Wines – The Hare Wine Co.

What’s Happening This March

Mark Garrett on March 6, 2023

Hey there wine enthusiast, have you heard the buzz about The Hare Wine Co? There’s so much happening at the winery this month that we just had to share with you!

All That Jazz

First, let’s talk about music. The Hare is thrilled to announce the continuation of our relationship with the TD Niagara Jazz Festival. The Hare will be hosting intimate concerts with award-winning Jazz artists every 1st and 3rd Monday into 2024 with a short intermission during the summer with the exception of when Juliette and her team bring the 10^th annual week-long Jazz Festival to Niagara-On-The-Lake. We’re excited to bring you some of the best musical acts in town, and we’re pleased to say that many of the shows have already sold out! We have two shows this month, check out the calendar for more information on performers and tickets.
You can get your tickets here.

More Music...

But that’s not all. Our music program has expanded to also includes shows put on by The Hare, featuring award-winning performers from Motown, Blues, Rock, and Country! Get ready to let loose and enjoy some of the best award winning performers in these genres out there! The first Blues event will be JW-Jones, a Billboard Top 10 Blues Artist, 2020 IBC Winner, and JUNO Nominee. A Canadian singer/guitarist, JW-Jones is known for his high-energy shows!

You can get your tickets here.

An Amazing Cabernet Sauvignon

Next up, let’s talk about our new release, the 2021 Haretage Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s delicious and it’s flying off the shelf… John has a winner here! Given John’s deep connection to his family heritage, we’re launching a fun campaign in support of John’s Bulgarian roots. We’re calling it “What’s Your Heritage?” and we’re inviting you to share your personal stories of your family while enjoying a glass of our delicious Hare wine. This is an opportunity to connect with you on a deeper level, and we’re thrilled to hear your stories and learn more about you! There are so many opportunities in the coming months to discuss your heritage with your family.

Looking forward to seeing you soon...

The Hare Wine Co is all about creating an unforgettable experience for our customers. From our award-winning wines to our exciting music program and new releases, there’s something for everyone. We’re committed to providing unique and memorable experiences well poured for our customers, and we can’t wait to see you at the winery! So, what are you waiting for?
Come on down and enjoy some great wine, food, music, and share your stories.

Empty Wine Bottle Ideas

SEO on December 24, 2022

Wine bottles are exceptionally versatile and can be utilized in many creative projects. So, no need to throw them out in the recycling.

We’ve compiled some of the best ways to artistically recycle wine bottles to give them a new purpose – be it a centerpiece, new light fixtures, or a bird feeder. Here are some DIY wine bottle crafts for repurposing your old wine bottles. Let them be your source of inspiration to create something unique for your next DIY project.

Transforming Empty Wine Bottles Into New, Valuable Items

Some of these upcycled DIY wine bottle craft ideas are pretty easy. They can be created even with only a bit of paint, a glue gun, your vivid imagination, and a sprinkle of creativity.

Lace Trim Wine Bottle Vase

These elegant, reinvented wine bottles are perfect to use as a vase, a bridal shower, or a bachelorette party centerpiece. For this look, spray paint your wine bottles with any colour. Once dried, apply a hot glue gun and add lace trim to give it a girly element.

Number of Wine Bottles Per Person

Offering half a bottle of wine per person is common, and is a good rule of thumb as a minimum unless you know several guests don’t drink wine.

Some weddings are a little more extravagant, and certain groups are more likely to drink more for the big occasion. If you have some keen wine drinkers in your group, or you want to be sure that everyone will get some, providing two-thirds of a bottle of wine per person may be better. This also helps cover if there are some people that rarely drink, but may have some wine to celebrate your special day.

Yarn-Wrapped Glass Bottle Vases

This yarn-wrapped bottle vase is budget-friendly and adds a beautiful, dazzling, rustic touch to your table decor. Starting at the base, wrap the yarn tightly around the bottle and glue it in position. Ensure no glass lays bare. Twine is also ok for a more rustic vibe.

Painted Wine Bottle Vases

Painted bottles are a perfect way to incorporate personalized home decor and as gifts for loved ones. Get creative and employ old wine bottles like a canvas to make a lovely decoration. You can use acrylic paint, chalk paint, spray paint, or stick-on decals.

Glittering Bottles

If you love glitter crafts, this DIY wine bottle is for you. Liven up any room with these dazzling wine bottles covered with your favourite colour glitter. All you need is fine sandpaper, a clear acrylic sealer, and glitter. You’ll have a sophisticated, personalized look for wine bottles to make any occasion extra special!

Message In A Bottle

Making a message in a bottle with empty wine bottles can be a fun craft and experiment. Fill the bottles with sand, small pebbles, or seashells. Write a story, a poem, or an encouraging message, then roll it up and place a tape around it. Superglue the cork at the rim of the bottle. You now have an adorable coastal-style decorative accent.

Wine Bottle Dish Soap

Glass etching is an easy way to make stunning, durable, professional-looking glass bottle products. It’s also considerably easier than you’d think! Rinse off your wine bottle and then engrave the phrases of your choice. Finish it off with a soap dispenser attachment, and ta-da!

