5 Best Dog Friendly Wineries Niagara Has to Offer

Are you planning to go wine tasting in the Niagara region of Ontario and want to bring your favourite family member (aka your dog)? Well, I’ve got some great news to share! There are plenty of dog friendly wineries Niagara has to offer that you can enjoy together!

My dog, a Vizsla named Henry, is a big part of my life. If you know anything about this breed, nicknamed the “Velcro dog”, you will know that where you go, they go. What you do, they do. So, I’m pretty much always on the hunt for pet friendly places and things to do in Ontario.

So, after multiple day trips and many glasses of wine, I’ve pulled together my list of favourite wineries that allow dogs for both you and your pet to enjoy!

Best Dog Friendly Wineries Niagara

1. Rosewood Estates Winery

wine barrels at winery in Niagara Region in beamsville

Rosewood lies in the Beamsville Bench sub-appellation in the small town of Beamsville. Its impressive long driveway, past the pristine rows of several varieties of grapes and a large pond, leads you to the winery.

The contemporary architecture of this winery acts as a gorgeous backdrop to the sizable stone terrace overlooking the bountiful vineyards.

Here, are 10 acres of Riesling, Chardonnay, Gamay Noir, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot. While another 20 acres lie in the Twenty Mile Bench sub-appellation.

winery with pond and bridge in Niagara winery in beamsville

Inside the tasting room is where I hear about Rosewood’s love story. A promise between a newly married couple on honeymoon in this very area to one day own a winery. It doesn’t get any more romantic than that!

As a third-generation beekeeper, Rosewood has 250-300 production honeybee colonies between Beamsville and Jordan.

Rosewood lives by its philosophy of earth to bottle. They’re a winery that chases great flavour, and like the others, strives to protect the environment with their winemaking practices.  

2 glasses of white wine winery in beamsville

The outdoor terrace offers you modern lounge seating or you may choose one of the many tables set up on the lawn under the canopy of trees. We opted for the lawn, an ideal spot for any dog to laze upon. Our greeter immediately provided a water bowl for Henry and after a few pats, made sure he was comfortable before he turned his attention to us.

garden at winery in Niagara Region beamsville winery

Kew is known for their beautiful sparkling wines, which I am a fan of. So the hardest decision was which one to try.

I went with the 2017 Rosalie, the third vintage of their Pinot Noir Rosé sparkling wine. It was perfect for a hot summer’s day. A blend of strawberry and raspberry with a touch of rhubarb and red currant. It was crisp and refreshing.

My husband decided to try the cider beer, as he is more of a beer connoisseur than wine and loved it. 

Kew has quickly become one of my favourite wineries to visit, not only because of the setting but because of the incredible sparkling wine Kew makes. And it gets my dog’s vote for the best dog friendly wineries Beamsville has!

Dog Owners Tip when visiting any dog friendly winery in Niagara:
Starting August 15 until harvest time wineries use automated “bangers” to keep the birds from picking the grapes. It resembles a gunshot that echoes through the valley. For most dogs this creates anxiety and you may wish to avoid this time.

Dog on grass Beamsville winery

3. Cave Spring Vineyard

view of vineyards in Niagara Region beamsville winery

Cave Spring lies in the Beamsville Bench sub-appellation in Beamsville. The tasting room is a modern red barn sitting in the middle of 135 acres of vineyards. Yep, that’s right, 135 acres! And, that’s just one of three parcels of land this third generation of winemakers grow their grapes.

The sweeping views of nothing but vineyards are simply incredible. I got a quick tour of the rooftop deck, typically held for event space, where you have views of Lake Ontario and the CN Tower in Toronto.

Man sitting in front of winery in Niagara Region wineries in beamsville

After settling into our comfortable spot on the terrace, Dee Dee, the Director of Sales and Marketing, stopped by to say hello.

She told us the story of the Pennachetti family. How the love of winemaking has been passed through the generations. And, how their business has evolved and expanded over time.

The common thread in this story has always been family. A family that’s dedicated and passionate about winemaking. That same passion was expressed by everyone we met at Cave Spring, making them amazing ambassadors for the Pennachetti family. 

Cave Spring offers 2 wine tasting locations, this one (my fave) and the other one in the charming village of Jordan.

Wine tasting room at Cave Spring winery wineries in beamsville

Riesling, Riesling and more Rieslings! There are other options of course, but you might as well have what they do best.

I selected the Riesling Estate, which is produced from some of their oldest vines, ranging in age from 11 to 40 years. A classic choice, I’d say. 

My husband tried the Riesling Dolomite, named after the dolomitic limestone forming the crest of the Niagara Escarpment. Both of these wines come from their Beamsville Bench, and they did not disappoint. 

white wine at Cave Spring winery in Niagara wineries in beamsville

Go to Cave Spring for…

  • its exceptional customer service and its tasting room’s cool vibes 
  • their well-respected Rieslings
  • dog-friendly in both interior and exterior spaces

Distance from Cave Spring to Featherstone is 7kms

4. Featherstone Estate Winery

Dog at winery in Niagara Region wineries in beamsville

Featherstone lies in the Twenty Bench sub-appellation in Vineland. As you pull into this winery, you will immediately notice the delightful white historic farmhouse sitting up on a gentle hill overlooking the vineyard.

