When you're not enjoying golf, there are numerous wineries to visit within striking distance. The Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake (www.wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com) website lists 18 wineries that are within minutes from one another. Some of the most famous wineries in Canada are concentrated here including Chateau des Charmes, Inniskillin, Hillebrand, Jackson-Triggs, Peller Estates, Reif, Pilliteri and the new Sunnybrook Farm.

All the wineries offer special tastings, on-site retail, tours and many serve up some of the finest dining experiences in Niagara.

All golf courses in the region provide an extensive selection of Niagara VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance wines, which means it is made from 100% Ontario grapes) wines that are available at the 19th hole for a quick drink after the round or for a more relaxed meal in the dining room. This is one of the few golf destinations where beer takes a back seat to wine.

Every conceivable style of wine is made in Niagara. Perhaps most famous for its sweet icewines, the region's other styles include crisp and fruity Rieslings, oaky and un-oaked Chardonnays, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and blends of several red grapes commonly called Meritages. There are also a wide variety of bubbly wines made in the traditional Champagne method and even some made with a shot of icewine. Another nice choice is the roses that are growing in popularity and perfect on the deck following a round of golf.

For a wine-golf-food-accommodation experience the Riverbend Inn and Vineyard has the perfect package. Situated on the edge of Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Riverbend Inn started as a 17-acre parcel of land originally deeded in 1809. In 1860, a 6,500 square foot Georgian red brick mansion was built but changed owners through the years and was used for various purposes until John and Jill Wiens, former owners of the nearby historic and stately Prince of Wales hotel, purchased the property in 2002 and brought the Southern Georgian mansion back to life.

It's now a stunning 21-room country inn with the original oak floors from the 1860s throughout and fir planking in the authentic 1890's style saloon bar where you can enjoy a glass of wine from the 12 acres of vineyards that surround the inn.

Inn owner John Wiens — an avid golfer who plays to a 15 handicap when he gets the time — decided after completing the restoration of Riverbend to add to his holdings with the purchase and lease of North America's oldest golf course, Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club. It's a 9-hole beauty that can be stretched to the full 18 using different tee boxes, measuring a short but challenging 2,900 yards.

Don't let the yardage fool you. This is a course that was first built in 1875 and is home to the very first international golf tournament held in North America in 1895. The fairways are narrow with out of bounds on every hole. Ancient trees line both sides of the fairways and a wayward tee-shot requires a wasted shot to chip out. This is a course that requires strategic thinking off the tee and precision shots into the small greens.

Wiens bought the clubhouse in December (he also purchased the lease for the golf course) and completely remodeled the facility. "We don't feel we own the golf course — we're just stewards," he says while enjoying a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon made from grapes grown at his vineyards.
The focus of the renovation was the clubhouse that is now a welcoming oasis for the 291 members and paying guests to the semi-private club.

"I'm very much a supporter of local wines," Wiens says. "We made the decision to only sell Niagara wines" at the club. He has put together an impressive list of Niagara wines including Black Oak Reif Estates, Inniskillin Pinot Noir, Mike Weir's Cabernet Merlot, Chateau des Charmes Riesling and the full range of wines from his own Riverbend Inn Vineyard.

Wiens grows the grapes that surround his inn and sells them to neighbouring Reif Estates. Winemaker Klaus Reif in turn makes the wines — a Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Vidal — and sells the finished product under the Riverbend Inn Vineyard label back to Wiens.

The wines are delicious. The Cabernet Sauvignon won a gold medal at the All Canadian Wine Awards. It has beautiful aromas of blackberry fruit and subtle oak. The flavours are a balanced blend of blackberry, oak and vanilla with a smooth finish.
It's the perfect end to a long day at the golf course.

Riverbend Inn and Vineyard is a four-Diamond inn and has golf-wine packages available. You can visit the website at www.riverbendinn.ca.