Plan the ultimate tour of the Beamsville wineries in Ontario.
Our comprehensive guide includes details on the wine regions unique history and terroir. We also offer suggestions on the best restaurants and hotels, many of which are located right on the Beamsville wineries themselves.
Our Beamsville wineries itinerary includes descriptions for 20 local vineyards. Research your trip in advance to book private tours and tutored tastings.
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History of Beamsville Wineries
Beamsville and the surrounding towns of Lincoln, Vineland and Jordan, have been centres of farming in southern Ontario for decades.
Leonardo Pennachetti is the President of Cave Spring Cellars, and is considered one of Beamsville’s most knowledgeable winery historians. The pioneering winemaker was one of the first farmers to plant vinis vinifera on the Beamsville Bench.
Pennachetti shares the history of the Beamsville wineries, “Back in the ‘60s & ‘70s, the Beamsville area was much the same as Niagara on the Lake. Grapes called vitis labrusca, and tender fruit were the dominant crops grown in the area.”
He continues, “The first vitis vinifera in the Beamsville area were actually planted by independent growers, since no estate wineries existed back in the ‘70s. The earliest plantings were Lenko vineyard, Prydatkewich vineyard, Shoemaker vineyard, and our Cave Spring Vineyard.”
The Beamsville Bench, running from the creek gully just west of Cherry Avenue to Park Road west of Beamville, is the narrow plateau sloping gradually from the cliff of the Niagara Escarpment northwards to Regional Road 81, marking the bottom of the crescent-shaped Lake Iroquois Shore Bluff.
The appellation reaps the benefits of the bench topography, which provides the continuous air circulation that moderates temperature and results in consistent growing conditions. Soils are generally deep and well drained and numerous streams provide seasonal water supply. Although a relatively small appellation, the Beamsville Bench exhibits a unique set of conditions that provide a natural complexity to the wines that are grown there.
Visit the Beamsville wineries and you’ll quickly notice that most vineyards produce several bottles of sparkling. Riesling is also another celebrated grape worth sipping.
Visiting the Beamsville Wineries
The Beamsville wineries are the closest vineyards to Toronto.
Located between Hamilton and Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Beamsville wineries can be reached from downtown Toronto in just over one hour.
Located in Twenty Valley on the Niagara Escarpment, the Beamsville wineries sit perched on the southern shores of Lake Ontario. The scenic wineries spread out across Beamsville, Lincoln, Vineland and Jordan.
For those driving from Toronto towards Niagara Falls on the QEW highway, the Beamsville wineries are the first vineyards you encounter en route to the US border.
Beamsville Wineries Guide
While nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake may be the best known wine region in Ontario, the Beamsville wineries are quickly catching up.
Looking to visit the best Beamsville wineries? Depending on what you’re looking for, the wineries in Beamsville offer a broad offering for visiting oenophiles. You’ll find happiness on a wine tour in Beamsville, exploring everything from tiny boutique vineyards to eye-popping barrel cellars. If you’re interested in doing a comprehensive wine tour of Beamsville, we recommend this 6 hour tour in Twenty Valley.
Many of the Beamsville wineries offer onsite accommodation, fine dining restaurants, pretty patios, unique retail stores, tutored tastings and informative behind-the-scenes tours.
Redstone Winery
4245 King St, 905-563-9463
Redstone Winery is the third venture by Beamsville’s own Moray Tawse. First came his namesake winery in Vineland. Then it was Marchand-Tawse and Domaine Tawse in Burgundy, France. His latest project is located in Lincoln Lakeshore and opened its doors in 2009.
Formerly Thomas and Vaughan Estate Winery, Redstone Winery allowed Tawse to explore a different terroir. His name for the winery was inspired by the red dust, which covered his boots on his first visit to the property. The winery’s hallmark red clay soil and large red stones showcase the vineyards ground to glass philosophy.
The 38-acre estate vineyard is farmed organically and biodynamically. After working over 8 vintages with the winemaking team at nearby Tawse Winery, Rene Van Ede has taken the reigns at Redstone Winery. The Beamsville vineyard’s unique terroir does an excellent job at growing merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and syrah.
After sipping through Redstone Winery’s retail store and tasting room, skip to the back and you’ll find a sky-high dining room. The restaurant at Redstone Winery launched in June, 2015 and offers 80 seats, a chic private dining room and spacious outdoor patio.
Chef David Sider is committed to celebrating local Niagara producers on his menu, which is offered at both lunch and dinner. The restaurant at Redstone Winery is best known for its wood-fire pizza’s. Highlights from the seasonal menu include Fogo Island Shrimp Ceviche, Slow-Roasted Baffin Island Turbot and 20oz Dry-Aged Beef Ribeye.
