January
14-16•21-23•28-30
Your Discovery Pass entitles you to 6 wine and culinary experiences designed by winemakers and chefs to celebrate the flavours of Niagara, redeemable at 29 participating wineries across Twenty Valley and Niagara-on-the-Lake over two weekends!
Reservations for Discovery Pass experiences are highly recommended, as some wineries do not accept walk-ins on event weekends. A valid Discovery Pass must be presented to participate in the tastings on event day. Your reservation link will be sent with your ticket confirmation email.
From the snow-covered vineyards of Twenty Valley to the glistening grape clusters in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara’s world-renowned wine region is a wine lover’s winter wonderland. The Discovery Pass is the best way to explore VQA Icewine, with curated culinary pairings showing how to enjoy this special wine with both sweet and savoury flavours. Your Discovery Pass includes six experiences and is valid Friday-Sunday.
Download Discovery Pass Map Listings
Raise a glass and celebrate the harvest! Our winery partners have carefully crafted delectable wine and food pairings that showcase the best of the season.
13th Street Winery
Jean Pierre Colas, Winemaker
1776 Fourth Avenue
St. Catharines
Late Harvest Riesling glazed and smoked short rib poutine with a creamy blue cheese sauce and crispy fried onions (vegetarian option available)
Late Harvest Riesling 2019
Winery Chef Josh Berry
Embrace the soft-creamy purple taro potato puff as its texture is wrapped in a buttery flaky crust, topped off with a mouth-watering mango sauce. This paired perfectly with our Gold medal Riesling Icewine at Decanter World Wine Awards (vegan Friendly)
2019 Riesling Icewine
Ma Chinese Cuisine
Cave Spring Vineyard
Gabriel Demarco, Winemaker
4043 Cave Spring Road
Beamsville
Cozy up with Cave Spring and savour a delectable pairing of luscious Riesling Icewine with culinary partner Revalee’s heavenly Thai Pineapple & Shrimp Red Curry with Coconut Rice.
2017 Riesling Icewine
Revalee | Mitch Lamb
Creekside Estate Winery
Rob Power, Winemaker
2170 Fourth Avenue
Jordan
Chill out with the Creekside Team! Sample Chef’s signature Beef Chili recipe served with a dollop of sour crème and drizzled with Creekside 2015 Vidal Icewine.
2015 Vidal Icewine
Creekside Chef Josh
De Simone Vineyards
Vincenzo De Simone, Winemaker
865 Niagara Stone Rd
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Where sweet meets heat, this lovely treat will sweep you off your feet! Our family favourite: Buffalo chicken slider made with delicious cream cheese, and glazed with our famous 2016 Vidal Icewine and topped with bleu cheese (optional) (vegetarian Buffalo cauliflower option available)
2016 Vidal Icewine
De Simone Farmhouse | Winemaker’s Mother
Grab your parkas and toques and join us around the campfire to experience a sweet and savoury Vidal pairing. Indulge in a flaky puff pastry overflowing with delicious Vidal poached pear, walnuts, and blue cheese. Paired with our 2018 Late Harvest Vidal. Vegan option available.
Special Select Late Harvest Vidal 2018
FEROX by Fabian Reis
Fabian Reis & Gianluca Alaimo Di Loro, Winemaker
1829 Concession 4 Road
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Join us for a phenomenally crafted experience featuring our unique and exceptional 2017 Dornfelder Icewine paired with a mascarpone and blue cheese 'cigar', a playful mix of sweet and savoury notes (vegetarian)
2017 Dornfelder Icewine
Incoho
Flat Rock Cellars
Allison Findlay, Winemaker
2727 Seventh Avenue
Jordan
Flat Rock Cellars has paired our fizzy favourite, Sparkling Twisted, with flavourful pakora bites - made fresh with spinach, onion, potatoes and chickpea flour. This fruit-driven wine plays perfectly with the slight spice of the pakora and will surely dazzle your palate (vegetarian, gluten-free) Featured wine: 2020 Sparkling Twisted
2020 Sparkling Twisted
Regional Variety & Gas Bar
Harbour Estates Winery
Ken Mowat, Winemaker
4362 Jordan Road
Jordan
We’ve thought up 50 ways to Leave a Sweet Tooth and your Discovery Pass gives you access to try 2 of our top 5 recipes! Choose from delicacies like “Iced Squash Soup” or “Deep Fried Ice cream with Icewine Reduction”, paired with our 2015 Vidal Icewine. Ask about our annual Icewine sale - up to 50% off! (vegetarian, or option available)
2015 Vidal Icewine
Henry of Pelham Estate Winery
Lawrence Buhler, Winemaker
1469 Pelham Rd
St. Catharines
This January, join us at Henry of Pelham winery and pair our Riesling Icewine alongside a warm, crustless bacon quiche made by local favourite Nature’s Corner.
