Wineries and dogs!
OK Ontario wine lovers and dog lovers, this article is for you! Plan your next day trip to these dog friendly wineries Niagara on the Lake has to offer!
Wineries make the ideal activity to do with your dog. The laid-back, rural setting of vineyards offering lots of wide-open green space is exactly what my dog enjoys. He’s quite content to lie down on the grass while I sip away. Not to mention all the attention he gets – it’s a win-win.
Don’t have a dog? Not to worry, these are still my top picks for wineries Niagara on the Lake offers!
Table of Contents
About Niagara on the Lake Wine
The Niagara wine region is world-renowned for its wine, especially its ice wine.
It’s considered a prime grape-growing area due to its fertile soil and perfect microclimate conditions. This is the reason why it’s Ontario’s largest producer of wine.
The Niagara region stretches from Niagara Falls to Hamilton and is divided into two appellations – the Niagara Escarpment (also known as The Bench) close to Beamsville and the Village of Jordan and Niagara-on-the-Lake.
More than 40+ grape varieties are grown in this area.
It offers the best white grape varieties of Riesling, Vidal, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris. As well as the best red grape varieties of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Baco Noir, Pinot Noir, and Gamay.
If you love cool crisp whites or big, bold, and balanced reds you are bound to find both at most top wineries in Niagara on the Lake.
8 Best Dog Friendly Wineries Niagara on the Lake
I’m often asked, “Is Niagara on the Lake dog friendly?” when people see me posting on Instagram stories of my dog and I enjoying ourselves. And, yes, there are several wineries that allow dogs now.
It’s amazing how pet friendly Niagara on the Lake has become over the years. They weren’t always so welcoming of dogs.
1. Ironwood Cider House
The Sunnybrook Farm Estate Winery, now known as Ironwood Cider House, is recognized as Canada’s original fruit winery.
That’s right, 100% of the locally grown berries, stone, and tree fruit are the primary ingredients in their wines and ciders.
And, I’m a HUGE fan of their delicious wines.
You definitely can taste peach, nectarine, cherry, pear, or apple in their products. It’s what separates them from the rest of the wineries in this area.
Go to Ironwood Cider House for:
- unique and delicious fruit wines: my recommended pick is the 2017 Poire Sec
- crisp and dry fruit-inspired ciders: my recommended pick is Yuja cider
- cool, modern art-gallery-esque interior with wine-tasting space
- delicious tapas menu with many vegetarian options: my recommended choices are Seasoned jam grilled brie cheese, Sesame Teriyaki Brussel Spouts, and Butter Chickpea
- pet-friendly interior and exterior spaces
📍1425 Lakeshore Rd, NOTL
2. Lakeview Wine Co.
Lakeview Wine Co. is a modern-designed building and anything minimalist in design gets my immediate attention.
Lakeview Wine Co. is just the retail branch of Diamond Estates Wines, Ontario’s 3rd largest producer of wines.
Enjoying a flight at this winery means you could be sampling any of their nine wines, such as 20 Bees, EastDell, FRESH, and Lakeview Cellars.
Go to Lakeview Wine Co. for:
- wide variety of wines from whites, reds, rosés, and ice wines: my recommended picks are Eastdell Pinot Grigio, Riesling, and Summer Rosé
- learn about the winemaking process with on-site tours by friendly, knowledgeable wine specialists
- large wine shop featuring all 9 brands of wine
- dog-friendly interior and exterior spaces with grassy lawns and picnic table seating
📍1067 Niagara Stone Road, NOTL
3. Marynissen Estates
Keeping to its original roots of being a small-lot winery, the Marynissen family legacy continues. Marynissen Estates is rustic, laid-back, and feels like someone’s home.
It has a great community feel – almost like you’ve arrived at a backyard party.
Don’t be surprised to find music playing, a pop-up market set up, and people roaming around the exterior spaces with their dogs, making this one of the most pet-friendly wineries Niagara on the Lake has.
Go to Marynissen Estates for:
- small-lot wines: my recommended pick is the 2019 Pinot Grigio or Rosé
- rustic, laid-back vibes
- experiences- reserve their private tent for tastings perfect for large groups or their Wine & Spines book club
- host of 3 of the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s passport events Days of Wine, Chocolate and Cheese (March), Sip & Sizzle (May) and Taste the Season (November)
- dog-friendly interior and exterior spaces
📍 1208 Concession 1 Rd, NOTL
4. Palatine Hills Winery
It feels different here. Visit Palantine Hills and you’ll receive the warmest welcome as if you’re a long-lost friend.
The cool interior space resembles a small airplane hanger or garage with a patio space complete with air misters, and cornhole toss.
This second-generation family-run winery is a fun place to go for you and your dog.
Dog treats, belly rubs, and dog selfies for their photo wall are all part of the pooch experience. Look for the photo of my dog Henry on their wall!
And, maybe you might even get to meet Rae the German Shepherd or Penny the Golden Doodle at this ultimate dog friendly winery Niagara on the Lake.