Redstone Winery’s restaurant also offers weekly specials such as Wednesday cocktail nights, Sunday evening oysters and live music on Tuesdays. The Beamsville winery is also known for its concert series, as the winery acts as a backdrop for al fresco live performances. These special music-meets-culinary parties include a three course dinner. Canadian musicians who have taken the stage at Redstone Winery include Basia Bulat, Jill Barber, Terra Lightfoot and Justin Rutledge.
Hidden Bench Estate Winery
4152 Locust Ln, 905-563-8700
Founded in 2003, Hidden Bench Estate Winery is an artisanal winery in the heart of the Beamsville Bench.
Celebrated for its environmentally sustainable practices, Hidden Bench farms its low yield vineyards using organic practices, employs geothermal technology to control cellar and wine process temperatures and is the only Ontario winery to generate its own electricity through 105 solar panels.
Ranked as one of the best Beamsville wineries, Hidden Bench is located on 80 acres and designed by Harald Thiel in collaboration with Forestgreen Creations. The winemaking team produce 125,000 bottles annually using 100% Estate grown fruit from Locust Lane, Felseck and Rosomel Vineyards.
Winemaker Jay Johnston explains, “We farm 3 distinct vineyard sites, which all have Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling planted. There is a wide range of clone and root stock selections, vine density, vine age, row orientation and aspect to work with. Our glacial till soils are very heterogenous and offer a variety of structures. Making wine from these micro-cuvees allows us to see the very unique expressions of each block. No one else has access to our organic, estate-grown fruit.”
Clime change advocates take note! You can re-charge your electric vehicle free of charge via a universal electric charger and Tesla charger located in the winery’s parking lot.
Hidden Bench Estate Winery Tours
- Root to Glass: $50 per person. Tour Locust Lane Vineyard, the production facility, barrel cellar and enjoy a tasting of 4 wines and selection of artisanal cheeses.
- Veranda Tasting: $30 per person. Enjoy a tutored tasting of 4 wines in the winery’s indoor veranda with a selection of artisanal cheeses.
- Terroir Tasting: $20 per person. Enjoy a tutored tasting of 4 wines in the winery’s indoor veranda.
Fielding Estate Winery
4020 Locust Ln, 905-563-0668
Fielding Estate Winery is a family-run vineyard, which sits perched among the rolling hills of Beamsville. Curtis Fielding and his wife Heidi, manage a team of passionate Ontario wine lovers.
The Beamsville boutique winery’s branding and logo feature a comfy Muskoka chair, which always has us pining for a cottage country wine getaway. The winery’s tasting room and production facility is dubbed The Wine Lodge. It pays tribute to Northern Ontario’s cottage country aid was constructed from cedar, stone and glass.
Niagara’s own Richie Roberts joined Fielding Estate Winery in 2007 as the resident winemaker. Fielding Estate’s produces a broad selection of award-winning Ontario wines, planting and pressing grapes such as pinot gris, riesling, sauvignon blanc and malbec. Of all the Beamsville wineries, we love Fielding Estate because it makes its very own craft cider, offering apple fans a break from gorging on grapes.
Fielding Estates Winery also offers a playful year-round events calendar including Yoga Uncorked, Hair of the Dog, and live music experiences.
Daily wine tours are offered at 2pm and include a walk through the vineyard, winemaking facilities, barrel cellar and tutored tasting. The cost for Fielding Estates Winery’s tour is $15 per person. The Beamsville winery also regularly offers wine flights and artisanal cheese plates.
Angels Gate Winery
4260 Mountainview Rd, 905-563-3942
Angels Gate Winery has been producing award winning wine in Beamsville for over 15 years.
The estate property was purchased in 1995, first grapes were planted in 1996, and were ready for harvest by 1999. The first vintage at Angels Gate Winery was 2000, yielding a small production of just three wines. The winery officially opened its doors to the public in 2002, and now produces 35,000 cases annually.
Of all the Beamsville wineries, Angels Gate offers one of the most memorable architectural elements. The mission-style building was designed to commemorate the Congregation of Christian Sisters who once owned the property. The winery sits perched on a hill and features gorgeous gables and a tiny tower.
Winemaker Philip Dowell produces some of the regions best bottles, harvesting plump grapes off Angels Gate Winery’s sprawling 190 acre vineyards. The winery’s most celebrated grapes include chardonnay, riesling, gewurztraminer, merlot, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, malbec and shiraz.
Sip inside the winery’s sun-soaked tasting room and you’ll find some of the best views in Beamsville. During the warmer months of the year, Angels Gate Winery offers a restaurant simply titled, The Terrace. Grab a seat on the Angels Gate Winery patio at sunset and enjoy an elegant al fresco feast. The Terrace kitchen features a wood-burning oven so the petite menu mostly focusses on artisanal pizza, flatbread and dipping platters featuring hummus, bean dip and seasoned oil.
