There are dozens of wineries around Niagara, and deciding which ones to visit and who is going to drive can quickly complicate what should be an enjoyable day.
I live in Toronto and visit Niagara-on-the-Lake often, visiting different wineries each time. I have narrowed the choices down by the type of experience, as they can vary.
Let this best Niagara-on-the-Lake wine tours guide help you plan your visit!
Best Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tours at a Glance
| Tour | Best For | Duration | Highlights | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niagara Wine & Cheese Tour | Best Overall | 4 to 5 hours | 3 wineries, tastings, transportation | Check Availability |
| Niagara Wine & Food Tour | Food & Wine | 6 hours | Tastings, winery lunch | Check Availability |
| Niagara Cycling Wine Tour | Guided & Self-GuidedOutdoor Adventure | various length | Cycling, 2-3 wineries, tastings | Check Availability |
| Private Niagara Wine Tour | Couples and Groups | 4 to 5 hours | In English cab, 4 wineries, lunch, flexible itinerary | Check Availability |
| Niagara Winery Tour with Tastings | Toronto Departure | 9 hours | 3 wineries, lunch, Old Town free time | Check Availability |
Many of the tours start in either Niagara Falls or Niagara-on-the-Lake
Best Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tours: 8 Tours Worth Booking
1. Best Overall Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tour
Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine & Cheese Half Day Tour, where you’ll visit three wineries, and you can enjoy tasting sessions at each, discover how wine is made, visit the award-winning tour, visit the vineyards, and even enjoy a wine-and-cheese pairing at one of the stops.
2. Best Small-Group Niagara Wine Tour
Small groups can provide a more personal experience than large coach tours.
Wine & Charcuterie Small Group Tour with Tastings. Wine tastings at 3 wineries (9-12 wines) with a wine-making facility tour and mini Charcuterie pairing at another.
3. Best Niagara Wine and Food Tour
Best for couples, foodies, special occasions, and if you don’t want to organize your lunch separately. I have listed 3 choices as the menu varies.
Three-Course Lunch and Wine Tour Through Niagara’s Wine Country on this guided tour with lunch. Sample the area’s wide variety of world-class wines at four separate wineries. Then take a tour of a winery and see the wine-making process, from vine to wine. Enjoy lunch prepared by a local chef at a winery restaurant or fine-dining eatery.
Lunch in the Vineyard Experience. At each stop, you’ll enjoy 3–4 wine tastings, guided by friendly experts who share the stories and flavors of this world-renowned wine region. A delicious lunch, typically a shareable artisan woodfire pizza and large salad with fresh local ingredients at BarrelHead, is served with a view of the vineyard.
Niagara Wine Tasting and three-course dinner. Visit three separate wineries with select tastings at each, and a 3-course gourmet dinner is included.
4. Best Niagara-on-the-Lake Cycling Wine Tour
Niagara-on-the-Lake Bicycle Wine Tour with a choice of self-guided or guided options visiting several wineries. Some tours include lunch while others visit a Cider House.
5. Best Private Niagara Wine Tour
When I travel (anywhere) with groups of friends, I often go on a private tour as I find them more flexible on the timing for just a few dollars more. I appreciate the ability to spend more time at places of interest.
This option is best for couples, famililies/groups, celebrations, and travellers wanting flexibility.
Private Vineyard Dome Experience for one hour at the Konzelmann Winery. With amazing views of the south shores of Lake Ontario, the wine tasting will take place in a luxurious dome built on an elevated outdoor platform. Graze on a locally sourced charcuterie board paired with a hand-picked selection of reserve and family reserve wines.
Private Wine Tour in Classic English Cab with lunch. Visits to Reif, Konzelmann, Caroline Cellars, and Between the Lines Wineries for tastings.
6. Best Niagara Wine Tour for Couples
For a more relaxed atmosphere, consider one of the private wine tours above or this tour.
Sunset Wine Tour with Dinner with wine tastings at 3 wineries and a 3-course dinner. This tour starts in the Niagara Falls area.
Wine, Beer, Cider, and Spirits Tour. Visit the Exchange Brewery craft brewery, the Limited Distillery, Ironwood Cider House, and Konzelmann Estate Winery.
7. Best Budget-Friendly Niagara Wine Tour
If you are looking for good value, you may wish to consider one of these tours.
Niagara Wine Tour and Tastings with Transportation, which includes several wineries with tastings at every stop. A casual lunch break with local wine choices at an additional cost.
8. Best Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tour from Toronto
If you do not wish to drive from Toronto and do not have a designated driver, you may prefer to leave the driving to your guide and just sit back and enjoy the journey.
Niagara Winery Tour with Tastings from Toronto at 3 handpicked estates, where you taste local wines, including Icewine. Includes Reif Estate Winery, Pillitteri Estates Winery, and Between The Lines Winery, among other top-tier estates (Konzelmann Estate Winery or Caroline Cellars). A delicious lunch is included.