The large wrap-around veranda, with its mix-and-match antique table and chairs, adds to the casual charm of this winery. Equally as charming is the warm reception you will receive. They make you feel at home. 

Sheep eating grape leaves at winery in beamsville Niagara Region winery

Louise, the co-owner of Featherstone, graciously stops by our table and shares the Featherstone story with us. She started with her team – a team of sheep that is. She told us that the sheep are used to thin the vines without any interest in eating the grapes themselves.

It compliments their philosophy of finding environmentally sensitive practices that favour quality wine production over quantity.

They also feature limited edition wines that you can only get when you pass through their winery. 

2 glasses of white wine at Feathersone Winery in Niagara beamsville wineries

For our wine selections, I chose the Sauvignon Blanc. It was fresh, zesty, and punched with flavours of lemongrass, peaches, and pears.

My husband selected ‘Four Feathers’ which is a blend of their Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Gewürztraminer. We both loved it so much that we brought a bottle home with us. 

They are offering little ‘nosh boxes’ of cheese, meat or hummus, and olives as part of your tasting experience. How can you say no to that?  This was one of the “friendliest” pet friendly wineries we went to.

Go to Featherstone for…

  • the charm and warm hospitality
  • their Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Rosé
  • dog-friendly interior and exterior spaces

Distance from Featherstone to Honsberger is 7kms

Annual Dog Friendly Winery Niagara Special Event Every year in early July two Niagara dog friendly wineries come together to host the Muddy Paws Wine Festival. Vineland Estates Winery and Featherstone Estate Winery host a canine theme weekend for a good cause, The Bello Project Home Hospice. This is a fun event for both you and your dog, and supports a local charity too! You don’t want to miss this dog friendly vineyards Niagara event!

5. Honsberger Estate Winery

Grapes growing on vines in winery in Niagara Region wineries in beamsville

Honsberger lies in the Beamsville Bench sub-appellation. As you pull into this winery you can’t help but notice the century-old red-brick farmhouse. It captures and keeps your attention, making you almost forget you are at a winery.

The Honsberger family has been farming their land since 1811. That’s six generations of farmers! That was until 2002 when the family decided to rip out the cherry and apple trees and replace them with Cabernet Franc and Riesling vines. And the rest, as they say, is history. 

Red Barn with swing on winery in Niagara Region wineries in beamsville

Keeping their farming traditions alive, they have incorporated the red barn into their winery operations.

From November to April, the Small Barn opens up as a restaurant and indoor event space. The inside décor of the barn is a modern country, accented by candlelight and a roaring fire, it offers a romantic and cozy dining experience not to be missed.

It’s one of our favourite wineries to visit in the winter for that very reason. 

sign for gelato, flowers in a winery in Niagara wineries in beamsville

From May to October, it is all about the outdoor experience. Featuring a large terrace with lots of seating meandering through their gardens. Taking center stage is the large outdoor pizza oven offering up a delicious thin wood-fired crust pizza. They even have a Gelato bar! 

Getting married and need a venue? Yep, that’s right they offer that too. Indoor and/or outdoor spaces are perfect for couples who want that unique modern country experience. 

wine in niagara region beamsville wineries

I decided to go with their Cabernet Franc which is a dense fruity blend of blackberry and cherry.

My husband tried their Riesling, a bright citrus taste with hints of crisp apples. I love how they are honouring their farming roots of using cherry and apple by infusing those flavours into their wines.

If you’re a fan of their wine, it can only be purchased at Honsberger Estate or online.

Go to Honsberger for…

  • the fun, lively experience 
  • their Cabernet Franc and Riesling
  • dog-friendly exterior spaces only

About the Niagara Region Wineries

Rows of vineyards at winery in Niagara region

The Niagara Region, also called the Niagara Peninsula, is a large area in southwestern Ontario known for its prime area for growing grapes and fruit trees. It’s the province’s largest producer of wine.

It stretches from Niagara Falls to Hamilton and is divided into two main regional appellations: the Niagara Escarpment and Niagara-on-the-Lake. With its mild temperatures and quality soil, this area is ideal for growing more than 40 grape varieties, from Riesling and Chardonnay to Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir.

Niagara-on-the-Lake Wineries

The wineries in the Niagara-on-the-Lake appellation draw a lot of tourists. They tend to be the larger and more well-known producers of wine.

This area caters to tourism, with key attractions of Niagara Falls, a casino, the charming town of Niagara-on-the-Lake known for its cute boutique shops and eateries, and its own theatre company.

Being right near the American border, as well as, the proximity for anyone living in and around Toronto, makes this an easy day trip or weekend getaway for both Canadians and Americans.

Niagara Escarpment Wineries

The Niagara Escarpment is a combination of three smaller appellations known as “The Bench”. This area includes Beamsville, Lincoln, Vineland and Jordan.

It doesn’t draw the same number of crowds as Niagara-on-the-Lake does, which is the reason why it’s my favourite.

I like to seek out the smaller, less publicized wineries. Those hidden gems that are a bit quieter, more intimate, and the ones you can only sample their wine by visiting their winery. 

They remind me of the laid-back dog friendly wineries in Prince Edward County.

As a Holidaymaker

Visiting wineries is one of my favourite things to do. Not only for the delicious tasting wines but for the atmosphere, the views, and somehow, time seems to slow down for just a little while. And, your dog will enjoy it too! 

I hope you get a chance to visit one of these pet friendly winery Niagara one day soon!

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