One of the best ways to experience Ontario is by touring its many amazing wineries. In doing so, you can get a taste of what each region has to offer while quenching your thirst for quality wines. Wineries in Ontario have begun to get attention from wine connoisseurs worldwide, and for plenty of good reasons.
Although there are many notable wine regions in Ontario, some of them are more widely recognized, such as Niagara and Prince Edward County, while others are better described as up-and-coming, such as the Norfolk region or Essex County.
The sheer volume of wineries in Ontario is incredible, and many of them offer both top-notch service and high-quality wines, along with some truly remarkable views.
What are some of the best wineries worth visiting in Ontario?
When it comes to deciding on Ontario’s best wineries, there are a number of factors that are worth considering. Of course, being able to offer exceptional wines is at the top of the list. However, it is also important to consider the quality of service, pricing, and other attributes, such as location and experience.
The following list of Ontario’s top wineries consists of those that do the best job of meeting and exceeding all of these points:
Vineland Estates Winery
Situated along the Niagara Escarpment, Vineland Estates Winery is one stop along the wine route that you won’t want to miss. Enjoy a glass of their expressive Riesling or rare Pinot Meunier as you lounge by a fire, taking in the picturesque scenery that surrounds the famous winery.
Located in a renovated 19th century log barn described as a “wooden cathedral,” visitors can treat themselves to wine tasting, tours, browsing the winery’s shop or enjoying fine dining at the Vineland Estates Winery Restaurant. Named one of the “Top Twenty Winery Restaurants in the World,” you can enjoy local, fresh cuisine and selection of signature wines.
Two Sisters Vineyards
This family owned and operated vineyard is located at the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Two Sisters Vineyard has been delighting visitors for over a decade with its offering of pristine Bordeaux style wines and mouth-watering Italian food from their onsite restaurant, Kitchen76.
With a number of different tasting options and tours offered to guests, visitors can enjoy an intimate wine tasting experience guided by Two Sisters Estate Sommelier. Tour the vineyard and learn all about the story behind Two Sisters Vineyard, their winemaking practices and more.
Named “Best Small Winery in Canada” by the National Wine Awards, Two Sisters Vineyard features stunning views and sceneries along with some of the finest wines being produced in Canada, making it a must-visit for wine lovers.
Karlo Estates
Karlo Estates proudly boasts the title of being the world’s first vegan-certified winery, but that is not all this unique winery has to offer. How often do you get to enjoy a wine tasting in a barn that is over 200 years old?
Another one of the major draws of Karlo Estates is that it is located on a historic loyalist property, and visitors can take a step back into the past while exploring the barn that was built in 1805 as well as the property’s beautiful stone bridge.
In terms of its wine, Karlo Estates has a wide assortment of offerings that includes single varietals and eclectic blends. As well, all of its wines are made with an artisanal approach that involves minimal intervention.
Konzelmann Estate Winery
Founded by Herbert Konzelmann, who brought his expertise all the way from Stuttgart, Germany, to the Niagara region, the Konzelmann Estate Winery lies right next to Lake Ontario, offering stunning scenic views to everyone who visits. This expansive winery is in an optimal location to take advantage of a series of microclimates that are ideal for wine production.
The lake moderates the vineyards’ temperatures, allowing the grapes to develop a constant natural sugar level while the morning dew makes it possible for the wines to take on delicate fruity characters.
The premium Winemaster’s collection contains premium wines that are made from hand-picked grapes coming from the oldest vines on the property, which are sorted for quality thrice over before the winemaking process even begins.
Their sweet peach wine is also worth trying for something a little different, as it is made with fresh local Niagara-on-the-Lake peaches.
13th Street Winery
If you are seeking an all-in-one experience, 13th Street Winery in Ontario’s Twenty Valley region can certainly provide it, as it is not just a winery but also a local bakery and an art gallery.
That means while you are enjoying a sampling of their sparkling, white, red, and rose varieties of wine; you can walk through their impressive gallery room and take a peek at their interesting sculpture gardens.
Plus, if you are feeling a bit peckish, you can grab some delicious baked goods or pick something from their casual dining menu.
North 42 Degrees Estate Winery
You can enjoy some of their award-winning wines when you come to this 17-acre vineyard, winery, and bistro in Essex County. While you are at the extremely modern and gorgeously-designed winery, you can also taste some incredible foods made by their in-house culinary team.
You can engage with the winery’s owners directly to learn about the history of North 42 Degrees Estate, and gain some captivating insights into their viticultural practices and winemaking approach. Their cabernet sauvignon is certainly one of the region’s best, and their rieslings lineup is also fantastic.
Jackson Triggs Estate Winery
Jackson Triggs is not only the most-awarded winery in Ontario, but also in all of Canada. Established in 2001, this massive winery takes a very technologically advanced approach to winemaking, using methods like gravity-flow assisted systems. Some of Jackson Triggs’ best wines are arguably their chardonnay, pinot noir, and rieslings.
During the summer months, you can also enjoy various concerts and performances at Jackson Triggs’ on-site amphitheatre. Or, for a fully immersive experience, you can try out their monthly savour-the-sights experience, which features five food courses and five of their fine wines served in different locations around the winery.
Roost Winery
No doubt, Roost Winery is one of Ontario’s most scenic wineries, as it is nestled in the gorgeous Beaver Valley, surrounded by Grey County’s rolling hills. Roost Winery’s primary focus is on its cold-climate variety of wines, which are all sustainably produced on the property.
Roost Winery is especially well-known for its Small Batch Series, which allows its winemakers to experiment with some truly unique wines. While you are in the area, you may be interested in going on a hike on some of the amazing trails that the region has to offer or taking in some of the breathtaking Georgian Bay views.
Luxury Supercar Experience: The Best way to Tour Ontario’s Finest Wineries
Touring any of these incredible wineries and taking in the sights is a great experience all on its own. However, if you would like to take that experience to the next level and make it truly luxurious and memorable, you may be interested in combining it with an exotic car tour, which is one of the many exciting packages that Ultimate Exotics has to offer. There is no better way to experience the scenic route that extends through Niagara’s wine region than from the driver’s seat of an amazing exotic car or supercar.
If you are planning a trip to Toronto or Niagara Falls soon and are passionate about breathtaking views and luxury automobiles, this is the perfect experience for you. You can feel like a true winner pulling up to some of the best wineries in both the province and the country in the car of your dreams.
Our fleet of luxury vehicles includes some of the best exotic cars and supercars available, such as a new Lamborghini Aventador S, a Ferrari 488 GTB, and a McLaren 570S. Additionally, our tailored driving route will take you through some of the most beautiful areas that Ontario has to offer.
For more information about our supercar luxury wine tours or to learn more about our other ultimate driving experiences, call Ultimate Exotics at (888) 493-8687 or contact us here.