Category Archives: Arts & Entertainment

Goud-a times ahead

Goud-a times ahead

Niagara’s cheese scene is calling

Article content was produced by Globe Content Studio

In the heart of Niagara’s wine country, there is a uniquely “of the peninsula” destination for those seeking a local cheese to complement their grape-based bounty: Upper Canada Cheese Company, an artisanal cheesemaker with a boutique located in Jordan Station.

While my personal definition of local spans “anywhere in Canada,” this creamery is on a whole different hyper-local tier.

Their milk, which makes their cheeses unique in the region, is sourced from a rare herd of Guernsey cows raised on the Niagara Escarpment, less than a 30-minute drive away. In the cheese world, Guernsey milk is prized for its rich flavour; it’s also high in fat, beta-carotene, and a protein called A2 that makes it easier on digestive systems. As a lifelong novelty seeker and denier of my lactose intolerance, my curiosity and appetite were piqued.

The Guernsey, I learned just before writing this, is a breed of dairy cattle that hails from the eponymous island in the English Channel. Unlike the black and white dairy cows that usually come to mind, their markings are patches of white and shades of brown that fall between terracotta and tan. They’re doe-eyed and beautiful. One even makes an appearance in the Upper Canada Cheese logo, sporting a flower hat and fluttery eyelashes.

 

Although the cheese alone is more than worth the trip, the boutique has something to offer any epicurean. Its shelves are lined tightly with gourmet products from the region, from honeys and jams to fresh bagels and handcrafted charcuterie boards. I found myself, arms full of cheese, designing hypothetical gift baskets for friends.

The irony, of course, is that the cheeses did not need to be paired with anything at all. Once home, I made myself a cheese board consisting of just cheese – with a bottle of lactase enzyme supplements at the ready, just in case.

The first I tried was one that I’d previously heard about, an award-winning semi-soft cheese called Niagara Gold, created using Trappist monk cheese-making methods. The cheese is washed in brine every week for five months, then returned to the ageing room. It reminded me of a Dutch gouda, with a full-bodied nuttiness that was both creamy and sweet. What struck me was a pronounced butter note – more specifically, the golden aromatics of movie theatre popcorn butter. It put the rarity and specialness of Guernsey-milk cheese into perspective. I shaved paper-thin pieces off with a cheese slicer, and let them melt on my tongue.

 

Heritage Cheddar was next, an aged cheddar with a distinct bite and a great crumble. It was tangy and sharp – commensurate with the ageing process, which is a minimum of 8 months – with a beautiful earthiness that hit the back of the palate along with a fruity top note. I love a cheese with a flavour so complex that it feels like a full meal experience. This was one of those.

Which is not to say that you should stop there, by the way. While an excursion to Upper Canada Cheese can be fulfilling on its own, it’s a microscopic sliver of what the Niagara region has to offer. Travel in any direction for five minutes, and your appetite will be rewarded.

Niagara is, after all, the land of silky wines and honeyed meads, pick-your-own orchards and farm-to-table restaurants. It’s a place to bring loved ones and to strike up chats with strangers; a gastronomic abundance we cannot help but want to share with those around us.

For me, any day spent in the area has always been a remarkable reminder of my luck: like its cheese, life in Niagara can be so incredibly rich.

Take a Hike on the Wild Side of Niagara

Take a hike on the wild side

in Niagara

Words by Liz Guber, a freelance writer from Toronto. Article content was produced by Globe Content Studio

A good hike usually involves some type of ascent toward a peak or viewpoint: a challenging, upward trudge that reveals a rewarding vista. At the start of my hike through the Niagara Glen, I realize the script has been flipped.

After a bird’s-eye view of the Niagara river ribboning its way through a canyon of limestone walls, I head down a set of stairs, descending closer and closer to the river’s edge. This hike is not about seeking new heights, but that doesn’t mean the views are any less spectacular.

Once my hiking boots hit the rugged path winding further toward the water, I pass bouldering enthusiasts dangling overhead, with their literal crash pads scattered around them (aspiring boulderers take note: you’ll need a pass to be cleared to climb).

 

The network of trails here consists of about five kilometres of paths that wind their way through riverside forest, occasionally swerving deeper into the trees, until the sound of rushing water (almost) disappears. The difficulty ranges from leisurely flat ground to scaling steps of ancient limestone. All are well-marked with coloured blazes, making getting lost (nearly) impossible.

The landmark trail here is the Whirlpool Loop. True to its name, it leads hikers to the teal-hued whirlpool—the chaotic meeting of water rushing from the Horseshoe Falls toward the Niagara Gorge, where it is forced to change direction and creates a mesmerizing swirl of white water.

The whirlpool’s popularity as a tourist attraction dates all the way back to the 19th century, when an inclined railway took visitors from the top of the gorge down to rapids. A cable car appeared in 1913, with a modern version still gliding overhead today (even sliding into U.S. territory, with no passport required). An occasional jet boat zooms by like an aquatic roller coaster.

While there are plenty of compelling ways to see the whirlpool (did I mention the splurge option, a helicopter?), my preferred route remains the humble hike. It allows me to set my own pace, to stop and take all the photos I want, unhurried.

I’m also able to keep an eye out for Sea Lilly fossils—essentially small rings imprinted on ancient rock—to remind me of how ancient (think 400 million years) these natural formations are. A keen-eyed hiker might even spot mushrooms that start to spring up in greater abundance in autumn. Most of all, the sheer speed and dizzying rush of water is something a video could never properly capture.

So while the Horseshoe Falls gets its fair share of (deserved) attention, taking in the gorge gave this hiker a newfound appreciation for the mighty river that follows.

My Niagara Profiles

Two Sisters Winery

Angela & Melissa Marotta

“Niagara is the perfect place to experience with loved ones, family, children or friends. ”

Wes Lowrey

Wes Lowrey

“When the opportunity came to start a very small craft winery to complement our vineyard, I jumped at the chance.”

Tasting Tour of Niagara-on-the-Lake

Tasting Tour of NOTL

Historic Oldtown

Tasting Tour in Niagara-on-the-Lake

As the winter season approaches, Niagara-on-the-Lake turns up the holiday charm. Red-ribboned garlands pop up along the main stretch of Queen Street, twinkly lights appear, and shops proudly display tempting sweet treats – from butter tarts to jams and beyond.

On my wander through the picturesque main town, with my partner in tow, I spotted at least six bakeries within the heart of NOTL’s historic downtown. There’s no shortage of ways to satisfy a sugar craving here. At the tiny corner shop Fritters on the Lake, the specialty is apple-flavoured donuts, freshly baked on site. The cinnamon-tinged aroma, evoking freshly pressed cider made with the season’s freshly picked apples, is divine.

Another must-visit is the Niagara Home Bakery, which is buzzing with excited customers when we walk in. Trays of gingerbread men, butter tarts and peppermint chocolate cookies are waiting to be devoured – paired, naturally, with a steaming cup of hot apple cider or cocoa. The friendly server at the counter encourages us to grab half a dozen pastries to get a discount. The gingerbread man seems to be waving at me, so I grab a few along with some pillowy apple turnovers.

We take our pastries on the go because there’s still so much to explore. As we walk, pointing out this or that historic plaque or date marker, I bite into the apple turnover, which is topped with crystals of sugar. The filling is warm, lightly sweet and completely comforting.

Perfect slabs of fudge catch my eye at Maple Leaf Fudge which turns out fudge in locally-inspired flavours like ice-wine and seasonal eggnog. The sweet, caramel scent wafts out onto the street – paired with the falling snow and a passing horse-drawn carriage, it’s almost too perfect. With my canvas tote already filled to the brim with baked treats, I decide to savour it with my eyes alone.

My sweet tour of Niagara-on-the-Lake is not over yet, and I may have saved the best for last. We head to Picton Street and step into the elaborate, gilded lobby of the Prince of Wales Hotel. This Victorian gem was built in 1864 and has since hosted its share of royalty (The Duke and Duchess of York in 1901, Queen Elizabeth II in 1973).

Heading into the Drawing Room, a bright, elegant space with plaster ceilings, a roaring fire and bouquets of fresh pink roses atop every table opens up. I sink into a tufted chair at a corner table, ready to enjoy some afternoon high tea.

We order the Heavenly Cream, the best-seller on the menu. The blend of Ceylon and Assam black teas with notes of Italian bergamot and creamy bourbon vanilla comes to our table steaming in an antique teapot dotted with pink flowers and finished with gold trim. Classical music hums softly, and the vibe is elegant yet inviting, and fancy without feeling intimidating.

A spectacular three-tier silver platter overflowing with treats arrives at the table. I start with the freshly-baked scone, still warm and studded with jasmine-tea infused golden raisins and paired with strawberry jam, crème fraîche and light-as-air whipped butter. Other sweets include macarons, buttercream-topped chocolate cake, ginger cookies and an oat-crumble berry tart. Talk about a royal lineup.

I decide to toast my sweets-filled day with a Kir Royale: local sparkling wine topped with cassis liqueur. After all, Niagara is synonymous with wine.

