Welcome to Tuesday Trivia! Where you can tackle questions on varying subjects about the city of Niagara Falls and surrounding region. We want to challenge your knowledge of our city with a series of multiple choice questions.
June 18th, 2023 is the 211th Anniversary
Today’s topic is Niagara and the War of 1812….let’s go!
Supporting local businesses is an amazing way to connect with our community, and we are happy to be be part of this wonderful practice. Just like our favorite sports teams, we hold our local wineries in high esteem. But now, Niagara distilleries are getting their chance to shine! Niagara is a well-known wine destination, but its local distillery scene is equally impressive and authentic.
Niagara distilleries are masters at blending locally sourced ingredients into their spirits, resulting in unique and flavorful products. From foraged botanicals to locally grown herbs and fruits, the flavors of their spirits are unmatched. With several exceptional distillers to choose from, each with their own distinct character and flavor profile, visitors can indulge in the best of these products by taking a tour of the distilleries.
Prepare to be blown away by the extraordinary skills of the artisans who craft Niagara’s small-batch spirits. They are known for creating exceptional spirits that boast excellent quality and distinct flavors, which have earned them numerous awards and a dedicated fan base. These talented individuals are among the top spirit producers in Ontario, and their innovative and handcrafted beverages are a testament to their passion and dedication.
We wholeheartedly recommend that you visit the following Niagara distilleries, where you can indulge in the exceptional workmanship and savor all the brilliant flavors. So what are you waiting for? Dive in and embark on a spirited adventure that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for local distilleries!
Dillon’s, a small batch distiller, is making a big impression with their grape-based white rye, vodka, gin, and bitters. Fresh fruit, herbs, and grain from the nearby wine region, as well as home-grown botanicals, are used in true locavore manner.
Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers is located in the heart of Niagara wine region, near Beamsville. They picked that area because it was close to the products they would need to make their spirits, such as grapes, other fruits, and botanicals. The emphasis is on four distinctive spirits: rye whiskey, white rye, vodka, and several varieties of gin such as dry gin, unfiltered gin, rose gin, cherry gin, and strawberry gin. Dillon’s also makes fruit spirits, bitters in a variety of tastes, and absinthe.
Dillon’s makes small batch spirits from natural materials that have been steeped and finished with exquisite botanicals and wood. We propose Dillon’s Rye Whisky, which is made from 100% Ontario-grown rye and distilled in the Niagara Region. They also have a sophisticated line of bitters produced with vegetables from their garden!
Tastings are available by appointment on select days.
Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery & Distillery is located in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake! The distillery, nestled amid the vines, houses cutting-edge distillation equipment, while the winery has a magnificent barrel fermenting and ageing cellar as well as a tasting area.
The 23,000-square-foot plant is the region’s first of its type, producing both wine and distilling. The summer water feature next to the Great Lawn will be transformed into an ice rink in the winter, replete with a ‘loonie’ buried in the centre ice, which was dropped by The Great One himself at the groundbreaking ceremony in September, 2015.
The Winery & Distillery has award-winning Winemaker Craig McDonald and Master Distiller Tim Wilson, as well as wine and whiskey tasting bars, retail stores, tours and lectures throughout the day, and a VIP tasting room. Visit us to taste wine, whiskey, and grape-based spirits that are only available at the Estate, as well as relax on the terrace with light cuisine and beverages from The Whisky Bar.
Polonée, situated in St. Catharines, is a newcomer to the Niagara distilleries scene, bringing artisanal spirits to the local market. Adam and Patricia Szymkow founded the distillery in 2013. They make everything in tiny amounts, paying close attention to detail to create a high-quality product.
Their aim is to offer Canadians outstanding vodka, and in order to accomplish this, their spirits are manufactured using cutting-edge distillation technology. Kannuk, a salute to all the vodka-loving Canadians, is the name given to their signature vodka.
The trademark Kannuk Vodka is created to celebrate Canada’s varied culture: it’s distilled from maize to represent North America, wheat to represent Europe, sweet potato (a first for a vodka) to represent the Caribbean and South America, and wild rice to represent Asia and Africa. As a consequence, an outstanding vodka emerges from a flawless mosaic of inputs.
The vodka is sealed with a roasted maple wood top, which gives it a light brown colour. This distinctive finish is achieved without the use of any colourants or dyes.
Polonée is a French word that means “Polish” with a small variation from the standard Polonais spelling. The suffix “née” at the end of the word “Polonée” indicates “born”… in other words, a Polish-born distillery.
Niagara Distillery is located right across from Niagara Falls at the renowned intersection of Falls Avenue and Clifton Hill. Throughout history, the roaring natural marvel has drawn visitors from all around the world, and this trend continues today.
It would be simple to claim that Niagara Falls is a vital element in every part of the Distillery, yet our Master Distillers challenged that notion. They have expertly blended inspiration and knowledge from their 15 years in the distilling profession with notes from the renowned site. The desire to pay homage to the spectacular waterfalls is exemplified by our Vodka, which is proofed down utilizing water that has crossed the limestone torrent of the Falls to create a complex, distinctive, and flavorful character.
