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Read on to explore award-winning wineries and exquisite wines of Niagara-on-the-Lake for an unforgettable tasting experience. We feature wines from Trius Winery, Two Sisters Vineyards, and Stratus Vineyards.
Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL) is a lovely town in southern Ontario, Canada. It attracts 3.5 million tourists annually to its charming boutiques, world-renowned Shaw Theatre, fine dining, and fabulous farmers’ markets. History buffs can visit Fort George, Brock’s Monument, and period homes. The area is also known for its award-winning, cold-climate wines. Some of the best wineries in Ontario can be found in NOTL. Read on to explore some of the best wines of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Trius Winery and Restaurant
I begin my wine adventure at Trius Winery, where hydrangeas and black-eyed Susans bookend gardens with waterfalls. Bernadette, my wine buddy, points out the steep-pitched roofs and walls formed with fieldstones. The elegant dining room is decorated in maroon, gray, and white, with round, starburst fixtures.
Trius Winery dining room. Photo by Merle Rosenstein
Trius has been a leader in Canadian winemaking for over 40 years. The winery has the country’s first on-site restaurant and is the country’s largest producer of Sauvignon Blanc and sparkling wine. Trius prides itself on selling award-winning wines at competitive prices.
Trius won awards at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) in 2024.
Wine consultant Kevin Hewitt guided us through our tasting. “This is a destination winery—people have already heard of it when they come,” he explains.
Trius Winery cheese plate. Photo by Merle Rosenstein
Recommended Wine from Trius Winery and Restaurant
We start with the Trius Winery NOTL Brut (CAD 26.95), made with 30% chardonnay and 70% pinot noir. It is fresh, crisp, and full in the mouth. The wine won a gold medal at the WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada in 2023 and a bronze medal at the WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada in 2024.
Next comes the 2021 Trius Winery NOTL Red (CAD 27.95), a blend of merlot, cabernet franc, and cabernet sauvignon. This medium-bodied wine has aromas of black cherry and allspice and flavors of blackberry, spice, and oak.
The 2022 Trius Winery NOTL Divine Distinction White ($24.00 CAD), is an aromatic blend of riesling, pinot gris, gewürztraminer, and chardonnay. This medium-bodied wine is smooth and has flavors of melon, pear, and citrus. The gewürztraminer adds spice.
Two Sisters Vineyards
The long, maple-tree-lined drive to Two Sisters Vineyards leads to a cream-colored stucco chateau reminiscent of the Greek and Roman styles. Symmetrical columns frame the high entranceway to the main estate.
The estate chateau at Two Sisters Vineyards. Photo by Merle Rosenstein
Sisters Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli and Angela Marotta planted their first of four vineyards in 2007. Their winery produces vegan, super-premium, and luxury wines. The winery boasts 130 acres of varietals, including cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and petit verdot.
Sisters Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli and Angela Marotta own Two Sisters Vineyards. Photo courtesy Two Sisters Vineyards
In 2023, Two Sisters won a double gold medal at the All-Canadian Wine Championships for the 2018 Eleventh Post wine, a blend of 48% merlot, 24% cabernet franc, and 28% cabernet sauvignon. The winery was named the top 10 in Ontario, the top 20 in Canada, and the best-performing small winery. Two Sisters also received awards at the 2024 DWWA.
Mosaic Glass Sculpture at Two Sisters Vineyards. Photo by Merle Rosenstein
Recommended Wines from Two Sisters Vineyards
Wine consultant Brock Faught walked us through tasting several wines.
The 2020 Two Sisters Vineyards NOTL Stone Eagle Eagle Eye (CAD 89.90), with 58% sauvignon blanc and 42% semillon, won a silver medal at the 2024 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada. The wine is tart and off-dry with citrus on the palate, as well as pear, apple, and lemony notes.
We enjoy a vertical tasting of 2016 and 2019 Two Sisters Vineyards NOTL cabernet franc, costing (CAD 54.80) and (CAD 57.80) respectively. The 2016 vintage was softer and smoother. The 2019 cabernet franc is peppery on the tongue and tastes like cherries.
After tasting the 2023 Two Sisters NOTL Cabernet Sauvignon Ice Wine (CAD 98.90), I think I’ve died and gone to heaven. The wine displays aromas of fresh red berries, with strawberry and raspberry flavors on the palate. It won a silver medal at the 2024 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada.
Stratus Vineyards
In 2005, 25 cases of Stratus wine were loaded into a 2005 Prius for weekly delivery. Stratus Vineyards has come a long way since then.
Winemakers Dean Stoyka and Award-Winning JL Groux. Photo courtesy of Stratus Vineyards
Stratus Vineyards stands out for several reasons. This 55-acre winery was the first in the world to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, using recycled material for construction, and thermal heating and cooling.
Stratus Vineyards operates a LEED-Certified facility. Photo courtesy of Stratus Vineyards
At Stratus, the art of wine meets fine art with a mural from artist Richard Halliday’s Constellation Series. The label of Stratus’s signature Blanc de Blancs Méthode Traditionnelle features a mural print. The winery’s architecture is sleek and modern.
Sommelier Richard Butlin teaches wine lovers how to have fun while elevating the taste of wine and food through pairing. He challenges the notion that white wine is for fish and red wine for meat.
Wine tasting at Stratus Vineyards.
Recommended Wines from Stratus Vineyards
The light-bodied 2022 Stratus NOTL Riesling (CAD 32.00) is delicate and has high acidity. It would pair well with salmon or whitefish. The wine has aromas of peach and apple.
The 2007 Stratus NOTL White (CAD 56.00) is a low-acid wine with semillion, viognier, chardonnay, and sauvignon blanc. There is stone fruit and pineapple on the nose and tropical fruit on the palate.
The 2020 Stratus Vineyards NOTL Red (CAD 55.00) is a full-bodied Bordeaux blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, malbec, and petit verdot. After aeration, there are aromas of raspberry and cardamon, with a hint of red cherry and currant.
The full-bodied 2023 Stratus Red Ice Wine (CAD 45.00) is made from petit verdot, cabernet franc, and cabernet sauvignon and has very high acidity. This pink ice wine exhibits a nose of strawberry and cranberry. On the palate, there is red currant and strawberry.
Enjoying the Best Wines of Niagara-on-the-Lake
No longer known for ice wine alone, Ontario, in Canada’s eastern region, can rival the world’s best wines. NOTL is an easy, one-hour drive from Toronto, and many wine tours are available. Check out the beautiful little town of Niagara-on-the-Lake and stroll past quaint shops selling top hats, Christmas ornaments year-round, and peach preserves. Hop on a horse-drawn carriage for the full NOTL experience.
We invite you to explore Wander With Wonder to learn about our favorite wineries. We also have great recommendations for more to see and do when visiting Ontario in Eastern Canada.
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