Niagara College Teaching Winery & Brewery

The Niagara College Wine Visitor + Education Centre is located right on the college campus, at the base of the Niagara escarpment in the St. David’s Bench sub-appellation

135 Taylor Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake • (905) 641-2252
ncteachingwinery.ca

Meet Niagara College Teaching Winery

A woman with straight brown hair, wearing a red shirt, stands in front of a backdrop of stacked wooden wine barrels. She is smiling slightly and looking directly at the camera.

Established in 2000, Niagara College Teaching Winery was the first of its kind in Canada in that we became the first commercial teaching winery in the country, pioneering wine education in Canada, offering students the opportunity to learn from industry professionals and produce award-winning wines. Led by talented winemaker Allison Findlay, the winery continues to innovate and produce exceptional wines, while providing invaluable training for the next generation of wine industry leaders. Visit the winery to experience this dynamic learning environment firsthand and sample the fruits of our students' labor.

Allison is the first female winemaker at the Teaching Winery and a Niagara College grad! She graduated from the Niagara College Winery & Viticulture Technician program in 2014 and hasn’t looked back since. After having a wonderful career so far in the Ontario wine industry, we are ecstatic to welcome her back to our Teaching Winery, where she continues to produce outstanding wines and become a valuable mentor for the budding industry professionals.

We are driven by a strong set of values that guide our operations. These values include trust, innovation, quality, teamwork, and personal fulfillment. Our mission is to create an extraordinary experience for both our students and customers, and our vision is to be a leader in promoting beverages as an enjoyable part of life, while also championing sustainable practices. We are constantly evolving to keep pace with the changing industry landscape. This commitment to innovation is reflected in our diverse range of learning enterprises, including Canada's first commercial teaching winery, brewery, and distillery.

A modern stone and glass building marked “Wine Visitor + Education Centre” with a curved roofline, set against a backdrop of trees and a slightly cloudy sky.
A futuristic-style building with a curved roof, viewed from a distance behind rows of vineyard trellises under a cloudy sky.

Winery experiences

To check availability and book this experience, please email winestore@niagaracollege.ca or call 905-641-2252 ext. 4071

A person swirls red wine in a glass over a black spittoon at a tasting table, with a vineyard view in the background.

Teaching Winery Tour & Tasting

$25 plus HST per person

This tour lasts approximately 1 hour and will lead your group out to our vineyards (weather permitting) to discuss our growing season, our terroir and the Canadian wine industry as a whole. Next your group will journey into our on-site wine making facilities where they will learn about the process of making our award-winning wines. The tour is finished off with the best part; a structured tasting of three VQA wines.

Two people seated at a wooden picnic table enjoy rosé wine and beer with a basket of fries and sandwiches served in pink gingham paper.

The Icewine Wonderland Experience

$35 per person

Tis the season for Icewine, and we have some of the best ones at the Teaching Winery! This experience includes a private fireside seating for groups of two or four (weather permitting) with a special tasting of two VQA icewines - Dean's List Prodigy Icewine (white) and Dean's List Savant Icewine (red). Served with special cheese and chocolate inspired pairings that are a treat to taste alongside the delicious wines! But wait... there's more... sit and relax while you enjoy the fire and finish with an elegant bubbly cocktail made using Icewine!

Rows of autumn-coloured grapevines lead toward a large educational winery building, seen under a cloudy sky.

Journey of the Senses

$35 plus HST per person

The best of both worlds, this experience includes a tour and tasting at both our Teaching Winery and Teaching Brewery! Your experience kicks off in our own vineyard, where we will discuss the growing season and terroir that allow us to grow premium grapes right here in Niagara, as well as the landscape of the Ontario wine industry. Take a peek at our onsite winemaking facilities and enjoy a structured tasting of VQA wines before making your way to our Teaching Brewery to tour the tanks and sample some of our beloved local brews.

Two people clink Icewine glasses—one red, one white—in front of a modern fire pit, creating a cozy atmosphere.

Ultimate Pairing Experience

$35 plus HST per person

Come and enjoy the ultimate pairing experience at our Teaching Winery! This experience includes an on-the-go tasting of 3 beers while we explore our hopyard, vineyard and winery production area. Learn about our programs, the growing and production process, and what makes the Niagara Region so special. After the tour, settle into a private seating area for a pairing experience with 3 of our VQA wines matched with cheese and chocolate to tantalize your taste buds! It doesn’t get better than this!