2017 Riesling Icewine
Nature’s Corner
Inniskillin Wines
Nick Gizuk, Winemaker
1499 Line 3
Niagara-on-the-Lake
A hearty, slow simmered stew of smoked tomatoes and white beans, simmered for hours to yield a luxurious, velvety richness and served with our award-winning Sparkling Vidal Ice Wine (vegetarian)
Sparkling Vidal Icewine 2018
Dale Camroux
Jackson-Triggs
Levi de Loryn, Winemaker
2145 Niagara Stone Road
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Savour succulent Traeger-smoked meatballs prepared with housemade balsamic-apple chutney, perfectly paired with our 2018 Reserve Vidal Icewine (vegetarian option available)
2018 Reserve Vidal Icewine
Estate Chef Kevin King
King’s Court Estate Winery
Josef Zimmermann, Winemaker
2083 Seventh Street Louth
St. Catharines
A unique and savory pairing of Gewürztraminer Icewine with the smooth, earthy, and sweet flavours of pistachio gelato. Our assortment of Icewines is unparalleled in Niagara, we look forward to charming your palate! (vegetarian; dairy-free option available)
2017 Gewürztraminer Icewine
Italian Ice Cream
Konzelmann Estate Winery
Eric Pearson, Winemaker
1096 Lakeshore Road
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Our fan favourite is back! Enjoy a bowl of our famous lobster bisque, served with artisan breadsticks perfectly paired with our award winning 2018 Vidal Icewine.
2020 Vidal Icewine
Lakeview Wine Co.
Scott McGregor & Jessica Wallace, Winemaker
1067 Niagara Stone Road
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Join us to experience a taste like no other. Enjoy our gold award winning 2019 Lakeview Cellars Vidal Icewine with a rich palate filled with honey, lychee and citrus complimented by a delectable butternut squash soup topped with crème fraiche (vegetarian)
2019 Lakeview Cellars Vidal Icewine
Creekside Winery Chef Josh
Malivoire Wine Company
Shiraz Mottiar, Winemaker
4260 King Street East
Beamsville
Sink your teeth into a succulent shrimp dumpling drizzled with a punchy chili dressing and a tangy, citrus ponzu sauce. The dumpling’s sweet heat dances delightfully with the honey and apricot tones of our decadent Riesling Icewine (vegetarian option available)
2019 Riesling Icewine
Wellington Court | Chef Erik Peacock
Marynissen Estates
Mitchell McCurdy, Winemaker
1208 Concession 1 Road
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Savoury and sweet- this can’t be beat! We’ll be serving figs with goat cheese wrapped up in pastry. These “Figs in a Blanket” will be paired with our smooth 2014 Cabernet Franc Icewine, which boasts flavours of rhubarb & deep cherry (vegetarian)
2014 Cabernet Franc Icewine
Pig Out Catering
Niagara College Teaching Winery
Gavin Robertson, Winemaker
135 Taylor Road
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Why settle for one when you can have two? Enjoy our delicious 2018 Vidal Icewine as well as the newly released 2020 Petit Verdot while you bite into the savoury smoked duck and goat’s cheese quiche, then the rich sweetness of dark chocolate and raspberry mousse tart. Enjoy both pairings, sitting beside a lovely fire with your loved one!
2018 Dean’s List Prodigy Icewine and 2020 Balance Petit Verdot
Chef Oscar Turchi | Savoia
Palatine Hills Estate Winery
John Neufeld Jr., Winemaker
911 Lakeshore Road
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Freshly made, authentic Churros, dusted with cinnamon & sugar and served with a dulce de leche dipping sauce - paired with our award winning, vintage 2012 Vidal Icewine (vegetarian)
2012 Reserve Vidal Icewine
The Heat is On | James Cuttriss
Peller Estates Winery
Katie Dickieson , Winemaker
290 John Street East
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Join us fireside for an Icewine Marshmallow and a sample of our Andrew Peller Signature Series Cabernet Franc Icewine.
Cabernet Franc Icewine
Peller Estates Chef Jason Parsons
Pillitteri Estates Winery
Alex Kolundzic, Winemaker
1696 Niagara Stone Road
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Classic homemade Italian meatballs served in a house made spicy marinara sauce, topped with fresh basil and fresh grated Parmesan-Reggiano. Paired with Team Canada Vidal Icewine.
2017 Team Canada Vidal Icewine
BarrelHead Bistro | Chef Michael Zappitelli
Warm up with an in-house prepared bowl of Venison and Dark Chocolate Chili, topped with Juniper Crème Fraiche & Scallions and perfectly paired with our 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine (vegetarian option available)
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine
Restaurant at Redstone | Chef Dave Sider
Reif Estate Winery
Roberto DiDomenico, Winemaker
15608 Niagara Parkway
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Welcome back to Reif’s Annual Pig Roast served with Icewine apple sauce paired with 1oz Select late Harvest Vidal, and 1oz Vidal Icewine. A mouth watering Trio.
2019 Vidal Ice Wine & 2018 Select Late Harvest Vidal
Pig Out Catering
Ridge Road Estate Winery
Sean Douglas, Winemaker
1205 Ridge Road
Stoney Creek
Sit fireside with a mug of spiced mulled wine, made with our 2020 Riesling, cinnamon, cloves, citrus, and ginger. This hot, sweet and spicy drink is a decadent pairing with the creamy French classic, crème brûlée, topped with caramelized sugar.