Go to Palatine Hills for:
- variety of whites and reds: my recommended pick is the Wild & Free, Pinot Grigio
- a fun, friendly atmosphere where the tunes and laughs are guaranteed
- go on a Friday night for their cornhole tournament or listen to live music on Sundays
- where your dog will have just as much fun as you, or maybe even more
📍 911 Lakeshore Rd, NOTL
5. Ravine Vineyard Estates
Ravine Vineyard Estates feels like a warm, family-friendly farm. Maybe that’s because of its early roots dating back to the 1800s.
Once a fruit farm, now a winery, the Ravine Vineyard Estate operates like a community or a village, with an on-site Lowery Bros. Grocery shop, event space, and pet friendly restaurant and patio.
Go to Ravine Vineyard Estates for:
- Lowery Bros. Grocery shop for their own jams, honey, and pickles, as well as wine and ciders
- dine at The Restaurant offers a farm-to-table menu with live entertainment: my recommended pick is the Oyster Mushroom with lentils
- the pretty vineyard views in a quiet country setting
- my pick for one of the best Niagara-on-the-Lake restaurants with patios and dog friendly restaurants Niagara-on-the-Lake offers
- dog-friendly interior and exterior spaces
📍1366 York Road, St. Davids (NOTL)
6. Southbrook Organic Vineyards
Southbrook Organic Vineyards is a sleek eye-catching modern winery and it’s just as stunning inside as it is out.
As a LEED-designed building, this is an architectural gem, and definitely one of my favourites.
Beyond the beautiful design of the winery, what makes Southbrook stand out from the rest is that it only produces organic wines. Not only were they the first to market, but they are among the only and best organic wineries Niagara on the Lake has.
I got to speak to the owner, Bill who speaks passionately about the importance of sustainability – using less water, energy, and no chemicals.
Go to Southbrook Organic Vineyards for:
- delicious organic wines: my recommended picks are Laundry Riesling, Cabernet Franc Rosé, and Triomphe Pinot Noir
- love architecture and design
- refined tasting room experiences – both interior and exterior spaces
- pretty vineyards with roses used as natural way to keep the insects away from the grapes
- dog-friendly spaces
📍 581 Niagara Stone Road, NOTL
7. Stratus Vineyards
A stunning modern building sits in the middle of its vineyards.
Stratus is known as one of the few pump-free wineries in the world. Going against the grain, they use gravity to transport wine to barrels which draws less energy.
Environmental impact is important to this winery which aspires to be one of the world’s most sustainable wineries.
Go to Stratus Vineyards for:
- any of their signature wines – white, red, and rosé are my recommended picks
- chic modern boutique-style tasting rooms
- love architecture (LEED-certified building) and modern interior design
- looking for a refined experience with food & drink pairing
- Niagara wineries dog friendly terrace only
📍 2059 Niagara Stone Rd, NOTL
8. The Hare Wine Co
Winemaking has been in the Hare family for generations and continues in Bulgaria.
The Hare Wine Co. has old-world European charm. With its red rustic brick and barn board flooring.
The exterior terrace continues the rustic interlock stone and cast iron tables and chairs.
Go to The Hare Wine Co. for:
- great tasting wines, especially the whites: my recommended picks are the Hare Pinot Grigio, Riesling, and Sparkling Rosé
- old-world European style
- relaxed atmosphere
- dog-friendly interior and exterior spaces
Wine Routes in Niagara on the Lake
Niagara on the Lake is a small area, and you can easily visit all of these wineries without too much driving.
Visiting 3 to 4 wineries in a day seems to be the right balance of not feeling rushed, yet making it a full afternoon.
I’ve created two recommended routes, based on winery proximity making the most of your time in this area.
Route #1: Visit 4 Wineries (QEW Exit Regional Rd 89)
- QEW to Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery = 7 minutes
- Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery to Southbrook Organic Vineyards = 10 minutes
- Southbrook Organic Vineyards to The Hare Wine Co. = 1 minute
- The Hare Wine Co. to Lakeview Wine Co. = 1 minute
Route #2: Visit 4 Wineries (QEW Exit Regional Rd 48)
- QEW to Palatine Hills = 15 minutes
- Palatine Hills to Ironwood Cider House = 4 minutes
- Ironwood Cider House to Stratus Vineyards = 5 minutes
- Stratus Vineyards to Marynissen Estates Winery = 8 minutes
As a Holidaymaker
After many trips and sips, these were my picks for the best dog-friendly wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Most importantly, they are all dog-approved by Henry, my 13-year-old Vizsla as his top picks too!
Plan your next day trip or weekend in Ontario’s favourite wine country where you don’t have to leave your dog at home. I just love how dog friendly Niagara on the Lake has become over the years!
If you love day trips to small towns or experiences that are dog friendly check out my Canada Travel page.
But will leave you with a couple of dog friendly experiences you might enjoy:
- Region of Niagara dog friendly wineries in Beamsville
- Pet friendly wineries in Prince Edward County
- Dog friendly fun in Caledon and in Norfolk County
