The vines at Reif Estate Winery were planted in 1977, and the winery itself opened in 1982, founded by Ewald Reif, a German immigrant to Canada. While many people are surprised that grapes grow well in the Niagara region—which gets extremely cold in the winter—the Reif Estate Winery is in fact located in one of the warmest wine-producing areas of Ontario; it's also renowned for its dessert ice wines, which benefit from the cold. Along with wine-tasting options, visitors can check out the Wine Sensory Garden, join a public or private tour, or have their wine carefully matched with chocolate or cheese. There are also regular events at the estate, such as wine picnics, yoga in the vineyard, and vineyard walks.
Many travelers visit Reif Estate Winery independently, or as part of a guided winery tour of the Niagara-on-the-Lake region.
Reservations are not required for the public wine tours, but groups of 12 or more must have a private tour. Private tours should be reserved in advance.
Reservations for wine tasting are highly recommended, though not mandatory.
An outdoor kitchen serves food that is well-matched with the wines; it is open depending on the weather conditions.
Reif Estate Winery is a short distance southeast of Niagara-on-the Lake, along the Niagara Parkway. Unless you’re on a guided tour, the best way to get there is by driving. Head south on the Niagara Parkway, and the winery is just past the Line 2 Road turnoff. As another option, active travelers can tour the area by bike.
Public wine tours are held three times daily between April and October, and just on the weekends from November to March. Wine tastings take about an hour, so plan your itinerary accordingly.
Just outside of town, and on the way to some of the wineries, are a couple of notable military history sites: Fort George and Butler’s Barracks. In 1812, Canada and the United States fought a war over control of this area, and remnants of the battles can still be seen in reconstructions and original buildings and structures. These will appeal to history enthusiasts in particular, but anyone will enjoy the lake and river views.
