Chateau des Charmes

This classic winery was founded by Paul Bosc Sr. and is still owned and operated by the family. It has a breath-taking view of St. David's Bench vineyard from the back porch looking toward the Niagara Escarpment.

The stately manor at Chateau des Charmes makes for a warm welcome. Inside the Chateau is one of Niagara's largest tasting facilities and completely renovated retail store.

You could spend hours tasting the delicious wines made at this estate. But a couple you should include in your tasting are:

The Chateau des Charmes Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard Equuleus. This is Chateau des Charmes' flagship red, a Bordeaux-style red blend with heavenly aromas of currants, blackberry and oak spices. The richness of this wine is unbelievable, the flavours bold and lush.

Chateau Des Charmes Chardonnay Musque. This is made from a unique clone of chardonnay pioneered by founder Paul Bosc. Grapefruit, citrus, lychee nut and honeysuckle aromas. It's full-bodied and rich on the palate — think New Zealand sauvignon blanc meets spicy Alsatian gewurztraminer ... all that and a scoop of white pepper for good measure. You've got to try it to believe it.

Web: www.chateaudescharmes.com

Hillebrand

Hillebrand offers an exciting well-rounded experience. Aside from great wines to taste, Hillebrand is home to one of Niagara's finest restaurants — the Hillebrand Winery Restaurant with executive chef Frank Dodd. The restaurant has just recently undergone a remarkable renovation. Another highlight of this winery is the tasting room and retail store.

Hillebrand has a complete wine program with plenty to choose from. I'm a big fan of the Rieslings and Chardonnays. Here are two to try:

Hillebrand Showcase Riesling. Riesling is the one grape that Niagara does best. This is completely dry (no sweetness) in a nice, crisp style with mineral, citrus notes and bright acidity.

Hillebrand Showcase Unfiltered Chardonnay. A tasty chardonnay with pear-apple notes wrapped around sweet and toasty vanilla oak.

Web: www.hillebrand.com

Inniskillin

Inniskillin is a world-famous winery and long associated with the finest icewines in the world.
Inniskillin offers a country wine experience with a self-guided tour, tastings and shopping. The old restored barn was inspired by the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. Most of the facilities have undergone a renovation in the past year.

Inniskillin makes a vast selection of VQA wines, all delicious, but you cannot visit there without trying a flight of what made Niagara famous — its icewines.

I'm a big fan of Inniskillin's Riesling Icewine with its honey sweet flavours of lemon, peach and apricot. One sip of these sweet treats and you are a fan for life. Also try the Cabernet Franc Icewine with more red berry flavours.

Website: www.inniskillin.com

Jackson-Triggs

Jackson-Triggs' state-of-the-art winery is one of the most famous landmarks in Niagara. And aside from a great tour, tasting room and retail store, the winery runs a concert series in the summer that attracts some of the biggest names in the music industry.

To take part in one of these special concerts under the stars in the natural amphitheatre while sipping wine is one of life's great pleasures.

Jackson-Triggs has an extensive portfolio of wine and one could realistically sit all day on the patio overlooking the vineyards while happily sipping through wine after wine.

Here's a wine I always make sure I drink when visiting the winery:

Jackson-Triggs Proprietors' Reserve Cabernet Franc Rose. Cranberry, raspberry, strawberry, oh my! A fantastic summer/fall sipper that shows ripe, red berries.

Website: www.jacksontriggswinery.com

Konzelmann

Konzelmann is Niagara's only lakefront winery with vineyards that stretch to the shores of Lake Ontario.

The Konzelmann family, originally from Germany, has just completed a spectacular new observation tower, hospitality rooms and barrel cellar for visitors to enjoy.

Inside the tasting room some of the friendliest staff in the region will lead you through a diverse portfolio of over 30 different wines.

The Konzelmann family is particularly fond of the white wines from Alsace, France. So you may want to try the Gewurztraminers, Pinot Blancs or Rieslings for a true experience from this winery.

Website: www.konzelmann.ca

Reif Estate Winery

Reif Estate Winery is one of the few Niagara wineries more famous for its red wines than white wines. That's not to say it doesn't produce great white wines, because it does, but the reds are simply amazing.

They consistently win the top wine awards under the watchful eye of winemaker Roberto DiDomenico. The estate winery is home to some of Niagara-on-the-Lake's richest soils and oldest vineyard blocks.

The winery celebrated 30 years of making wine in 2007 and marked the occasion with the opening of a wine sensory garden and new wine boutique.

When visiting, make sure to try these wines:

Reif Estate Pinot Noir. This is a fresh and fruity pinot with lots of cherry-rhubarb aromas with raspberry-cherry flavours that follow on the palate.

Reif Estate Merlot Reserve. A spicy red on the nose, smothered in mocha-vanilla notes with red fruits and currants. Supple and rich on the palate with exotic flavours of cherry, mint, pomegranate and wild spice. Exceptionally smooth on the finish.
And make sure to ask for a taste or two of the high-end "First Growth" series of reds. They cost about $50 a bottle but are some of finest reds made in Niagara.

Web: www.reifwinery.com