9 Wineries And Breweries In The GTA That Are Totally Worth A Road Trip
It's finally patio season!
A group of friends sitting on a patio with beers.
Summer is here, and that means we all deserve a drink to celebrate surviving another Canadian winter!
For those of you who are searching for something a little more adventurous than a patio in the city, or the vintages section at the LCBO, look no further! There are tons of breweries and vineyards in the GTA where you can sit and sip with your pals, while drinking a local brew fresh from the manufacturer. As an added bonus, you may get to learn a little more about your favourite lager, or go-to pinot.
Grab your friends and head to one of these local breweries or wineries this summer, and don't forget to bring your ID!
Jackson Triggs Winery, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Address: 2145 Niagara Stone Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
Why You Need To Go: Jackson Triggs Winery is located in the beautiful Niagara region, and is definitely worth the drive from Toronto. They offer tasting flights for their various wines, and also sell by the glass or bottle. If you're hungry, you can tuck in to some snacks from their kitchen. The Jackson Triggs Niagara Estate is also home to their very own amphitheatre, where musicians are often booked to perform. Delicious wine and an outdoor concert? It doesn't get much better than that!
Steam Whistle Brewery, Toronto
Address: 255 Bremner Blvd., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Steam Whistle is a perfect option for beer lovers who are not looking to leave the city. Steam Whistle offers daily tours and free samples, and is in a prime location right in the heart of Toronto. They have a full menu, so you can snack while you sip on one of their refreshing brews. This is also a great place to take your friends from out of town to give them a taste of the city!
Mill St. Organic Brew Pub, Toronto and Ottawa
Address: 21 Tank House Lane, Toronto, ON and 555 Wellington St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Mill St. Organic has a micro-brewery right in the heart of Toronto's Distillery District. Mill St. Organic is one of Toronto's many brew pubs, and is a great option if you're looking for a more laid back brewery experience. You can enjoy a cold beer while sitting on the patio, and learn about the small seasonal batches they produce on location. There's also a Mill St. brew pub location in Ottawa offering specialty and seasonal beers, along with brewery tours on weekends.
Trius Winery, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Address: 1249 Niagara Stone Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
Why You Need To Go: Truis Winery is the perfect place to take a wine lover for a day trip or a date night. Trius offers winery tours, tasting sessions, and dining experiences for visitors. The Riverbend Inn is also located nearby, so you can stay the night in Niagara without worrying about getting back to the city in one day.
Collective Arts, Hamilton
Address: 207 Burlington St. East, Hamilton, ON
Why You Need To Go: The Collective Arts brewery is a great place to grab a beer, a cocktail, or a snack this summer. They offer tours of their brewing facilities, so you can see how your beer is made. Collective Arts has a calendar of events hosted at the brewery, including Music Bingo, Wing Night, and regular performances by musicians and DJs. They have an outdoor beer garden which is pet friendly, so be sure to bring your four-legged friends along for an afternoon in the sun!
Amsterdam BrewHouse, Toronto
Address: 245 Queens Quay W., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Amsterdam BrewHouse is centrally located on the Toronto Harbourfront, with a patio overlooking Lake Ontario. They have a full kitchen, so you can come for dinner and take in the sunset on the water. If you want to take some bottles home with you, Amsterdam BrewHouse has a retail space onsite for all of your shopping needs.
Plan your visit to Amsterdam BrewHouse
Big Head Wines, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Address: 823 Line 6 Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
Why You Need To Go: Big Head Wines offers tasting flights at their dog-friendly winery. They have a bottle shop onsite, and their informative staff and will definitely help you find a wine that is suited to your taste. The GA Pizza Patio is open from Thursday to Monday each week, so you can enjoy a freshly made pizza while you sip on a glass of wine.
Great Lakes Brewery, Toronto
Address: 11 Lower Jarvis St., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Great Lake Brewery is a great spot to grab a beer and a snack in Toronto's East Bayfront neighbourhood. They regularly host events like Drag Brunch & Beer, Trivia Night, and Monday Industry Nights, so you can be sure to find something to do with your friends here. Great Lakes Brewery offers full lunch and dinner menus, so you can come by any time of day for a great meal to go with your pint.
Leaning Post Wines, Stoney Creek
Address: 1491 Hwy 8, Stoney Creek, ON
Why You Need To Go: The Leaning Post is an adorable winery located in Stoney Creek with a retail space and a tasting room where you can sample a few of their many wines. They also offer tours of their facility and beautiful vineyard, and are available to host events and large tastings, so get in touch to organize your next party!
With this list as a guide, you'll be sure to find a drinking hole for a perfect summer afternoon.
This article has been updated since it was originally published on June 22, 2016.