Meet Greg Junop, our Head Distiller. Greg is a recent graduate of Niagara College’s post-graduate Artisan Distilling programme, and he brings a wealth of resources to the table. During his tenure there, he was part of a three-person team that developed the first spirit of its type in Canada, an Escubac, based on recipes dating back over 400 years.
Greg has a strong appreciation for finely made spirits. Outside of the Distillery, you’ll find him engrossed in passionate debates (and enjoyment) of quality spirits, quality music, and quality travels. He has a strong drive to create and believes that life is the intersection of shared experiences.
Forty Creek Whisky was first tasted in Canada in early 2000. There was no doubting that Forty Creek was intended to transform the Canadian whiskey scene from the start.
Forty Creek’s reputation developed fast with the backing of whiskey aficionados who admired our dedication to craftsmanship, year after year delivery of ground-breaking innovations, and our dependably smooth depth of flavour that pushed the boundaries of what Canadian whisky could be. Today, Forty Creek is one of the most honoured Canadian whiskey brands in the last twenty years, having been acknowledged by prestigious whisky connoisseurs and reviewers on both the local and international whisky award stage.
Forty Creek has received honours and acclaim from the New York International Spirits Competition, Canadian Whisky Awards, and Whisky Advocate Magazine during the last ten years. We’ve been named Whisky of the Decade, and Bill Ashburn’s unrelenting devotion, talent, and expertise have not gone ignored. Bill was voted Canada Master Whisky Blender of the Year at the 2020 New York International Spirits Competition, while Forty Creek was selected Canada Whisky Distillery of the Year.
We are proud of our humble Niagara beginnings and our persistent commitment to award-winning whiskies that our fans adore at Forty Creek Distillery. From our family to yours, we welcome you to be a part of the Forty Creek phenomenon.
Discover an enchanting world of wine in the Niagara region, where more than 80 wineries await your exploration. Each winery offers its own unique charm and character, with many receiving international recognition and accolades. Whether you prefer an intimate candlelit cellar tasting or sipping on a sun-drenched rooftop terrace with panoramic views of sprawling vineyards, you’ll find a wealth of unforgettable experiences at every turn.
Start your wine journey in the picturesque town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, where some of the most photogenic wineries in the region are located. With a commitment to taste and quality, Niagara wineries produce distinctive wine flavors to suit every palate. Immerse yourself in the winemaking process by booking a tasting or tour and discover firsthand the passion and dedication of Niagara’s winemakers.
Embark on a sensory adventure and indulge in the sights, sounds, and flavors of the Niagara wine country. From the lush vineyards and rolling hills to the world-class wine and hospitality, Niagara offers a truly unique experience that should not be missed. Plan your visit today and discover why Niagara is a beloved destination for wine enthusiasts from around the world.
Peller Estates: 290 John St. East, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario L0S 1J0, Canada
For over 50 years, Peller Estates has been perfecting their wines. Whether poured around the dinner table at home, or enjoyed during an immersive wine and culinary experience at their award-winning Niagara-on-the-Lake winery, there is a wine they produce to be enjoyed with family and friends.
Wine Tours/Tastings: myWineCountry Tour, Peller Estates Outdoor Seating Tasting, Peller’s Perfect Pairings, Journey Beyond the Vines, Greatest Winery Tour, and The Estate Room.
Reviews:
“This has to be one of the best experiences ever. We’ve done quite a few wine tastings and pairings and this one is by far the best. Kevin was informative, courteous, answered all our questions…all with a smile while never spilling a drop. He really knew his stuff and made the experience as advertised…Perfect Pairing…I learned so much in just 45 minutes. Can’t wait to impress my friends…oh yah…the food samples were amazing. Who thinks of soaking a grape in ice wine?” – Bob
“Katie was an exceptional host and very lovely! She was extremely knowledgable about the wines and the food pairings, and did an excellent job giving us the wine notes to look for in each wine before and after pairing with the food. She was excited about the process and made us feel that way, too! Highly, highly recommend booking a pairing tasting, and no previous wine experience needed as the host does an exceptional job in breaking everything down! And don’t hesitate to book again, they change up their pairing menu each month. Shows the class and elegance of Peller, and their commitment to a lovely wine experience.” – Vikki
Château des Charmes: 1025 York Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1P0
Château des Charmes was founded in 1978 by Paul Bosc, a fifth-generation French winegrower and among the earliest Niagara wineries to earn international acclaim. Paul and his young family arrived in Niagara in the 1960’s with the idea that growing their own grapes was the best way to make fine wine.
Wine Tours/Tastings: Paris On The Terrace, Wine Tasting Reservation, Wine Pairing Experience, Premium Wine Tasting Reservation, Wine Country Romance, and True To Our Roots Winery tour.