But it might be time to add desserts to the region’s list of draws. If you find yourself in Niagara-on-the-Lake, take my word for it: Don’t even think about skipping dessert.

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Winter in Niagara

Winter in Niagara

Winter Wonderland

Niagara – Winter Wonderland

What greater view than through the eyes of a child,  gasping in awe at the cascade of lights bouncing off the magical Horseshoe Falls. The world’s seventh wonder inspires at any time but as the cooler weather arrives a new type of  adventure  begins. Stroll along the river to enjoy the dazzling nightly illumination  then warm up in the comfort of your nearby hotel room while  taking in the mystical views of a frozen Falls.

Wander through picturesque villages throughout the region from Jordan to Niagara-on-the-Lake, enjoying time with friends, shopping for gifts or tasting the flavors of the season served up by our local chefs. Things heat up throughout the winter with festivals, concerts and even galas, experiences to be shared and remembered.

Icewine Festivals

There are bragging rights to being part of the largest celebration of Icewine in the world. Think cool martinis, ice huts or dressing up for a gala. Icewine is meant to be celebrated and Niagara’s Icewine Festivals let you chill or take it up a notch. The Niagara Icewine Festival takes place January 12 – 28, 2024 with the Cool as Ice Gala being held at the Niagara Power Station on Jan. 13 in Niagara Falls.

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Street Festival will see the return of its popular Icewine Village. The Street Festival will be held January 20th, 21st, 27th and 28th . Attendance is free. 

For that extra elegance and innovation, attend the Sparkle & Ice Gala at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Courthouse Grand Hall. Here they will be serving up cool cocktails with live music and mixology demonstrations as well as hosting an Icewine Cocktail Competition on January 27. 

For those with a thirst for exploring, expand your journey with the Icewine Discovery Pass. Find hidden gems throughout Niagara and enjoy the magical feeling of sharing in the discovery of an exciting new wine or a special place, creating memorable moments with your favorite people. Use the pass Fridays to Sundays from Jan. 12-28.

Winter Festival of Lights

There are millions of twinkling reasons why families and couples flock to Niagara’s Winter Festival of Lights (WFOL). What better place to witness a spectacular explosion of fireworks or capture a stunning photo opportunity in front of an illuminated Royal Promenade or the Frosted Falls Enchanted Forest?

Taking place from November 18th to January 7th, 2024,  the Festival celebrates its 41st anniversary this year.

To help celebrate the milestone, there will be 40 nights of fireworks displays:

WFOL Fireworks Schedule

  • Every Friday & Saturday at 8:00pm until January 7th , 2024

Additional Fireworks Dates:

  • December 22nd 2023 – January 7th, 2024
  • December 31st at 12am. Special Midnight New Years Eve Fireworks!

There are also new experiences for friends and families to share together this year. The young and young-at-heart may want to explore the new interactive exhibits in front of the Niagara Parks Power Station and an incredible sound and light show in the heart of the station.

Wineries in Winter

Where else in the world can you huddle around an open fire, toast marshmallows and sip on  world famous Icewine from the place that makes it best?  Throughout the Niagara region this winter, wineries open their doors and pop corks so you can explore, taste and discover your new favorite wine.

A Room with a View

What says romance better than a panoramic view of the dazzling Falls from the comfort of your hotel room?  As the weather cools, the ice begins to create a very different type of scenery. There is something  extra special  about sharing a glass of Niagara wine with friends or loved ones next to the fireplace while drinking  in stunning panoramic views of a frozen Falls.

Taste

As the temperature drops, Niagara’s culinary scene heats up as our chefs continue to team up with local brewers and winemakers to serve mouth-watering seasonal cuisine matched perfectly with your beverage of choice.

Ask about the new winter ales or what food pairs best with Icewine? The experts are on hand to help you get the best out of your dining experience and leave you with insider tips to share with friends at home.

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Taste

Good things are made with love and grown close to home

Guide to Winery-Hopping in Niagara​

Guide to Winery-Hopping in Niagara

Your Chilled-Out Day

Words by Liz Guber, a freelance writer from Toronto. Article content was produced by Globe Content Studio

A Niagara wine-tasting weekend can turn into a marathon of back-to-back winery tours and non-stop visits motivated by a desire to check off as many destinations as possible.

From the effervescent bubblies at Westcott Vineyards, to the elegant Gamays and Pinot Noirs at Malivoire Wine Company, there are too many excellent wineries to visit in a single day.

The good news is that the wine weekend is changing, and the modern method to sip through Niagara’s wine country is to slow things way, way down.

That’s certainly the motto at Southbrook Organic Vineyards, the area’s only certified organic winery specializing in natural and low-intervention wines.

“Before COVID hit, we had a busy tasting room where people would just drop in, they’d hit six wineries in a single day but wouldn’t be able to remember a single one—not because they had too much to drink, but because they weren’t making memories,” says owner Bill Redelmeier.

In response, Southbrook Organic Vineyards changed its modus operandi. “We want to make people stop and pause, and realize what we’re all about,” Redelmeier explains. The days of the crowded tasting bar are gone, replaced by tables filled with groups lingering over a shared bottle.

In the interest of staying a while, I booked a special tour hosted by Redelmeier himself using the Somm app. Like a proud parent, Redelmeier led our small group of wine lovers past the growing vines of Petit Verdot and Chardonnay to the production facility, where I spotted giant stainless steel fermenting vessels for white wine and oak barrels for the reds.

All the while, my expert guide carried a cooler on his shoulder, ready to pour glasses of Pinot, skin-contact-orange and estate Chardonnay as we chatted. It was an interactive, behind-the-scenes wine tour in the truest sense, and worth spending some time.

Another winery that’s made for unhurried afternoons and lazing around in the sun is Rosewood Estates Winery, another jewel in Niagara wine-country’s crown.

Driving up to the property, set atop a gently rolling hill, I pass abundant lavender bushes with bees buzzing about (Rosewood Estates Winery doubles as a meadery). At a picnic table looking down on sweeping vineyard views, I notice that everyone around me is also in no rush to leave. Staff carry colourful rows of tasting flights, ranging from traditional pours of reds and whites to funkier fare—think oranges and cloudy roses.

As hard as it is to tear myself away from this idyll, it’s time to think about lunch. Switching things up from the wineries (turns out two is plenty) I decide on Oast House Brewers, a brewery set in a quaint red barn that stands out amidst its winery neighbours.

Oast House Brewers is home to Brushfire Smoke BBQ, a barbecue pit run by Anthony Greco, a born and raised “Niagara boy” turned fine-dining chef who brings 15 years of haute cuisine experience.

“It’s Texas, Austin-style barbecue tacos, with as many local ingredients as possible,” Greco tells me from behind the meat smoker he’s overseeing. I sample my way through the offerings with a platter of brisket, cheesy Texas link sausage and all the fixings (jicama slaw, poblano-tinged mashed potatoes and sweetened black beans). Come Thanksgiving weekend, Greco will pack up this outdoor setup and head inside to run Oast House Brewers’ winter food offering, a wood-fired pizza concept called Patina.

Driving back home, full and content, with a few bottles in the trunk for future enjoyment, I bookmark wineries for future visits—like 13th Street Winery and Cave Spring Vineyards. I’m tempted to fall back into winery FOMO mode again.

I remind myself that quality, not quantity, is a motto perfectly suited to a weekend in Niagara’s wine country.

My Niagara Profiles

Ryan Corrigan of Rosewood Estates

Ryan Corrigan

I really enjoy taking the superfluity out of wine and seeing customers discover a style or taste that they didn’t know about before.

Two Sisters Winery

Angela & Melissa Marotta

“Niagara is the perfect place to experience with loved ones, family, children or friends. ”

Wes Lowrey

Wes Lowrey

“When the opportunity came to start a very small craft winery to complement our vineyard, I jumped at the chance.”

Create Memories in Niagara

Create Memories

IN NIAGARA

The most fun you can have in 48 hours

From glow-in-the-dark golfing with wizards to getting good and wet behind the Falls, we’ve packed every kind of amazing into this sample two-day family itinerary.

Day 1

Start with a Blast

You may not need your cup of coffee this morning, because there’s nothing sleepy about the world-famous Street of Fun by the Falls at Clifton Hill. It’s Niagara Falls’ top destination for attractions, restaurants, entertainment and more. Start by getting your bearings atop the 175-foot Niagara Skywheel, then get in a few laps at the Niagara Speedway. Bring your cameras to the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Niagara Falls where your kids can get up close and personal with over 100 life-like wax figures and the almost unbelievable Odditorium. Or engage in some family-friendly competition in the 70,000 square feet of crowd-pleasing fun that makes up the one and only Great Canadian Midway.

Even Lunch is Fun

When you’ve worked up an appetite, there’s plenty of family-friendly options, including the Rainforest Caféwhere meals are shared with lively, animatronic animals in a wild jungle setting. There’s also a nearby Boston Pizza complete with Arcade, located right in the heart of Clifton Hill. If you’re interested in trying some local favourites, a short 5 minute walk will transport you to Mama Mia’s Italian Eatery or Four Brothers Cucina, both with 50+ year history of serving locals and tourists alike. 

