Niagara-on-the-Lake: Wine, Beer & Charcuterie Afternoon Tour

Summary

Niagara-on-the-lake wine beer tasting with local charcuterie

You’ll wander through Niagara-on-the-Lake’s vineyards and breweries with a local guide, tasting craft beers, award-winning wines (including icewine), and pairing them with local charcuterie. Expect easy pickup, short scenic drives between stops, and plenty of small moments you might still think about later.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the first thing I’d notice in Niagara-on-the-Lake was the way the air smelled — like fresh-cut grass and something sweet, maybe grapes left out in the sun. Our guide, Jen, laughed when I asked if that was normal. “Only on good days,” she said, and then pointed out the rows of vines rolling right up to the road. We started at a farmhouse brewery where the wood floors creaked under our shoes and there was this yeasty warmth floating around. The beer was crisp, almost grassy too — not what I thought Canadian beer would taste like. Someone in our group tried to name all four beers we tasted but gave up after two; it’s harder than you’d think.

The drive between stops is short — maybe fifteen minutes? — but it’s enough time to watch the landscape change from tidy fields to big old trees shading little houses. At Pillitteri Estates Winery, there’s this family photo wall by the door that made me pause longer than I meant to. Our host poured three wines (the icewine made my teeth ache in a good way), and told us how their family came over from Italy in ’48. She said everyone who drinks their wine is “part of the family now.” I don’t know if that’s true but it felt nice to hear.

By late afternoon we were at Konzelmann’s, right by the lake where you can see Toronto on clear days (it wasn’t clear for us — just a gray-blue smudge). The tasting room had this soft hum of voices and clinking glasses; someone brought out a mini-charcuterie plate with cheese that actually squeaked when I bit into it. Our guide explained which wine went with which bite, but honestly I just tried everything together because why not? There was this one moment where everyone went quiet — just sipping and looking out at the vines. Not sure why that sticks with me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Afternoon wine, beer, and charcuterie tour

• Visit farmhouse brewery for beer tastings
• Tour Pillitteri Estates Winery and taste wines
• Enjoy wine tastings and charcuterie at Konzelmann Winery

Top questions

How many wineries are included in this Niagara-on-the-Lake wine tour?

This afternoon tour includes visits to two different wineries plus one brewery.

Are food pairings included during the tastings?

Yes, you'll enjoy a mini-charcuterie plate paired with your tastings at one winery.

How many tastings do you get on this tour?

You’ll try 9-12 different tastings across both wineries and the brewery.

Is transportation provided between stops?

Yes, an air-conditioned vehicle takes you between each location during your tour.

Does this Niagara-on-the-Lake tour include icewine tastings?

Yes, icewine tastings are included as part of your winery visits.

Is there time for photos or shopping during the tour?

You’ll have time for photos as well as boutique shopping along the way.

Who leads this Niagara-on-the-Lake wine & beer tour?

A knowledgeable local guide who also serves as your driver leads the experience.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes pickup by an air-conditioned vehicle, guided visits to two wineries and one farmhouse brewery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, 9-12 total tastings (wine, craft beer, icewine), a mini-charcuterie snack plate pairing at one stop, bottled water throughout, plus time for photos and boutique shopping before heading back.