The annual Niagara Icewine Festival in January and February is an eighteen-day celebration of Ontario's renowned icewine -- an exceptionally fine, sweet wine produced by pressing frozen grapes to retain their sugar. The festival began in 1995 when Niagara's icewine was first recognized as world-class. The event now draws nearly 200-thousand visitors during a season that previously was unpopular for Niagara tourism.
The opening event is the Xerox Fire & Ice Gala and Silent Auction. Over thirty wineries in the Niagara Falls region participate, offering more than one-hundred award-winning icewines for public tasting. The 2008 event was held at the Niagara Fallsview Casino and Resort at the Hilton Hotel with spectacular views overlooking the Canadian and U.S. Falls.
The Icewine Discovery Pass is a way to explore Niagara's Wine Route and participate in five events at various wineries, including tastings, seminars, and luncheons. Some events require reservations and it's advisable to book early. Wineries are open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
An Icewine Bar is constructed each weekend of the festival; the first at the village of Jordan, Ontario. Ice sculpture depicting Canadian scenery and history, vodka-and-icewine martinis, ice carving demonstrations, and gourmet cuisine are available.
The next weekend, the Icewine Bar is constructed at Niagara-on-the-Lake. The main attraction is the decorative ice carving, carriage rides and outdoor entertainment. Visitors frequent shops and stroll down historic Queen Street which is partially closed to traffic for the festivities. Winterfest is the city of St Catharine's indoor event featuring wine-tasting, local cuisine and live entertainment.
The Prince of Wales Hotel, Niagara on the Lake, offers special weekend packages including their tasting gala, an outdoor ice-bar, winery tours, culinary seminars, and a winemakers luncheon and dinner.