Private Wine Tasting Tour in Niagara-on-the-Lake: you will be picked up in Toronto and taken to experience tastings at 4 wineries. You’ll visit Wayne Gretzky Estates for a seated tasting experience, Reif Estate Winery for a Premium selection tasting, Between the Lines Winery, and Peller Estates Winery. Includes a cheese & charcuterie picnic board. You will also have some free time to explore Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Read more about – Toronto: Private Wine Tasting Tour in Niagara-on-the-Lake
How I Chose These Niagara Wine Tours
I picked the above tours based on:
- Tour itinerary – Starting location in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls or Toronto and including visits to several wineries
- Number/type of wineries – Usually visiting 3 to 4 wineries is best to sample different types of wines and not be overwhelmed.
- Transportation – Small vans or buses. One tour is by an English Cab for something unique
- Group size – Most tours are by a van or bus of up to 30 people, but I have included smaller groups for a more personalized experience
- Duration – Most tours are 4 to 6 hours; however, tours departing from Toronto are full-day to allow for the driving time
- What’s included – The tours generally include tastings and a tour at one location, transportation, a guide, and sometimes a snack or lunch
- Traveller feedback – I picked the highest-rated tours based on customer reviews. Several tours had poor reviews, and I did not include them.
Is a Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tour Worth It?
Advantages of a Niagara-on-the-Lake wine tour include:
- No designated driver
- Transportation between wineries
- Less planning
- Winery selection handled for you
- Potential behind-the-scenes experiences
- Meeting other travellers
The downside of organized tours is that they offer less flexibility than visiting independently. However, I have listed a number of private tours where the timing is flexible.
Wine Tour vs Visiting Niagara Wineries on Your Own
| Wine Tour | Self-Guided |
|---|---|
| Transportation handled | Need a driver |
| Itinerary planned | Complete flexibility |
| Multiple wineries easy | Choose your own wineries |
| Higher upfront cost | Can potentially cost less |
| Social experience | More private |
Should You Choose a Driving or Cycling Wine Tour?
I have done both, but when cycling only have a small tasting at one winery. By driving with a designated driver, you have more opportunity to sample the wines, or I make sure to combine the experience with a meal.
Cycling is limited from April to October, and you are more affected by the weather (both heat and rain). E-bikes are available for rental, which can make riding easier. I have found it easy on the area roads to cycle without worries about traffic, particularly when using the Niagara River Recreation Trail.
Reif, Inniskillin, Riverbend, Two Sisters, and Peller Wineries are all easy to reach from the bike trail.
Best Time of Year for a Niagara Wine Tour
Spring: quieter, pleasant temperatures
Summer: vineyards, patios, busiest season
Fall: harvest atmosphere and autumn colours
Winter: icewine and a very different Niagara experience
If you prefer to go to Niagara-on-the-Lake for one day and just want to visit the town.
What to Wear on a Niagara Wine Tour
- Comfortable shoes as you will be doing a lot of walking, some on uneven ground
- Dress in layers in cooler weather
- Sun protection
- Rain protection depending on the weather
- When cycling, always wear a helmet, and it is a good idea to have panniers
Tips for Booking a Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tour
- Reserve ahead for weekends as these are popular tours that sell out
- Check pickup locations as they vary. All the tours listed here start in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls or Toronto. Some from hotels or other points.
- Confirm what’s included, as all include wine tastings, a guide, and transportation. But sometimes there is free time in Niagara-on-the-Lake, sometimes snacks are included, but it varies by tour.
- Check lunch arrangements as sometimes it is included, and sometimes it is an optional expense
- Look at cancellation terms
- Don’t plan too much afterward
- Consider staying overnight as there is plenty of other things to do in Niagara-on-the-Lake. I have a 2 Day Niagara-on-the-Lake Itinerary if looking for ideas.
FAQs: Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tour
How many wineries do Niagara wine tours visit?
It varies by tour but generally 3 to 4 wineries.
How long does a Niagara wine tour take?
Most wine tours are 4 to 6 hours in length with about 45 minutes to 1 hour per winery. If lunch is included or if departing from Toronto, you need to add additional time.
Do Niagara wine tours include transportation?
They all include van or bus transportation. A private car option is also available.
Are wine tastings included?
Yes, wine tastings are included. Some tours also visit a Cider House, Brewery or Distillery.
Can you take a wine tour from Toronto?
Yes, it is a great option to take a wine tour from Toronto as you do not need to worry about driving on the busy QEW and can enjoy the wines. It is also good value when you consider the cost of gas.
Can you cycle between Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries?
Yes, you can cycle to any of the wineries, although some are in different directions.
Do you need to book Niagara wine tours in advance?
Yes, you do, and they do sell out, and the tour companies need to know to expect you.
Which Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tour Should You Choose?
Now, you can choose the Best Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tour for you.
First visit: Best Overall
Couples: Best Couples
Food lovers: Wine & Food
Outdoor travellers: Cycling Wine Tour
Groups: Private Tour
Value seekers: Budget/Best Value
Toronto departure: no car necessary from Toronto
That gives readers one final nudge toward the appropriate booking link.
