a new tab). Although beautiful Karen is mask-less in the photo, this was only by my request for the photo as all staff are required to wear a mask at all times. At the time we visited, masks were optional for guests which was appreciated since we spent our time outside.
Calamus have a large, covered patio, a beautiful partially covered upper deck and various seating arrangements on the lawn. We enjoyed a customized charcuterie box served with a bottle of rosé, while others enjoyed a variety of delicious looking pizzas.
If astronomy interests you, be sure to check when they are hosting events in their observatory.
It would be easy to spend several hours at Calamus. Enjoy lunch and linger over a glass of wine before taking a walk through the trails and to the waterfalls or spend some time at Balls Falls conservation area. I will definitely be back and will plan for a longer visit. I did take some bottles home with me to enjoy over the summer.
2027 Cellars
2027 Cellars tasting room is attached to Calamus so you actually get 2 wineries at the same time. A very unique winery with the owner, Kevin Panagapka, being very hands on in the entire process, from choosing the vines, specifying how the vines are cared for and ensuring hand picking of the grapes. This is definitely a boutique winery with limited production, previously only available to licensees but now with the opening of the tasting room, also available to the public. Although you may think 2027 refers to a year in the future, it actually represents the grower number assigned to a small vineyard in Beamsville, started in 2006.
The tasting room is run by Kevin’s biggest supporter, partner and very knowledgeable wife, Jodie. Hand sanitizer is readily available and social distance markers have been placed on the floor as a reminder to be safe.
Lovely visit and looking forward to watching them continue their growth. Check out their website for more information.
Fielding Estate Winery, Beamsville
Fielding Estates, a family run winery, has a fabulous tented patio that has been used in the past for various events such as Graze the Bench which I attended last year. A fabulous band played while we enjoyed our wine. This visit was a little more subdued but enjoyable nonetheless. I had made reservations and was lucky to snag the sofa area overlooking the vineyards. They have recently updated their website to take online bookings which will make things easier.
The masked servers were attentive and friendly throughout our stay. I selected the self-guided flight but I could have just enjoyed a glass of wine along with a cheese plate. Who doesn’t love cheese?
They bring the wine in glasses and also provide a disposable plastic cup that they ask you to pour the wine into rather than drink from the glasses.
After enjoying my relaxed tasting but before masking up for the store, we strolled around the grounds which has plenty of space to maintain physical distancing.
Kacaba Winery, Vineland
I found Kacaba about 4 years ago and visit at least once a year and have watched them grow from a tiny tasting bar and store to the fabulous garden and outdoor kitchen they have today. Although they never could have predicted something like Covid-19, they are now perfectly prepared to roll with the punches and offer socially distanced outdoor tastings. I made a reservation for mid-afternoon and after mentioning that we were celebrating our anniversary, we were treated to a glass of bubbly to celebrate. I then worked my way through some whites and reds before taking a glass of red to the patio and ordering some fabulous fries from Zoom Caters.
Kacaba is a small production winery with their wines produced primarily by hand using gravity when possible and using grapes from their own vineyards or partner wineries. Reminds me a lot of Beringer Winery in California who also use gravity for bottling. Read my Napa and Sonoma post for more information on my California winery travels.
Check out Kacaba’s website to browse through their award winning wines.
Masks are required to be worn by all staff except when asked to remove them for a photo op! Thanks Jake.
Peninsula Ridge Estates, Beamsville
Sitting majestically on top of a hill, Peninisula Ridge has amazing views over the vineyards and Lake Ontario. I have often visited the restaurant for brunch and lunch enjoying both inside and the patio. While still in Stage 2 of recovery, only the patio is open so luckily my sister and I had great weather to enjoy our lunch. The tasting room patio is open for wine by the glass., however, at the time of writing this post, tastings were still not being offered. Check their website here for up to date information.
Peninsula Ridge has a good selection of reds and whites but I really enjoyed their Rose which was perfect for the hot day of our visit. I ordered the mussels and was instantly reminded of my trip to Belgium exactly 12 months ago where mussels seemed to be in front of me every other day!
Just like all the Niagara wineries, Peninsula Ridge takes safety seriously. Reservations were required and we were asked to sanitize before entering the patio. The winery has opted for face visors for their staff which I think is more humane than face masks during the hot summer days. We were not asked to wear masks but be prepared as this may change at any time.
London Born Wine Co, Beamsville
London Born Wine Co., previously Aura, is actually owned by a London Born family. They have reopened for wine tastings in the back garden under the tent. Being a week day, we had no issues getting a table and enjoyed the 4 wines they had on offer. They have several wines available for sale including bottles representing the Hamilton Tiger Cats.
The tasting fee includes a tasting of the 4 wines plus 2 London Born glasses to keep. We enjoyed our visit watching the farmers going about their business.
As Ontario continues with it’s re-opening, I hope London Born can soon return to their public and private events, catered by their local chef.
Keep checking their website for more up to date information.
Di Profio Estate Wines, Jordan
While staying at Inn on the Twenty in Jordan, a few years ago, we found Di Profio Winery and I fell in love with the story, the people, the wine and the food. Fred Di Profio, the winemaker, originally found this adorable, small winery and convinced his parents, living on the East Coast, to relocate to Ontario and purchase the place. Fred’s father, Joe, has been tending and nurturing the vineyards since 2008. Joe comes from a long history of winemakers with his father and grandfather growing grapes in Italy.