Rosewood Estates Winery
4352 Mountainview Rd, 905-563-4383
The Rosewood Estates Winery story begins over 80 years ago when R.W. Roman’s passion for beekeeping and mead began as a teenager in his native Ukraine. After immigrating to Canada, he continued keeping bees and his son, Eugene Roman quickly fell in love with the craft.
Years later, during Eugene and Renata’s honeymoon in Niagara on the Lake, the couple fell in love with the region and its wines. Dream became a reality in 2000, when they purchased 40 acres on Beamsville Bench. The Renaceau Vineyard was planted in 2003, first harvest took place in 2006 and the bottle shop opened to the public in 2008.
Today, Eugene and his son William, work with winemaker Ryan Corrigan to produce 6,500-8000 cases a year. The winery in Beamsville grows a selection of grapes including riesling, chardonnay, gamay noir, pinot noir, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot.
The Rosewood vineyards and apiaries are both managed using sustainable farming techniques. Utilizing modern technology with extensive hand-tending of vines and integrated pest management systems to promote sustainable farm lands and healthy crops from season to season.
Rosewood stands out from the other Beamsville wineries for its love for beekeeping. On-site apiculture experts manage 250-350 honeybee colonies, located on the Niagara Escarpment between Beamsville and Jordan.
Rosewood Winery’s connection to the hive is what makes it most special. The winery in Beamsville produces the regions most celebrated mead, offered in a variety of expressions: from Mead Blanc to Harvest Gold and Old Smokey. Bee-lovers can also enjoy a honey tasting at the winery’s bar featuring creamed honey, smokey honey, nutty honey and honeycomb.
Rosewood Estates Winery Tours
- Rosewood Wine Tour: $20 per person. Learn about how wine and mead are made on this 1.5 hour tour. Visit the bee yard from a distance, crush pad, tank room and barrel cave. Includes a tasting of 4 wines or meads.
- Rosewood Bee Experience: $40 per person. This up close and personal tour is led by one of the staff beekeepers. Guests wear a protective bee suit so they can safely take a look at the hives and learn about honey production. These tours are only available in the summer and include a tasting of 4 wines or meads.
The Good Earth Winery
4556 Lincoln Ave, 905-563-6333
The Good Earth has been a staple on the Beamsville wineries map since 1998, when Nicolette Novak first opened her farm. The lifelong Niagara native has spawned a multi-pronged hospitality business featuring a cooking school, winery and restaurant.
Winemaker Ilya Senchuk predominantly grows chardonnay, riesling, pinot noir and cabernet franc grapes. The small lot vineyard is tended by hand, pruned and thinned to produce very low yields of quality grapes.
Skip inside the The Good Earth Winery’s tasting room and you’ll find a retail shop and tables for sipping. The winery’s chic bistro can be found next door. In the warmer months the al fresco patio gets packed with locals who come here for the famous wood-fired pizza. Highlights from Chef Andrew Thorne’s menu include Peach & Mushroom Tagliatelle, Fried Chicken Sandwich and Spicy Shishito Peppers.
Those looking to brush up on their kitchen skills should book a cooking class at The Good Earth Winery. Intimate cooking classes include a maximum of 12 students and are taught by a local Niagara chef. Students enjoy sipping wine while learning to prepare a themed menu at home.
London Born Wine Company
3749 Walker Rd, 905-563-7256
London Born Wine Company gets its name from the fact that the family-run winery in Beamsville is owned by grape-loving Brits.
The Hoare family purchased a 50 acre estate just south of Beamsville, which dates back to the 1800s. They bought Highland Vineyard in 2007, which was growing concord grapes used to make juice. High quality vinis vinifera were planted and the first vintages released in 2010.
Skip inside London Born Wine Company and you’ll find a petite tasting room, retail shop and casual dining room.
Browse London Born Wine Company’s many bottles and you’ll find labels are named after various boroughs in the British capital.
The winery offers an onsite restaurant featuring oysters, cheese board and selection of artisanal flat breads. A clutch of dining tables sit clustered around a piano, offering a casual dining nook with views over the vineyard.
Kew Vineyards Estate Winery
4696 King St, 905-563-1539
Kew Vineyards Estate Winery is a must-see for those organizing a Beamsville wineries itinerary.
The historic 80-acre winery plays home to a gorgeous 160 year old estate. William Kew not only built the house in which the winery stands, but he and his family lived in the home and even operated a successful carriage making company from the house.
The vineyard was first planted here in 1975 but it was in 2010 when production was brought on site. The winery’s adorable retail shop and tasting room later opened in 2013.