Wine Bottle Wall

With these recycled wine bottles, create more privacy for your backyard. Drill a hole at the bottom of every bottle, then string a metal pipe through them in a style that suits you. The sun will look stunning, radiating through all of the colours! These empty bottles will add a diverse design to your home or backyard deck.

Twinkle Wine Bottle Lights

Transforming your wine bottles into lights is a delightful and simple way to elevate any space in your home. You will need glass bottles, LED light strings, frosted glass spray paint, and wine corks. An LED light string can redesign that lavish glass bottle from a special event into a lasting keepsake.

Glass Bottles Candle Holders

Give every corner of your room a relaxing aura by modifying an entire bottle of wine into a luxury candle holder. The dripping wax on the bottles will bring a cozy and dreamlike element to the surroundings. The candle will hold on top as long as it is just the right size. It must be thick or thin enough so the candle fits tightly without falling, and creating a fire hazard.

Recycled Beer Bottle Goblets

Flip beer bottles and craft a variety of recycled bottle goblets. Cut the bottom of the bottle with a bottle cutter to create the base. Then use silicone glue to bind the mouth onto it, and now you have a sleek goblet. Sand the edges to make it safer for drinking. Because bottles come in numerous sizes, shapes, and colours, you can make a dreamy, diverse set of goblets.

Bottle Garden Edging

Add a striking and impressive detail to your garden by burying old bottles upside down to design edging for your garden beds and pathways. Simple enough for beginners; all you need is a little bit of time and elbow grease. This cool wine bottle craft will get you outdoors and prepare your garden for spring and summer picnics.

Colourful Upcycled Chandelier

This DIY wine bottle chandelier can be made in different colours – or all the same colour! But remember to match it with your home’s decor. Before you paint the bottles, you first need to cut the bottoms off. And wire each bottle with a pendant light kit.

Show Your Artistry Within Your Collection

Empty wine bottles have countless uses, so you don’t have to discard them if you already have a pretty extensive collection. You can even create a wine bottle bird feeder for feathered friends, a half-bottle planter for your small plants, or a bookshelf with wine bottle stands.

And if you’re a wine lover searching for a Niagara Winery, The Hare is the place to be. Come explore everything our Ontario estate winery has to offer.

How To Calculate Wine For A Wedding

SEO on November 30, 2022

At a wedding reception, it is very common to offer wine to drink at each table, as part of the festivities.

You may be wondering how many bottles of wine you will need, to have enough for everyone and ensure your special day goes off without a hitch.

The number of wine bottles needed depends mainly on your guest count, how openhanded you would like to be, and how much your guests are likely to drink.

How Much Wine Is Needed On The Table For A Wedding Reception?

Before starting, be sure to find out if you are allowed to bring your own wine to where you are holding your reception, as some places do not allow parties to bring their own alcohol.

Guest Count and Ratios

For simplicity, base your numbers on the total number of people who will be at the reception and dining. You do not need to worry about whether some people will drink beer or hard liquor in the planning process for how many bottles of wine you will need for dinner.

While you may have some non-drinkers, beer drinkers, or heavier drinkers, overall, people tend to even out for drink preferences, so you can just determine how much wine will be needed based on the overall numbers.

Number of Wine Bottles Per Person

Offering half a bottle of wine per person is common, and is a good rule of thumb as a minimum unless you know several guests don’t drink wine.

Order A Little Extra, For Comfort

If in doubt, it is recommended to increase your amounts by 10%. By offering your guests a little more, you can be sure that there is enough alcohol, so you can relax, and not worry about whether they have been adequately taken care of.

An online wedding alcohol calculator can make it easier to play around with the numbers and determine the alcohol needed, based on how many guests you have.

Red Wine vs. White Wine

As important as how many bottles of wine in total are needed, is how many bottles of white and red wine each are needed.

50/50 Is A Safe Bet

As a general rule of thumb, offering 50% white wine and 50% red wine is good, but guests may prefer white wine for summer and outdoor weddings, and red wine for winter ones, so a 75% – 25% split in favour of white wine in the summer or red in the winter may work better. If you are serving rosé, the split will be a third of each type of wine.

Ratios may also depend on what food is offered, as certain wines will complement the food better. Your wine provider can provide recommendations to go with the food menu.

Of course, if you know most of your guests like red or white more than the other, you can get more of what is preferred; there is no rule or etiquette on the percentage of white and red wine that should be offered. Again, wedding alcohol calculators can help to know how much alcohol to plan for.

Champagne Toast

Sparkling Wine

For the champagne toast, you can also use sparkling wines. It is common to make this available for the toasts portion of the evening, separately. It is recommended to provide two glasses of sparkling wine or champagne per person; bottles of champagne or sparkling wine hold six glasses’ worth.

Throughout the Night

Some couples choose to provide wine for the meal only, and have a cash bar for the dance afterwards, while others choose to provide an open bar. Whether you offer a cash bar or provide drinks, there are some general guidelines that can help you be prepared.

How Many Drinks per Guest

After the dinner, you can estimate each guest is likely to have up to two drinks per hour, for the duration of your reception. This, multiplied by the number of guests will give you the number of drinks needed. Drinking may be higher during the cocktail hour and earlier on, but generally slows down later, so for events longer than three hours, you can expect drinking to slow to one drink or one glass per hour. People sometimes tend to have a little more with an open bar.