Reviews:
“Went here for their wine country romance tasting with my partner, had a wonderful experience. Frank was an amazing tour guide and made our time here great. The format/tour was awesome, and we really enjoyed the wine and cheese, would come back in a heartbeat.” – M.Coates
“Went to CDC on a busy long weekend, with no pre booking. The hostess at the door was kind enough to fit me and my husband in for a tasting and was very accommodating. Our sommelier Ashley was also very accommodating, helpful and patient with us. We had an excellent experience here!” – SabrinaBans1
Trius Winery: 1249 Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0
Trius Winery is a winemaking pioneer that has been crafting fine VQA wines from premium grapes for over 40 years. They harvest their grapes from four Niagara-on-the-Lake appellations to create distinctive flavors.
Wine Tours/Tastings: myWineCountry Tour, The Trius Seated Tasting Experience, Trius Tasting: Outdoor Domes, The Trius Tour, and The Loft Black Glass Challenge Experience.
Reviews:
“Had a wonderful time at Trius Wineries celebrating my mother’s 70 birthday. We booked on My Wine Country website for the Trius Outdoor Dome Experience. My family and I went on a hot Friday afternoon and were placed by the hostess at the front Dome located right beside the vineyard. Our server was very knowledgeable and we got to select four delicious wines. The dome was built beautifully with a fan to keep us cool. We got a charcuterie board and we ate it so quickly, wish we ordered more. Everything was perfect and we went to the shop to buy the wine to take home. Thanks Trius!” – Thameena C
“My family and I had an amazing time on our private wine tour to celebrate my mothers birthday! The selected wines were delicious (we ended up buying a couple on the way out). The winery itself is beyond aesthetically pleasing to the eye, making it an ideal photo op. The art installations were beautiful and dream-like. Our guide Suzanne was a joy to be around, very personable, fun and informative! She has left a great impression on each one of us! We would love to return one day! Overall, I would highly recommend this winery to couples and/ or groups.” – LKSHA
Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery: 1366 York Rd., St. David’s, ON. L0S 1P0
Since David Jackson Lowrey bought the upper farm in 1867, this property has been a source of pride for the Lowrey family. Head Winemaker, Lydia Tomek equally shares this pride with a shared deep desire to preserve the property and showcase its uniqueness. It has proven itself perfect for fine wine that they are eager and proud to share.
Wine Tastings/Tours: Indoor Wine Tasting, and 5 Generations Tour.
Reviews:
“Such a nice experience out on the patio! Our guide stuck with us through the whole tasting and we had a lovely view of the vineyard. We purchased a can of their cider to-go and it was also delicious!” – Nimisha
“We were a group of 6 that booked a tasting last minute and had a beautiful spot on the patio facing part of the vineyard. Christina was a wonderful host and explained all of the wines with excellent expertise!! We had the best time, thank you so much!!” – Carla
Two Sisters Vineyards: 240 John St. East, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON. L0S 1J0
Two sisters, Melissa and Angela, shared a vision to create a gorgeous Estate to visit, and a winery that produces super-premium and luxury wines in Canada. Together, they brought their vision to fruition and are now considered one of the top Niagara wineries in the region. As an extension of the Marotta family, they are producing some of the finest wines from the Niagara Region, nestled in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Wine Tastings/Tours: Wine Boutique Tastings, Barrel Cellar Tastings, The Veranda (seasonal – not available during the cooler months), Explore TSV Tour, Explore The Grape Tour, and the Explore the Barrel Tour.
Reviews:
“What a great experience. We were only able to do the tastings. But that was enough for us. The wine is spectacular. We tried eight different wines between my wife and I. There wasn’t one we DIDN’T LOVE! They were all awesome. Our wine server, Viktoriia was wonderful. Very knowledgeable and extremely friendly! We liked everything so much that we joined their quarterly club and will now receive wine Two Sisters delivered directly to our home. There’s a reason this estate wins awards. If you’re in the Niagara region. Be sure the stop in. You will not be disappointed!” – Chad M
“We had a wonderful time at Twin Sisters. My partner and I did an indoor tasting, and we were immediately impressed by the presentation. Our server, Hugh, was wonderful and gave us an excellent experience, including great knowledge of the wines despite being relatively new to the industry. We would highly recommend Two Sisters if you are visiting wine country in Niagara. Thanks Hugh!” – Chris
Kelsey’s Clifton Hill: 4960 Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls, ON L2G 3N4.
For those of you wishing to savor some of Niagara’s finest wines, without the venture to one of the picturesque local wineries, you’ll appreciate the selection we offer at KELSEYS Clifton Hill. Located at the top of the Clifton Hill Entertainment District, you can taste for yourself a few local gems. Whether with friends, or on an intimate romantic getaway, the Niagara region offers a wine to appease your palate. Whether you prefer a bold or a light wine, you’ll appreciate the variety of unique and characteristic wines derived from Niagara soil.
