Wintertime is all about wine in Niagara, as our local wineries, artisans and community come together to host winter wine festivals in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake and Jordan, Ontario throughout the winter season.
Tasting the best wines Ontario has to offer should not be reserved only for the summertime. Instead, indulge in an elevated winter escape that incorporates superior accommodations and a delicious exploration of the finer side of Canadian wine. Visit the region of Niagara in January and February to experience truly magical wine celebrations in Ontario’s wine country.
See all the great things to do and see at Niagara’s top winter wine festivals, including:
- Niagara-on-the-lake Icewine Festival
- Niagara Icewine Festival
- Twenty Valley Winter WineFest
- Days of Wine and Chocolate
The Icewine Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake
For two weekends in January, you can take part in Niagara-on-the-Lake’s infamous Icewine Festival. During this festival, the town’s historic Queen Street becomes the epicentre of delicious icewines, culinary pairings and entertainment.
Below, we provide a brief glimpse into some of the exciting activities that will be taking place during the Icewine Festival, but you’ll never truly understand the vibrancy of this exceptional event until you experience it yourself. So, plan a sweet escape today and see why Niagara truly deserves to be heralded as Canada’s wine country.
January 18 – 19 & 24 – 26, 2020
Sparkle & Ice Gala
Did you know there are all different types of icewine? Why not try locally made reds, whites and sparkling icewines at the Sparkle and Ice Gala, so you can discover for yourself why icewines are one of the products our region is most proud of?
Best of all, you’ll get to sip, savour and sparkle within a gorgeous venue surrounded by bubbly people. At the end of the night, you will also get to share in a firework show and toast to cap off your perfect celebration.
- Date: Friday, January 17, 2020 – from 8pm to 10pm
- Tickets: $95, for purchase at niagaraonthelake.com or by calling 905-468-1950.
- Location: The Courthouse Ballroom in Niagara-on-the-Lake
Icewine Village
Queen Street combines the sparkle of an Ontario winter with the sweetness of icewine. During the Icewine Festival, Niagara-on-the-Lake’s historic Queen Street will become the place-to-be for those who love food, wine, music and the special shopping finds only our unique town can offer. The Shop, Sip, Sample and Savour event enables visitors to try different icewines and creative food samplings that highlight Niagara’s farm-to-table approach to and appreciation of food.
- Date: Saturday, January 18 – Sunday, January 19, 2020 and Saturday, January 25 – Sunday January 26, 2020 – Saturday from 11 am and Sunday 12pm to 5pm
- Location: Queen Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Flash & Panache Cocktail Competition
The perfect way to wrap up the day at the Niagara Icewine Festival is at the fun and fabulous Flash & Panache Icewine Competition. A friendly competition between Signature Kitchen Chefs that features unique icewine cocktails, cuisine and live music. Local mixologists will be pulling out all the stops to win this year’s icewine cocktail competition! Experience the creative and delicious cocktails prepared by the Signature Kitchen Chefs at what has become a highlight of Niagara’s icewine festival!
- Date: Saturday, January 18th, 2020 – from 9pm to 11pm
- Tickets: Free Admission – Drink tokens are $6 and glasses are $5 – to be purchased the day of the event
White On Ice Dinner
For a unique dining experience, take part in the annual White on Ice Dinner. An outdoor event that features mouth-watering cuisine from The Signature Kitchen, amazing local VQA wines and live music. Stay warm inside the beautiful, heated tent and dance the night away under the winter night’s sky.
- Date: Friday, January 24th, 2020 – from 7pm to 11pm
- Tickets: $150 CAD per person
- Location: Grand Ballroom at The Courthouse in Niagara-on-the-Lake
Wrap up a beautiful ice wine weekend away with the Icewine Lovers Getaway Package Vintage Hotels
Niagara Icewine Festival
Are you looking for the perfect winter escape? Visit Niagara for the 2020 Niagara Icewine Festival and share in the celebration of Ontario’s internationally renowned icewines. This Canadian favourite has been nicknamed “Liquid Gold,” and a visit to this incredible festival will show you exactly why that is. Take part in a variety of events celebrating Icewine that range from a luxurious gala to outdoor street festivals – and so much more.
Niagara Icewine Gala
Spend your evening at Canada’s most prestigious icewine affairs. The Niagara Icewine Gala is an upscale soiree that pays homage to all things icewine. During this black-tie event, you will be warmly welcomed by some of Niagara’s best wineries who will be excited to pour you their award-winning icewines, including premium reds, whites and bubblies.
The Fallsview Casino Resort will be transformed by masterfully carved ice sculptures, gorgeous décor and the magic of people, with exceptional taste, coming together to indulge in authentically Canadian dishes, service and wine.
Dates: Friday, January 10th, 2020 – from 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Location: Fallsview Casino Resort
Tickets:
- Early Bird $185 CAD
- Early Bird & Discovery Pass: $220 CAD
Wrap up a beautiful ice wine weekend away with the Niagara Icewine Gala Package from Vintage Hotels
Snow Globe Soirée Series
A new kind of experience is coming to the Niagara Icewine festival – the Snow Globe Soirée series. This once-in-a-lifetime dining experience allows you to experience the very best flavours that the Niagara Icewine Festival has to offer, a delicious three-course meal – all served to your personal clear snow globe. A picture-perfect dome so you can look out at the Niagara skies.
