Summary
People are always looking for unique ways to enjoy a wine tasting. Doing a snowshoe wine tour in Niagara Falls is one of the tops!
We’ve heard of horseback riding from winery to winery, cycling between vineyards, and even participating in marathons where athletes taste wine, such as the Marathon Du Medoc in France. However, this is the first time I have heard of sampling wine in the dead of winter while snowshoeing through the picturesque Niagara Winery estate of Thirty Bench Wine Makers in Beamsville.
Niagara Winter Winery Tour
We arrived early on a picture-perfect day. After the heavy snowfall the day prior, there was just enough on the ground for Thirty Bench to commence its snowshoeing excursion for the beginning of the ice wine festival.
The first thing we were handed was a glass of wine while we enjoyed perusing the vintages on display indoors.
Once we finished our glass, it was time to brave the crisp air and suit up for our tour.
Snowshoe and Wine Tasting Guided Tours
Janine and Adrienne were our guides for the day, assisting us with our snowshoes. Snowshoes have evolved from their traditional designs to sleek, modern versions with built-in crampons that help prevent slipping on ice.
We started with an introduction to the winery, where Janine, a local sommelier, shared her knowledge about the wines we’d be sampling and outlined the parts of the winery we would visit during our leisurely hike.
Vineyard Tour on Snowshoes
Fortunately, the snow depth was manageable, allowing for an enjoyable walk through the vineyards. While we’ve snowshoed in deeper snow before, today was all about enjoying the view and tasting wine outdoors, which made for a fantastic experience!
After a short walk through rows of riesling grapes, we arrived at our first tasting. A table made from wine casks was arranged with nature-chilled glasses awaiting delightful white wine.
Having heated up from our trek, we were ready to relax while Janine shared insights about the grapes and wine-making process.
As she spoke, we took the chance to capture the breathtaking landscape and posed next to an old door placed at the forest’s edge, providing a charming touch to the tour.
Perfect Tour for Adventure and Wine Lovers
As casual wine enthusiasts, this adventure was perfect for us. We relished the hike through the beautiful Niagara Region scenery.
Interesting Wine Tour
We didn’t need to strain to focus on the intricate details of the wines; instead, we were genuinely fascinated by Janine’s commentary while surrounded by the award-winning vineyard, able to see and touch the grape vines.
This type of tour fosters excitement and encourages a desire to learn more about what makes a good wine. Although sitting around a table tasting wine is enjoyable, this experience was truly extraordinary!
Learning about Wine in Niagara Falls
Along the trail, we enjoyed two additional tastings and discovered that dried vines can enhance barbecued dishes when placed in a metal pan to impart a delicious flavor to meats.
At our final stop, we savored a delightful riesling paired with a piece of decadent chocolate, which was absolutely scrumptious!
After an hour of walking, we returned to the main lodge, where we sat by an outdoor fire and enjoyed more wine, including a Cabernet Franc and a fine ice wine, complemented by freshly made wild mushroom soup.
Thirty Bench Wine Tour by Snowshoe
This winter adventure comes highly recommended. If you seek a unique and romantic way to explore a Niagara Winery, consider visiting Thirty Bench while snow still blankets the ground. Enjoy the snowshoeing excursion, purchase a couple of bottles of wine, and consider staying at a cozy B&B in the charming Niagara Region.
Snowshoeing Through the Vineyards
$30 per guest exclusive of taxes. Includes snowshoe rental, guided trek, and wine tasting experience.
For more information on Thirty Bench, visit their website for details.
