Best Niagara-on-the-Lake Wineries to Visit on a Day Trip
Niagara-on-the-Lake has 30+ wineries within a 15-minute radius. You can't do them all in one day — and you shouldn't try. Here are the 8 best for a focused day trip, ranked by what they actually do best, with realistic timing for fitting them around a Niagara Falls visit.
The 8 best
Inniskillin
· IcewineTasting fee: $15–25
The most famous NOTL winery — Riedel-glass icewine tasting is the experience. 30-min wine country tour available. Spring patio reopens mid-May. Reservations strongly recommended.
Trius Winery
· Sparkling + RedsTasting fee: $15–30
Beautiful pavilion patio with vineyard views. Strong sparkling program (Brut, Rosé). The "Showcase" tasting flight is the best mid-priced option in NOTL.
Jackson-Triggs
· Premium reds + outdoor amphitheatreTasting fee: $15–35
Big-name producer with summer concert series in the open-air amphitheatre. Niagara Estate flagship is the higher-end tier worth tasting.
Peller Estates
· Icewine flight + ice roomTasting fee: $30–50
Their "10Below Lounge" is a literal -10°C ice room where you taste icewine. Touristy but genuinely fun. Restaurant on site is one of NOTL's best.
Stratus Vineyards
· Architecture + premium blendsTasting fee: $25–45
LEED-platinum modern winery, no big sign on the building. For people who want serious wine over the tourist experience. Smaller batches, premium pricing.
Two Sisters Vineyards
· Tuscan-style estate + restaurantTasting fee: $20–40
Family-run, gorgeous estate building, exceptional patio dining. Great for couples making it a long lunch.
Konzelmann Estate Winery
· Lakefront viewsTasting fee: $10–20
The only NOTL winery directly on Lake Ontario. Patio overlooks the water. Underrated, often less crowded than the big names.
Wayne Gretzky Estates
· Whisky + wine comboTasting fee: $15–30
Yes, that Wayne Gretzky. Wine and small-batch Canadian whisky tastings. Tongue-in-cheek branding, unexpectedly good product.
A 3-winery day plan
Best balance of variety + not-too-much wine for a day trip:
- 11:00 AM — Coffee on Queen Street, NOTL (Balzac's or Niagara Coffee & Tea House)
- 11:45 AM — Trius Winery (Showcase tasting, ~45 min) — start with their sparkling
- 12:45 PM — Drive 5 min to Inniskillin (icewine flight + estate tour, ~60 min)
- 2:00 PM — Lunch on Queen Street or at one of the winery restaurants (Peller, Two Sisters)
- 3:30 PM — Stratus or Konzelmann (one premium tasting, lower-volume venue, ~45 min)
- 4:30 PM — Drive south to Niagara Falls or back to Toronto
This pacing keeps you under 12 oz of wine total (about 4 glasses spread across 3 stops with breaks), which is sane for a day. If you want more, stay overnight in NOTL.
Combining wineries with Niagara Falls
This is what most of our private tour guests choose. Sample full-day itinerary from Toronto:
- 8 AM Toronto pickup, 9:30 AM arrive NOTL
- 9:30–12:00: Two NOTL wineries (e.g. Trius + Inniskillin)
- 12:00 lunch on Queen Street
- 1:30 drive Niagara Parkway south to the falls (Floral Clock photo stop, Whirlpool overview)
- 2:30–6 PM at the falls (Niagara City Cruise + free time at Table Rock)
- 6 PM depart for Toronto, hotel by 7:30 PM
Doing this on your own with a designated driver is doable but exhausting. With a private SUV tour, all the driving and tasting reservations are pre-coordinated.
What to actually order
- If you have one tasting: icewine at Inniskillin or Peller. It's what NOTL is known for, and Ontario's climate produces some of the world's best.
- If you like sparkling: Trius Brut or Trius Rosé Brut
- If you like big reds: Stratus Red blend or Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Cab Sauv
- If you're new to wine: Cool-climate Riesling — Ontario does this exceptionally well
FAQ
How many Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries should I visit in one day?
2–3 max if you're tasting properly. Each winery tasting is 30–45 minutes. Add drive time (5–10 min between most), and you're looking at 3–4 hours for 3 wineries. Squeezing in more leads to palate fatigue and loose plans.
How much does a NOTL winery tasting cost?
2026 prices: $15–30 for a standard 4-flight tasting at most wineries; $30–50 for premium or icewine-focused experiences (Peller's 10Below ice room, Stratus VIP); free at a couple of smaller vineyards if you buy a bottle. Most fees are waived if you purchase wine.
Do I need a designated driver for NOTL wineries?
Highly recommended — Niagara Region Police actively patrol the area and Ontario's impaired driving laws are strict (.05 BAC = immediate license suspension). Best options: book a private driver (us, NOTL Wine Tours, etc.), use Uber between wineries, or stay overnight at a NOTL inn.
Can I combine Niagara Falls and NOTL wineries in one day?
Yes — and it's our most popular tour itinerary. Typical route: morning wineries in NOTL, lunch on Queen Street, drive south on the Niagara Parkway to the falls for the afternoon, optional fireworks viewing. Total ~10 hours from Toronto. With a private tour, the driving and timing is handled for you.
Do NOTL wineries take walk-ins?
Most do for tastings, but reservations are strongly recommended on weekends, holidays, and any day in July–September. Inniskillin, Peller, and Trius regularly turn away walk-ins on Saturdays. Lower-volume wineries (Konzelmann, Two Sisters) usually accommodate same-day.
Related reading: Niagara Falls vs NOTL · 15 Unique Things to Do · Toronto City Tour
Wineries + Falls Combined Tour From Toronto
We drive you door-to-door, pre-book your tastings, and time the day so you actually enjoy it.