Reading Time: 3minutes -Besides the Falls, the Niagara Region is probably most well-known for its wine. The region and its Niagara winefeatured, is ranked in the #1 spot for the Food & Wine Destination in Canada, which makes up a close-knit circle of wineries located within Niagara-on-the-Lake. Saturday, June 13th, 2015 marks the beginning of the Niagara New Vintage Festival, and continues throughout the following weekend until Sunday, June 21st. About the Niagara New Vintage Festival
Niagara wine goes through cycles of growth and rebirth and this festival celebrates that within its 14,800 acres of Niagara’s vineyards that are rich in soil and unique to the climate. The 6th Installment of the New Vintage Festival “Tailgate Party” happens on Saturday, June 20th from 6:00 – 10:00 pm in the vineyards of Niagara-on-the-Lake. It features over 40 wineries and 10 culinary experts that will present the best of Niagara wine, and farm-to-table delights.
On property will be New Country entertainment by Evermile.
This all-inclusive event ticket includes all hospitality, and the shuttle service to the event location. There is no parking at the event location in order to respect the vineyard and surrounding environment. Early bird Tailgate party tickets are $80 until June 1st, 2015 (plus HST), and you may order online here. Purchase a Discovery Pass!
On June 13, 14, 20, & 21st, consider purchasing a “Discovery Pass” for $40 + HST which allows you access to eight Niagara wine experiences with removable vouchers for any of the participating wineries of your choice (click here for the list of wineries). If you are the “Designated Driver” you can still be a part of all the excitement by indulging in eight mocktail and culinary pairings with the “Driver’s Discovery Pass”!
You may purchase your Discovery Passes online here, at the first winery on your route, or at the Ontario Travel Centres at Stanley Avenue in Niagara Falls, Ontario Travel Centres on York Road in Niagara on the Lake, or the Niagara Falls Tourism on Robinson Street, Niagara Falls. Hotel Accommodations
When you stay at the Clifton Hill Niagara Falls Hotel, you will be provided with an opportunity to discover other amazing attractions that Niagara has to offer, in addition to heading to Niagara-on-the-Lake to taste our region’s best Niagara wine. You will also be provided with many more different options at considerable savings, in order to experience a visit that features more of Niagara’s best! From the Clifton Hill Fun Pass, to the Greg Frewin Magic Show, and even a Niagara Helicopter ride, the Build-A-Package contains many options, with some discounts at up to 50% off! For more information on The Niagara New Vintage Festival visit them at www.niagarawinefestival.com.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NiagaraWineFestivals
Twitter: www.twitter.com/niagarawinefest
If you are a fan of the vine, these are the weekends to visit wine country!
Reading Time: 4minutes -Currently ranked #7 out of 80 activities to do in Niagara-on-the-Lake on Trip Advisor, Zoom Leisure Bicycle Rentals has maintained a reputation of excellence. It’s not just about renting a bike and sending you on your way, but it’s the “extras” that matter. They offer different types of bicycles, tours, and all with a friendly smile. Zoom Leisure Bicycle Rentalswill also deliver a bike to you anywhere in the Niagara region. Longer rentals and two-wheeled wine tours are available, too.
Here’s a preview of the latest reviews on Trip Advisor:
“You can cycle through historic Niagara and learn about our heritage, or tour and taste at our award-winning wineries where you experience up close, the romance of the vineyards. Niagara has wonderful bicycle paths, including the Niagara River Recreation Trail on the Niagara Parkway, that keeps you safe from traffic so you can enjoy Niagara at your own pace”. – Zoom Leisure Bicycle
Zoom Leisure Bicycle Rentals has been in business for 17 years now. Their team of bike specialists are trained in not only cycling, but they have a vast knowledge of the Niagara Region pertaining to the best trails and bike paths, local wineries and hidden gems. Bring your camera with you because they know whereabouts to experience the gorgeous scenery, whether you choose to bring along one of their tour guides or keep it an intimate self-guided bike tour. *Pictured Above: Zoom Leisure Bicycle Afternoon Wine Tour* About the Bike Rentals:
Zoom Leisure Bikes includes modern comfort cruisers for easy cycling, efficient hybrids, and road/race bikes. If you have children, they also provide a full selection of child seats, trailers, trail-a-bikes, and tandem bikes. Free delivery & Pick up is available with a full day rental in the following locations: Niagara-on-the-Lake: Within 8 kms of the Mississauga store location with a full day rental. A flat $10 charge applies to 1/2 day rentals or single bike rentals. Fallsview Area: Within 8 kms of the Whirlpool Aero Car location with a full day rental. A flat $10 charge applies to 1/2 day rentals or single bike rentals.