Dates:
- Weekend 1 Treadwell, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
- January 16-19, 2020
- Weekend 2 Tide & Vine, Niagara Falls, ON
- January 23-26, 2020
- Weekend 3 Bolete, St. Catherines, ON
- January 30 – February 2, 2020
- Weekend 4 Backhouse, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
- February 6 – 9, 2020
- Weekend 5, Incoho, St. Catherines, ON
- February 13 – 16, 2020
Twenty Valley Winter WineFest
Ring in the New Year at the Twenty Valley Winter Wine Fest, as more than 10,000 visitors will celebrate this well-loved event. Hosted within the beautiful Twenty Valley, this Wine Fest includes several feature events that centre around empowering guests to taste some of the most superior VQA wines and regional foods.
The Wine and Culinary Village is a street party that features local Jordan Village Merchants in an annual fashion show where more than 20 craft wines will be served and chefs will show off their flair for delicious food creations. Full of activities for the entire weekend, the Village will come alive with entertainment and demonstrations by the Grape Growers of Ontario.
January 10-12, 2020
Admission is free; however, you may purchase tickets for specific events, which include:
Annual Competition at the Wine & Culinary Village
During the Twenty Valley Winter Wine Fest, you will never run out of new foods and wines to try. From the European-style market, which proves that wintertime dining is just as fine as in the summer, and tasting opportunities alongside roaring fire pits, this festival is one for the foodies.
In addition to paying homage to the art of eating, this year, the Wine Fest will also include a Chef Challenge. Five chefs will compete to make small bites with six local ingredients, which have been delivered to their restaurants just days before the competition.
Alongside chosen judges, as guests of the Twenty Valley Winter Wine Fest, you will also get to stamp your say on the plates.
Date: January 11, 2020 from 4 to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Jordan Village, Ontario
Ultimate Twenty Valley Showcase Dinner
One of the Winter Wine Fest’s signature events is the Showcase Dinner – a not-to-be-missed celebration of fine dining. Join Master Chefs who will be creating an innovative four-course meal within the breathtaking Windows Room of Inn On The Twenty.
Sweet, sparkling and truly superior, Chef Erik Peacock, Chef Justin Downes, Chef Sheila Polingga and Chef George Ward, will take you on a culinary adventure that will surprise and delight your palette for great food and extraordinary wine.
Date: Saturday, January 11th, 2020 from 6:30pm
Cost: $149.95 CAD
Location: Window Room at Inn On The Twenty, Jordan, Ontario
Friday and Saturday After Parties
When the Wine Fest seems to be winding down, you can continue the party at Cave Spring Cellars. On Friday, take part in a Silent Disco party and dance the night away in style. On the Saturday evening, this gorgeous venue will host Dillion’s Small Batch Distillers for an after party with DJ Tanner where you can dance, sip and extend the celebration of wintertime wine. 19+ event, food and drink tickets are cash only.
Date: Friday, January 10th and Saturday, January 11th, 2020 – doors open at 9:00 p.m. to midnight
Cost: $25
Icewine Brunch with Celebrity Chef
Niagara Master Chefs would love to host you for a delicious brunch within Inn On The Twenty’s beautiful Windows Room. They will prepare an extravagant brunch that will be unlike any other breakfast you’ve yet to experience.
Date: Sunday, January 12th, 2020 – from 10:30 am
Cost: $85 per person (+ HST)
Location: Window Room at Inn On The Twenty, Jordan, Ontario
Days of Wine and Chocolate
Spend the season of romance at the wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake learning how VQA wines pair perfectly with everyone’s favourite treat. More than 20 VQA wineries will participate in this sweet event, and the options for chocolate and wine pairings are nearly endless.
When you join us during any of the weekends in February, you will be able to visit all the wineries your palette could desire. Whether you’re visiting for a romantic getaway or want to bring a group of friends along for the adventure, the Days of Wine and Chocolate are a really fun way to experience wine differently.
These events are not about snapping off a piece of a chocolate bar. Rather, you’ll be tasting your way through elevated chocolate-infused dishes that are inspired by their red, white and sparkling counterparts. From truly indulgent desserts through to savoury meats and cheeses, at each beautiful winery setting you will get to experience the creativity of Niagara’s chefs – and our region’s finest wines.
Dates: Weekends in February from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- January 31 – February 2nd, 2020
- February 7 – 9, 2020
- February 14 – 16, 2020
- February 21 – 23, 2020
Purchase a touring pass for $55 per person (taxes and fees not included)
Book an Exciting Winter Getaway and Experience Niagara’s Best Wine Festivals
Join us for wintertime wining, dining and celebration in Niagara-on-the-Lake and Jordan Village and warm up to the idea of festivals that stretch way past summertime to highlight the snowy season’s very best flavours.
To ensure you can enjoy every aspect of our region’s winter wine festivals, book your accommodations with Vintage Hotels and Inn On The Twenty. Pair your nightcap with a uniquely-appointed hotel room and endless amenities to elevate your stay. See the exciting Niagara getaway packages and book your winter wine festival excursions today!