We suggest ordering a sparkling flight as Winemaker Philip Dowell’s most celebrated bottles pop with pleasure. Inside the historic home you’ll find two rooms that offer seating for a tutored tasting. Or in the warmer months of the year head to the back patio to soak up the sun. The outdoor terrace features a booming fireplace and guests are encouraged to pack their own picnic.
Malivoire Wine Company
4260 King St, 1-866-644-2244
Malivore Wine Company was the brainchild of Martin Malivoire, a director of motion picture special effects. His career encompassed film favourites such as Resident Evil, A Christmas Story and Hairspray.
After 30 years in the film industry Malivoire felt he needed a change, and so they did, when he purchased Moira Vineyard in 1995. The properties original plantings of pinot gris, chardonnay, gewurztraminer, gamay and pinot noir were supplemented by additional vinifera varieties. Today, the Beamsville winery produces 24,000 cases of wine per year.
Malivoire Winery currently farms four vineyards within the Niagara Escarpment Viticulture area. The combined 40 hectares of vines are located within the Beamsville Bench, Lincoln Lakeshore, Vinemount Ridge and Twenty Mile Bench.
Winemaker Shiraz Mottiar is a graduate of the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute at nearby Brock University. In 2000 he joined the staff at Malivoire Winery as Cellar Hand and within a year was promoted to Assistant Winemaker. After a stint working vines in Australia he returned to the Beamsville Bench vineyard as Winemaker in 2005.
The winery’s building was designed by Andrew Volgyesi of the architectural firm Volgyesi and Propst. It was inspired by the presence of an older structure, a Quonset or Nissen hut, that predated the winery. The older structure was retained and incorporated into the larger winery structure.
Malivoire Wine Company is perhaps best known for its sparkling Brut, but its sweet rose and small lot Gamay are also favourites. Visit the Beamsville winery and sample Mottiar’s latest vintages in a breathtaking cathedral-like tasting room. Fermentation tanks tower over the Malivoire Wine Bar, where visitors can order tasting flights and nibble on cheese boards.
Malivoire Wine Company specializes in interactive visits for groups of up to 16 people. Fees are $10 per person for a private, tutored tasting, and $20 per person for a tasting and tour.
Back 10 Cellars
4101 King St, 905-562-3365
Established in 2002, Back 10 Cellars is a boutique winery in Beamsville built by Calgary couple Christina and Andrew Brooks.
The Brooks’ had no experience in farming or agriculture, but clung to the dream of starting a vineyard from the ground up. Andrew Brooks notes, “This isn’t a generational family business. The entire vineyard was purchased by us, two twenty somethings, who were willing to take the big leap of faith and put in the blood, sweat and years to make our dream a reality.”
So where does the Beamsville winery get its name? Brooks explains, “We chose the name Back 10 Cellars because we bought this tiny 10 acre piece of land in the heart of wine country and it took us 10 years to make our first bottle of wine.” Ever dreamed of owning your own winery? Pick up Christina’s book “To Build a Vineyard,” which hit shelves in 2016 and offers valuable insight.
So what makes Back 10 Cellars wines unique? Andrew explains, “We’re growing grapes in the heavy red clay of the Lincoln Lakeshore. The poor soils stress vines to produce a lower yielding, higher quality fruit that can make exceptional wine.”
Back 10 Cellars’ chic tasting bungalow offers a small retail shop as well as seating for those keen to enjoy a wine tasting. Visitors can sip through the Beamsville winery’s bottles, nibble on a cheese plate or enjoy a locally prepared picnic lunch.
Tawse Winery
3955 Cherry Ave, 905-562-9500
Tawse Winery founder Moray Tawse purchased the Cherry Avenue property in 2001 after realizing the great potential of the Niagara Escarpment as a word-class cool-climate wine region.
In 2005, the state-of-the-art winery in Beamsville opened is doors to the public. The sky-high space features a six-level, gravity-flow design, geo-thermal system and a wetland bio-filter.
More recently, in the Fall of 2018, Tawse Winery installed a Pot and Column Hybrid Still. Spirit fans organizing a Beamsville Wineries tour should be sure to sample Tawse Winery’s unique distilled products, which include a Riesling Vermouth and Dry Gin.
Winemakers Paul Pender and Rene Can Ede adopt a “non-interventionist as far as possible” philosophy. They are firm believers in the idea that the start of every great wine begins in the vineyard. They are passionate about crafting wines that express a sense of place.
During the warm summer months, the Tawse Wine Garden bustles as guests enjoy snacks, wine and cider by the glass, and live music.
