Guide to the wineries of Ontario

The wines and icewines that are capturing gold medals in international competitions and putting Ontario on wine maps of the world are made right on your doorstep.

TIPS

• Designate a driver who will not consume alcohol, or better yet, hire a driver for the day
• Stop the car! Take the time to enjoy places of interest that catch your eye
• Have fun!

VQA - Vintners Quality Alliance = The symbol of origin and quality.
A regulatory board that monitors and enforces grape growing and wine production from the vineyard to the bottle.

The wineries of Niagara Peninsula
The 40 Km of rolling countryside between Grimsby and Niagara-on-the-Lake is home to many of Ontario's finest wineyard and wineries. The climate is similar to that of the great wine-producing regions of the world - Burgundy, the Loire Valley, Oregon and New Zeeland. The moderating effect of two Great Lakes ensure the cool springs and long autumns ideal for growing grapes. The soiles - from the rich flat land surrounding Niagara-on-the-Lake to the limestone earth at the base of the Niagara Escarpment, 450 mil. year old and streching to the Bruce Peninsula - are exceptionally well-suited for wineyards.

Lake Erie North Shore & Pelee Island
Fertile soil, summer heat and lake breezes make the Lake Erie North Shore and Pelee Island areas for growing grapes. This is the oldest commercial grape-growing area in the country, predating all other viticultural regions in Canada. Summers come early and winters are shorter in the region, the most southerly point in Canada and on the same latitude as northern California and Bordeaux.

• Pelee Island Winery   www.pelleisland.com
• Colio Estate Wines    www.coliowinery.com
• Pelle Island Winery Pavilion

Toronto

Wine Cellar Supplies

Wineries of Toronto & Durham