2 Days of Wellness, Wine & Nice Eats within the Niagara Benchlands
Sip, savour and decelerate in Ontario’s wine nation
Tucked into the quieter, extra rural facet of Niagara’s world-renowned wine nation, the Niagara Benchlands is a vacation spot the place time slows down, flavours shine and hospitality runs deep. Identified for its award-winning vineyards, scenic farm roads and hidden culinary gems, that is the right place to recharge your senses.
Whether or not you’re sipping on estate-grown wines, sampling non-alcoholic choices to maintain the journey gentle or just absorbing winery views together with your favorite folks (furry mates included), the Benchlands affords a blissful stability of wellness, wine and nice eats. This two-day summer season itinerary brings you the perfect of the area—from patio lunches and native farm stands to glowing wine floats and plant-based pastries.
Let’s wander, sip, and savour.
Day 1: Winery Views, Farm Contemporary Finds & Lakeside Eating
Vineland Estates Vineyard
The place: 3620 Moyer Rd, Vineland, ON (View Map)
Kick off your getaway to the Benchlands with a go to to Vineland Estates Vineyard, one the oldest vineyards in Niagara the place winery views and considerate hospitality set the tone for an ideal day. After a stroll via the scenic property, make your method to their Feast On® licensed restaurant the place Chef George Ward showcases the perfect of Niagara’s bounty. His unwavering dedication to recent, locally-sourced components ensures that each dish captures the area’s vibrant flavours.
For those who’re occupied with retaining your go to on the lighter facet, the vineyard affords a scrumptious number of alcohol-free wines. We opted to attempt the Rosé, which we sipped underneath the restaurant’s lined patio overlooking the attractive winery.
Pairing your alfresco sips, get pleasure from some scrumptious lighter bites likes the house-made sourdough bread or the superbly plated cheese board made with an assortment of Canadian cheeses. For a heartier chunk think about sharing the salt cod croquettes, served with pickled hakurei, tabbouleh and completed with tender herbs and a za’atar aioli for a scrumptious begin to the day!
Insider Tip: The vineyard is pet-friendly, so if touring together with your pup is non-negotiable, think about reserving their Ok-Wine Canine Tour, a tail-wagging expertise that features a wine tasting for you and a particular snack on your furry companion. Desire one thing extra spontaneous? Cease by the wine store for a complimentary canine deal with and revel in an impromptu tasting on the dog-friendly outside patio the place you and your four-legged good friend can each soak within the sunshine and winery views.
Moyers Farm
The place: 4150 Jordan Rd, Jordan Station, ON (View Map)
For a candy afternoon deal with, and a bit of native exploring, make your method to Moyers Farm in Jordan. Right here, you’ll discover caramel and chocolate-covered apples jazzed up with vibrant swirls, sprinkles and crunchy nuts, a festive favorite that permits you to indulge within the style of fall all yr lengthy. In spite of everything, who says caramel apples are only for October?
Tucked alongside Jordan Highway, you’ll additionally discover some epic native farm stops like The Purple Barn Farm Market. It’s a must-visit for recent, locally-grown produce, baked items and in case your candy tooth hasn’t been absolutely glad, their frozen yogurt made with actual farm-fresh fruit like peaches and strawberries. It’s the last word cool-down deal with, and automotive snack cease!
Simply subsequent door, pop into Higher Canada Cheese Firm, the place you’ll be able to pattern and store regionally made award-winning cheeses crafted with wealthy Guernsey milk. You’ll additionally discover a curated number of artisanal merchandise, together with sizzling honey from Rosewood Property Vineyard in Beamsville and so many different regional goodies excellent for elevating your subsequent picnic or your pantry.
The Shore
The place: 2793 Beacon Blvd, Lincoln, ON (View Map)
Because the day winds down, make your method to The Shore for a dose of lakeside rest. Whether or not you agree into the breezy patio or the stylish, newly renovated eating room, it’s the right pre-dinner cease. The refreshed house now includes a artistic cocktail menu, crafted by mixologist John, providing each signature sips and non-alcoholic choices—excellent for these trying to preserve their adventures spirit-free.
Strive the lemon bitter, topped with a printed stamp for a enjoyable and photo-worthy twist or cool off with a refreshing strawberry mojito. For those who’re feeling peckish, their new summer season menu affords a tempting number of small plates, just like the Colombian empanadas constructed from Chef Nicolas Campuzano’s cherished household recipe, together with creative bites like shrimp dumplings and crab muffins. It’s a flavourful and relaxed method to transition into your night plans.
Penninsula Ridge Property Vineyard
The place: 5600 King Road West, Beamsville, ON (View Map)
Wrap up day one in all wandering the Benchlands with dinner at Peninsula Ridge Estates Vineyard, a Feast On® licensed gem nestled within the coronary heart of Niagara’s wine nation. Identified for its estate-grown Bordeaux varietals and signature Merlot, the vineyard affords a eating expertise that’s as refined as its wines.
Select to dine contained in the historic Queen Anne Revival mansion, the place you’ll be handled to panoramic winery views, or sit on the patio to soak within the final summer season sundown. The menu, very like the setting, is a celebration of native flavour. It’s seasonal, superbly plated and completely paired with their award-winning wines.
We opted for the Marinated Half Rack of Lamb, grilled to perfection and infused with a rosemary and sun-dried tomato marinade, served alongside saffron rice pilaf, a wealthy veal discount and pickled chili for a daring chunk. For dessert, we couldn’t resist the Darkish Chocolate Ganache layered with strawberry gelée, topped with strawberry rosé ice cream and a chocolate sweet crumble for a decadent end to a day of wine nation wandering.