How Many Drinks Per Bottle

There are five glasses of wine per wine bottle, and 24 servings in a bottle of liquor. Bottles of beer and cocktails are easier to track. If you are serving wine and beer only, it is easier to estimate amounts, compared to if you are offering a range of liquors as well for a full bar. You can use a wedding alcohol calculator, or get help from your caterer or wine provider.

Exceptional Wines For An Exceptional Night

The Hare offers world-class, award-winning wines that would grace the table of any wedding reception. We offer tastings, so you can select the perfect options for your special day. We have white and red wines, and even a sparkling rosé, with the perfect wines for your special occasion.

How To Hold A Wine Glass

SEO on October 31, 2022

If you are going to a wedding, or a wine tasting, you may wonder about the etiquette of holding a wine glass and the proper way to do so to properly taste the wine.

Holding a glass the proper way enhances your wine experience by keeping it at the ideal temperature, and ensuring the perfect conditions for the wine’s flavour and chemistry.

Although wine connoisseurs make these recommendations to fully appreciate wine, you don’t have to be a connoisseur to benefit from the improved taste.

Wine Glass Basics

Wine glasses are designed to be the perfect vessel for delivering wine at its best. Knowing the features, and how to use them, will help you make the most of your wine.

Parts of a Wine Glass

The rim is the top edge you drink from. The bowl is the cup part that holds the wine and comes in a variety of shapes to enhance the qualities of different types of wines. The base is the stand that the glass sits on and keeps it stable.

The stem connects the base to the bowl unless you are using stemless glasses.

Choosing the Best Shape for Wine

Choosing the right shape for the wine you are serving, will enhance the flavour.

Red wine glasses feature a larger, wider bowl to allow the reds to breathe better. You will need a slightly firmer hold on these glasses, as they are top-heavy. White wine glasses, on the other hand, are U-shaped or tulip shaped, to preserve a cooler temperature and concentrate the subtle floral aromas.

There are more specialized varieties to provide the optimal conditions for different wines, so there is a range of both red and white wine glass shapes.

Sparkling wine is usually served in a long stem glass with a flute, or a tall, narrow bowl to preserve the bubbles.

Dessert wines are served in much smaller wine glasses, because of their higher alcohol levels and sweetness.

Temperature

Whites and rosés are usually served chilled, while reds can be served at or just below room temperature.

When possible, white wine glasses should be chilled. You can appreciate the delicate flavours of white better when cool, so they taste more crisp. If they get too warm, they taste more alcohol and flavours are muddled. The full-bodied flavours of reds are best appreciated just below room temperature.

A key reason for holding a wine glass properly is to keep the wine at this perfect temperature.

Stemmed Wine Glass

A stemmed glass is the traditional wine glass that comes to mind when thinking of wine.

You should never cup the bowl unless the wine is overchilled, and you need to warm it a little. You also should not grip the top, around the rim, or the base.

Holding by the stem lets you maintain control while not warming your wine.

By holding the stem, you can use small wrist motions to swirl the wine, smell it and aerate it, without spilling. Cradling the bowl can warm the wine quite a bit, reducing its quality of taste. While especially important for whites, rosés, and sparkling wines, reds also benefit from not being overheated.

There are a couple of ways to hold your glass by the stem. You can hold it near the base with the stem between the thumb and the first two fingers. The remaining fingers provide a bit of stability against the base.

Others prefer to pinch the glass at the stem with the thumb and just the index finger. The index finger curls around the stem while the thumb tip supports it.

Why Hold Wine Glasses This Way?

Etiquette

Holding your wine glass elegantly like this lets you avoid making smudges and fingerprints on beautiful, crystal-clear glasses; this is seen as a way to show respect to your host, and simply makes the glasses stay beautiful looking. Regardless of the style of wine glass you are using, drink from the same spot to avoid lip marks all around the rim.

Wine Experience

This will improve your wine experience, by keeping wine at an optimal cool temperature longer.

Also, one of the best ways to enhance the flavours is to swirl the wine, oxygenating it and letting you appreciate the aroma better. This allows you to access the full range of flavour, even the more subtle nuances. When you hold a wine glass by the stem, you can swirl with better control.

You can also see the colour and visual highlights of the wine inside better.

Overchilled Wine

An exception to the rule of holding stemmed wine glasses by the stem is if the wine is overchilled, which can make it harder to taste all of the flavours. In this case, you can cradle the bowl to warm it slightly, and then revert to holding it by the stem.

Stemless Wine Glass

Drinking from a stemless wine glass means you will have to be a little more careful to avoid heating the wine and leaving smudges.

Hold these glasses near the bottom of the base, to limit smudging, and try to drink from the same side.

To avoid warming your wine, avoid holding the glass more than necessary.

Try to drink from the same side of the glass no matter what glassware you are using.

Why Hold Wine Glasses This Way?

Etiquette

Holding near the base and keeping to the same side reduces the visibility of finger and lip smudges.

Wine Experience

Holding at the base keeps your wine cooler, at the optimal temperature. Stemless glasses are good for reds or overchilled wine, however, as it is easier to warm these.

Filling Wine Glasses

When filling glasses, white wines should be poured until the glass is half full, while a red wine glass is typically filled a third of the way. Sparkling wines are usually filled three-quarters full.

