Niagara Peninsula VQA

Appellations of Niagara Peninsula

Beamsville Bench VQA

Beamsville Bench is a narrow plateau sloping gradually from the cliff of the Niagara Escarpment northwards to Regional Road 81, marking the bottom of the crescent-shaped Lake Iroquois Shore Bluff. Around 16 wines operate here, producing about 150 wines.

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Creek Shores VQA

Creek Shores is distinctive for its complex glacial soils seen on the Lake Iroquois Plains. Plenty of sunlight means the wines are often concentrated and full bodied.

Four Mile Creek VQA

Four Mile Creek is the fertile plain that makes up central regional appellation of Niagara-on-the-Lake. It lies slightly inland from the lake and below the bench of the Niagara Escarpment, providing for warm days and cool nights during the growing season.

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Lincoln Lakeshore VQA

The Lincoln Lakeshore runs along the Lake Ontario shore from Winona Road to Jordan Harbour and Twenty Mile Creek. Conditions in the appellation are influenced by Lake Ontario which helps sustain a longer growing season.

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Niagara Escarpment VQA

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Niagara Lakeshore VQA

Niagara Lakeshore follows the shoreline of Lake Ontario from the Welland Canal east to the Niagara River and inland for approximately 3 kilometres. The growing season is long, extending to late October, and supports the production of mature, full bodied wines, notably some later ripening varieties.

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Niagara River VQA

The Niagara River sub-appellation is a small strip of land running along the river from John Street to Dee Road and inland approximately one kilometer. Soils in the area are primarily stratified fine sands, providing natural drainage and strong encouragement for vines to develop deep root penetration.

Niagara-on-the-Lake VQA

Niagara-on-the-Lake is one of two regional appellations (along with Niagara Escarpment) within the Niagara Peninsula Appellation. Situated below the crest of the Niagara Escarpment and stretching to the Niagara River and the shores of Lake Ontario, this region encompasses four sub-appellations: Niagara River, Niagara Lakeshore, Four Mile Creek and St. David’s Bench. They key grape varieties are Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc.

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Short Hills Bench VQA

Short Hills Bench is the most easterly of the Niagara Peninsula’s sub-appellations and is located within the Niagara Escarpment. It encompasses the land rising up from the plain of the peninsula (south of Regional Road 81) to the Escarpment Brow and situated between Twelve Mile Creek and Fifteen Mile Creek. It produces wines from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Gamay Noir.

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St. David's Bench VQA

St. David’s Bench lies 10 km south of the shore of Lake Ontario and several metres above the Lake Iroquois Plain. This bench, formed when glaciers carved out the Niagara Escarpment, rises from the historic shoreline of Lake Iroquois towards the base of the escarpment. It produces mainly red grape varieties such as Syrah, Pinot Noir, Merlot, but also Chardonnay.

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Twenty Mile Bench VQA

The Twenty Mile Bench stretches east to west from Fifteen Mile Creek to west of Cherry Avenue. Bisected by Twenty Mile Creek, it has a complex topography with a distinctive double bench formation west of Twenty Mile Creek, and short, varied slopes that roll to the brow of the escarpment. Cultivation here focuses on the red skinned Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir, and the white Riesling and Chardonnay.

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Vinemount Ridge VQA

Vinemount Ridge lies just above and south of the brow of the Niagara Escarpment. This appellation covers two prominent geological features - the Fonthill Kame to the east and the Vinemount Moraine on its western edge. It produces wines from Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Noir.

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