Megalomaniac Winery
3930 Cherry Ave, 905-562-5155
Owned and operated by John Howard, Megalomaniac Winery in Beamsville began as a retirement project to help raise funds for the Kids’ Health Links Foundation. After the original vintage sold out in 90 days, Howard realized the impact the program might have and the idea of expanding nationally became a strategic opportunity. A second vintage was launched, and since then neither the winery nor the foundation has looked back.
Megalomaniac Winery is perhaps best known for its boundary-pushing branding. The bottles feature a series of faceless executives wearing a vintage bowler hat accompanied by a unique and cheeky title.
So where does the winery’s name come from? Howard explains, “I originally wanted to christen these wines in my name, John Howard. Then my good friends accused me of being yet another [profanity withheld] megalomaniac. Regrettably, the name stuck!”
The Beamsville winery first opened its doors in 2009, with operations, from harvest to administration and even tastings taking place in the underground cellar. In 2014, Megalomaniac Winery unveiled a new flashy building by Joseph Ha Engineering, located above the original cellar. Tourists doing a tour of the Beamsville Wineries can pop in to enjoy a retail shop, elegant wine bar, outdoor patio and daily tours.
During a tour or tasting, you might be lucky enough to meet Sebastien Jacquey. The native to Dijon, France acts as Megalomanic’s Vice President of Winemaking and Vineyard Operations. If you’re a red wine lover he suggests sampling Megalomaniac Winery’s Frank Cabernet or Sonofabitch Pinot Noir.
Jacquey describes his winemaking philosophy, “Our priority is to respect and nurture our climate and terroir to deliver wines of superior quality. We focus on making the best wines possible with what Mother Nature gives us – we do not set out to copy another region’s style.”
Cave Spring Cellars
3836 Main St, 905-562-3581
Named after the limestone caves and mineral springs located in their eponymous vineyard, Cave Spring Cellars has been producing award-winning wines over the past four decades.
It was in the 1970s when the Pennachetti family helped to pioneer the cultivation of European grape varietals on the Niagara Peninsula with the planting of their first Riesling and Chardonnay vines at Cave Spring Vineyard.
Today, Cave Spring Cellars in Jordan is considered one of Canada’s best wineries. It has earned a reputation for crafting elegant cool-climate wines in the heart of Ontario wine country.
Overlooking Lake Ontario on the Beamsville Bench, Cave Spring Winery’s vineyards have growing conditions similar to northern France and Germany. The terroir here benefits from the lake-effect, these gentle breezes lengthen the growing season and allows the fruit to reach rich ripeness. The Cave Spring Vineyard has proven to be an ideal cultivation ground for riesling, chardonnay, pinot noir and cabernet franc.
If you’re a riesling fan planning a road trip to the Beamsville Wineries be sure to visit the quaint town of Jordan. Cave Springs Cellars’ Tasting Room is located on Main Street, offering oenophiles a retail store and wine bar.
Vieni Estates
4553 Fly Rd, 905-563-6521
The founder of Vieni Estates Winery in Beamsville brought his passion for wine from Italy. Vieni means “come” or “welcome” in Italian. The friendly winery is situated on 175 acres on the edge of the Niagara Escarpment.
Winemaker Mauro Salvador takes the best of the grapes grown on the estate to produce a broad portfolio of craft cider, still wines, icewine and sparkling wines using the traditional Charmat method. In addition to Vieni Estates fine wines, Salvador pays homage to the company’s Italian roots by producing grappas and spirits distilled from fresh Ontario fruits.
Vieni Estates Winery’s award-winning bottles feature traditional varietals such as riesling, chardonnay, pinot meuniere, gewurtztraminer, pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc, and Canadian hybrids such as geisenheimer and vidal. The winery is most famous for its choir of sparkling bottles. If you only have time to sip one or two glasses during your visit, make sure the bottle pops!
Of all the Beamsville wineries, Vieni Estates is one of the few that offers onsite accommodation. The winery’s Bed & Breakfast is the perfect overnight option for those looking to spend several days exploring Ontario wine country.
In 2019, Vieni Estates was excited to unveil a significant upgrade to its facilities. Its retail store and tasting room have now been expanded to include a sprawling underground barrel cellar and wine library. A state-of-the-art kitchen has also been installed, offering catering services to the many romantic weddings that will take place in the barn-style event space next door.
Cornerstone Estate Winery
4390 Tufford Rd, 905-563-6758
Founded in 2002 by Jerry Kopanski, Cornerstone Winery is a boutique vineyard in Beamsville. Kopanski grew up working on a farm in his native Poland. In 1999, he purchased a 20-acre fruit farm in Beamsville, converting it into a working vineyard. Later in 2002, he transformed his farm’s grapes into a variety of wines. The winery has now been open to the public since 2005.
Award-winning winemaker Andrzej Lipinski took over Cornerstone Estate Winery’s production in 2012 and focuses his efforts on crafting limited production VQA wines.