While there are aesthetic and etiquette reasons for this, a key practical reason is to allow reds more air and room to breathe, while whites and sparkling wines are better without. When overfilled, it may be easier to miss the unique tastes and qualities of the wine. Also, if glasses are too full, it is harder to swirl them.

Whenever possible, serve white and rosés in a chilled glass.

Taste the Best

For world-class wines worthy of fine glasses and formal settings, visit The Hare winery. Our premium wines start with our superior grapes, lending them a distinctive flavour you can appreciate. Join us for a wine tasting in our beautiful winery with scenic vineyards.

Red Wine Weight Loss

SEO on August 25, 2022

You’ve probably seen lots of claims in the news about the benefits of drinking red wine. One claim that many people are interested in is the potential for red wine to promote weight loss.

It’s no surprise that people are excited about this, but how accurate are these claims? Could having a glass of red wine daily really help you drop some pounds?

The good news is that there are reliable studies indicating the potential health benefits of red wine consumption, including its ability to help with body weight.

Drink Red Wine for Health Benefits

Maintaining general good health helps you feel good and stay active, which indirectly helps you on your weight loss journey.

Drinking in moderation only, within Canadian public health guidelines of no more than two glasses a day for women and three for men, is recommended. This gives maximum benefits, without the health problems that excess drinking can bring, such as liver inflammation.

Heart Health

In moderation, it may lead to excellent health benefits. Studies show it may lower cholesterol and improve heart and cardiovascular health. Small amounts of red wine help in maintaining good HDL blood cholesterol.

Cancer Combatant

Drinking it in moderation seems to reduce the risk of some cancers, such as colon, basal cell, ovary and prostate cancers.

Oak aged wines additionally contain ellagic acid. Found also in green tea and oolong tea, ellagic acid prevents the development of cancer cells. Muscadine wines have the highest levels; fermentation further increases the natural levels found in Muscadine grapes (a wine grape native to the American southeast).

Powerful Components

These benefits may be at least partially due to some key components in red wine.

It’s known to contain antioxidants, which reduce inflammation and may protect cells against free radicals, which are linked to heart disease, cancer and more.

It also contains resveratrol, which may help blood sugar control and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, especially for women. Resveratrol also has anti-inflammatory and anti-tumorigenic properties and may be good for heart health.

Red wine has piceatannol, which may reduce risks of cancer, heart disease and neurodegenerative diseases, claim health experts.

It’s also rich in flavonoids, antioxidants, and melatonin, which may slow oxidative damage.

Drinking Red Wine and Weight Loss Benefits

There do seem to be some benefits to occasionally having a sip, but will it help you shed pounds?

A Harvard Medical School study on middle-aged women seems to indicate it may slow weight gain. The study found that women drinking red wine had a 70% reduced risk of developing obesity.

Drinking Wine and Fat Cells

Another Harvard study with Washington State University linked the polyphenol called resveratrol with losing weight. Resveratrol inhibits fat accumulation and increases brown adipose tissue thermogenesis markers. This polyphenol converts white fat (larger cells that store energy and expand as you gain weight) into obesity-fighting beige fat, which actively burns calories.

The piceatannol in red wine also blocks fat cell growth.

Gut Health

Red wine increases your levels of good bacteria and gut microbiota diversity in the digestive tract. This may help with stronger immunity, better digestion, and maintaining a healthy weight.

Appetite Suppression

Another study indicates that one glass a day increases leptin, an appetite-controlling hormone, in women. However, other studies show drinking any wine 30 minutes before eating can increase appetite, so have your glasses of wine after your meal.

Best Wines for a Weight Loss Journey

If you are hoping to lose weight, not all wines are created equal; some are better, nutrition-wise.

Some sweet wines, especially ports, iced wine, and sherries can have as much as 160 to 220 g/L of residual sugar, so if you’re trying to lose weight, choose dryer wines, for lower sugar content, like our 2017 Hare Cabernet Merlot or 2019 Jack Rabbit Red.

Some wines have higher resveratrol levels, including merlot and cabernet sauvignon; these form the blend of our 2017 Hare Cabernet Merlot.

How Much Wine Will Help You Lose Weight?

Excessive consumption will backfire and lead to weight gain. If you’re wondering how much red wine to drink, moderate consumption is best.

Be careful to watch your serving sizes; a serving is five ounces. This will help you avoid gaining weight unintentionally from alcohol’s caloric content.

Additionally, when drinking alcohol, your body prioritizes alcohol metabolism over processing fats, sugars and carbs, slowing your metabolism. Also, alcohol can dehydrate you, while being properly hydrated boosts metabolism.

As a result, limit yourself to one drink every other night, with plenty of water, to maximize weight loss.

What About White Wine?

White wine has healthy plant compounds, but not nearly as much as red, because of the way it’s made.

Red wine’s fermentation process includes grape seeds, skins, and stems. Grape skins give red wine its colour, but more importantly, its tannins, melatonin, flavonoids, and higher resveratrol levels. Red wine has ten times the resveratrol compared to white.

Since many of red wine’s benefits appear to be linked to these compounds, this may explain its superior health effects.