There’s also adult fun to be had at day & night at the nearby Niagara Brewing Company and the Niagara Distillery

The Falls Up Close

Next, rattle your bones with a thunderous journey deep below and behind the heart of Niagara with Journey Behind the Falls. Kids will love putting on the rain ponchos provided and experiencing the power and the mist of the mighty Horseshoe Falls, crashing down from 13 storeys above.

Magic, Music, and Dinner

Kids love a buffet dinner, but a buffet dinner with entertainment is even better. Head to the Greg Frewin Theatre for a Vegas-style spectacle, as one of the world’s premier magicians, Greg Frewin, performs his family-friendly illusions. Check the calendar before your visit, because concerts and comedy are also on the menu.

A Rainbow Before Bed

On your way to or from the theatre, enjoy a different kind of magical experience. Witness the Falls as they’re lit up in the colours of the rainbow for Niagara Falls Illumination, beginning every evening at dusk.

Water, Water Everywhere

For families staying at Americana Waterpark Resort, Skyline Hotel & Waterpark or Great Wolf Lodge, you may want to skip the evening show and get to these activity-packed hotels early. With some of the best indoor water parks in the country, plus restaurants, games, live-action adventures and more, your kids will be entertained from the moment you check in. And you don’t have to be a guest at the hotel to visit! You can purchase tickets to Waves Indoor Waterpark & Fallsview Indoor Waterpark in advance of your trip or on location. The rest of Niagara will just have to wait.

Day 2

Funicular Fun

After a great breakfast, head back to the Falls for another look, this time from the Falls Incline Railway. This cable-style car (sans cables) will delight the young ones of your crew with a ride down to the “Bridge of Flowers” pedestrian crossing over the Niagara Parkway into Table Rock Welcome Centre, where you can grab a quick lunch, or pick up some souvenirs.

Just down the road is one of the area’s newest attractions, the Niagara Parks Power Station. Explore the first major power plant on the Canadian side of the Niagara River with immersive exhibits, restored artifacts and interactive storytelling

Get up Close and Personal with the Falls

What really sets Niagara Falls apart from other world attractions is just how close you can get. First board a Niagara City Cruise to get into the mist of the Falls. These state of the art boats take you right next to the Horseshoe Falls for an experience unlike any other.

And afterwards it’s time to get a different vantage point on the thrilling Wildplay Niagara Zipline to the Falls. Zipline adjacent to the Falls and feel the rush of heading towards this majestic waterfall.

A Walk in the Woods

Now that you’ve gotten up close and personal with the Falls, it’s time for a different kind of escape. The Niagara Glen is just the place to spark your kids’ inner awe of nature, with 4 km of hiking trails winding through a pristine pocket of Carolinian Forest. This designated nature reserve will have them exploring thousands-year-old boulders on some rugged terrain, so be sure to wear suitable footwear. Or, for cycle-loving families, bikes are available for rent seasonally.

Butterfly Love

About a kilometre from the Northeast corner of the Niagara Glen (about a 13-minute drive from the Falls) you’ll find another natural paradise…although this one is tropical. The Butterfly Conservatory, situated on the grounds of the beautiful Botanical Gardens, is home to more than 2000 butterflies, gliding freely through lush, exotic greenery. Kids of all ages will be entranced at the up-close sight of these colourful creatures, 45 species in total, feeding, fluttering, and sipping nectar. You can fuel up for the trip home at the Butterfly Café, and discuss which colourful friend is the one you’ll miss the most.

It’s never easy to please both kids and adults, especially on a trip, but Niagara manages to bring about a happy balance of approvals.

Sipping Icewine inside a one-of-a-kind Tasting Lounge

Sipping Icewine

inside a one-of-a-kind tasting lounge

Icewine Tasting Lounge

If the Snow Queen ever visited a bar, this would be it.

That’s what I think to myself as I survey my surroundings, where every surface from the bar top to the seat, is made of smooth, clear ice, almost mistakable for glass.

In my hand, I hold a flute of amber-hued, velvety vidal blanc icewine in hand. I take a sip and taste first notes of caramelized citrus, honey and peaches; the finish evokes brown sugar and quince.

The room is lit in soft blue light to amplify the icy atmosphere. Crystal, snowflake and icicle-shaped ornaments dangle from the walls and ceiling; fuzzy blue throw blankets are tossed on the ice-block seats to offer a spot to sit (or simply pose for a photo).

This is a wine tasting unlike any other, created to celebrate a unique vintage in a fittingly one-of-a-kind setting. We’re at Peller Estates Winery and Restaurant’s 10Below Icewine Lounge, in Niagara-on-the-Lake’s historic district.

Established in the European style, from the architecture to the wine styles, Peller Estates is a sprawling complex of vineyards, restaurants, tasting rooms and cellars. But it’s also home to a unique tasting igloo that’s kept to -10 degrees Celsius (the very same temperature that icewine grapes are harvested at) and made entirely of ice.

To get into the igloo, I join the “Greatest Winery Tour” which guides a group of wine lovers through the cellars. We start by sipping on sparkling wine and Chardonnay among the honey-hued oak barrels, but everyone – myself included – is most excited for the icewine tasting.

Icewine grapes are harvested at night once temperatures consistently reach -10 degrees Celsius. The grapes that remain on the vine – vidal blanc, riesling and cab franc grapes, specifically – are overripe, like plump raisins. The juice inside forms frozen ice crystals and the sugars are concentrated.

Unlike traditional grape harvesting, this process must be done by hand. Once collected, the grapes are pressed, with each grape producing just one drop of juice, compared to 40 drops from regular grapes. This hands-on process is integral to icewine’s luxury reputation, synonymous with exclusivity.

Peller’s icewine is an award winner many times over – and the winemaker has created a tasting experience to match. Future igloo visitors, take note: You’ll want to dress warm so you can linger as long as you want – or, at least until the next group of eager wine-tasters comes through.

A spectacular three-tier silver platter overflowing with treats arrives at the table. I start with the freshly-baked scone, still warm and studded with jasmine-tea infused golden raisins and paired with strawberry jam, crème fraîche and light-as-air whipped butter. Other sweets include macarons, buttercream-topped chocolate cake, ginger cookies and an oat-crumble berry tart. Talk about a royal lineup.

I decide to toast my sweets-filled day with a Kir Royale: local sparkling wine topped with cassis liqueur. After all, Niagara is synonymous with wine.

But it might be time to add desserts to the region’s list of draws. If you find yourself in Niagara-on-the-Lake, take my word for it: Don’t even think about skipping dessert.

Stay

World Class Accommodations

Taste

Good things are made with love and grown close to home

The Magic of Cooking with Icewine

The Magic of Cooking with Icewine

Discover the dream ingredient of Niagara Chefs

Cooking with Niagara Icewine

It’s been called everything from liquid gold to crème brulee in a glass but imagine what happens when it’s simmered in a pan to tease out the sweetness from a poached duck or slowly poured into a 5 lb wheel of cheese to become Bleu Ice.

For Niagara chefs, Icewine is a dream ingredient, helping to create signature dishes that speak to the bounty of the region.

“It’s magical – we are very blessed here in Niagara to have our Icewine,” says Jason Parsons, Chef of Peller Estates.

While most people know it as a dessert wine, local chefs like Parsons understand its full potential.

“There’s so much more you can do with Icewine, especially given the different varietals from Reisling with its acidity to Cab Franc with its strawberry rhubarb notes,” says Parsons who has more than 20 years in the business.

Take for example his duck breast which he cooks in Icewine juice then finishes by gently poaching in Cab Franc Icewine.

“The Cab Franc Icewine really opens up the natural flavors of the duck making it much more lively,” he says.

Creating new and unique dining experiences that family and friends can enjoy together energizes Parsons who loves to talk about his signature Bleu Ice, which take six weeks to create.

Envision a 5 lb wheel of Benedictine Bleu, with a hole cut at the top the size of a shot glass. Then watch as the first of two bottles of Icewine is poured into the cheese. After a week, the second bottle of wine is used, trickling in slowly as it follows the veins of the cheese, taking five weeks to completely absorb.    Finally, Bleu Ice is ready, a cheese much smoother than the original and a flavor profile that is completely unique to Niagara.

The question  often asked is why Icewine as opposed to just sugar to sweeten the food?

“You can use regular sweeteners in dishes but they won’t offer the added tasting notes that Icewine provides such as  apricot or honey,” he explains.

Parsons makes it a point to bring a bottle of Icewine when he travels to restaurants around the world, wanting to share the opportunity for other chefs to explore and learn about the magic of cooking with Icewine.

“Some people think it’s an expensive way to cook but when I point out the cost of a high-end balsamic vinegar and other ingredients, it really isn’t any more expensive,” he says.

The considerations are many when cooking with Icewine – will you boil the luscious liquid or pour it in raw and how does this work within the context of the entire menu, he says.

