Notes: Consider using a designated driver, or make your teenage kid play chauffeur! All the places we visited have wifi to keep them busy! Also, check on days/times open. Weekends seem to be the safest bet for wineries lately.
Living near the Niagara Wine Trail is handy, and we have learned that it doesn’t have to be an all-day excursion or major planned event, especially since limos are not a welcomed sight during a pandemic. Here is a trip we just took with some good friends, covering all our taste bud preferences.
Chateau Niagara Winery – Newfane, NY
If you prefer a dry, red wine, Chateau Niagara Winery is the place for you! It is one of our favorite places and we return here often to shelve our wine rack at home. Each time we visit, we are greeted by one of the owners, Jim and Kathy Baker. They do a fantastic job relaying how, and sometimes why, the wines in the tasting were created. This trip, we brought friends who prefer sweet wines just so they got a chance to meet this fun couple who are living out their passion. This is a place for fun chatter, so feel free to ask questions. Don’t be surprised if their beautiful dog greets you at the door.
Victorianbourg Wine Estate – Wilson, NY
Having made Dra happy, we needed to move on to the sweeter things in life. Victorianbourg Wine Estate not only creates wonderful sweet wines, but they have a tasting that includes a pairing of truffles. Who can resist that!? We arrived close to closing, but our host was kind enough to let us do the pairing anyway. Honestly, we would have bought a random pile just to give it a try, but were very thankful for her expertise. The atmosphere, like the pairings, is sweet, and the staff are kind.
Woodcock Brothers Brewing Co. – Wilson, NY
Time for a craft beer? Look no further than Woodcock Brothers Brewing Co. Not only are their beers fantastic, the open-oven, American grill concept for everything on the menu is fabulous. Both the pizza and wings are excellent, and for those of you in need of gluten-free items, the wings are dry-rubbed and baked; they are 100% gluten free. If you are there on Friday night, the salmon special is incredible as well – also gluten-free.
A former cold storage facility, it still has an industrial look that creates a fun atmosphere. You can’t miss the refurbished elevator that is now a giant table and centerpiece in the bar area. When allowed, Woodcock has tables for large groups, and they also have an outdoor patio that is sometimes in use. Watch the calendar and don’t miss Cocktoberfest!
Box Score: Chateau Niagara Winery
- 2019 Cabernet Franc Appassimento – Home Run
- 2019 Saperavi – Home Run
- 2019 Saperavi Express – Home Run
- 2019 “The sweet one” – Triple – from our friend & no clue the name!
Box Score: Victorianbourg Wine Estate
- Chocolate Ecstasy Wine – Home Run
- Combining the tasting with truffles – Home Run
Box Score: Woodcock Brothers Brewery Co.
- Woodcock Porter – Home Run
- Cocktoberfest – Home Run
- Stiff Mitton Spiced Ale – Triple
- Food – Home Run
Chateau Niagara Winery 2466 W. Creek Road, Newfane, NY 14108, 716-778-7888 https://chateauniagarawinery.com
Victorianbourg Wine Estate 4402 E Lake Road, Wilson, NY 14172 https://victorianbourg.com
Woodcock Brothers Brewing Co. 638 Lake Street, Wilson, NY 14172, 716-333-4000 https://woodcockbrothersbrewery.com
Circling the Bases 
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