Premium Canadian Reds

The Hare Wine Co produces quality, Ontario-grown wines – including reds! We craft our premium wines in small batches, resulting in some of the best red wines available, whether you’re drinking wine for weight loss, or simply enjoying a glass.

5 Wine Cocktail Recipes For This Summer

SEO on August 8, 2022

There is nothing better than wine cocktails in the summer sun! They’re cold, refreshing, and a fun way to drink wine. To help you get inspired for your next pool party or BBQ, we share some delicious mixed drinks recipes in this blog post. Keep reading to find the perfect, refreshing cocktail recipe for your next get-together!

Grapefruit Lime Rosé Spritzers

Are you looking for a fun drink to pair with hamburgers on the BBQ? Try our Grapefruit Lime Rosé Spritzers! They’re the perfect combination of sweet and sour. If you like your drink more on the bitter side, swap the rosé for red wine. Read the recipe below to discover how easy it is to make this delicious cocktail!

What You’ll Need:

120 ml Fresh lime juice
120 ml Grapefruit juice or grapefruit soda
120 ml 2020 Hare Sparkling Rosé wine, or swap it for a red wine like our 2019 Jack Rabbit Red
Sugar cube (optional)
Lime wedge, for garnish
30 ml lime simple syrup
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- 1/4 cup of water
- Lime zest

Instructions:

Combine sugar, water, and lime zest in a small pot. Heat until just boiling, stirring constantly.
Remove the mixture from the stove, then place it in a sterilized glass jar. Please place it in the fridge to let it cool.
Once the syrup is thoroughly cooled, combine sparkling rosé, grapefruit soda or juice, lime juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
Shake the cocktail shaker thoroughly, then pour the drink into a glass rimmed with sugar. Add crushed ice and a lime wedge to garnish and for additional citrus flavours.

Fruity White Sangria

You can’t go wrong with sangria—It’s refreshing, fruity, and a fun way to drink some wine! Our white sangria recipe will be perfect for your next backyard party. You and your friends can enjoy summer sipping with this classic sparkling wine cocktail.

What You’ll Need:

750 ml or one bottle of 2020 Hare Dry Riesling white wine
4 355 ml cans of Sprite
50ml fresh lemon juice to top up
250 ml peach schnapps
250 l white rum
2 fresh peaches, peeled and cut
1 container of fresh raspberries
2 mangos, peeled and cut

Instructions:

Add dry white wine, Sprite, rum, schnapps, mangoes, raspberries, lemon juice and peaches to a large container and stir.
Chill for 8 hours overnight.
Serve in a glass and add ice.
Enjoy!

Classic White Wine Spritzer

Who said that cocktails need to be fancy? Our classic wine spritzer is a simple but delicious cocktail that will leave you wanting more. It perfectly balances the sweet flavours of the wine with the smooth carbonation of the sparkling water. Keep reading to learn how you can make this recipe.

What You’ll Need:

2019 Frontier Chardonnay white wine
Club soda water
Lime or lemon slice

Instructions:

Fill the cup halfway with chilled white wine.
Add soda until the glass is three-quarters full.
Stir with a bar spoon and garnish with a citrus slice for extra flavour.

Red Wine Sangria

Sangria is a classic red wine cocktail and the perfect way to consume a dry red wine when it’s hot. Its combination of red wine, fresh fruit, ice, and brandy makes it a refreshing drink with depths of flavour. This cocktail pairs perfectly with a warm evening on the patio!

What You’ll Need:

500 mg fresh berries
100 ml Spanish brandy (or dark rum)
750 ml 2017 Hare Carbernet Merlot, made from a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes
Ice
500 ml lemonade
2 oranges, roughly chopped

Instructions:

Muddle the oranges in a large jug
Add the bottle of wine and the brandy to the jug, then let it sit in the fridge for an hour to let the fruit flavours mix with the wine and brandy.
Add berries and lemonade to the mixture. Stir well.
Serve your cocktails in glasses over ice.

Aperol Mimosa

When thinking of wine cocktails, an Aperol spritz is typically what comes to mind. We have put a fun twist on this classic cocktail and made it into a mimosa! You can enjoy the best of both worlds, enjoying the light, sweet taste of sparkling white wine, the bitter take of Aperol, and the refreshing flavours of orange in this one drink.

What You’ll Need:

20 ml Aperol
20 ml orange juice
20ml 2020 Hare Sparkling Rosé or champagne

Instructions:

Add the Aperol and juice into a glass.
Top with the sparkling rosé wine.
Enjoy!

Make Delicious Wine Cocktails With The Hare Wine Co.

The Hare Wine Co. proudly produces 100% Ontario-grown VQA wines. We have premium-crafted wines, including sweet whites and bold red wines. Shop online or visit our winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake today to pick up a bottle of wine for your cocktail recipe!

Niagara-on-the-Lake Birthday Ideas

SEO on July 23, 2022

Do you have a birthday coming up and you’re wondering how you should spend your day? Is it your partner’s birthday and you want to surprise them with something special?
No matter who’s birthday it is, one of the best places to spend the day is in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Whether you live around the Niagara Region, the Greater Toronto Area, Upstate New York, or elsewhere, Niagara-on-the-Lake is a very special place to visit. You can make it a day trip or the historic small town has plenty of options for staying overnight if you don’t want to make the trip back home.
So, if you’re looking for fun-filled birthday weekend ideas, here are things you can do in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The Old Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake

The Old Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, which was the original capital of Upper Canada, is a charming, picturesque, and historic area visited by travelers from all over the world. In 2004, it was designated as a National Historic District to mark its preserved architecture dating from the early to mid 1800s. The district is located directly across from Fort Niagara, which is on the American side of the Niagara.