Skip inside Cornerstone Estate Winery’s front door and you’ll find a small tasting room and retail shop. Browse the racks and you’ll find a selection of vinis vinifera wines alongside fruit wines and port-style sippers.
Cornerstone Estate Winery’s most celebrated bottles are its cabernet franc, sauvignon blanc and sparkling pinot noir. If you’re curious to sip the Beamsville winery’s unique fruit wines, we suggest sampling strawberry, peach and apricot.
Vineland Estates Winery
3620 Moyer Rd, 905-562-7088
Vineland Estates Winery is located on a historic farm, first cultivated by the Moyer family, Mennonite immigrants who moved to the region in the mid-1800s. Those who visit the Beamsville winery today can explore the original 1845 homestead (now the restaurant), 1857 Carriage House (now an event hall) and 1877 barn (now the wineshop).
In 1979 Herman Weiss from the Mosel region of Germany purchased the farm. He brought riesling vines to Ontario to prove to local growers that they could survive in Canada. Considered one of the oldest of the Beamsville wineries, Vineland Estates first opened in 1980, bottling its first vintage in 1983.
Vice President and Winemaker Brian Schmidt says “It is critical to understand the soil and site where your grapes are grown while developing a defined, yet flexible frame to react to the curve balls that Mother Nature likes to throw. I do have an untamed passion for growing all cool climate varieties, but I must admit that I have a particular love for Riesling and Cabernet Franc. On the escarpment and particularly in our vineyards these two grape varieties excel.”
The restaurant at Vineland Estates Winery was one of Beamsville’s first winery restaurants. Guests dine indoors in a renovated 1845 farmhouse or outdoors on a newly renovated patio. Looking to enjoy beautiful vineyard views during a Beamsville wineries lunch? Guests at Vineland Estates Winery restaurant enjoy scenic views overlooking rolling vineyards.
Chef George Ward’s fine dining menu evolves with the seasons and showcases the best of Niagara’s producers. During our summer visit highlights included 5 Spice Pork Belly, Lake Erie Pickerel and Hand Rolled Gnocchi with Le Bleu d’Elizabeth.
Vineland Estates Winery Tours
- Public Tours: $15 per person. Public tours run for 60 minutes with a maximum of 30 people in a group. They run daily at noon May-October and on weekends from November-April. Tour includes a behind the scenes visit through the production facility, barrel cellar and tutored tasting of 3 wines.
- Tiny Bubbles: $20 per person. Enjoy a tasting of four Vineland Estates sparkling bottles.
- Girls Day Out: $18 per person with a minimum of 5 confirmed guests. Perfect for bridal parties or a girlfriends weekend away. Enjoy a glass of bubbly, riesling tasting, celebratory wine cocktail and Icewine paired with chocolate.
- A Taste of Place: $25 per person with a minimum of 2 confirmed guests. Tour the winery’s production facilities, underground barrel cellar and enjoy a tutored tasting of Vineland Estates single vineyard wines.
Legends Estates Winery
4888 Ontario St, 905-563-6500
Legends Estates is a family-owned vineyard and winery in Beamsville. The Lizak’s family have owned the farm since the 1940s, initially focussing on harvesting fruit. The winery launched in 1999, initially producing fruit wines, but turned to cultivating vinis vinifera varietals in 2001.
Legends Estates Winery is located a stones throw from Lake Ontario, a short drive north of the QEW in Beamsville. Pop by the winery’s tasting room and retail shop to sip through Winemaker Serge Papineau’s latest vintages.
Papineau’s vineyard cultivation team prune fewer buds per vine and manually de-leaf for more sunlight, airflow and mildew control. The labour intensive practices offer a lower volume of grapes, with bigger berries and better acidity.
All of Legends Estates vintages contain 100% estate grown grapes and strive for single varietals. The winery offers visiting oenophiles the chance to sip unique varietals such as malbec, petit verdot, and semillon.
The Organized Crime Winery
4043 Mountainview Rd, 905-563-9802
The Organized Crime Winery is a small boutique vineyard on the Beamsville Bench. The family-owned winery is located on a small parcel of south-facing land, providing an ideal environment for cool climate wine growing.
The Beamsville winery may just have one of the most intriguing brand name stories. All of the winery’s bottles feature black and white illustrations. The artistic labels tell a true local story, when a nearby church had its organ stolen.
Skip inside The Organized Crime Winery and you’ll find a tiny tasting room and retail store, which is connected to the owners home.
All of Winemaker Greg Yemen’s award-winning wines are worth a swirl and sip but we suggest focussing on the chardonnay, pinot gris and cabernet franc.
