DEHUROEN

Plizio Visual Lab

Niagara Icewine Production

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
Agriculture
—°15
Niagara Icewine Production (Canada)

Weather…

The Niagara Peninsula in Ontario is the world's leading hub for the production of icewine, an exclusive dessert wine specialty. The unique microclimate between Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and the Niagara Escarpment provides convenient conditions for viticulture. Icewine is produced from grapes that have naturally frozen on the vine at temperatures of at least -8 degrees Celsius (17°F). These extreme conditions concentrate the sugars and acids within the berries, resulting in an intensely sweet wine with complex aromas. Harvesting often occurs in the middle of the night during frigid conditions to ensure the grapes are pressed while still frozen. Pioneers like Inniskillin Winery brought Canadian icewine to international prominence in the 1980s. Today, Canada is the largest producer of icewine globally, with Vidal and Riesling being the most commonly used grape varieties. The region celebrates this heritage annually with the Niagara Icewine Festival, attracting thousands of wine enthusiasts.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-4-4171319222218115-1
Rain mm645763818587917987987580

📋 Practical info

🏭
What is this place?
The Niagara Icewine Production is a world-class wine region in Canada, known for producing icewine from frozen grapes. It plays a leading role in the Canadian wine economy and attracts wine lovers from around the world who want to experience this unique product.
🚪
Visiting
Many wineries in the Niagara region offer tastings and guided tours year-round, with a focus on icewine. During the winter icewine harvest, special night tours are possible where the harvest can be observed by candlelight.
👀
Where to view it
The vineyards stretch along the Niagara Escarpment, with many wineries having public viewpoints. From the wine route, winter has a scenic view of snow-covered vines, while in summer green leaves dominate the hills.
🧺
Local products
The region is famous for its icewine made from Riesling and Vidal grapes, but also for other wines such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc. Local cheeses, fruit preserves, and maple syrup are also available at markets and farm stores to accompany the wine.
📆
Active season
The icewine harvest typically takes place in December and January when temperatures drop below -8°C. This is the most magical time for a visit, when winemakers hand-harvest the frozen grapes at night and wineries hold special events.
➕
Nearby
A visit to the icewine region can be perfectly combined with Niagara Falls, just a few kilometers away. The historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake with its theaters and restaurants, as well as the Butterfly Conservatory, are also popular combinations.

Geography

Coordinates
43.15000, -79.20000

Facts

  • Grapes must be harvested frozen on the vine at -8°C (17°F) or colder.
  • Canada is the world's largest producer of certified icewine products.
  • Inniskillin won the Grand Prix d'Honneur at Vinexpo Bordeaux in 1991.
  • Vidal Blanc is the most frequently used grape variety for icewine.
  • The sugar level is measured in degrees Brix (minimum of 35 °Brix).
  • The Niagara Icewine Festival is held annually every January.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

St. CatharinesSt. Catharines5 km · SExplore →
Niagara Falls (city)Niagara Falls (city)13 km · NExplore →
Toronto ZooToronto Zoo14 km · EExplore →
Niagara-on-the-LakeNiagara-on-the-Lake14 km · NExplore →
MarkhamMarkham16 km · SEExplore →
Ontario Science CentreOntario Science Centre19 km · SEExplore →
PickeringPickering19 km · NEExplore →
Niagara FallsNiagara Falls20 km · NExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Niagara Icewine Production (15)

Morningstar Mill🏛 museum

A historic grist mill in St. Catharines that operated until 1963.

DeCew House🏺 historical

Ruins of a historic early 19th-century house in St. Catharines.

Garden City Skyway📍 landmark

A bridge carrying the Queen Elizabeth Way over the Welland Canal in St. Catharines.

Short Hills Provincial Park🌿 nature

A provincial park in St. Catharines with hiking trails and waterfalls.

Saint Patrick Roman Catholic Church⛪ religious

Saint Patrick Roman Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic church in St. Catharines, with a Gothic tower and stained glass.

St. Thomas Aquinas Church⛪ religious

St. Thomas Aquinas Church is a Roman Catholic church in St. Catharines, with a modern design and a large statue.