“A meal is a progression so perhaps I start with a tuna tartare with spices like chili and cinnamon and then pair with an Icewine to balance the intensity,” he says.

Whether it’s a splash of Icewine cooked with his lobster linguine or mixing with figs to create a speciality jam, the options are endless, allowing Niagara chefs to create unique dishes distinct to the region.

Parsons says he feels blessed to work and live in Niagara and describes his job as a kid with a box of crayons who gets a new set each year.

“Every year there’s a new vintage so a new set to work with,” he says.

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Good things are made with love and grown close to home

Celebrate the Season in Wine Country!

Celebrate the Season

in Wine Country!

Niagara Wine Country

There’s something about this town that makes you want to linger. For generations, locals have called it the “Niagara-on-the-Lake Effect”, and although it’s hard to describe, you’ll feel it when you first set foot onto its historic streets.

Niagara-on-the-Lake is a true winter wonderland and the perfect place to celebrate the holiday season. Cozy up in one of our charming hotels or bed and breakfasts, or sip ice wine in one of our wineries.

Wander through picturesque villages throughout the region from Jordan to Niagara-on-the-Lake, enjoying time with friends, shopping for gifts or tasting the flavors of the season served up by our local chefs. Things heat up throughout the winter with festivals, concerts and even galas, experiences to be shared and remembered.

Event Calendar

For event links please visit: https://www.niagaraonthelake.com/events 

Shaw Festival – White Christmas

If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, you won’t want to miss this classic holiday favourite. Two soldiers,
returning home from a USO song-and-dance team fall for two sisters in another act. Together, they put on a show to save a Vermont inn. This musical never fails to please: you can’t help falling in love with the characters, the dancing and, of course, the singing, especially since the title song is Berlin’s most famous and most beloved.

Shaw Festival – A Christmas Carol

Ebenezer Scrooge is back! Nestled in the heart of the ultimate Christmas village, the charming holiday favourite
A Christmas Carol returns to the Shaw Festival’s Royal George Theatre. It’s the perfect annual reminder of what Christmas is all about. Arrive feeling “Bah, humbug!” and leave full of warm, fuzzy Christmas spirit.

Taste the Season

Join us this November for our Taste the Season touring pass program! We are excited to be able to invite you to visit and taste at 15+ winery properties over four weekends in November. To maintain capacity control and
minimize crowds and wait times, you may visit a maximum of eight wineries f or tastings in one day.

Santa 5K Run

Grab your family and friends, put on a Santa suit and run an IN-PERSON 5KM race in the very scenic Niagara-on-the-Lake! Santa Suit and chipped timed results included!

Event Calendar

Twilight Jazz and Blues Series

The TD Niagara Jazz Festival presents an intimate live jazz experience in the heart of wine country. This series features high-caliber jazz artists performing on an acoustic grand piano at the Hare Wine Co. The Mark Eisenmann Trio (Nov 21), Genevieve Marentette Quartet (Dec 5) and the Music of a Charlie Brown

Christmas (Dec 19). Tickets: $19 – $39 + HST / 3-Show Pass: $99 + HST.

History in the Vineyard

A holiday fundraiser at Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery in support of two wonderful charities, The Friends

of Fort George & The Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum. Support the preservation of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s history with a gourmet meal, silent auction, and your choice of 2 short lectures about our community’s unique history. Tickets: $150 per person, which includes a thre e course meal and a $50 tax re ceipt.

Dickensian Feast at the Prince of Wales

Our grand “Dickensian Feast” includes festive fare, beautiful holiday décor, a large communal table, costumed master of ceremony and servers. Entertainment will be provided by Scrooge performing classic Christmas carols on the piano!

Christmas Wonderland at The Pillar & Post

The Gardens at Pillar and Post turn into a true seasonal wonderland complete with sparkling lights, holiday music, festive snacks, an ice rink, warming fire pits, and holiday movies under the stars.

Wineries in Winter

Where else in the world can you huddle around an open fire, toast marshmallows and sip on  world famous Icewine from the place that makes it best?  Throughout the Niagara-on-the-Lake this winter, wineries open their doors and pop corks so you can explore, taste and discover your new favorite wine.

Historic Accommodations

What says romance better than a stay at a historic hotel?  As the weather cools, the ice begins to create a very different type of scenery. There is something  extra special  about sharing a glass of Niagara wine with friends or loved ones next to the fireplace while drinking in the best Niagara has to offer.

Taste

As the temperature drops, Niagara’s culinary scene heats up as our chefs continue to team up with local brewers and winemakers to serve mouth-watering seasonal cuisine matched perfectly with your beverage of choice.

Ask about the new winter ales or what food pairs best with Icewine? The experts are on hand to help you get the best out of your dining experience and leave you with insider tips to share with friends at home.

Stay

World Class Accommodations

Taste

Good things are made with love and grown close to home

Why Artists are Flocking to Niagara

Why artists are flocking to Niagara

Niagara's Rich Art Heritage

Words by Liz Guber, a freelance writer from Toronto. Article content was produced by Globe Content Studio

You’ll be forgiven if art is not the first thing you associate with Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL).

When I think of the charmed region, my mind drifts to wine, or leisurely road trips past farm stands offering tempting shares of the fall harvest. But the picture-perfect region is rapidly becoming a destination for art lovers. The local galleries, museums and historic sites are easily accessible—all are located near NOTL’s main strip and offer free or pay-what-you-can admission. Given the stunning natural setting, the galleries and museums often double as attractive spots to stop and take in the waterfront views, contrasting the real-life beauty of fall foliage with the depictions on canvas you’ll find inside.

My first stop is the Niagara Pumphouse Art Centre. With a motto of “art for all” this community hub offers its wall space to local artists. During my visit, mystical and surreal portraits by Lynne Gaetz, a NOTL-based artist, were on display. There were also workshops led by artist-instructors, coffee-with-the-curator chats, and unmissable events such as the Moonlit Picnic, which is as magical as it sounds: wine, dancing and dining under the stars on the waterfront property.

Next up, a quick stop at King Street Gallery, just around the corner from happening Picton Street. Set inside one of the town’s oldest homes, the 1,500-square-foot space is devoted to Canadian fine artists of all disciplines. Standouts include textural acrylic paintings and tonal collages by Isabelle St-Roch, oil paintings by Zaan Claassens that depict distorted  ripples on water (how fitting), and whimsical wire sculptures by Donna Harradine.

The last stop on my self-guided art tour takes me to one of the area’s most established art destinations: The RiverBrink Art Museum. The gallery is located in the tony Georgian-style home of prominent lawyer and art collector Samuel E. Weir, spread over three floors. RiverBrink hosts rotating exhibitions by Canadian artists. The latest features sculptures by Susan Low-Beer, whose explorations of human relationships manifest in surreal combinations of shape, material and texture.

Making my way through the house, I eagerly head upstairs, where the best might be saved for last. The gallery is home to an impressive collection of Group of Seven works, including studies of Tom Thomson’s famed “The Jack Pine” and the lesser-known depictions of city life by Lawren Harris. And if I ever wanted to stay a while to expand my art knowledge, RiverBrink offers a six-week art history course, along with creative workshops led by local artists and talks.

To say the region is creatively-inclined would be an understatement. But with natural views so pretty you can’t help but want to capture them, that should come as no surprise.

My Niagara Profiles

Two Sisters Winery

Angela & Melissa Marotta

“Niagara is the perfect place to experience with loved ones, family, children or friends. ”

Wes Lowrey

Wes Lowrey

“When the opportunity came to start a very small craft winery to complement our vineyard, I jumped at the chance.”

How does ‘unrivaled intensity of taste’ sound? You’ll find it in Niagara’s fruit belt

How does ‘unrivaled intensity of 'Taste' Sound?

You’ll find it in Niagara’s fruit belt

Words by Tracy Wan, a freelance writer from Toronto. Article content was produced by Globe Content Studio.

Life in Canada is marked by a variety of seasons. After ‘mud and allergies’ and shortly before ‘summer,’ there is a brief sliver of time called ‘hope.’

For city dwellers, this micro-season feels like a rebirth. We flock to the nearest patio and forget to wear sunscreen. We don shorts in temperatures other countries would deem foolish. Everything seems ripe with possibility.

This year, ‘hope’ coincided with the Victoria Day long weekend, when my boyfriend and I decided to drive to Niagara from Toronto, in optimistic pursuit of the season’s first harvest of fruit.

It felt like the opening weekend for the whole peninsula. Everyone we met was in a great mood, chatty and kind. Bunting flags fluttered in the breeze. Sandwich boards erected roadside cheerfully declared “OPEN for another amazing year!” Hope was in the air.

There was also reality to contend with: While most of the fruit farms I had earmarked on Google Maps were open and ready for the season, the fruits – so I was informed ruefully by their vendors – were not.

A visitor to one of Niagara’s strawberry farms enjoys the seasonal bounty.