Things To Do in Niagara-on-the-Lake

There are so many ways to fill a day, a weekend, or an extended stay in Niagara-on-the-Lake. In the Old Town itself, you’ll want to wander the shops, eat at the quaint local restaurants and cafes, grab a gelato, and stroll through the picturesque neighbourhood streets. Enjoy the flower-lined streets in spring and summer, which are lined with beautiful flowers with some of the best landscaping in the province.

Don’t miss a walk down to the lake itself for a view across the river to see Fort Niagara. On a clear day you can also see the Toronto skyline across Lake Ontario. If you continue walking down the main street beyond the Shaw Festival Theatre, you can also visit the Fort George National Historic Site.

The Shaw Festival

As part of your visit, why not catch some world-class theatre? The Shaw Festival puts on 10+ productions each year performed in three theatres with audiences of more than 250,000. Inspired by the wit of Bernard Shaw, the theatre has grown to become a major Canadian cultural icon.

Enjoy Wine Country

You mustn’t visit the area without including a personalized wine tasting experience. Did you know that Niagara-on-the-Lake is world renown for its wine?! Make your way to one of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s famous wineries such as The Hare Wine Co. located on Niagara Stone Road. It’s just a 12-minute drive from the shops at Niagara-on-the-Lake and a perfect way to celebrate a birthday.

Book a personalized guided tour at our vineyard and taste test our collections of wines – red, white, rosé and Niagara’s famous Icewine. Your guide will carefully explain the notes you should taste in each wine and help you choose the best one for your palette. You’ll also be in a private tasting room and afterwards, you can make your way to our patio that overlooks our amazing and abundant wine country.

After your wine tasting experience, you’ll be able to buy the birthday girl or birthday boy their favourite bottle in our shop.

Horse Drawn Carriage Ride

For a traditional tour of the area by carriage, begin your ride from right outside the Prince of Wales Hotel. It’s a very popular attraction in Niagara-on-the-Lake and one your partner may very much enjoy for their birthday. It’s romantic, relaxing, and allows you to sight-see in a completely different manner, creating the perfect setting for lovers and adventure-goers alike.

The prices vary depending on how long you want to enjoy the carriage ride. All tours are private so you won’t have to share a carriage with anyone else. You can conveniently book ahead online.

Night At The Prince of Wales Hotel

Many people add staying for a night at the Prince of Wales hotel to their bucket list. It’s one of the nicest and most highly-rated hotels in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and for good reason. There’s an on-site pool and spa, an incredible restaurant led by highly trained chefs, a cozy and vintage-style tea room, a fitness room, and more.

Located on Picton Street, this hotel is only a short drive away from other amenities or within walking distance. Its history is just as incredible and interesting and worth asking about during your stay.

Afternoon Tea Party

If your partner, mother or best friend wants to relax in a beautiful setting while sipping on tea served in fine china and served with sandwiches and desserts, you can book an afternoon tea package at the Prince of Wales hotel. Group bookings are also accepted if more people want to join! Your friends and family will truly appreciate such a fun and memorable time.

You can book ahead online. The menu will change frequently but all sandwiches and desserts are prepared by top-notch chefs. If you’re still hungry for dinner, there are plenty of nearby options – The Irish Harp, Cannery Restaurant, Treadwell Cuisine, HOB NOB Restaurant, and more.

Make Your Way To Niagara Falls

After staying in Niagara-on-the-Lake, you may still be looking for fun things to do to complete your weekend or birthday getaway. If this is the case, make your way to Niagara Falls where there are plenty of adventures awaiting you – endless restaurants, an arcade, the Falls, go-kart racing, the Skylon Tower, the Niagara SkyWheel, and so much more.

To get from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Niagara Falls, drive along the Niagara River and enjoy the beautiful scenery. There are also various stops you can make to enjoy a nice walk, take pictures of nature, or walk through the butterfly conservatory, located on the grounds of the beautiful and lush Botanical Gardens.

Niagara Wineries Hold Plenty of Opportunities

If you want to visit a local vineyard to surprise someone for their birthday, you’ve come to the right place. You can enjoy a private taste testing tour with one of our friendly staff members who will help you find the perfect bottle of wine for you. You can explore our vineyard and wine shop afterwards to purchase a birthday gift.

You can book a reservation online or give us a call today!

Romantic Things To Do In Niagara Falls

SEO on May 13, 2022

If you live in or around the GTA and you’re looking for things to do with your partner, you’re definitely not short of options. If you’re looking for things to do outside of the city to get away from the hustle and bustle, you’re still in luck. The Niagara region is full of romantic attractions that you and your partner can enjoy, whether you’re celebrating your anniversary or birthday, going on a honeymoon, or just want to do something special on the weekend.

