Wineries in Niagara

[DAB]

Planning a trip to Niagara on the Lake and looking for suggestions of small, independant wineries to visit, preferably stuff we can't get at LCBO. Not interested in tours, more the tastings. Won't have a car but have found a service that takes you to wineries as a pick-up/drop off service.

Also, have a booking at Tony deLuca's place so I'll report back on that experience afterwards.

[doctorandchef]

one place i would recommend AGAINST is Crown Bench. I visited 4 times over the past 3 years, each time hoping that I was catching them on a bad day. Both the owner and his wife were EXTREMELY rude and condescending to me and my S.O., as if they were doing us a huge favor by letting us in to their tasting room. I try to keep an open mind and that's why I went back 3 more times, but enough is enough. Not to mention their wines were mediocre at best, except for an Ok chardonnay botrytis. THe way they treat their customers, however, is a real turn off for me. And this is not just a one-off experience.

Pleasant places to visit: definitely Lenko (give him a call first), Lailey is extremely friendly and has nice icewines, Tawse has spectacular chardonnays (but a little pricey... $40 I can get a quality burgundy but... well... we do have to support our own)... Thirteenth Street has really interesting Gamays.

Have fun at Tony's, it's a great find.

[GRobin]

We love Ontario wine and have a nice collection in our cellar. Here are our favorites to visit and to drink:
In Grimsby & Beamsville:
Angels Gate Winery
EastDell Estates
Fielding Estate
Mountain Road Wine Company

InJordan & Vineland
Birchwood Estate Wines
Calamus Estate Winery
Flat Rock Cellars
Hernder Estate Wines
Kacaba Vineyards
Lakeview Cellars Estate Winery
Tawse Winery

In Niagara-On-The-Lake:
Coyote's Run Estate Winery
Frogpond Farm Organic Winery
Lailey Vineyard
Stonechurch Vineyards
Stratus Vineyards

And if you can get into Daniel Lenko, this is a treat. He's an amazing winemaker. You'll sit in his kitchen and taste...AMAZING!

Cheers!

[JonasBrand]

Had a very nice lunch at Henry of Pelham recently. But you can get a bottle at LCBO.

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Henry Of Pelham
469 Pelham Rd, St Catharines, ON L2S, CA

[oracle347]

I'm in love with Fielding Winery (I think it's right next to Thirty Bench). Their reds are okay, but their 2006 Sav Blanc knocked my shoes off.

[Hondapendragon]

You should try Marynissen: http://www.marynissen.com/

They have very good reds.

[hipfunkyfun]

one of my favourites is lailey. their wine is served at some of the nicer toronto restaurants, but not available in the lcbo. at least it didn't used to be.

http://www.laileyvineyard.com/