For a small fee, they will also provide delivery to any other location inside the Niagara Region, as well as outside the Niagara region. Guided Winery and Brewery Bike Tour Options: Self Guided Tour $49/person + HST – Minus the tour guide, go at your own pace and they will supply you with a detailed route with suggested stops along the way! Also included: water and light snacks and wine tastings coupons. Afternoon Wine Tour $69/person + HST – Whether you are an individual, a couple, or part of a group, this tour is one of the favourites! A great way to take in the beauty of the Fall colours is this scenic tour through wine country. It’s an afternoon visiting Niagara-on-the-Lake‘s best wineries and learning about the art of wine making and tasting. You will get to visit three local wineries, sampling their award-winning wines. Enjoy an artisan cheese tray along the way and venture into a wine cellar to see winemaking up close. Craft Beer and Winery Tour$79/person + HST – Visit the local micro breweries where you will taste some great local beers paired with an artisan cheese sampler. You will then head out into the beautiful vineyards and enjoy the afternoon with tours and tastings at two wineries. A great way to experience Niagara’s beautiful countryside. Picnic Wine Tour$90/person + HST – This is a daylong excursion into the captivating world of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s history and wine culture. Visit extra wineries and enjoy a picnic lunch by the lake. All of their lunches are prepared fresh by a local fruit market where you will have a choice of sandwiches, fresh Niagara fruit, baked goods, ice cream and other goodies. Niagara Falls Afternoon Parkway Wine Tour $89/person + HST – Take a guided one-way cycle down the Niagara Parkway from the Falls to Niagara-on-the-Lake. Ride past the horticulture gardens, the Whirlpool through Queenston and on to taste some great wines at the wineries. You will get to visit 2-3 wineries, learn about the area, and at the end they will shuttle you back to the Falls. Store Location:
Zoom Leisure Bicycle Rentals and Tours have 3 locations across Niagara: Main Store:
431 Mississauga Street
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Hours of Operation: Open April 1 to October 31, 7 days a week, 8:30am – 7:oopm Smuggler’s Cove:
16052 Niagara Parkway
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Hours of Operation: Seasonally May Long Weekend to Labour Day
Open Weekends in May and September
In Season Open Daily 9am – 7pm Whirlpool Aero Car:
3850 Niagara Parkway
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Hours of Operation: Seasonally May Long Weekend to Labour Day
Open Weekends in May and September
In Season Open Daily 9:00am – 7:00pm
Zoom Leisure Bicycle has a vast client list which includes adventure tour operators, multi-national corporations, leading conference planners, and universities. If you like a little bit from one type of tour listed above plus a little bit of another, they also can do custom group tours. Click here to read about that.
For more information on Zoom Leisure Bicycle Rentals and Tours please visit them online at www.zoomleisure.com and experience Niagara’s gorgeous landscape up close and personal!
The Shaw Festival is now in its 53rd season this year, and just like our wine, it’s another feature to the beautiful and historic Niagara-on-the-Lake that makes us unique to Ontario.
Cabaret Trailor:
Carried through into the Fall season, the Shaw Festival presents 10 plays in four theatres until October 26. The Festival Theatre will stage three stunning productions, all definite “must-sees”. The celebrated Tony Award-winning musical “Cabaret” is the talk of the town with its stunning visuals and costumes. A classical romantic comedy, “The Philadelphia Story” enjoyed a great turn on Broadway before becoming an Oscar-winning film. Looking for something a little more daring a risqué? Watch”The Philanderer”, a comedy about love and sex.
At the Court House Theatre, find out what charity really means with the comedy “The Charity that Began at Home”. Or take in performances such as “The Sea”, a play that mixes both comedy and politics about a man lost at sea after a boating accident during a storm. “Arms and the Man” is a love story of two soldiers vying for the affection of one girl. Sharing the Royal George stage is “When We Are Married”, a comedy about marriage, and “Juno and the Paycock“, a play that mixes humour, drama and politics about a family torn apart after the Irish Civil War. “The Mountaintop” is about a fictional meeting between Martin Luther King Jr. and a maid at the Lorraine Motel. Winner of the Oliver Away for best new play, “The Mountaintop” is on stage at the Studio Theatre.
Entertaining, dynamic and a whole lot of fun, consider a Shaw Festival Day Package for tour groups. A “group” consists of 15 people or more, and is a unique way to experience a couple of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s finest dining, winery and attractions options: Sumptuously Shaw Package: *Lunch from $80, Dinner from $111
Lunch or dinner at the Pillar and Post, Queen’s Landing or the
Prince of Wales Hotel
Celebrate Wine Country: *Lunch from $105, Dinner from $126
Guided winery tour and icewine tasting
Lunch or dinner at Trius Winery Restaurant or Peller Estates Winery Restaurant
with a glass of premium VQA wine
Shaw Festival performance
To book your lunch or dinner contact Hospitality Sales at 905.468.4929
Windows on the Green:
*Lunch from $81, Dinner from $86
Wine-tasting and tour of the Antique Wine Museum
Two-course lunch or three-course dinner at Rockway Vineyards
750ml bottle of wine for every member of your group
Shaw Festival performance
To book your lunch or dinner contact Shelley Traver at 905.641.1030 ext 224
or straver@rockway.net A Taste of the Bench: *Lunch from $106, Dinner from $126
A private wine tasting in a fully restored 1877 century barn
Three-course lunch or dinner with two glasses of wine at the four-diamond Vineland Estates Winery
Shaw Festival performance
To book your lunch or dinner, contact Diane Teeuwsen at 905.562.7088 ext 15
or dteeuwsen@vineland.com
By George!
