Recent Posts

Categories

General - All Topics
Family Fun
- Culinary
- Farm Fresh
- Wine & Brew
- Camping
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Birding & Nature
- Boat Tours
- Erie Canal
- Kayaking & Canoeing
- White Water
- Waterfalls
- Rail Biking
- Museums
- Golfing
- Lighthouses
- Casinos & Resorts
- Horse Racing
- Handicapped Accessible
Photography
Holidays
- Fall Fun
Winter Sports
- Skiing
- Snowmobiling
- Ice Skating
Locations - Thousand Islands
- Adirondacks
- Finger Lakes
- Catskills
- Capitol-Saratoga Region
- Central NY
- Western New York
-Chautauqua-Allegany
- Hudson Valley

Download as PDF

Explore Western NY's Niagara Wine Trail Any Time of Year

posted by Teresa Farrell at 2019-02-10 09:17:00

When you mention must-do destinations in western New York, many people’s minds turn to the majestic Niagara Falls. Spectacular even in the winter, the falls are indeed a must-see stop--but don’t miss out on the other treasures hiding nearby, namely the delightful flavors of the Niagara Wine Trail.



Located in the countryside just outside of Niagara Falls, the trail offers an expansive variety of wines, ciders and meads to please any palate. This area has a history of grape growing that reaches back much further than the time the trail has been in existence; in fact, some of its vineyards are over 100 years old. Today, the trail includes more than 20 member wineries, vineyards, and wine cellars—plus a cider and a meadery-- serving up an impressive roster of beverages and excellent vacation destination for anyone interested in sampling the full scope of what this famous region has to offer. Don’t worry about visiting in the winter—this can actually be a good time to take a wine tour, because fewer crowds mean more time for undivided attention from tasting room attendants and even owners at times. The trail even offers a winter wine pass good through the end of March, which includes three tastings each for two people for $25—a great way to shake yourself out of the winter doldrums!


The Niagara Wine Trail’s route is dotted with small towns popular for local shopping, grabbing a bite to eat, and taking in the views. Aside from the famous falls, the towns of Lockport, Newfane, Olcott, and Medina, with its famous railroad museum, are each situated in close proximity to the trail’s wineries while offering a variety of different entertainment options to explore. The nearby city of Buffalo is a perfect place to indulge in authentic Anchor Bar chicken wings or take in arts, culture and nightlife. The War of 1812 was fought in this area, lending another layer to the region’s history; visitors can see historic sites along the Niagara Gorge or visit nearby Old Fort Niagara, the oldest continuously occupied military site in North America. Breweries have also become very popular places to visit to drink and eat along the wine trail. There’s even have a distillery just down the road from several of the trail’s wineries.



Between the wide variety of wines to try, the plethora of things to see and do nearby, and the beautiful natural setting of the area, this is an excellent place to let your taste buds go exploring. Whether you decide to come and stay for a day, a weekend, or a week, there will always be something new to experience each time you visit the Niagara Wine Trail, and the wineries are excited to share the Niagara Region experience with you all year long.
Vineyard in winter photo credit Brian Holland

 
PHOTO CREDITS

Vineyard in winter photo credit Brian Holland
Wine and chocolate tasting photo credit Niagara Wine Trail Facebook
Winter wine pass photo credit Niagara Wine Trail
Glass of wine photo credit wasabiman

 

---