This winter, we invite you to come in out of the cold to visit the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Or venture into the cold to walk among our snowy Icewine Vineyards. Visit the wineries that helped blazed the trail for Canada’s acclaimed Icewine. This unique wine launched Canadian wine onto the international stage, and continues to garner worldwide attention and win prestigious awards. It’s our most precious wine—luscious and concentrated—creating memorable experiences and stimulating all of the senses.

What makes a true Icewine? For one thing—dedication. After the fall harvest, we leave a few fully fruited vineyards and wait for the cold weather to set in. This is a precarious time and the vines need to be protected from the ravenous birds. When the thermometer drops to -8°C or below, we head out to the vineyard to carefully harvest the naturally frozen grapes. Most harvesting takes place in the middle of the night to optimize the cold. The still frozen grapes are immediately gently pressed to release the highly concentrated juice. Our yields are very low as the natural water in the grapes remains in the press— the result is a limited and intense wine. Thought mainly as a dessert wine, Icewine shows versatility with other food pairings such as cheese and paté.

The Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake have created an Icewine Trail that will lead you through our region (featuring four wine growing areas, or sub-appellations), and the history of Icewine at our 18 distinct wineries. We have white, red, sparkling, and even iced fruit wines for you to taste and you’ll soon discover the distinctive nuances that make each winery’s selections unique.

We are proud of our Icewine Heritage and want to share our part in the fascinating history of Canadian Icewine. Winter is a glorious time to visit the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Sipping a glass of Icewine while looking out on snow laden vineyards… unforgettable.