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Thirty Bench Wine Makers
4281 Mountainview Rd, 905-563-1698
Thirty Bench Wine Makers is a small lot winery on the Niagara Escarpment’s Beamsville Bench. Considered one of Beamsville’s first boutique wineries, it has been producing premium red and white wines for over three decades.
The property was first purchased in 1980 and its name pays homage to its location, near Thirty Mile Creek and on the bench of the escarpment.
Winemaker Emma Garner is a graduate of Brock University’s Oenology and Viticulture program. Her passion for wine has taken her to Australia, New Zealand, France and Germany. In 2005 Garner moved from Trius Winery in Niagara to Thirty Bench Wine Makers in Beamsville. Emma particularly enjoys working with rieslings. Her signature method of fermenting at low temperatures creates enhanced aromatic compounds in wines that burst with complexity and intensity.
The Thirty Bench Wine Makers portfolio includes a diverse range of award-winning wines across nine varietals including riesling, pinot noir, chardonnay, merlot, pinot gris and gewurztraminer.
Thirty Bench Winery Tours
- Seated Wine Tasting Experience: $15 per person. Enjoy wine sips in a cozy seated tasting room that overlooks the vineyards.
- Vineyard Hike on the Bench: $30 per person. Taste wine at multiple vineyard stops and enjoy perfectly paired snacks! Guests also receive a souvenir glass to sip Thirty Bench wines at home.
Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery
5600 King St, 905-563-0900
Peninsula Ridge Winery’s logo features a grand Queen Anne Revival Victorian Mansion, which sits perched over the estate. The 1885 William D. Kitchen house was declared a historical site under the Ontario Heritage Act, meticulously restored in 2000. The distinctive design includes a turret and cedar-shingled roof. The front foyer offers French doors with beveled glass, a cherry wood staircase and grained red pine floors throughout.
The heritage home now acts as Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery’s fine dining restaurant. The 65 seat restaurant at Peninsula Ridge offers seasonal menus that pair perfectly with the winery’s award-winning wines. During the warmer months, ask for a dinner reservation on the popular outdoor patio, offering scenic views of the Niagara Escarpment.
If you wander around the property you’ll also find an adorable Coach House, surrounded by a lush garden, directly in front of the winery’s tasting room. The Coach House is an unique event space, which can be booked for corporate functions, parties and intimate weddings. The sun-soaked interior can fit up to 48 guests for an elegant plated meal, or 65 for a standing cocktail reception.
Keen to experience a behind the scenes tour at Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery? Public tours are offered outside harvest season on Saturday and Sunday at 11am and cost $15 per person. Visitors enjoy a tour of the vineyard, winery production, barrel cellar and taste 4 wines.
Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery
1469 Pelham Road, 905-684-8423
Paul, Matthew and Daniel Speck are the owners of Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery.
Located in a historic tavern that dates back to 1856, Henry of Pelham Winery is located south of St. Catherines, a short drive from Beamsville and Niagara on the Lake.
The tavern’s liquor license was listed as “Henry of Pelham” as a joking reference to a past British prime minister, Sir Henry Pelham. Today the winery is located on Pelham Road in the township of Pelham, so it seems like the name sticked!
In 1982 Paul Speck Sr. and Bobbi Speck purchased several contiguous parcels of the original family farm, transforming the land into one of Canada’s first vineyards.
Visit Henry of Pelham Winery and you’ll find a wine retail shop in the basement and a tasting room on the main floor near the entrance. During the warmer months of the year the front lawn is dotted with picnic tables and a pretty patio.
If you’re keen to pair a wine flight with lunch visit the Coach House Café next door, which operates from May Long Weekend to Canadian Thanksgiving,
Must try wines at Henry of Pelham include their award winning Baco Noir, Rose Sparkling Wine “Cuvee Catherine,” and Chardonnay.
Forty-five minute winery tours are offered daily at 1pm and cost $30 per person.
Black Bank Hill
4247 Sann Rd, 647-562-7442
Taylor Emerson is the owner and vintner at Black Bank Hill in Beamsville, Ontario.
The name Black Bank Hill was taken from a high point of land on the Niagara Escarpment in Mulmur Township, near Creemore, Ontario, where Emerson’s parents purchased a farm when he was a boy.
The land was first purchased in 2017 with the majority of the vineyard planted in 2018. Initially operating as a virtual winery between 2018-2021, Black Bank Hill officially opened the doors to its tasting room in May 2023.
The winery tasting room is located in an old dairy barn, which dates back to the 19th-century.
Taylor Emerson shared, “My love and passion for wine has travelled a journey that continued to grow over many years and culminated in this project. How complexity in wine is created and evolves over time in bottle, that was the underlying question. It was about production and wine’s relation to food and achieving certain levels of quality.”