The strawberries and cherries will be the first to ripen, in June, when visitors to certain Niagara fruit farms will have a chance to pick their own. Then come the raspberries and blueberries in July, followed by the stone and orchard fruits in late summer. By October, the curtain falls on Niagara’s fruits for the year


What fruit was in season the May long weekend? Well, it depends on how you view rhubarb.

As a food writer, I was humbled. This is the truest meaning of eating seasonally: to wait for the harvest to be ready for you, not the other way around. I’m used to going to the grocery store for strawberries in January, and finding them. Picked from a farm thousands of kilometres away, of course. To be a locavore – or to attempt it – is to accept that one cannot eat according to one’s whims, while knowing the food is worth waiting for.

At Romagnoli Farms, I opted for two bushels of local apples – Honey Crisps and Red Princes – from last year’s harvest. They had been stored in a cold cellar over the winter.

Back in the car, I bit into one of the Honey Crisps, and any reservations I had about buying six-month-old fruit dissipated instantly. It was thin-skinned and snappy against my teeth, with a texture and succulent sweetness that wholly lived up to its name. “This might be the best apple I’ve ever had?” I said out loud, suspicious of my own superlatives. My boyfriend, who had just taken a bite himself, confirmed with a silent nod.

Maybe it’s all in my head, or maybe there’s something to it: Eating produce exactly where it was harvested is just better. There’s a purity and unrivaled intensity of taste. It’s as though the experience is fullest at the place of harvest, and every kilometre traveled results in a commensurate loss of flavour – like water leaking from a bucket. I’ve had my fair share of Honey Crisps in my life – Ontario ones, even – but none quite like this. Humbled twice in one trip, I thought to myself. Maybe it was going to be a different kind of fruitful

Though the year’s fruits had not yet arrived on the scene, there was the presence of fruit everywhere we looked in the region. At Hildreth Farms in Beamsville, I spotted a wall of ruby-hued jams from last season’s fruits; at Bizjak Farms in Vineland, jars of canned peaches and pears, and apple cider, too.

The Niagara Peninsula, after all, produces the majority of Ontario’s tender fruits, and it is affectionately referred to as the fruit belt. When we stopped for lunch – two light plates of barbecue at Smoke and Moonshine, in Beamsville – the strawberry whiskey lemonade I ordered came with whole strawberries floating in it. “We make this in-house,” our waitress told us with pride.

To be in Niagara too early is better than too late; armed with a loose sense of a harvest schedule, I found myself pencilling in weekends to make the trip back. First in July, when the berries find their colour. Again in August, which heralds the arrival of my favourite season in Niagara: peach season.

You can find any peach you like in Niagara: juicy yellow peaches, sweet white peaches, perfume-y donut peaches. Every year I buy a basket or two with the ambition of making a custard tart or an upside-down cake, and every year I thwart my own plans. (Speaking of which, mark your calendars for Aug. 13, when the Annual Peach Festival turns Queen Street in Niagara-on-the-Lake into a festival of peach-y delights.)

The best way to experience a Niagara peach, I’ve learned, is to devour it while standing over the sink, juice running down your arm. It’s worth waiting for.

Cool and crush-worthy

Cool and crush-worthy

How terroir sets Niagara wines apart

Words by Vidal Wu, a freelance writer from Toronto. Article content was produced by Globe Content Studio

I’ll never forget my first encounter with a Chardonnay from Pearl Morissette.

Classical, precise, even daring in its proposition, it gripped me in a way I didn’t expect. One sip and I was transported – not to some far-flung French vineyard, but to a winery down the road.

All it takes is one look across the picturesque Niagara Peninsula to understand why it could be a magical place to discover wine. And as any oenophile (or connoisseur of wine) knows, terroir – the place it comes from – is everything.

A unique combination of conditions – from soil composition and bedrock to weather and topography – can create a distinct wine with its own recognizable set of traits. This idea undergirds much of the wine industry, most famously in France, where land has been scrutinized by experts for millennia, and as a result has become closely tied to quality.

In Niagara, the story is very different. Wine has been made for thousands of years in France, but Niagara is a relatively young wine region that is still coming into its own. The earliest traces of winemaking in Niagara date back to 1820, but it was only in the 1980s, when an influx of enormously popular California wines entered the market, that winemakers started to seek out higher-quality grapes like those grown in Niagara.

The area’s cool climate and short growing season didn’t translate into the richer, higher alcohol styles that were the commercially successful calling card of California, and consumers initially recoiled. Used to the taste of grapes grown in an entirely different terroir with a long, hot and dry growing season, our collective palate wasn’t quite ready for the difference this new place offered, where grapes have to work harder to achieve ripeness. The end result are wines that are more medium-bodied, lighter in alcohol, lower in tannin and higher in acid. In short, the exact opposite of what was popular at the time.

Then Niagara changed course. Winemakers began to embrace the region in earnest, working with cool-climate grapes and making leaner, lower-alcohol wines that were lighter in body, with less of a ripe, fruity character.

Growers found an analogue in Burgundy, home to the world’s finest Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. Burgundy’s similarly cool climate, along with its varied topography, mineral-rich soils and panoramic slopes, provided a rich road-map for Niagara winemakers to draw inspiration from. Terroir became a feature of, rather than a barrier to, making wine in Niagara.

At Pearl Morissette, one of the most exciting wineries in the Peninsula, terroir goes hand-in-hand with incredibly fertile farmland, which it cultivates to extraordinary effect. Niagara’s distinct terroir shines in the low-interventionist wines, where grapes are grown with as little human involvement as possible, like sparing use of pesticides, encouraging biodiversity in the vineyard, and letting the grapes go where they want to in the wine-making process. All the better to reveal the region’s unique character.

“Niagara’s signature is a certain kind of succulence and lushness across the board with a beautiful kind of spiciness, lifted by a beautifully textured acidity.” says ambassador Svetlana Atcheva. In other words, both red and whites are similarly expressive – linked by terroir. “Does it have to do with geography? Yes. Exactly what parts? We need to investigate more.”

That question has defined the debate around terroir for about as long as wine has been drunk, and it matters differently to different people. For those making wine inspired by Burgundy, terroir is a matter of similarity, winemaking with an eye toward long-established measures of quality, like extended aging in barrels, and malolactic fermentation, which gives wine a “round,” smooth mouthfeel.

For other, more experimental winemakers, terroir simply reinforces the singularity of the land they’re working on, an expression of place that can’t – and shouldn’t – be replicated.

For upstarts like Paradise Grapevine, a natural wine bar in Toronto that also produces wine in Niagara, embracing that uniqueness is crucial to its success.

“Emulating famous regions has fallen to the wayside a bit,” notes co-owner Christian Davis. “There’s a different generation leaning into the fact that we are cold climate, which means high acid, crush-worthy styles.”

Combined with sleek labels and modern marketing, it’s clear that younger consumers also embrace terroir in their own way. Take Rosewood, a winery, meadery and apiary that makes fresh, easy-drinking wines that, with their new millennial-friendly graphic labeling, has found an even greater audience.

They’ll be the first to tell you that the soil in their vineyard is everything. Their farming practices – they invite anyone who’s interested to drop by and learn – are designed to encourage a healthy ecology in the dirt that nurtures their vines, making the most of the only-in-Niagara trace minerals that can make a wine unique – and completely different year-to-year.

Those minerals are thanks to the glacial deposits that make up the mosaic of the Niagara Peninsula, remnants of a two- to three-kilometre thick sheet of ice that covered the region approximately 23,000 to 12,000 years ago, creating the Great Lakes, Niagara Falls, and the geology that makes this a winemaker’s paradise and fruit grower’s dream location. That Ice Age fact is even more remarkable when you know Niagara is on the same latitude as southern France, although the winters there are ever-so-slightly less harsh.

As we learn more about the Niagara Peninsula – and we’re just scraping the surface of this story – it can only deepen our understanding that terroir is more than what’s in the ground. It’s an entire ecosystem of factors that grows ever more verdant with each vintage.

Good things grow, indeed.

My Niagara Profiles

Ryan Corrigan of Rosewood Estates

Ryan Corrigan

I really enjoy taking the superfluity out of wine and seeing customers discover a style or taste that they didn’t know about before.

Two Sisters Winery

Angela & Melissa Marotta

“Niagara is the perfect place to experience with loved ones, family, children or friends. ”

Wes Lowrey

Wes Lowrey

“When the opportunity came to start a very small craft winery to complement our vineyard, I jumped at the chance.”

Original From the Ground Up

Original From the Ground Up

Where the Scenery Becomes the Scene

Think you know the Niagara Culinary & Wine scene?
Think again.

Sure, many of us know the Niagara Region as the home of the world-famous Falls, but there’s so much more to the region.
Here we’ll feature Niagara restaurants, wineries, farms and more… to encourage you to discover new flavours and experiences, made with love, throughout the seasons.

Harvest Season in Niagara

Farm stands loaded with diverse harvests operate at full throttle early in the season. By the time they shutter for the year, the leaves have started turning and the Niagara Escarpment becomes a breathtaking swath of technicolour boasting every shade of copper and gold. Wineries buzz with activity as grapes are harvested and the region’s world-class winemakers tease out the story of another vintage. Niagara sparkles at this time of year and there are more than a few places where it really — and rightly — shows off.