*From $44
Tour Fort George where soldiers served and protected the Niagara frontier
200 years ago
A Shaw picnic lunch
Shaw Festival matinée performance
To book your tour, contact Chris Gilchrist at 905.468.6614 or ont-niagara@pc.gc.ca
The Festival, Royal George and the Studio Theatre all have special access seating for wheelchairs. They ask that you arrive 30 minutes prior to the show to ensure getting to your seat easily and efficiently. There is also wheelchair accessible washrooms provided at all, but the Court House Theatre.
The Theatres:
The Festival: 10 Queen’s Parade: Click here to read about the theatre.
The Court House: 26 Queen Street: Click here to read about the theatre.
The Royal George: 85 Queen Street: Click here to read about the theatre.
Studio Theatre: 10 Queen’s Parade: Click here to read about the theatre.
**Contact a Group Sales Representative at 1.800.511.7429 or by email at groupsales@shawfest.com.**
For further information on any of the Fall shows playing, including ticket purchases, click the link below to be directed to the Shaw Festival Website or call 1-800-511-SHAW:
Reading Time: 2minutes -On Sunday, September 7th, 2014 head to Kurtz Orchards in historic Niagara-on-the-Lake for this free booking signing event with Celebrity Chef and host of “Chef Michaels Kitchen”, “Chef Abroad”and “Chef at Home”, Chef Michael Smith.
He is one of Canada’s best-known chefs that has a passion for simple home cooking, focusing on a healthy lifestyle. He’s also a judge on “Chopped Canada”,and travels around the world for his innovative new web series “Lentil Hunter”.
Chef Michael Smith is Canada’s best selling cookbook author, and he is excited to introduce his eighth cookbook, “Family Meals”, at Kurtz Orchards Farm & Marketplacelocated at 16006 Niagara Parkway in Niagara-on-the-Lake, at 2:00 pm.
“Family Meals” is a cookbook many of us families on the go would find handy. It’s a simple, no-nonsense book full of delicious recipes to make for breakfast, school lunches, and weekday dinners when you are short on time. The dishes are easy enough that everyone can get involved in the preparation, making mealtime a “family fun” event.
If you have yet to visit Kurtz Orchards, this family established estate sits on an 80 acre orchard since 1941. The soil is part of a special micro climate in Niagara-on-the-Lake that produces sweet and tender fruit. Grown to taste, the fruit is tree-ripened and full of flavour.
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., you can plan on enjoying a meal at Kurtz Orchards, if you wish to take advantage of their fresh salads and hearty soups and breads.
Here, they carry a fine line of their own quality products. This includes jams, jellies and fruit syrups.
Head into the country market for gifts! You will find baskets of crackers together with home-made jams, preserves, honey and maple syrup, various spreads, samples of nuts, candies and more. It will not be long before you fill your basket with jars of preserves home-made from the country kitchen made with only the freshest and sweetest tender fruits from family grown trees, or several unique and authentic Canadian crafts.
For more information on this event coming to fabulous Niagara-on-the-Lake call Kurtz Orchards at 905-468-2937 or visit them online at www.kurtzorchards.com.
Reading Time: 5minutes -*Pictured Above: Jackson Triggs Winery Outdoor Amphitheatre*
The hustle and bustle of Niagara Falls isn’t the only place that draws in travelers with Summer events. Here are a few upcoming highlights featured from the wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake: Jackson Triggs Amphitheatre featuring “Movies After Dark” Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery is featuring “Movies After Dark” on Wednesday evenings. The doors open at 8:30 pm and the movie begins shortly after dusk. This goes on for the remainder of July and August 2014. Tickets are $10.00 each and you can purchase them the day of the event at the gate, or by clicking here. Enjoy a great film outdoors at Jackson-Triggs’ Amphitheatre while sipping some great VQA wines! Here’s a look at the upcoming movie schedule:
July 23rd: A Good Year
July 30th: Slumdog Millionaire
August 6th: Almost Famous
August 13th: Moneyball
August 20th: Walk the Line
August 27th: The Shawshank Redemption Jackson Triggs Summer Concert Series
Did you know that the wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake also feature concert venues? The Jackson Triggs outdoor Amphitheatre also holds some big name artists in a unique setting from June to September 2014, as part of their Summer concert series. While sipping some of their award-winning wines, you can be serenaded by an intimate outdoor performance! Upcoming performances include “Stars” on Saturday, August 9th, the “Cowboy Junkies” on Saturday, August 16th and the “Niagara Jazz Festival” on Saturday, August 23rd, 2014.
For a full concert listing click here or visit Jackson Triggs online at www.jacksontriggswinery.com. Chateau des Charmes “Earth & Sky Music Market”
On the first Monday of August 4th and September 1st, 2014, the Bosc family hosts an all ages concert, food truck, chef pop-up, artisan market at Chateau des Charmes Winery.
