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.
Wine country without a designated driver?
We drive, you taste. A private tour from Toronto: Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries at your pace, plus the Falls if you want them. GTA pickup, licensed guide, $650 flat for up to 5.
Prefer the details first? See the full private Niagara Falls tour from Toronto.
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. On our private Niagara Falls tour from Toronto, all the driving and tasting reservations are pre-coordinated: one flat rate for the whole vehicle, nobody has to skip the tastings.
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 · Niagara Falls Tour from Toronto
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.