Local Escapes: Finding the Flavours of Niagara Region

Ontario’s Niagara region is a vibrant and diverse area filled with fine wine and delicious dining. But beyond Niagara’s Parks’ tourist-friendly attractions and photo ops, sustainability and stewardship of the environment are at the top of mind. It’s these mindfulness efforts that truly permeate every drop of Niagara VQA wine and ingredients at many of the region’s restaurants.

Read on for everything you need to know about finding flavours in the Niagara region that you simply can’t get enough of.

Vineland Estates Winery

My culinary curiosity brought me to Vineland Estates Winery, located on the slope of the Niagara Escarpment. Driving up the snowy driveway, you can’t help but marvel at the wine store and tasting bar. It’s inside a self-described “wooden cathedral” that dates back to 1877 on an impressive 180-acre parcel of land.

Whether you’re looking for Cabernet Franc, Riesling, rare Pinot Meunier or a Chardonnay, Vineland Estates Winery in Niagara has perfected the art of winemaking for 45 years.

“It is the escarpment that is the magic, plus the lakes. But with the escarpment broken the way it is and all the shale and limestone exposed and the vines getting into that, it’s magic,” says David Hulley, Director of Customer Experience at Vineland Estates Winery.

“We are known for having our wines that truly express the place. It’s called terroir. It tells the story of where it was grown and how it was grown,” Hulley adds.

The vineyard is also home to one of Niagara’s first winery restaurants featuring locally sourced ingredients. Guests can dine inside the 1845 farmhouse or outdoors during the warmer months.

“The vineyards want to speak and it’s our job to translate that into the glass. And when you’re tasting that and looking out to the vineyards, you get it right away,” says Hulley.

The restaurant and winery are Feast On-certified, which means they source and serve Ontario-grown food and drinks. The Culinary Tourism Alliance manages the certification and helps visitors find restaurants that support sustainable local sourcing systems.

“The Feast On certification program has been going on since 2014. It is North America’s longest-running certification program for restaurants that recognize their commitment to showcasing Ontario-grown and raised ingredients, both on their plates and in their glass,” says Rebecca Mackenzie, President and CEO of the Culinary Tourism Alliance.

To qualify, businesses must prove that 25 per cent of total annual food receipts and 25 per cent of annual alcohol receipts reflect local Ontario purchases.

Niagara Parks Power Station

When it comes to travel, there’s nothing quite like a view and that’s an understatement when it comes to Niagara Falls. For a unique view, make sure to head over to the Niagara Parks Power Station. If you’re there early in the day, it’s great, but it’s even better after sunset. 

The new nighttime experience allows you to learn about the station’s history while watching Currents, a stunning LED light show with projections that illuminate the entire main generator hall.

“We really wanted to have something for everyone. During the day, it is more of a museum…but then at night, this place transforms and becomes a work of art,” says Missy Sauer, Director of Retail and Attractions at Niagara Parks.

“The Niagara Parks Station opened up to show the world one of the very first hydroelectric power stations that still remains. After the power station stopped creating electricity in 2006, it closed, and we began our adaptive reuse project to open this attraction. This was a way that we could open up to the guests to show not just how power was made but the beauty of the building itself,” Missy adds.

Take an elevator 180 feet below the main hall and you’ll find yourself in a 2,200-foot-long tunnel. Lined with ambient lights and interesting historical facts, the walk leads to a platform with a stunning view of the Falls.

Table Rock House Restaurant

After your adventure into the Falls, warm up with a Feast On-certified menu at Table Rock House Restaurant. It’s the closest you can dine to the Canadian Horseshoe Falls with an internationally-inspired menu by Chef Chris Totah.

He is classically trained in French cuisine but adds his own twist to his cooking inspired by his travels around the world. For over 20 years, Totah’s culinary journey has taken him from Mauritius to the Bahamas, Bermuda, and now Canada.

On a blustery and blistering cold winter afternoon, Chef Totah whipped up a sampler of his menu, including the Ontario burrata, grilled tiger prawns in yellow curry sauce, and grilled Ontario pork chop with apple walnut raisin compote and truffle jus.

Pairing this meal with a Niagara VQA wine was a treat for the taste buds. The restaurant offers an elevated dining experience without any ego or pretension, just beautiful ingredients and a clear vision.

“We try to bring different kinds of flavours, a little bit of Thai, a little bit of fusion because I love Thai food. We try to bring all those dishes here so people can try different flavours, textures and proteins,” says Totah.

The dining room is as fresh and bright as the food he serves. For Totah, the view of the Falls is a daily reminder of Niagara’s beauty.

“The view is just amazing. Every day I come to work, I need to sit outside and watch the view. It is such a blessing,” he adds.

Totah’s culinary care is also reflected in the drink menu, both at Table Rock House Restaurant and Table Rock Bistro + Wine Bar.

“We have people coming from all over the world, so we want to give them a taste of Niagara. Our entire wine menu is all from the Niagara region. Our craft beer list is all from Niagara. We try to feature as many local distilleries as well to get in some local spirits,” explains Michael Wilson, manager of the Table Rock House Restaurant.

All six of the Niagara Parks full-service restaurants are Feast On-certified, with much of the produce sourced through 100km Foods, a local food distributor.

“We are focused on connecting the dots between farmer and chef. We want to make sure chefs know where their food comes from,” says Paul Sawtell, Founder and Owner of 100km Foods Inc. “We really try to get the best ingredients in the hands of the best chefs and allow them to do what they do best.”

Whether you’re looking to wine, dine, or discover, Niagara is a local escape that will leave you feeling full and fulfilled.