Day 2: Even Extra Award-Successful Wines, Epic Patios and Discovering the Spirit of Native Flavour
Penny’s Kitchen
The place: 3347 King St, Vineland, ON (View Map)
Begin your second day of wandering with a style of native appeal at Penny’s Kitchen in Vineland. A beloved diner gem the place the ambiance is as heat and the espresso is recent, this cozy, no-frills spot is a real group hub, the place neighbours greet one another over steaming mugs and hearty breakfast plates.It’s the right place to ease into the day.
Go all-in with the Lumberjack Breakfast for those who’re craving one thing hearty or fulfill your candy tooth with their Peaches and Cream Waffles (a seasonal favorite that tastes like summer season on a plate)!
Romagnoli Farm Stand
The place: 4605 Thirty Rd, Beamsville, ON (View Map), or 4403 King St, Beamsville, ON (View Map)
No journey to the Niagara Benchlands is full with no cease (or two) at a neighborhood farm stand. After breakfast, preserve the flavour-filled journey going by exploring the area’s roadside gems, beginning with Romagnoli Farms.
Lincoln sits within the coronary heart of the Niagara Tender Fruit Belt, making it the right place to fill up on sun-ripened produce straight from the supply. Swing by Romagnoli to seize juicy automotive snacks like peaches, cherries, plums and extra to maintain your highway journey fuelled with scrumptious bites.
Redstone Vineyard
The place: 4245 King St, Beamsville, ON (View Map)
A go to to Redstone Vineyard is a should when exploring the Niagara Benchlands particularly for those who’re craving nice wine, daring flavours and an unforgettable patio lunch. Identified for his or her award-winning wines, you might be welcome to get pleasure from standouts like their 2021 Pores and skin Fermented White, by the glass on their attractive patio, surrounded by winery views and sunshine. For those who want to maintain your expertise gentle, go for a refreshing mocktail, an ideal various for these retaining their journey spirit-free.
For lunch, we couldn’t resist their iconic Margherita pizza, made with a sourdough starter nurtured of their kitchen for over three years, then roasted to perfection in an Italian brick oven.
In step with our alfresco feast, we additionally shared a number of standout summer season plates: the Braised Octopus Carpaccio with romesco, toasted almond and basil, served with crisp sourdough; the Dressed Ontario Burrata, layered with candy peas, cherry French dressing, hazelnut and radish; and the Pan-Seared Lingcod, served with candy corn, roasted purple pepper, Pastaneck clams and a punchy chorizo French dressing.
Earlier than heading out, we made certain to cease by the Redstone wine store to take residence a bottle from our go to to avoid wasting the reminiscence of sunny patio moments just a bit bit longer.
Westcott Vineyards
The place: 3180 Seventeenth St, Jordan Station, ON (View Map)
This small however mighty nook of Niagara’s wine nation definitely doesn’t fall brief in the case of award-winning wines. Persevering with our journey via the Benchlands’ wealthy native flavours, we made our approach again up the escarpment to Westcott Vineyards in Jordan for a tasting with head winemaker Casey and assistant winemaker Marilyn.
At Westcott, it’s not simply concerning the wine—it’s a full sensory expertise. Sip their celebrated Pinot underneath a shaded cover whereas taking within the peaceable views of endlessly inexperienced winery rows. This gem additionally affords seasonal, regionally impressed meals, making it a standout cease that really captures the center of the Niagara Benchlands.
We sampled a few of their award-winning choices, together with their Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and the refreshingly crisp Good Rosé. Throughout the summer season months, the outside vineyard kitchen is open and serving up freshly fired pizzas, flatbreads and heartier plates like juicy burgers, all made to pair superbly with their wines.
The winery itself is the right place to decelerate and savour the second. Settle in underneath the shaded cover, take within the infinite rows of inexperienced and revel in a glass in hand or a scrumptious nibble. That is wine nation at its most relaxed and rewarding
Plant No. 1 Bakery
The place: 3772 Nineteenth St, Jordan Station, ON (View Map)
Transferring down the escarpment and winding down your day, head into Jordan Village to Plant No. 1 Bakery. This absolutely plant-based bakery is the right spot for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, serving up artisan espresso and quite a lot of baked items together with frozen meals and extra! Their donuts just like the coconut almond caramel are a must-try (and fortunately we broke our “only one” rule). Whether or not you’re craving one thing candy or savoury, this little bakery has simply the factor to gasoline your ultimate adventures.
Only a few minutes away, take a stroll and add a contact of historical past to your wine nation wanderings with a go to to the Lincoln Museum & Cultural Centre. Take a heritage schoolhouse tour or crawl via the museum’s charming areas and discover rotating reveals like “All Abuzz”, or everlasting installations comparable to “Fraktur”, which share tales from the City of Lincoln’s wealthy historical past. It’s the right method to join with the roots of the area earlier than the journey involves an in depth.
Again 10 Cellars
The place: 4101 King St, Beamsville, ON (View Map)
Finish your journey on a glowing word at Again 10 Cellars, a small vineyard with massive flavours. Identified for his or her award-winning glowing wines, this charming hidden gem in Beamsville affords a relaxed, intimate tasting expertise that appears like a real discovery.
Whilst you’re there, don’t miss their signature summer season deal with: a glowing wine float from the Smitten Siphouse, the wineries outside patio. Made with gelato infused with their Pink and Smitten glowing wines, these fizzy delights are the bottom for seasonal pairings like peach-lemon and strawberry, a playful, refreshing finale that completely captures the essence of summer season within the Benchlands!
Sip, Savour and Sluggish Down the Benchlands Means
After two days of unforgettable meals, award-winning wines and moments of peaceable pause, it’s simple to see how wellness within the Benchlands is all about good meals, nice drinks and high quality time spent wandering and exploring. Whether or not you come for the vineyards, the views or the colourful native flavour, you’ll go away feeling refreshed, impressed, and able to return.
