Seven Damn Good Reasons to Visit Niagara’s Vineland Estates Winery

A sponsored post

With over 140 wineries in Ontario, what makes Niagara’s Vineland Estates stand out?

For starters, it’s been in the biz for over 30 years and is considered as “Ontario’s Most Picturesque Winery.” Just 60 minutes from Toronto, foodies flock to Vineland Estates to sample award-winning wines and to gourmet food in the restaurant.

But there’s more to it than that. Here are seven damn good reasons why Vineland Estates should be at the top of your wine weekend hit list:

Get There By Helicopter

Yes, you can. Vineland Estates is one of a handfull of wineries that permits visitors to arrive by helicopter. To experience a James Bond style landing, arrange a “Heli-Winery” tour with Niagara Helicopters. Go ahead, be a diva.

Wine. So Much Wine.

It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it. Just don’t get too drunk sampling the selections. There’s a Vodka Ice Wine (together at last!) and award-winning Riesling and Cabernet Franc bottles to try. Vineland’s owner and third generation wine maker, Brian Schmidt, has been honoured as “2014 Ontario Wine Maker of the Year” and loves “wine with soul… especially Cabernet Franc and Riesling.”

Tours & Tastings

Less than $10 gets you a 60-minute tour of the vineyards, followed by three samples of Vineland’s classic wines. No reservations are needed – just show up at the Wineshop and let the staff know you’d like to participate in a public tour.

Vineland Estates also hosts speciality themed tours, such as a “Photo Safari Tasting” that gives access to the best spots at what’s arguable the “Most Picturesque Winery in Ontario.” Get your best shots of the historic buildings, distillery, and underground barrel cellar – normally off limits to the public.

You Learn Stuff

Go back to school…for wine appreciation. Vineland Estates offers a slew of seminars that also involve wine tasting and stuffing your face with gourmet bites. Learn important life lessons such as how to maximize your wine and cheese enjoyment, and the benefits of combining chocolate and wine.

Go for the Food

Why not dine in style in a renovated 1845 farmhouse or outside overlooking the vineyard? The menu is seasonal and locally sourced, using ingredients from the surrounding farms. On the way out, drop by the Wineshop and the gourmet Market Upstairs with Canadian artisan cheeses.

Crash Here If Tipsiness Ensues

Forget arranging a DD or a hired man-servant to schlep your drunk ass home. Just book a wine weekend getaway instead. Vineland Estates has a B&B Cottage and Estate Guest House adjacent to the vineyards.

Save the Earth – One Glass at a Time

This will get you as giddy as fratboy at a keg party: Vineland Estates carries wine-on-tap. In case you haven’t heard, draft wine is a hottest new trend in the wine world, and a popular concept in New York, Italy, and California.

It works exactly like beer on tap. The wine is stored in a temperature-controlled barrel and connected to taps. This system reduces the amount of oxygen in contact with the wine – which means it’s fresher and more flavourful. Plus, the wine never goes rotten from breakage or “corked” bottles. And let’s be honest: no one needs a wine crisis.

What we like best about wine on tap is that it’s environmentally friendly. It minimizes waste by getting rid of bottles, labels, corks and caps, and cartons. So we can feel good about saving the environment while getting boozy with a glass of red. Saving the earth, one glass at a time – our ideal green initiative.

Details:

Vineland Estates Winery
3620 Moyer Road,
Vineland, Ontario
Canada
Open 7 days a week

Vineland Estates Winery provided sponsorship to Eat Drink Travel Magazine. The winery did not review or approve this article.