Did you know that the Niagara Region is the largest producer of Icewine in the world? Learn what makes this specialty drink so popular and how it’s produced in the Niagara Region:
5 Interesting Facts About Icewine Production
- There are few places in the world that have the right climate to produce high-quality ice wine. Southern Ontario and the Niagara Region, in particular, have a unique climate that is ideal for grape growing.
- Ice wine is produced using late season grape varieties. Grape types like Reisling, Vidal or Cabernet Franc are left on the vine in the autumn to mature and freeze over the cold winter.
- Ice wine production is regulated by the Vintners Quality Alliance or VQA in the provinces of British Columbia and Ontario. Under these regulations, grapes used for ice wine are required to be frozen at a temperature of -8’C (18’F) or colder making ice wine production a very difficult task. Vintners have a short period of time to harvest ice wine grapes. If temperatures rise the grapes will rot on the vine. If the grapes are too cold the grapes will be too hard to extract the juice.
- During manufacturing, only the best grapes are used to produce wine. The frozen grapes are pressed, separating the juice from the water to create a sweet concentrate. The result is a concentrated amount of small-volume that must be fermented.
- Icewine is often viewed as a dessert wine for its extreme sweetness but has a slightly lower alcohol content than regular table wine.
For more facts about icewine, view our infographic all about Icewine production.
Celebrate everything Icewine at these unique festivals, events, and experiences happening in Niagara.
Cool As Ice Gala
Niagara Parks Power Station, Niagara Falls
January 31, 2026
Experience Niagara’s most extraordinary winter celebration inside the stunning, century-old Niagara Parks Power Station. Sip award-winning Icewine, Niagara wines, craft cocktails, and indulge in gourmet creations from Niagara’s top Chefs. Enjoy thrilling live entertainment and exclusive access to The Tunnel leading to breathtaking views of Niagara Falls. This once a year event celebrates the very best of Niagara’s Liquid Gold. Tickets are required to attend.
Frozen Falls Icewine Bar
Niagara Parks Table Rock, Niagara Falls
Friday-Saturday January 17-18 & 24-25, 2026
Experience Niagara’s liquid gold at Niagara Parks Frozen Icewine Bar. Indulge in Canadian Icewine paired with seasonal bites and a frozen backdrop at the brink of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. This weekend experience features Ice sculptures, warm string lights, live music, and an iconic view of the Falls.
Icewine Discovery Weekend Pass
Wineries Across Niagara
Friday-Sunday – January 16-18 & 23-25, & 30-February 1, 2026
Visit some of Niagara’s top wineries in a celebration of Niagara’s famous Icewine. Select your pass which includes either three (Mini Pass) or six (Discovery Pass) seasonal pairings and then create your self guided itinerary to visit the participating wineries. Tailor your own unforgettable tasting experiences and savour the essence of Niagara’s wine and culinary landscape. Discovery Passes can be enjoyed over the course of the three weekends in January. A Driver’s Pass (with non-alcoholic pairings), and Flex Friday passes valid for use on Friday’s only are also available.
Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Village
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Friday-Saturday – January 17-18 & 24-25, 2026
Visit Queen Street in Niagara-on-the-Lake as it transforms into a chill Icewine Village over the course of two weekends in January. Explore the historic district, enjoy tastings from local wineries paired with delicious culinary creations and enjoy live ice carving demonstrations. Admission is free, or elevate your visit by purchasing a VIP Pass with access to heated snow globes, a flight of premium icewines paired with local cheeses, and access to VIP Zone, or make the day extraordinary by reserving a private Snow Globe for a one-hour experience for up to 6 guests featuring a bottle of Icewine, a bottle of sparkling wine, and shareable cheese board.
Purchase a VIP Pass or Private Snow Globe
Icehaus Cocktail Competition
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Saturday – January 24, 2026
Step into the Icehaus for an open air Cocktail Competition in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Watch top mixologists shake, stir and serve up creative Icewine Cocktails, as a live DJ, and bright light installations set the vibe. Icehaus VIP Tickets are available which include 3 cocktails. This is Icewine like you’ve never experienced it before.
Peller Estates Winery 10 Below Icewine Lounge
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Open Year-Round
Make your way to Peller Estates Winery for a tour and tasting that includes the 10 Below Icewine Lounge. Access to this unique experience is exclusive to a winery tour. Here you will be able to sample delicious Icewine in Niagara’s only igloo-like lounge, which is constructed out of a mammoth 13,607 kilos of ice and kept at a frosty 10º below zero (the ideal temperature for harvesting Icewine grapes).