This is a unique all-ages market featuring local food, local wine and local music. The line up changes each month so stay tuned for all the details.
Entrance and parking are free. Food and wine is pay-as-you-go. Musician Workshops 11:00 am-12:00 pm, Music Market 12:00 pm-6:00 pm!
For more information, please visit www.gatheringniagara.com or click here. Cattail Creek Estate Winery: “Picnic in the Vineyard”
From now until Monday, October 13th, 2014, enjoy a picnic in a beautiful setting in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The best part? They do all the work.
Enjoy a fresh picnic basket that contains an assortment of meats, cheeses, antipasti and a fresh-baked baguette with Mom’s home-baked cookies. At Cattail Creek Estate Winery, you can stroll through their vineyards while sipping their wine. Find a picnic table, have a seat and enjoy the scenery! Ask for one of their staff to make a wine recommendation.The price is $15.00/person+tax and it is offered from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm daily.
For more information please visit www.cattailcreek.ca. Diamond Estate Winery presents “Diamonds in the Rough Music Festival” *Photo courtesy of www.uncorkniagara.com*
On Saturday, August 23rd, 2014 from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm, head on over to the Diamond Estates Winery and enjoy the sounds of three featured bands: Crush in June,Chippawa Dirty and Jonesy. Bring your own seats and head into the wine tent for a beverage of your choice.
This is an all ages event (bring ID for the wine tent), and tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the gate and includes a souvenir wine glass.
If you are a car enthusiast, they also have the “Wheels & Wine 2014” event the previous Saturday, August 16th, 2014 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. This is presented by the Niagara Classic Mustang Club and allows you to enjoy wine by the glass while viewing some classic cars.
For more information on either event please visit www.diamondestates.ca. Coyote’s Run Estate Winery: “The Calm Before the Storm” Pre Harvest BBQ
On Saturday, August 16th, 2014 head to Coyote’s Run Estate Winery from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm for awesome food, great wine, and live entertainment put on by “Work in Progress”. This band also happens to be part of their winery team with winemaker David Sheppard as the drummer, the vineyard manager Eddie as the ‘keys master’ and Taylor Hulley is their lead cellar hand, who will play the guitar. You can even join the band as they will have a suitcase full of instruments for you to play along with!
Tickets are $16.95 and include:
*1 glass of wine or beer (additional glasses of wine are $5.00)
*Your choice of 1 BBQ item and a salad:
Chicken breast with peach salsa, steak burger with caramelized onions, smoked sausage with onions or a veggie burger
Mixed leaf salad with field tomatoes and fresh basil or potato & green onion salad
There is only a limited number of tickets available. To obtain your ticket click here.
On Saturday, August 30th, Coyote’s Run Estate Winery will also feature “Food Truck in the Vineyard” from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Listen to live music by Taylor Hulley while enjoying some exquisite farm to truck cuisine from the Yellow Pear.
A sample from Taylor Hulley:
The Yellow Pear is Ontario’s only solar-powered food truck! There is no admission cost, and Coyote’s Run we will be selling wine by the glass for $5.00. The Yellow Pear will be offering a variety of food choices for varying prices.
For more information on either event please go to www.coyotesrunwinery.com.
These are just a few of many events that the wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake have to offer during the Summer months — and once Fall begins, more events will fire up with the onset of harvest season!
There is always something to do in the Niagara Region to draw in travelers from around the globe. After you relax in Niagara-on-the-Lake head down to Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls for more excitement and watch the free Niagara Falls fireworks shows every Friday and Sunday at 10:00 pm until the newly extended date of November 30th, 2014 (with Coca-Cola sponsored concerts preceding them at 8:00 pm)! Additionally, enjoy them every Wednesday at 10:00 pm until August 27th, 2014, with daily shows the week of August 24th to August 29th. All fireworks shows are located at the bottom of Clifton Hill at Queen Victoria Park.
Reading Time: 2minutes -We all know what TIFF is, but now it’s time to get familiar with NIFF — the Niagara Integrated Film Festival. This is the first year for this event, but founder Bill Marshall is the same man who started the Toronto International Film Festival in 1976. Big name films such as American Beauty, Black Swan, Ray, 127 Hours and The Wrestler all premiered at TIFF, and now it’s time to introduce to the world some of Niagara’s finest film-makers, making this a highly anticipated event for Niagara Falls and our tourism industry.
While the Niagara Integrated Film Festival focuses on creative film-making, this festival heavily ties into introducing Niagara’s famous and fabulous wineries to the world, as the backdrop to its viewing. Trius Winery, Ravine Vineyard Winery, Oast House Brewers, Peller Estates, Southbrook Vineyards, and Kinzelmann Estate Winery all play house to NIFF, with movie viewings, complete with food and winery pairings. What better way to promote Niagara’s best cuisine and wines than this? This is what the two programs the Niagara Integrated Film Festival intends to do, with “Film Feast” and “Filmalicious” as the two selections.
