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Niagara in the fall -- harvest, wine and a natural wonder
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Get hands-on with the harvest, sip prize-winning wines and take in some history when you fall in love with Niagara's autumn glory.
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By Colleen Seto
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Many of us think of Ontario's Niagara region as a summer destination. But as farmers will tell you, fall is the best time of year to visit this flourishing agricultural area. Not only will you have fewer crowds and less traffic to fight, the temperature feels delightful, the harvest is happening, and the array of natural colours will leave you in awe.
"Fall is a great time to come," affirms Sarah Wood with the Niagara Parks Commission. "It's less busy, but everything is still open. The flowers are in their last bloom, and the trees are changing colour. November is when we flip to winter mode and the whole town changes flavour."
A home away from home
To make your stay in Niagara feel like a visit with old friends, try a bed and breakfast for that personal touch. The Black Walnut Manor in Vineland offers elegance and comfort, not to mention loads of recommendations for what to do in Niagara from innkeeper Carole Tothe-Gurgol. Tastefully decorated, the inn also offers quick access to the QEW for easy touring of the region. Wind down each night under a cozy down duvet or a soak in the claw foot tub, and wake up each morning to a divine three-course gourmet breakfast.
The falls in fall
Of course, no trip to Niagara is complete without paying homage to the Falls. Go on the Journey Behind the Falls tour where you can see the thunderous water pummeling down 13 stories. Or take the White Water Walk and see how the powerful whitewater carved out the Great Gorge. At dusk, the Falls go from offering natural rainbow colours to simulated ones as they're lit up with hundreds of coloured lights. This November marks the 25th annual Winter Festival of Lights and Fireworks. For a spectacular bird's eye view, hop aboard the Skywheel, and see the skyline and waterfall views from 53 metres above ground.
Fine wines galore
Wine options are endless in Niagara. According to Tourism Niagara, there are more than 70 award-winning wineries that take advantage of the perfect growing pocket created by the escarpment and Lake Ontario. Take Henry of Pelham Family Estate, located off the winding back country roads of St. Catharines, for instance. The winery, manned by the Speck brothers, started humbly on the lands of their ancestors. With no initial experience in winemaking, or grape-growing for that matter, the brothers have come a long way. They've won accolade after accolade, in particular for their Baco Noir, a red hybrid grape variety they've helped pioneer.
Enjoy lunch at the Coach House Café, known for its selection of Canadian artisanal cheeses, while sampling Henry's delectable wines. Give a sparkling wine a whirl; you'll be pleasantly surprised by the Canadian bubbly. In fall, it's exciting to see the farm machines in action, and the grapes flowing in. "All you can smell during harvest is grapes," says Paul Speck, the eldest brother and president of the company. He also happens to be a founding director of the Vintners Quality Alliance. "You can feel the energy," he affirms. "It's what we wait forever for." For a smaller cottage winery experience, stop in at Fielding Estate Winery in Beamsville. The Pinot Gris is stunning -- juicy and crisp.
Good earth, good food
If you really want to get hands-on with the harvest, try a cooking class at the Good Earth Cooking School also in Beamsville. It's an interactive way to get to know the regional cuisine and pick up a new recipe or two. You can even pick your own produce from the Good Earth garden -- the school's "pride and joy," according to executive chef Patrick Engel. The harvest makes regional cooking effortless. As Engel will tell you, "Cooking here gets easier after summer; there's so much and it's all so good."
Retail therapy
If the food and wine isn't enough to relax you and the weather's too cool, head indoors to the quaint shops in the village of Jordan in Niagara's Twenty Valley. Scour for antiques or add to your art collection at the local galleries or Ninavik Native Arts. Be sure to stop in for a sweet treat at Toute Sweet. They offer delightful flavour combos to your choosing -- try the mango ice sorbet with wild blueberries and icewine syrup.
Dine on history
Apart from the cuisine, much history also shapes the Niagara. This October 13th marks the 195th anniversary of the Battle of Queenston Heights. For the first time since 1979, approximately 200 soldiers will re-enact the battle, marching 11 km along the Niagara River Recreational Trail from Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake to Queenston Heights beforehand. The site is now home to the Queenston Heights Restaurant, featuring the award-winning Best of Niagara Wine Cellar. The Taste of Niagara special includes a four-course lunch or five-course dinner and three Niagara wines, at one reasonable price ($26 lunch; $35 dinner).
This is but a sampling of all the Niagara region has to offer during fall. There is so much to see and do both indoors and out, and harvest time also means high season. Remember, no matter what time of year, it's never in vogue to drink and drive. So take care on the wine route. Designate a driver; and swish and spit.
See photos of Niagara in our slideshow
Going away? Get all you need to enjoy your summer travels at www.mochasofa.com/summer_escapes.
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