Black Bank Hill’s Winemaker Jonathan McLean has over 10 years of experience in the Okanagan working at popular wineries like Cedar Creek, Tantalus, Le Vieux Pin, La Stella, and Culmina.
Working in the Okanagan gave him specific expertise in the bigger red varietals, Syrah at Le Vieux Pin, and the Bordeaux varietals at Culmina, as well as Riesling at Tantalus.
“We use traditional methods to make our wines. The grapes are hand harvested, sorted and pressed in a basket press. No sulphur or enzymes are used, and the wines are not clarified, before native yeasts and bacteria ferment our wines,” said McLean.
We suggest visiting Black Bank Hill for its Private Wine Tasting, which includes a brief tour starting at the crush pad and vineyard and going through the winery to get an overview of the production process. It is one group at a time, max 6 people, $20 per person and takes between 45 to 60 minutes.
Best Hotels Near the Beamsville Wineries
If you’re in Toronto and looking for nearby vineyards to visit, the Beamsville wineries are the closest viticulture area to the city. While many wine lovers visit the region on a day trip, we suggest spending a few days to explore all the Beamsville Bench has to offer.
The Beamsville wineries are less developed than Niagara on the Lake, with many of the estates located on rustic, rural roads. Accommodation options in Beamsville include a luxury boutique hotel, handful of B&Bs as well as a clutch of wineries that offer unique on-site overnights.
Interested in having a unique agritourismo experience by waking up in the morning on a working vineyard? Vineland Estates, Vieni Estates and Cave Springs Vineyard all offer Beamsville winery accommodation.
We’ve included helpful links to the best hotel booking sites so you can compare prices and availability.
- Inn on the Twenty 4 STARS: is a boutique luxury hotel located in Jordan village near the Beamsville wineries. The popular honeymoon property features well-appointed suites, spa and fine dining restaurant.
Booking.com | TripAdvisor | HotelsCombined | Agoda
- Stone Mill Inn 4 STARS: located in St. Catherines, a short drive from the Beamsville wineries, this chic inn features contemporary rooms, spa, restaurant and bar.
Expedia | TripAdvisor | Booking.com | Agoda | HotelsCombined |Hotels.com
- House by the Side of the Road 4 STARS: this family-run inn is located in Lincoln and features chic suites, gorgeous garden, picnic area and free breakfast.
Expedia | TripAdvisor | HotelsCombined |Hotels.com
- Centennial House B&B 3 STARS: this cute bed and breakfast is located in Lincoln and features an outdoor pool, common area and free English breakfast.
Expedia | TripAdvisor | Agoda | HotelsCombined
Restaurants Near the Beamsville Wineries
If you’re planning a tour of the Beamsville wineries, you’re likely keen to organize a tasty meal or two. Many of the Beamsville wineries offer onsite restaurants, perfect for those who want to tuck into a feast after a tour and tasting.
- Restaurant at Pearl Morissette: the most celebrated restaurant in the region was recently ranked as one of the top 10 new restaurant’s in the country by Air Canada’s enRoute Magazine. Make a reservation in advance to enjoy the ultimate romantic fine dining experience near the Beamsville wineries.
- Redstone Winery Restaurant: offers a spacious indoor dining room, intimate private dining room and sprawling outdoor terrace during the warmer months of the year. Locals rave for the restaurant’s pizza but you’ll find a selection of creative dishes from land, air and sea.
- Inn on the Twenty Restaurant: the region’s most luxurious hotel is located in Jordan village and offers an elegant fine dining restaurant that serving brunch, lunch and dinner.
- Restaurant at Vineland Estates: features a cozy dining room located in a heritage building that spills out onto a newly renovated terrace. Guests enjoy seasonal dishes while enjoying scenic views over the Beamsville Bench.
- Restaurant at Peninsula Ridge: located in one of Beamsville’s oldest buildings, a Queen Anne Revival Victorian Mansion. The chef offers a seasonal menu, which can be enjoyed inside or on the popular outdoor patio.
- The Good Earth Bistro: this cooking school turned winery turned restaurant is one of the most popular options for locals. You’ll find an intimate dining room connected to the winery’s tasting room. During the warmer months the restaurant’s outdoor patio gets packed with those who come here to enjoy the wood-fired oven serving artisanal pizzas.
- The Terrace at Angel’s Gate: the winery’s petite patio serves up a selection of flatbreads, pizzas and dips, which overlook the vineyard below.
- Revalee Brunch Cafe: our favourite brunch restaurant near the Beamsville wineries is located just outside of Jordan village. You’ll find plenty of healthy vegetarian and vegan options paired alongside creative brunch dishes such as strawberry rhubarb french toast, Bavarian breakfast, and Vindaloo Chicken.
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