Top 5 Romantic Niagara Falls Ideas

Some of the most romantic places you can visit that are close to the GTA are Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Located about an hour and a half away from Toronto, when you visit Niagara Falls, Ontario, you’ll realize there are plenty of romantic, fun and unforgettable activities to take part in with your partner all year round. Before you start your drive, consider these ideas for your romantic getaway:

The Botanical Gardens

While you may enjoy strolling around Clifton Hill and walking through different museums or bar hopping, if you want something a bit more relaxing and romantic, opt for a walk around the botanical garden, full of unique horticulture. Just a 10-minute drive from Niagara Falls, this is a must-visit on your trip. There are 99 acres of beautifully maintained European-style gardens that are open year round and completely free. The world famous rose garden is home for over 2,400 roses!

The Butterfly Conservatory

Located in the Botanical Gardens is one of the largest glass-enclosed butterfly conservatories in North America. Again, it’s just a quick 10-minute drive from Niagara Falls and a 6-minute drive from the Niagara whirlpools. It’s definitely one of the most romantic places you can visit with your partner as the conservatory features over 2,000 different butterflies fluttering about freely. Enjoy walking down the paved paths, past trickling waterfalls and lush tropical vegetation. Tickets are only $17 per adult and are open 7 days a week.

The Niagara SkyWheel

Enjoy a picturesque view of the falls by taking a ride on the Niagara SkyWheel. This 175-foot Ferris wheel is located in the middle of Clifton Hill and provides a unique way to sightsee one of the natural wonders of the world and capture unforgettable pictures. Views can be enjoyed either during the day or at night all year round as the enclosed gondolas are equipped with air conditioning and heating. You’ll enjoy views of Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, Niagara River, and more for approximately 12 minutes. Tickets are only $14 per adult.

Enjoy A Romantic Candlelit Dinner

What’s better than a romantic meal to complete your day?

If you’re staying in Niagara Falls for dinner, enjoy a romantic meal while you observe the falls from 21 Club; an award-winning steak and seafood restaurant located inside Fallsview Casino Resort. You may want to book a reservation ahead of time for this one!

If you’re staying in Niagara-on-the-Lake for your romantic getaway, there are plenty of restaurants to enjoy a romantic dinner. Again, you’ll probably want to book reservations ahead of time, but make sure to look into restaurants such as Cannery Restaurant, The Old Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar, Tiara Restaurant, or the Winery Restaurant at Peller Estates.

Book A Private Wine Tasting Package

The Niagara Falls area is known for its abundance of vineyards so what better way to enjoy a romantic trip than by booking personalized wine tasting tours?

Rather than booking tours that take you to multiple different wineries on a bus with a large group, you can book a unique, guided, and personalized wine tasting for yourself and your partner at The Hare Wine Co. They’ve been crafting fan-favourite wines since the 1900s and offer up their red, white, rosé and Icewines for you to taste test in a private, romantic setting. You can also enjoy a small-batch, handcrafted charcuterie board with your wine to one-up your experience.

Niagara Falls Is Packed Full Of Romantic Activities To Enjoy

Whether you want to take a wine tour in Niagara’s famous wine country or enjoy strolling around Niagara Falls, you and your partner won’t run out of things to do. After all, Niagara Falls is known for being a honeymoon capital. Even if you’re just there for a day trip or are taking a few days off to explore, the Niagara area is a large tourist attraction, bringing in over 8 million visitors annually. And it’s easy to see why.

How Is Icewine Made In Ontario?

SEO on February 23, 2022

If there’s one thing the Niagara Region in Ontario is known for is its abundance of wine. In fact, it’s one of the best wine-producing regions in the country due to its cold winters and warm summers; the perfect combination in creating a balanced blend of ripe and acidic grapes.

Of course, many people know a lot about red and white wines and often have their favourite bottles that they buy frequently, but if you’re looking to try something new, why not extend your taste buds to Icewine? Icewine producers are becoming increasingly popular in Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake but many don’t quite know what it is, how to serve it, or how it’s made.

What Is Icewine?

Icewine is known for being a sweet wine that is believed to have first been made in Germany in the late 1700s. When German winemakers immigrated to Canada, they continued making their sweet wines and introducing them to British Columbia and Ontario in the 1970s. Now, Ontario is known globally for its wonderful production of Icewine.
What makes it different than red or white wine is its noticeably sweet, tropical and citrusy flavours. This is because Icewine grapes are left on the vines in the winter to the point where they become naturally frozen on the vine and processed while the temperature is -8ºC or lower.

How Icewine Is Made

Cold temperatures are essential for an Icewine crop, especially come time to harvest (which is usually done in the middle of the night in the snow) and press the grapes. The frozen grapes will be pressed at a much higher pressure than typical grapes. Since the grapes are frozen, there will be a lot of ice crystals and water in the press and only a small amount of concentrated juice, however, even just the small amount is sweet and high in sugar. This also means the alcohol level will be quite low.

In order to create more of an intense fruit flavour, Icewine makers will add flavours such as strawberry, mango, lemon, peach, pineapple, and more.

How To Serve Icewine

Because of the level of sweetness obtained by the naturally frozen and pressed grapes, many enjoy this dessert wine on its own well-chilled, however, it does pair nicely with soft cheeses such as blue cheese or Brie. If you’re a big sweet tooth lover, it does also pair nicely with cheesecake, dark chocolate, crème brûlée, and other fruit-driven desserts.

