purple grapes on the fine with white snow dusting tops - canada's coolest wine festival has icewine

Ice wine, or “eiswine” if you’re in Germany or Austria, could be dated back to Romans when Pliny the Elder wrote that some grapes should not be harvested until after the first frost.

News in Culinary and Wine Travel: Canada’s Coolest Wine Festival

Something special happens in Canada every January. While some people hibernate inside their homes for the winter or fly south to escape the cold, others flock to Niagara for the annual Icewine harvest season and Niagara Icewine Festival, Canada’s Coolest Wine Festival.

What: Niagara Icewine Festival
When: January 12-28, 2024
Ticket Information

What is Ice Wine?

Ice wine, or “eiswine” if you’re in Germany or Austria, could be dated back to Romans when Pliny the Elder wrote that some grapes should not be harvested until after the first frost. We don’t know if he eventually made wine from those grapes, but the historical records reflect a winter harvest.

Today, over a million liters of ice wine are produced in Canada, where cold winters naturally provide the perfect growing environment. So, while you are warming your toes by the fire, mother nature is hard at work creating the ideal grapes, some of which are enjoyed in various Icewines at the annual Niagara Icewine Festival.

Ice wine, or “eiswine” if you’re in Germany or Austria, could be dated back to Romans when Pliny the Elder wrote that some grapes should not be harvested until after the first frost. We don’t know if he eventually made wine from those grapes, but the historical records reflect a winter harvest.

Today, over a million liters of ice wine are produced in Canada, where cold winters naturally provide the perfect growing environment. So, while you are warming your toes by the fire, mother nature is hard at work creating the ideal grapes, some of which are enjoyed in various Icewines at the annual Niagara Icewine Festival.

The Discovery Pass to Canada’s Coolest Wine Festival

woman drinking glass of wine with bokeh background canadas coolest wine festival

The Discovery Pass is great for a self-guided tour of participating wineries across Twenty Valley and Niagara-on-the-Lake.

This year, the fun kicks off on Friday, January 12, 2024, and includes the popular Discovery Pass Touring Program sponsored by CAA Travel.

Here’s the Link to the Discover Pass Map

The Discovery Pass entitles you to six wine and culinary experiences that you can redeem at 32 participating wineries across Twenty Valley and Niagara-on-the-Lake. And what is a “wine and culinary experience?”

It’s a pairing of a chef-inspired dish complimented with an Icewine that takes the guesswork out of deciding what to order. Every foodie and wine lover is sure to find something new to enjoy. You can get a map of the wineries that includes descriptions of the pairings to help you plan your culinary journey. *note: some wineries require reservations in advance

Here’s what’s in store…

Participating Wineries

13th Street Winery
Icewine Short Rib Arancini (also has a vegetarian option)

Alvento Winery
Crispy Fusion Delights: An Icy Riesling Affair

Bella Terra Vineyards
Sip & Citrus: The Perfect Icewine Pairing

Byland Estate Winery
Rare Icewine Secrets (coconut cookie and mango cheesecake!)

Cave Spring Vineyard
Sip. Savour. Sparkle. (bubbles and shrimp)

Creekside Estate Winery
A Riesling to Taco ‘Bout

De Simone Vineyards
Hokey, Pokey, Icewine Glazed Gnocchi

Ferox Estate Winery
Dorn to be Wild (Dornfelder Icewine and Duck)

Greenlane Estate Winery
Mac & Cheese and Riesling Please

Harbour Estates Winery
Top 5 Ways to Leave a Sweet Tooth

Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery
Sween N’ Savoury

 

Inniskillin Winery
Fire and Ice Fusion

Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate
Ice and Spice (Tandoori marinated chicken)

King’s Court Estate Winery
Blueberry Cheesecake Bliss

Laily Winery
Vintage Sweet & Classic Savoury

Lakeview Wine Co.
Buzzworthy Cajun Gumbo

Magnotta Winery
Chockful of Chocolate & Icewine Charcuterie

Malivoire
Dark & Decadent Meets Sumptuous Spice

Marynissen Estates
A Rarity & A Classic

Palatine Hills Estate Winery
Spicy Chicken and Waffle Sliders – The Triple Threat

Peller Estates Winery & Restaurant
Sip, Savor, and Celebrate: Indulge in our Icewine Delights

Pillitteri Estates Winery
Belly and Ice Makes Everything Nice

Queenston Mile Vineyard
Sticky and Sweet

Redstone Winery
Stop in for a Sweet and Chill-i Visit

Reif Estate Winery
The Pig Is Back Baby-Slow Smoked Pork Sliders

Riverview Cellars Winery
Icewine Sip N’Slider

Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery
Boom! Pow! Yum! It’s a Flavor Bomb!

Tawse Winery
The Perfect Pearing & Parsnip Soup

Trius Winery and Restaurant
Savour the Season with a Cassoulet Fusion

Vineland Estates Winery
Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice!

Wayne Gretzky Estates
(Almost) Apple Pie

180 Estate Winery
Fire & Ice

Cool as Ice Gala

Formerly known as the Niagara Icewine Gala, this all-inclusive showcase is an opportunity to dress up and enjoy the sights, bites, and sounds of the Icewine Festival. The evening presents premium VQA wine, icewine cocktails, and mocktails crafted by on-site mixologists. Samples of locally-inspired small bites will provide a feast for your eyes, and live arts performances are planned throughout the night. Guests will have the opportunity to experience walking through a 2,200 foot-long tunnel for a Niagara Falls view you will want to capture in your memories (and phone) for a lifetime. This is another experience that makes this Canada’s coolest wine festival.

Get all the information for this event here:

Niagara Power Station
January 13, 2024
7:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Wine Events in Ontario, Canada

Put the Niagara Icewine Festival on your calendar of things to do in Ontario, Canada, this month. And, if you can’t make it this year, put it on your calendar for 2025. It looks like a great winter event!

Then, watch for your opportunity to enjoy the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival, Canada’s oldest and largest wine festival. Held in St. Catharines, the Montebello Wine & Culinary Village is the place to be on September 20-22 and September 27-29, 2024. Click here for all the details.

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