Meet the Makers

Ryan Corrigan of Rosewood Estates

I really enjoy taking the superfluity out of wine and seeing customers discover a style or taste that they didn’t know about before.

David Sider

“What you do in a restaurant is equally important as where it is,” Sider said motioning to the Redstone vineyards. “It’s unique …”

Adam Hynam-Smith Profile

“…national and international media outlets, including Condé Nast Traveler, which sent a reporter to cover the rebirth of St. Catharines…”

FRUITS OF CURATION

Cory Linkson

“We wanted to get closer to farmers. I wanted to change the paradigm of how we eat our food.”

James Treadwell

“From day one, our restaurant has always tried to showcase the many artisanal producers of the region.”

George Ward

“Growing up and seeing all of the orchards, farms and vineyards has inspired me”.

MY Niagara Experiences

Wineries

Two Sisters Winery

Two Sisters Vineyards in Niagara-on-the-Lake

“Niagara is the perfect place to experience with loved ones, family, children or friends.

We love Niagara and want to be sure everyone visits because it’s so easy to get hooked on the beauty, friendly people, history and agriculture that it offers.”

Ann Sperling Southbrook Vineyards

Southbrook Vineyards, Organic Canadian Wine

If you’ve ever had the chance to experience Niagara-on-the-Lake, you’ll know it as a picturesque paradise where less is more and where the lush green landscape and rolling hills are enough to enchant you on their own, even before you try the wine born out of this renowned grape-friendly microclimate.

Explore 100+ Niagara Wineries

5 Niagara Hikes Including Canada’s First Hike

5 Niagara Hikes

INCLUDING

Canada's First Trail​

While you may not be able to venture outside of Canada anytime soon—let alone Ontario—there’s now no better time to make the most of the fall season within our own beautiful backyard. If you’re longing to get out and about in the great outdoors (while socially-distanced of course), there’s no better place than Niagara. While you may have only considered a trip to the region in the past to take in the famous falls, or to head to a winery or two in Ontario’s very own wine country in Niagara-on-the-Lake—you’ve likely been missing out on adventures big and small in Niagara region’s hiking hotspots, including Canada’s First Trail (number 5 on our list).

Only a short drive away from the city can feel like miles when hiking Niagara’s over 400,000 acres of vast, outdoor space. In fact, Niagara was made for socially-distanced, memorable adventures for friends and family to explore together. From high-intensity hiking to more leisurely strolling through scenic park trails, it’s easy to stay 6-acres apart in Niagara, but up close and personal with nature and the ones that you love (and that are within your bubble!).

With thousands of acres of parks and trails, where do you even begin? We invite you to Niagara to go “take a hike” with our top 5 hiking trails for your next socially-distanced adventure. Here’s where to start:

5 Niagara Hiking Trails

Ball's Falls Conservation Area, Lincoln

An off-the-beathen-path hike

Niagara Falls aren’t the only waterfalls you need to visit on your next trip to Niagara. Popular with locals, Balls Falls is perfect for those looking for a hike through history and off-the-beaten-path! Once a nineteenth-century settlement, this stunning trail runs along the edge of the Niagara Escarpment. Take a walk back in time as you hike by (and can even tour!) historical buildings including an operational mill, church, blacksmith shed, carriage house and more on the property originally owned by the Ball brothers.

The conservation area’s three trails include the Forest Frolic Trail, Switch Back Trail and the favoured Cataract Trail for those looking to take it all in. Hike or stroll this simple trail through the historical village along the Twenty-Mike creek, which eventually cascades over the upper and lower Balls Falls, a breathtaking sight to see! Be sure to pack a lunch for a scenic stop at one of the many picnic tables scattered throughout the area.

Address: 3292 Sixth Ave, Lincoln, ON L0R 1S0

URL: Npca.ca/parks/balls-falls

Woodend Conservation Area, Niagara-on-the-Lake

A short hike with sips and sights

Another local favourite, if you’re looking for a short hike, with sips and sights, check out the Woodend Conservation Area. Discover this unique section of the Escarpment, which was thought to be a lookout point during the War of 1812. You’ll be met with incredible views of Lake Ontario, vineyards and orchards. Hike the area’s two short trails—the Hardwood and the Silurian Trial—that’ll take you on either side of the edge of the Escarpment.

A hiker’s paradise, the iconic Bruce Trail and Trans Canada Trail also run through the area if you’re up for a longer journey. You’ll also find the 32 km Wetland Trail that is part of Laura Secord’s Legacy Trail here. As this trail runs through Niagara College’s Teaching Winery & Brewery, be sure to visit the award-winning destination for distanced wine, cider, spirit and beer tastings from up and coming talent.

Address: 1 Taylor Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0, Canada

URL: Npca.ca/parks/woodend

Niagara River Recreational Trail

A paved action-packed path

If paved paths that are action-packed are more your style, the Niagara River Recreational Trail is for you. This leisurely 56 km trail runs beside the Niagara River from historic Fort Erie through Niagara Falls in the south, ending at Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake in the north. Perfect for strolling, cycling, dog walking—you name it! Start by taking in the roar of the Niagara Falls up close. Later on you’ll be passing through some of the most picturesque countryside to see. The trail runs parallel to the Niagara Parkway, described by Sir Winston Churchill as “the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world.” Along the way be tempted by local famer’s markets, fruit stands, artisan shops, restaurants and world-renowned wineries such as Peller Estates and Two Sisters Vineyards. There’s no shortage of things to see, taste and delight in on this trail!

Address: 3351 Niagara Pkwy, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada

 

Niagara Glen, Niagara Falls

An adventure seeker’s hike

For adventurous hikers looking for jaw-dropping scenery, including million-year-old rock formations, marine fossils as well as endangered plant and animal life—look no further than this hidden gem. The designated nature reserve has 4 km of rugged trials located in the Niagara Gorge itself. Hike eight fascinating trails along the edge of the Niagara River, while getting close enough to feel the rush of the river and the swirling 4,200-year-old Niagara Whirlpool. Spend as little as a few hours or a full day getting lost in the natural beauty of this area, home to one of Canada’s last pockets of Carolinian Forest. The turquoise waters of the river as well as astounding natural cliffs and boulders, make for awe-inspiring surroundings on one of the best hikes you’ll find in Niagara Falls. Be sure to visit the onsite Niagara Glen Nature Centre to talk through what trails to tackle with an expert or even take a guided tour.

Address: 3050 Niagara Pkwy, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada

URL: Niagaraparks.com/visit/nature-garden/niagara-glen-nature-centre/

Bruce Trail, Niagara Region

A Bucket List Hike on Canada’s First Trail

No list of Niagara hiking trails would be complete without the Bruce Trail. The oldest and longest marked trail in Canada is a must for avid hikers to knock off their bucket list. The trail is 900 km long (not to mention its 440 km of side trails) extending from Queenston Heights Park to Tobermory along the Niagara Escarpment. In Niagara, the trail begins near Niagara Falls on the west side of a gorge along the Niagara River and continues to Grimsby and includes both the Balls Falls Conservation Area as well as the Woodend Conservation Area trails mentioned above.

Walk alongside some of the most beautiful scenery in Ontario, with the Niagara section of the trail alone offering more than 130 km to explore. Pass by the picturesque Decew Falls, the valleys of Short Hills Provincial Park, as well as nearby wineries such as Henry of Pelham and 13th Street Winery. Take in panoramic views overlooking Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Niagara River and out to Lake Ontario and Toronto, explore limestone caverns, historic buildings, monuments and more. From day to multi-day trips, check out https://brucetrail.org/ to plan your monumental Bruce Trail trek in Niagara.

Address: Throughout Niagara Region

URL: Brucetrail.org/trail-sections/9

From hidden gems, historical hikes and iconic trails, we invite you to distantly discover all that Niagara has to offer with our boundless outdoor beauty. Just try not to get hooked on our hiking trails! They’re an exhilarating mind, body and soul experience that’ll be sure to reconnect you with nature, as much as your loved ones, and have you making your way back for more in no time.

November in Niagara

Things to Do November 2019 in the Niagara Region

 

Winter Festival of Lights

A Holiday tradition for over one million visitors from around the globe. Featuring spectacular light displays, the Fallsview Sound and Light Show, Holiday Lights Tours and over 3 million lights displayed along the Niagara Parkway, Dufferin Islands and Niagara Falls. The Festival kicks off with an amazing opening ceremony on November 16th, and continues to January 12th, 2020

Restaurant Week On Lundy’s Lane

Restaurants on Lundy’s Lane feature special lunch & dinner menus at incredible prices. Take advantage of this special opportunity to sample many of the best restaurants in Niagara Falls during Restaurant Week, taking place October 24th to November 7th.