Different Types of Icewines

Icewine is typically made with Riesling grapes. The most popular types of red Icewines are Cabernet Franc and Merlot and are known for being sweeter.

Vidal Icewine is, by far, the most popular type of white Icewine made by Canadian winemakers even though Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Gris, or Sauvignon Blanc white grapes are also used. White grapes produce Icewine that is pale yellow or light gold in colour which are known for having a bit more of a full-bodied flavour while still being sweet. If you’re new to drinking Icewine, Vidal Blanc may be a better place to start as the acidity and sweetness is well balanced and easier to handle for those who don’t have a big sweet tooth.

Icewine Is The Perfect Addition To Cocktails

People may think they shouldn’t add Icewine to their cocktail recipes because of the sweetness it holds, but this isn’t true. They actually make a great cocktail addition! In fact, many Icewine lovers love adding a splash to their glass of sparkling wine, whisky, sangria, cosmopolitans and martinis.

If You’re Looking For A Personalized Wine Tasting Experience In Niagara-on-the-Lake

Canada produces some of the most delicious Icewines on the planet, so why not give your tastebuds a gift by trying it yourself? Icewine is unlike any other wine – it’s unique, it’s sweet, it’s tropical, and it can be served in a variety of ways or enjoyed on its own. But if this is your first Icewine experience, it can be difficult to know what notes or flavours to look for, and what type of bottle to buy. That’s why you need to book a personalized tasting experience with our wine experts and friendly staff here at The Hare Wine Co. in Niagara-on-the-Lake. You’ll enjoy a guided tour in a cozy tasting room and be able to ask your professional tour guide all your burning Icewine questions. Afterwards, you can enjoy browsing through our gift shop so you can take home your favourite bottle of wine.

Niagara-on-the-Lake Gift Ideas

SEO on February 19, 2022

It can be difficult to find a present for someone who already has everything they could ever want, and it gets even more challenging when you have an appreciation or interest in fine wines. For this reason, many people choose a wine gift basket as a perfect solution to the problem of finding a suitable present for this kind of person. A wine gift basket, if chosen well, is something that will provide delight and pleasure. But just buying pre-assembled wine gift baskets from local retailers may not be as personalized as you’d hope.

That’s where our ideas can come into play. If you have a wine lover or adventurer in your family or group of friends, why not send them on their way to Niagara-on-the-Lake as a gift? Here are some ideas on what to get them.

Send Your Family & Friends To Niagara-on-the-Lake To Enjoy These Special Gifts

1. Niagara Falls Sightseeing

Obviously if you’re from the area, you know how many sights there are to see and enjoy in Niagara Falls, just a 25-minute drive from Niagara-on-the-Lake. While the recipient may have seen the falls many times before, there are plenty of other package experiences you can purchase for them. If you want to surprise them with more of an outdoor adventure gift, why not gift them a fun package that involves activities such as boat tours that go near the falls or the whirlpool? If you really want to get their adrenaline rushing, there are also ziplining activities that will take them along the Niagara River to the falls’ observation landing.

After they spend their time on a boat or ziplining, they’ll surely be hungry. Treat them to a delicious, fine dining experience in town. Some of the town’s favourite places to eat include Prime Steakhouse Niagara Falls, Massimo’s Italian Fallsview Restaurant, Casa Mia Ristorante, and Weinkeller, just to name a few.

2. For The History Buffs

One of the best reasons to visit Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake is learning all about the fascinating history. This can be done by paying for your family or friends who are history buffs to go to places like Fort George, Brock’s Monument, Laura Secord Homestead, Niagara Falls History Museum, Old Fort Erie, and the Niagara Military Museum. Each location has its own shop where they can purchase souvenirs or unique gifts for others.

3. Wine Tasting Packages

The Niagara Region is known for its abundance of world-class vineyards and breweries that offer visitors the chance to sip and taste their own crafts while enjoying food and shopping around the gift shops for unique flavours of beer, wine, cider or Icewine to add to their personal collections.

There are plenty of wine tasting packages to gift your family and friends, but why not surprise them with a more personalized tasting experience? This is especially nice during occasions like birthdays, Valentine’s Day, or nearing an anniversary or Christmas. This is why our vineyard, The Hare Wine Co., wants to celebrate your occasion with you. Our vineyard is located in Niagara-on-the-Lake and features stunning views of our estate. We have a beautiful outdoor patio, but also have a private wine tasting room that couples, small groups or larger groups can enjoy themselves without being bothered by large groups coming in by the busloads. Each wine tasting is led by an experienced, professional and friendly staff member who is passionate about wine and ensuring you have a great stay. We craft and carry red, white, rosé, sparkling and Icewine varieties.

Give Them A Gift They’ll Remember Forever

Niagara-on-the-Lake is full of amazing activities that make for a great gift for someone. Because it’s such a popular tourist destination, it makes purchasing tour packages easy whether the recipient is into outdoor activities, learning about history, or taste-testing wine. Whatever the occasion is they’re celebrating, they’ll love driving to Niagara-on-the-Lake for a weekend getaway or just a day trip to enjoy the gift you’ve given them.