Di Profio is another winery favouring gravity in their process. In Europe and California, wineries have the advantage of the natural elevation but in Niagara, wineries must get creative to take advantage of gravity.
On a previous visit, I had the opportunity to meet and chat with the Chef, Kevin Mitchell. The food was amazing and they are still offering take out food on the weekends that can be enjoyed in the vineyards. Menu changes weekly. Check out their website for more details. For this visit, my sister and I shared a flight under the gazebo. They have QR codes on the table that will bring up the current menu.
In addition to the winery, Di Profio run a small Bed and Breakfast, Among the Vines, where Chef Kevin will ensure you are well fed. The B&B is currently open only on weekends with expected safety protocols in place.
I really like this out of the way, quiet winery and is a perfect spot for a drink after a walk through Jordan.
Reif Estate Winery, Niagara-on-the-Lake
As I write this post, I realize how many favourites I have. Reif is another winery I find myself returning to time and time again. I always pick up a couple of bottles of Reisling when in the area. Reservations are required and is easy to do on their website. When you arrive, you will be greeted at the door, asked to sanitize and mask up before entering the building. Once seated at your tasting station which has a plexi-glass divider separating you from the server, you are able to remove your mask and enjoy the tasting. I had ordered a wine tasting for myself, a grape juice for my husband and a mini cheese box. I have been looking for a champagne type bubbly for a special occasion but not a fan of champagne. Reif has a fabulous Sparkling Reisling. It makes sense that I loved it!
Reif Estates is currently owned by Klaus Reif who took over from his Uncle ,Ewald Reif. The Reif’s come from a long-line of winemakers originating in Germany. Reif Estates was one of the first wineries in the Niagara Region and their wines exhibit maturity.
Jackson Triggs, Niagara-on-the-Lake
One of the largest wineries in Niagara, Jackson Triggs has invested a lot in technology, especially in creating a gravity-flow system to assist in the winemaking. During Covid, they have opened up their outdoor space into an inviting garden and also provided tented tasting bar areas.
Their covered porch is a perfect place for a wine tasting and lunch from their bistro. Social distancing is encouraged and they have implemented a one-way system through the store and bistro out to the patio and vineyards. Our server, Adrienne, was friendly and helpful and probably pretty hot behind her mandatory mask. I personally think that visors are more appropriate and comfortable and definitely better for communication.
Jackson Triggs are known for their outdoor events in their awesome ampitheatre. Ironically, I joined their wine club in January and was really looking forward to participating in their summer events. I didn’t even get my first wine shipment before Covid struck! Luckily they were able to ship my wine to me. Keep your eye on their website to find out when they will be offering live events again.
Here’s hoping next summer things are much different and I can come to Jackson Triggs and enjoy everything they have to offer. In the meantime, I will continue to come down and take advantage of what they can do while keeping us all safe.
Inniskillin, Niagara-on-the-Lake
One of the oldest wineries in Niagara, Inniskillin is part of the Great Estates Niagara wine club along with Jackson Triggs so I get to benefit from both. I am really looking forward to the future when I can really reap the benefits of the membership. On a weekday with Niagara still in Stage 2, it was pretty quiet and easy to take our pick of tables. On weekends, it is sometimes difficult to get a seat. Inniskillin is offering outdoor tastings and also have an outdoor kitchen. My husband has a weakness for fries, so he eats fries and I drink wine and we are both happy. We chose a seat by the icewine grapes and watched people come and go. A bike tour came in and we listened to his speech on Inniskillin. It was actually very interesting. I think a bike winey tour would be fun and something I keep suggesting but when it comes down to it, it just seems too exhausting and my husband is happy to drive me around!
For more information on Inniskillin, check out their website.
The Hare Wine Co, Niagara-On-The-Lake
The Hare Wine Co. is fairly new to Niagara but the owner, John Hare, comes from a family of vineyard owners in Bulgaria. Originally planning to own a brewery, John fell in love instead which led him back to Niagara to open the Hare Winery. Their social distance reminders are cute and there are rabbit feet on the ground to assist in reminding you.
I enjoyed a lovely tasting with Emily M before walking around the back patio.
For more information on their wines, check out their website.
As you can see, I spent a lovely few days in the Niagara area , first with with my sister and then my husband. We had amazing weather, helping the wineries as they come back to life but weather is unpredictable so I am happy to hear that Niagara will be moving into Stage 3 in the next few days and hopefully we will see more inside tastings being offered. I personally love what all the wineries have done with their outdoor spaces and hope they continue to offer this as an option.
Every industry has been impacted by this pandemic but the tourism industry helps the entire country’s economy. From employment to supplies to the money they bring in from other countries. I could write an essay on tourism and the economy but will summarize it in one sentence: Tourism helps grow the economy and at this time we need it more than ever.
Pack your bags, put the kids in the car, come down for a day or a few. Bring a picnic, buy a picnic, stop in a local restaurant but come and enjoy a part of our own Province. Come to Niagara.