 

Restaurant Week on Lundy’s Lane

 

Taste of the Season

Taste the Season on weekends this November in Niagara-on-the-Lake. This tasting passport features expertly paired wine & food tastings at 20+ Niagara-on-the-Lake Wineries. For more information visit http://wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com/event/taste-the-season/

 

Wrapped Up in the Valley

Experience wines perfectly paired with culinary treats from top local chefs at 20 craft wineries during Wrapped Up in the Valley Visit Twenty Valley 3 weekends in November. Visit: https://www.twentyvalley.ca/site/wrapped-up

Shaw Festival Christmas Plays

The world famous Shaw Festival is once again hosting Christmas plays, offering two holiday classics. Tip: These plays sell out in advance, so make sure to buy tickets while they are still available.

Christmas Carol

See the beloved Dickens classic on stage at the Royal George Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the perfect setting to experience a Victorian winter wonderland. Starting November 13th

 

Holiday Inn

A beloved musical, perfect to ring in the holiday season! Starting November 16th

 

White Water Walk

Niagara Parks White Water Walk is one of Niagara’s most visceral attractions. It’s season closes on November 3rd.

Meridian Centre Concerts

St.Catharines Meridian Centre is home to three headline concerts in November.

 
 
 
 
 
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Arkells – Rally Cry Tour ~ November 9th

Offspring / Sum 41  ~ November 15th 

Johnny Reid: My Kind of Christmas ~ November 27th 

Holiday Markets

Niagara has numerous shopping options, including boutique stores and large outlet malls. Additionally, large Holiday Markets take place in November

A Very Mori Christmas Palooza: Christmas Market Niagara-on-the-Lake ~ November 15th – 17th

Handmade & Artisan market in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake. For more details visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/541543689709213/

 

Holiday Handmade Market – Niagara Falls ~ November 22nd – 24th

Featuring over 200 vendors inside the Scotiabank Convention Centre, the Handmade Market is Niagara’s largest market of the season. http://www.handmademarket.ca/

 

 

Award Winning Dinning

Dispatch restaurant in downtown St. Catharines was just named one of Canada’s Top 10 Best New Restaurants by Air Canada’s EnRoute Magazine. Taste for yourself why this restaurant is gaining national praise. Read the full EnRoute review of Dispatch at: Dispatch EnRoute Review

 

Award Winning Attraction

Hornblower Niagara Cruises

Hornblower Niagara Cruises’ Voyage to the Falls Boat Tour was named the Best Water Adventure and Top Fan Choice in North America in the second annual GetYourGuide Awards for incredible travel experiences. See why the awards, known for incredible travel experiences, choose Hornblower Niagara Cruises. Cruises continue into the month of November. For more information visit: https://www.niagaracruises.com/

 

Ryan Crawford

Once a year, Chef Ryan Crawford cranks Roxanne by The Police and takes a shot of bourbon in honour of his most loyal and longest running help in the kitchen.

Her name, fittingly, is Roxanne, and she’s been with Crawford, proprietor of Backhouse in Niagara-on-the-Lake, since he graduated culinary school in Stratford in 1999. The duo have travelled Canada together, journeying to Fogo Island and Prince Edward Island to work magic in kitchens there. And they’ve forged a strong partnership here in Niagara, where Crawford has garnered national and international accolades over the past 15 years  — the last four at Backhouse — for his innovative approach to regional, seasonal cuisine.

No matter the attention he gets, Crawford always honours his tireless kitchen aid with a course of wood oven-baked sourdough on both his chef’s menu and à la carte. Roxanne, you see, is his 20-year-old sourdough starter, figuring prominently in baking at Backhouse, and in the homes of diners gifted some of the fermented flour that makes up Roxanne’s being.

“Roxanne is a mom and she has babies all over North America,” Crawford said proudly. “I’ll get pictures once a month of (other people’s) sourdough. It’s very exciting.”

Crawford is the father of cool climate cuisine here in Niagara

As much as Roxanne is the prolific mother of bread loaves everywhere, Crawford is the father of cool climate cuisine here in Niagara. It’s his unique take on using Ontario — and Niagara — produce almost exclusively, save for the lemons required by Backhouse’s bartenders, or the chocolate that appears in the petits fours. Even the salt Crawford uses to season dishes, such as wood-fired squab with rutabaga gratin, 90-day dry aged beef, or the duck liver mousse beignet with apricot compote, comes from close to home. He sources it from Goderich, Ont., which boasts the world’s largest underground salt mine, or from New York’s Finger Lakes.

Crawford’s dedication to showcasing local never wavers, even during dessert when many bakers reach for vanilla from far-flung places to flavour nearly anything sweet that follows dinner. Backhouse’s vanilla ice cream? It’s only eggs, cream and sugar but they come together to produce intense, authentic flavour, Crawford explained.

“Take vanilla out of your baking and you’ll taste what everything should taste like,” he said. “It’s not making things with other flavours. It’s letting things speak for themselves.”

That’s easy to do here in Niagara. Crawford cooks in the cradle of the region’s finest farmland. He has connections galore to local producers, but he also has a farmer on staff, Ashley Burnie, who grows fruit and vegetables on three acres behind Crawford’s home, a two-minute drive from Backhouse.

Crawford and Burnie sit down together in the winter to map out planting and harvest schedules, which helps the kitchen with menu planning. An additional unheated greenhouse starts the growing season early and prolongs it come fall. The goal is to get nearly all of the restaurant’s produce from the Backhouse farm, which grows everything from peas, bok choy and asparagus in spring to berries, apricots, cherries, and tomatoes from 800 plants in summer, and squash, rutabaga and other storage vegetables in autumn.

What isn’t served fresh is preserved to see the restaurant through winter.

“We planted everything we could. It was ‘Hey, what do you want to cook? We’ll plant it,’” Crawford said.

It’s not as though farm and restaurant only meet in the kitchen when harvests are ready. Everyone who works in the restaurant spends time on the land, learning about the ebb and flow of the bounty through the year.

“You’re sitting there with your hands in the dirt and feeling the energy and life of what’s growing there,” Crawford explained.

That desire to put in such effort comes from when Crawford helmed the kitchen of the former Stone Road Grille, under different ownership but in the same unassuming strip mall location that’s home to Backhouse. Back then, Crawford got his hands dirty raising heritage pigs with Paul Harber at Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery.

“It is so much work,” he said about the endeavour. “It taught us a lot about how much work farmers really put in. It really got me thinking about sustainability and waste. My thing about sustainability here, I’m giving Ashley, a young farmer, a job. It’s helping the restaurant. If it all works out, it’s less money for us in vegetables, it’s fresher, and it’s giving younger chefs and apprentices the opportunity to respect the vegetables because they know Ashley grows it.”

It’s also giving Backhouse diners an experience. They hear the story of 4 o’clock asparagus — quite literally harvested at 4 p.m. the day it’s served — with 24-month house-cured prosciutto and Ontario-grown saffron. They’re exposed to flavours like white asparagus and rhubarb in a savoury soft serve garnished with seed asparagus and served as an amuse bouche.

“They want to hear the story. We’re trying to tell the story of food in Niagara,” Crawford said. “It’s having that interaction with people and giving them something special.”

There was a time when it looked like Crawford would fulfill his dreams of such an endeavour elsewhere. He spent three years searching for the perfect location to open a Canadian version of an agritourismo, those farmhouses that combine gastronomy and overnight stays in Italy, after he left Stone Road Grille. He was close to inking a deal on land elsewhere in Ontario when his former bosses let him know they were closing the restaurant.

Coming back to the location where he repeatedly earned praise from out-of-town media for his inventive take on fine dining made sense. The relationships and his reputation were established in Niagara, but it’s also where Crawford could work with grape growers and vintners to make his own wine, a hobby he hopes to pick up again this fall after a few years’ break.

Really, though, cooking with local produce — and, of course, baking sourdough bread starring Roxanne — over wood fire in a space that belies its strip mall location is about something else, something more intrinsic.

“For me, it’s being true to my world, Crawford said. “It’s teaching the general public about respect (for the ingredients) and giving people jobs and and opportunities. Profitability, for me, is rooted in happiness. It makes me happy serving people. My staff comes first, making them happy and energized to be here, excited to be and work, and that comes through in the food.”

 

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CONTACT

Backhouse Restaurant
Phone: 289-272-1242
Website: backhouse.xyz
242 Mary St, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0

Niagara Farmers’ Markets

Savour Niagara’s bounty of fresh fruits, vegetables & a whole lot more at one of the several farmers’ markets in the Niagara Region! It is a great way to experience local community life as well as encourage the ‘buy local’ philosophy.
 
Here’s a look at the various markets that offer a wide range of farm food and other products…
 
 

Pelham Farmers’ Market

Head to the municipal parking lot at Pelham Town Square on Thursdays to enjoy high quality local food and other products.
 
Fresh vegetables are available as are a wide variety of fruits:
  • peaches
  • apples
  • cherries
  • plums
  • pears
  • raspberries
  • strawberries
 
Also available for purchase are chicken, duck eggs & meat products.
 