“Film Feast” as a unique bus tour of Niagara’s most spectacular wineries where guests sample vintages, accompanied by exquisitely prepared hors d’oeuvres, and then watch intriguing short films.
“Filmalicious” offers guests a unique experience at a selected winery, in which talented chefs present a three-course dinner accompanied with wine pairings, followed by a special feature film presentation.
The Niagara Integrated Film Festival (with a budget of $1 million), will include both Canadian and Niagara bred movies, along with long-lost films from Peter Sellers and the Toronto-born “America’s sweetheart” Mary Pickford.
The festival runs from Thursday, June 19th to Sunday, June 22nd. Tickets range in pricing depending on if you wish an individual screening ($10 if you are a Student/Senior) to a “NIFF Unlimited Pass”, which includes a pass to all screenings and the “Filmalicious” of your choice for all 4 days at $525. Click here for Individual Ticket sales. Click here for All-Access Ticket sales. All Ticket and Pass holders are allowed entry into NIFF parties and events including:
• Opening Night Party: Thursday June 19 at 9 P.M. at Market Square in St. Catharines
• Cocktail Hour: Friday June 20 and Saturday June 21 from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. at White Oaks
• Closing Night Reception: Sunday June 22 at White Oaks Tickets can be purchased at www.niagarafilmfest.com or by phone: 1-800-656-0713
Niagara Integrated Film Festival on Twitter and Facebook.
Christine Lynn www.cliftonhill.com
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Reading Time: 3minutes -Besides the Falls, the Niagara Region is probably most well-known for its wine. The region and its Niagara wine featured, is ranked in the #1 spot for the Food & Wine Destination in Canada, which makes up a close-knit circle of wineries located within Niagara-on-the-Lake. June 14th, 2014 marks the beginning of the Niagara wine festival festivities with the Niagara New Vintage Festival and continues throughout the following weekend on Saturday, June 21st and Sunday, June 22nd. About the Niagara New Vintage Festival
Niagara wine goes through cycles of growth and rebirth and this festival celebrates that within its 14,800 acres of Niagara’s vineyards that are rich in soil and unique to the climate. The 5th Installment of the New Vintage Festival “Tailgate Party” happens on Saturday, June 21st from 5:30-9:30pm at the Wiens Family Vineyard in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Wes Wiens represents the legacy of the Niagara wine growing family and invites guests to join his family in their vineyard for this special night.
“My family and I would like to welcome everyone out to the 19th Annual New Vintage Festival on June 21st. Come and join us in our vineyard for this fun event as we serve food and wine, tailgate style throughout our vineyards”, said Wes Wiens, 2013 Grape King.
Eight incredible chefs will serve up mouth-watering creations using the freshest local ingredients with an eye on culinary trends. The Dairy Farmers of Canada will be on hand to present a selection of cheeses that are unique and delicious.
The Tailgate Party is presented by TD, which will feature 35 of Niagara’s favourite wineries and a showcase of their latest releases and wines. Evermile will provide live music with a New Country feel and the Message in a Bottle auction will offer lots of chances to win great prizes.
“We’re proud once again to partner with the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival to sponsor the TD Tailgate Party,” says Coby Hawkins, District Vice President, TD Canada Trust. “At TD we are constantly striving to do our part to strengthen the communities where we do business, and one of the ways we do this is by supporting great community events like this one.”
Tailgate party tickets are $85 (plus HST), and you may order online at www.niagarawinefestival.com or by calling the Festival office at 905-688-0212. Please note: There is no parking allowed on site, so there will be a shuttle bus provided. You may check out the shuttle bus map by clicking here. Purchase a Discovery Pass!
On June 14, 15, 21, & 22 from 11:00am – 5:00pm, consider purchasing a “Discovery Pass” for $40 + HST which allows you access to eight Niagara wine experiences with removable vouchers for any of the participating wineries of your choice (click here for the list of wineries). If you are the “Designated Driver” you can still be a part of all the excitement by indulging in eight mocktail and culinary pairings with the “Driver’s Discovery Pass”!
You may purchase your Discovery Passes by calling 905.688.0212 x112 or at the first winery on your route. Hotel Accommodations
If you stay at the Clifton Hill Niagara Falls Hotel, you will be provided with an opportunity to discover other amazing attractions that Niagara has to offer, in addition to heading to Niagara-on-the-Lake to taste our region’s best Niagara wine. You will also be provided with many more different options at considerable savings, in order to experience a visit that features more of Niagara’s best! From the Clifton Hill Fun Pass, to the Greg Frewin Magic Show, and even a Niagara Helicopter ride, the Build-A-Package contains many options, with some discounts at up to 70% off! They even offer a Niagara Wine Country Tour if you can’t get enough of our delectable Niagara wine.
For more information on The Niagara New Vintage Festival visit them at www.niagarawinefestival.com.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NiagaraWineFestivals
Twitter: www.twitter.com/niagarawinefest
If you are a fan of the vine, these are the weekends to visit wine country!
Christine Lynn www.cliftonhill.com
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