2020 Riesling
Tara Nicholson
Riverview Cellars Estate Winery
Alyssa Wertsch and Nick Salvatore, Winemaker
15376 Niagara Parkway
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Enjoy our award-winning Cabernet Franc Icewine perfectly paired with a Barbequed Beef Brisket Slider, topped with blue cheese and maple bacon onion jam (vegetarian option available)
Cabernet Franc Icewine 2018
In the Smoke
Rockway Vineyards
Simone Ardiel, Winemaker
3290 Ninth Street
St. Catharines
Experience our sinfully indulgent Apple Praline Icewine Donut, with just the right amount of sweetness and crunch, paired with our award-winning 2017 Vidal Ice Wine bringing out all the fruit this icewine has to offer (vegetarian)
2017 Vidal Icewine
Matthew McDowell
This twist on classic French Onion Soup is made with our 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine and topped with a Gruyere Crouton (vegetarian)
2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine
Restaurant at Redstone | Chef Dave Sider
Trius Winery
Craig MacDonald, Winemaker
1249 Niagara Stone Road
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Warm up with a Hearty White Bean and Smoked Ham Hock Cassoulet with Roasted Icewine Butternut Squash paired with Trius Vidal Icewine 2018 (vegetarian option available)
Trius Vidal Icewine 2018
Trius Winery Chef Frank Dodd
Wayne Gretzky Estates
Craig McDonald, Winemaker
1219 Niagara Stone Road
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Join us at Wayne Gretzky Estates for a pairing of our gold medal winning Vidal Icewine with a Spicy Jambalaya pairing (vegetarian and vegan options available)
2018 Signature Series Vidal Icewine
Chef Maurice Desharnais
Whether you’re a seasoned Discovery Pass professional or a first-timer, here are some tips to help you get the most out of your tour in Niagara.
Your Discovery Pass entitles you to six (6) wine and culinary pairings. You can choose from 29 participating wineries across Niagara-on-the-Lake and Twenty Valley (Niagara West).
Your Discovery Pass is valid for the full weekend, so use the Discovery Pass map to plan a route that leaves you plenty of time to relax and enjoy your experience. Better yet, plan one day in Niagara-on-the-Lake and another in Twenty Valley to get a full taste of Niagara.
It is highly recommended that you reserve your tasting experience in advance (some wineries will only welcome guests with reservations. This new policy was designed with COVID-19 safety in mind, resulting in limited space at some wineries to allow for social distancing. You will be asked to select which day, and if you'll be tasting between 11am-2pm or 2pm-5pm (not a specific appointment time). You will also receive an emailed itinerary and option to add your tastings into your calendar.
After you’ve sipped and savoured the Discovery Pass pairings, give yourself some time to experience the distinct features of each winery. Spend some time sampling new releases at the tasting bar, take a stroll through the vineyards, or snap some pictures of you and your friends enjoying your Discovery Pass in the snow-covered vines!
No problem! All wineries have Discovery Passes for sale, so you can purchase another and split it with a friend.
You’re going to love several of the wines that you taste as you make your way through your Discovery Pass, so pick up an empty case from a participating winery and store your purchased wine easily in your vehicle.
Discovery Pass tickets are $49 +HST each and include 6 wine and food pairings at participating wineries. Driver's Discovery Pass tickets are $39 +HST and include 6 culinary pairings with a non-alcoholic beverage at participating wineries.
Your Discovery Pass ticket is valid for the weekend you have selected – either January 14-16, 21-23 or 28-30. Wineries are open for the Discovery Pass from 11am – 5pm daily (unless noted in their description)
You can purchase your tickets online or at any participating winery.
Yes, you can! Each Discovery Pass includes 6 tasting tickets – which means 6 food and wine pairings total. You can divide them up however you'd like.
Most wineries have a vegetarian option. Review the Wine & Food pairings and look for notations of vegetarian or vegetarian options, then plan your route!
Please contact gabby@niagarawinefestival.com no less than 48 hours prior to the event start date. Passes lost within 48 hours of the event start date will need to be replaced at the customer's expense.
E-tickets are not being used during the 2022 Discovery Pass. All purchasers will receive their pass via mail or can pick up at the Festival Office (see 101 section for dates and times).
All participating wineries have plans for inclement weather. Please note that the Discovery Pass is a snow-or-shine, non-refundable event.
Please review the Discovery Pass Listings to see which wineries will welcome groups of 9 or more guests. All groups will require advance reservations.
In accordance with current Ontario laws, all participants must be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination to enter the wineries. Please carefully review the Discovery Pass listings to determine which wineries are hosting tastings indoors and note that if it is raining OR if you'd like to do additional tastings indoors you will require a vaccine passport. Participants must also wear face coverings/masks while attending the wineries. By purchasing ticket(s) you acknowledge that you are in compliance with current provincial mandates.
The wineries follow the Province and Region’s guidelines regarding the vaccine passport. Any indoor activities will require proof of vaccination. Please carefully review the Discovery Pass listings to determine which wineries are hosting tastings indoors, and note that if it is raining OR if you'd like to do additional tastings indoors you will require a vaccine passport.