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Sip and Sample Along the Niagara Wine Trail

posted by Teresa Farrell at 2023-03-14 20:48:00

Upstate New York is known for its wine. From the Finger Lakes to the Thousand Islands to the Hudson Valley and Central New York, there are hundreds of award-winning wineries that call the state home. But though some of these regions are known around the globe, not as many folks are aware of the treats and treasures awaiting them in Western New York’s wine scene. This fall, explore the flavors of the region with a trip along the Niagara Wine Trail.


Just as nature carved out Niagara Falls, it also set up the Niagara area for agricultural success. This grape growing region is situated between Lake Ontario and the natural landform of the Niagara Escarpment, creating unique growing conditions that lend themselves well to the production of classic viniferas, native grapes, and hybrids.


Thanks to the geography and climate of the area, local conditions make for a longer growing season, which allows vineyards to produce several varieties of wines both dry and sweet. Even the region’s soil plays a part: thanks to the glaciers that carved out the Great Lakes at the end of the last ice age, it’s rich in nutrients and drains well, creating an excellent place for all kinds of grapevines to thrive.


The two major routes of the Niagara Wine Trail run along Route 104 and Route 18, and both follow the natural lines of the Escarpment and Lake Ontario shoreline. The view is beautiful as you travel the trail through the countryside, and the trail’s 14 member wineries, cideries and distilleries have infused the history and culture of the area into their tasting rooms and wines. Thanks to the region’s agricultural bounty, the stops along the trail offer all kinds of wines, with enough variety to please any palate. Craft breweries have also become very popular places to visit to drink and eat along the wine trail.


The Niagara Wine Trail’s route is dotted with small towns popular local shopping, grabbing a bite to eat, and taking in the views. Not only is Niagara Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world, within a short drive from the trail, but beautiful lakefront vistas, charming towns with unique boutiques, shops and cafes and little slices of local history abound around the area. Between the wide variety of wines to try, the plethora of fresh local foods and goods, and the breathtaking natural setting, the Niagara area is an excellent place to let your taste buds go exploring—in the fall, or any time of year.

 
PHOTO CREDITS
Wine in the woods photo credit Niagara Wine Trail
Wine and cheese photo credit Niagara Wine Trail
Grapes photo credit Niagara Wine Trail
White wine photo credit Niagara Wine Trail

 

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