Vendors also offer:
  • baked goods
  • breads
  • pies
  • chocolate
  • honey
  • sweet corn
 
Relish cooked food such as tacos, samosas, chicken patties & Pad Thai. Besides the delicious food, VQA wines, flowers & jewellery are available at the market.


Open

  • Spring to October 10, 2019
  • 4.30 p.m. until dusk
 
 

Niagara Falls Farmers’ Market

Every Saturday morning, the Niagara Falls Farmers’ Market buzzes with activity. Eager customers and friendly vendors buy & sell fresh produce.
 
Located behind the Niagara Falls History Museum, the market has been running for more than 50 years.
 
It offers a fantastic range of vegetables, fruits & meat. The market has 4 indoor shops as well as up to 15 outdoor stalls. depending on the weather and time of the year. It is a feast for the senses, as the colours and the aroma of the fresh produce will draw you in.
Food-themed workshops are also conducted at the market!
 

Open

  • all year round on Saturdays
  • 6a to 12p
 

Port Colborne Farmers’ Market

There’s plenty to buy at the Port Colborne Farmers’ Market –
fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, & craft items!
 
Locals & visitors alike throng this open air market with over 60 vendors.
 
Shoppers can buy a range of seasonal produce and other goodies such as:
  • honey
  • cheeses
  • breads
  • charcuterie
 
You can pick up some lovely flowers at the market and buy a few craft products at the Guild Hall. Mingle with the crowd, shop, eat and come back for more at this farmers market!

Open

  • Fridays
  • All year round
  • 6a to 1p

Ridgeway Farmers’ Market

Experience the freshness and flavour of local produce at the Ridgeway Farmers’ Market. It operates out of the municipal parking space in downtown Ridgeway.
 
Besides seasonal fruits & vegetables, you can buy:
  • breads
  • jams
  • honey
  • gourmet salad dressings
  • fish
  • meat
  • cheese
  • vinegar
  • dairy products
You can purchase fresh produce direct from the farm, sold by the farmers themselves. Plants and flowers are also available.
 
Art by the Market encourages local artisans, so you can pick up a few art and craft items too. Enjoy some live music from local talents while you shop or relax at the market.

Open

  • Every Saturday
  • May 6 to October 14, 2017
  • 7:30a to 12:30p
 
 

St Catharines Farmers’ Market

The St Catharines Farmers’ Market has been operating since the 1860s. Located at Market Street, it is always bustling with customers. Fill your shopping bags with healthy agricultural food direct from the farms.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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There is always an array of vegetables and fruits that are in season. Other wonderful food & beverage choices include:

  • Seafood
  • Beef
  • Chicken
  • Dairy products
  • Baked goods
  • Jams
  • Honey
  • Spices
  • VQA wines
 
If you are looking for crafts and other knick-knacks, the market has them too!

Open

  • Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays
  • 6a to 2p
 
 

Niagara-on-the-Lake Farmers’ Market

Located in the picturesque town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Market at the Village is a charming farmers’ market.
 
Farmers & vendors sell fresh, locally grown, produce and other items at the market.
 
Get loads of:
  • farm fresh strawberries
  • beets
  • potatoes
  • asparagus
 
Besides seasonal produce, select from:
  • jams
  • jellies
  • breads
  • pickles
  • deli meats
  • butter
  • cheese
  • bath products
  • craft items
 
Relish a delicious breakfast made from local ingredients while enjoying some lovely music. The farmers’ market is a great way to buy some healthy produce and interact with the locals as well as visitors.


Open

  • Spring to October 5, 2019
  • Saturday mornings
  • 8a to 1p
 
Support local farmers, experience the vibrant community life & enjoy the taste of fresh farm produce at the farmers’ markets across the Niagara region!

Nicolette Novak

Nicolette Novak has an amazing ability to strike up a conversation with anyone. It can be your first time meeting her but you immediately feel at ease, like with an old friend. There’s no formality, but a sense of familiarity instead.

Take the cool, wet day in early June when two women sat down at a table under the covered patio in the bistro of Novak’s Good Earth Food and Wine Co. in Beamsville. They started wrapping themselves in fleece blankets when Novak cut in to empathize — even apologize. It’s June, after all, but one that could easily be confused with late October for its lack of sunny, warm weather that normally makes Niagara shine at this time of year.

The women shrugged at Mother Nature’s confused ways. It’s cosy, they assured, which led Novak to ask the obvious: “Where are you from?”

“Georgia,” one woman answered. It was the perfect segue into Novak telling them peaches grow here, though the growing season is about a month behind this year. She points to the swath of trees beside the bistro.

“Those are all peach trees,” Novak said, sensing the women’s disbelief that peaches grow in Canada. They marvel. But that’s typical. Marvelling is what happens at The Good Earth — as Novak intended — the moment a visitor turns down the gravel laneway, through a welcome mat of vineyards and orchards, to the winery, bistro and cooking school that borders Beamsville. It serves as a bucolic reminder that, despite the promise of condo high-rises being built around the corner, this is still Niagara farm country.

It’s also still Novak’s home. The bistro table where those women sat was little more than a 100 metres from her front door.

“One of the things I set out to do to differentiate from other places… I really think of this as an extension of my own home,” Novak said. “It has that feel of someone’s places. It still has warts, there are weeds, our driveway isn’t paved. But once you turn onto that driveway, you really are transported somewhere different.”

Ultimately, that’s what happened to Novak when she returned home after her father had been killed in a car accident 32 years ago. A twenty-something at the time, Novak had been carving a career path in Toronto, working for a Member of Provincial Parliament. But with news of her dad’s death coming on the first day of peach harvest, she knew she had to return to Beamsville to help the farm and her family — it was Novak, her mother, Betty, and her grandmother — carry on.

“There were no options,” Novak recalled.

The farm was 220 acres at the time, a mammoth swath by Niagara standards. But she enjoyed it until a streak of bad years compelled her to sell most of it. She kept 55 acres, which she leased out, and returned to the city to work in public relations.

But in 1998, she was beckoned back to Beamsville. Niagara was on the cusp of something new and more convivial than the hotels with their expansive and formal dining rooms in Niagara-on-the-Lake that had been serving as the region’s calling card for tourists seeking something more refined than waterfalls and wax museums.

Wineries with inviting tasting rooms and restaurants were opening and a new culinary identity was being forged for the region, thanks to a crop of big city chefs who’d come here seeing the potential of cooking in the middle of one of Canada’s most unique agricultural areas.

 

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Novak contributed to the effort by opening a cooking school on the property.

“It was so long ago, there were only five wineries,” she recalled.

That eventually led to catering events, and in 2008, the next natural progression in rural Niagara: a winery.

“I made the fateful decision to make wine, which was an awful decision,” Novak said. “It’s hard. It’s very capital intensive and there’s still a threshold of what people are willing to spend. And in Toronto, there’s still a perception that Ontario wines suck.”

Still, The Good Earth is clearly a good place to be, even on a cold, rainy June day.

People come, and when the first sunny days that hint at summer and stone fruit harvests arrive, they come in droves. They come to attend a session at the cooking school that’s more edutainment than hands-on. They come to sample some of The Good Earth’s vintages, made by winemaker Ilya Senchuk, who has a talent for teasing out the best in Niagara grapes. And they come to wrap themselves in a fleece blanket and eat lunch on the bistro patio.

 

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Despite the challenges, Novak admitted it’s been a successful venture. She has a classically trained chef, St. Catharines native Andrew Thorne, doing monthly seasonal menus in the kitchen. She’s surrounded herself with staff with the same salt-of-the-earth vibe as their boss.

“I’m really fortunate. They all have personality and they’re not afraid of showing it with people. They’re real,” Novak said. “I can say with confidence the food is excellent and we try to keep it as seasonal as possible. It’s a wine and food environment that isn’t foreboding. It isn’t pretentious. And it’s pretty. We work hard to make it pretty.”

All that’s changed over the years is the audience. Novak sees more twenty- and thirty-somethings attending the themed cooking classes, or arranging private dos, that run three hours, feature three courses plus an amuse bouche, and wine.

“It’s laid back and there for you to enjoy,” she said. “You take away from it as much as you want. We don’t like to micromanage it because the idea behind (the culinary school) is to expose people to what they might not normally have ordered (to eat).”

They’re still Novak’s favourite part of her entire endeavour. Within moments of gathering in the small outbuilding dedicated to the instructional sessions, strangers become friends. It’s also not uncommon to find Novak cleaning up afterward instead of relegating the task to her staff. But then, that’s all in keeping with The Good Earth’s MO of feeling like a visit to someone’s home.

“To me, it’s like after a really good dinner party,” Novak said. “It gives me time to reflect, to come down.”

And perhaps remember that there’s only one place she can do this.

“The driver for this whole business was that this is home,” Novak said. “I had a strong foundation in agriculture and an understanding of what this place called Niagara has here.”

• • • • •

CONTACT

Good Earth Food & Wine
Phone: 905-563-6333
Website: https://goodearthfoodandwine.com/
4556 Lincoln Ave, Beamsville, ON L0R 1B3

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