Silver Spire United Church⛪ religious

Silver Spire United Church is a United Church of Canada in St. Catharines, known for its distinctive silver spire.

Port Dalhousie Range Rear Lighthouse📍 landmark

Port Dalhousie Range Rear Lighthouse in Icewine is a lighthouse guiding ships on Lake Ontario.

St. Catharines Museum & Welland Canals Centre🏛 museum

Museum documenting the history of the Welland Canal and St. Catharines.

🕒 Mo-Su 09:00-17:00♿

The John Mann Gallery🏛 museum

Art gallery featuring contemporary and historical works by John Mann.

First Nation Peace Monument🏺 historical

Monument commemorating peace and friendship between Indigenous peoples and settlers.

two old metal tanks🏺 historical

Two old metal tanks, remnants of agricultural infrastructure.

The Avalon Ballroom Theatre🎭 culture

A former ballroom with a sprung dance floor, now a live theatre in Icewine.

♿

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is Icewine?
A dessert wine made from grapes harvested while frozen on the vine.
When are the grapes harvested?
Usually at night in December or January at min. -8°C (17°F).
Are there wine tastings?
Yes, many Niagara wineries offer tastings year-round.
When is the Icewine Festival?
It is held annually in January in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Is Icewine expensive?
Yes, due to low yields and labor-intensive production.
Niagara Icewine Production: where is it located?
Niagara Icewine Production is located in Canada.
Niagara Icewine Production: what is there to see?
Highlights include Morningstar Mill, DeCew House, Garden City Skyway.
Niagara Icewine Production: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Niagara Icewine Production: why is it worth visiting?
The Niagara Peninsula in Ontario is the world's leading hub for the production of icewine, an exclusive dessert wine specialty.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
North America
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in North America
More places in Canada →

Nearby cities

Mississauga — Niagara Icewine Production (Canada)
Mississauga
A large suburban city in the Greater Toronto Area on Lake Ontario.
Brampton — Niagara Icewine Production (Canada)
Brampton
A diverse city in the Greater Toronto Area, known as the 'Flower City of Canada'.
Hamilton — Niagara Icewine Production (Canada)
Hamilton
A port city on the western tip of Lake Ontario, known for its industrial heritage.
London — Niagara Icewine Production (Canada)
London
A city in southwestern Ontario, known for its university and its nickname 'The Forest City'.
Markham — Niagara Icewine Production (Canada)
Markham
A high-tech city in the Greater Toronto Area with a large Asian population.
Vaughan — Niagara Icewine Production (Canada)
Vaughan
A fast-growing city north of Toronto, home to Canada's Wonderland amusement park.
Kitchener — Niagara Icewine Production (Canada)
Kitchener
A city with a strong German heritage, part of the Tri-Cities region.
Windsor — Niagara Icewine Production (Canada)
Windsor
Canada's southernmost city, located directly across from Detroit, USA.
Oakville — Niagara Icewine Production (Canada)
Oakville
An affluent suburban town west of Toronto on Lake Ontario.
Richmond Hill — Niagara Icewine Production (Canada)
Richmond Hill
An affluent town north of Toronto with many parks.
Burlington — Niagara Icewine Production (Canada)
Burlington
A city between Hamilton and Toronto, often ranked as one of Canada's best places to live.
Oshawa — Niagara Icewine Production (Canada)
Oshawa
A city east of Toronto, historically known for its automotive industry.
Greater Sudbury — Niagara Icewine Production (Canada)
Greater Sudbury
A city in Northern Ontario famous for its nickel mining industry.
Barrie — Niagara Icewine Production (Canada)
Barrie
A city on Kempenfelt Bay of Lake Simcoe, north of Toronto.
Guelph — Niagara Icewine Production (Canada)
Guelph
Known for its high quality of life and the University of Guelph.

History & landmarks

Stratford — Niagara Icewine Production (Canada)
Stratford
Stratford is renowned for its annual classical theatre festival and well-preserved Victorian architecture along the Avon River.
Toronto City Hall — Niagara Icewine Production (Canada)
Toronto City Hall
A distinctive modernist building located at Nathan Phillips Square.