| Within the last quarter century, the Niagara Region | | | | most tour companies will pick up your orders by end |
| has created quite the stir in building a notable world | | | | of tour for you. Although the bicycles themselves |
| class wine experience. Ontario wine producers have | | | | usually have large baskets to carry what you need. |
| built an empire to boast of with over 70 wineries | | | | A bus tour is probably the most convenient as they |
| scattered through Niagara and approximately 16,000 | | | | may even pick you up from your hotel or |
| acres under vine. As always, if you would like to | | | | accommodations. There are perks to being with a |
| explore these wineries and indulge in the palette of | | | | designated group, like being able to taste the |
| tastes, delightful restaurants, and of course the wine | | | | difference of bottled wine to the equivalent wine |
| making experience, then a winery tour will be in | | | | from the barrel. Guided tours will give plenty of |
| order. | | | | history, and grape growing insight that you may not |
| In order to extract as much as possible from your | | | | get outside of the tour company. Also, lunch's and/or |
| wine tour it is important to be prepared. Due to the | | | | snacks are sometimes included in the price which |
| fact that the wineries are spread out over a rather | | | | allow you to sit back and enjoy the good life. |
| large areas, the wine counsel of Ontario has divided | | | | Now, if you are planning on creating your wine |
| the wine region into seven districts; Winona, Grimsby, | | | | experience from scratch, here are some pointers |
| Beamsville, Vineland, Jordan, St. Catharines, and | | | | that will help you through the process: |
| Niagara on the Lake. The best destination well suited | | | | 1. Take your time - Plan to visit 3 to 6 wineries in the |
| to tourism is Niagara on the Lake which is also | | | | day. Get to know not only the wine, but the wineries |
| conveniently the closest to Niagara Falls. Here you will | | | | themselves and the people who run them. |
| find a variety of ways to tour the wineries including | | | | 2. Target some Smaller Wineries in Niagara on the |
| self guided tours with your own vehicle, organized | | | | Lake - Smaller wineries offer tours for guests and |
| bus tours, and bicycle tours. | | | | are usually guided by the owners themselves. Unlike |
| I'd start off with a guided tour of one of the larger | | | | the larger wineries that feel more scripted. Also, |
| wineries. This will give you grounding on how wine is | | | | expect more as some smaller wineries vintage is |
| made, and offer you a chance to take part in | | | | equal to if not surpass some larger wineries. |
| tutored tasting. Some larger wineries like Hillebrand | | | | 3. At least one Meal - As most wineries have |
| offer several educational seminars daily, | | | | scrumptious restaurants, sit down and relax in a |
| approximately an hour in length teaching courses such | | | | vineyard styled atmosphere for a meal. Trust me, |
| as "The Art of Wine Making". Learning the grape to | | | | you won't be disappointed. |
| bottle process before tasting will prepare your taste | | | | 4. Mix it up; Big and Small - Some larger wineries |
| buds, and give you some insight to what your tasting. | | | | offer variety and courses that smaller wineries don't |
| Definitely a unique experience to learn about wine | | | | so mix it up with the styles and types of wineries |
| growing, fermentation, and barrel aging. | | | | you are going for. |
| Bicycle tours with guides are available to tour the | | | | 5. Sip like the Pros - Learn to sip and discard the rest. |
| wine country. Expect a slower pace and to see | | | | Your judgment may be impaired so be sure to have |
| approximately 3 to 4 wineries for the day. If you are | | | | a designated driver, or sip responsibly! |
| planning to purchase wine it's no problem at all as | | | | |