PondView Estate Winery
925 Line 2 Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, ON L0S 1J0
PondView at Bella Terra Vineyards is a family-run winery started by an Italian immigrant who put his winemaking knowledge to work in his new country. The winery isn't alone in the Niagara-on-the-Lake area of Ontario, renowned for its landscapes and wines. Visit the winery on a vineyard tour or as a standalone attraction for fine wine.
The basics
Many of the wineries around Niagara-on-the-Lake were set up by immigrant families from around Europe. The Puglisi family migrated to Canada from Sicily in the 1960s, bringing their wine-making traditions with them. They've tended to the Bella Terra Vineyards since 1974. Visitors to the vineyards can taste wines from the award-winning winery and attend special events like wine and cheese pairings, barbecues, live music events, and an annual harvest party.
You can visit PondView Estate independently while driving or cycling around the Niagara-on-the-Lake area. Or, visit on a guided vineyard tour.
Things to know before you go
- Visitors can book regular wine tastings or 30-minute VIP tasting sessions, held in the cellar.
- Hang out on the patio in the warmer months, or around the fireplace when it is cold.
- There’s an on-site cheese shop, which sells artisan Canadian cheeses.
How to get there
PondView at Bella Terra Vineyards is located just south of Niagara-on-the-Lake. One of the most scenic ways of getting there is to drive south from Niagara-on-the-Lake along the picturesque Niagara Parkway, which follows the Niagara River, and turn west along Line 2 Road. Alternatively, book a private guided winery tour of the area and ask for the vineyards to be included on the itinerary.
When to get there
PondView is open daily throughout the year, with somewhat reduced evening hours between Nov. and May.
The Niagara Icewine Festival
While you might associate warm, sunny climates with winemaking, the Niagara area experiences very harsh winters. These result in ice wine, a dessert wine that’s produced after the grapes freeze on the vine. In January, Niagara-on-the-Lake puts on the Icewine Festival. This is a fun time to visit, and you can stay warm and cozy drinking wine by a fireplace while you admire the frozen vineyard views.
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