It was one of those perfect Niagara-on-the-Lake afternoons in that sweet spot between late summer and early fall when the sun still warms your shoulders and the green vines are heavy with wine grape clusters. On this trip, I finally made my way to The Winery Restaurant at Peller Estates for the very first time, something I’d been meaning to do for ages.
The winery itself is gorgeous, all stone and elegance but never in a way that feels snobby or intimidating. There’s a welcoming energy here that immediately puts you at ease, and I couldn’t help but feel excited as we walked in. The dining room is polished and refined, but it’s the covered outdoor patio that steals the show. With sweeping vineyard views and a wide green lawn unfurling at our feet, the terrace was the perfect spot for a long summer lunch with a glass of wine in hand.
So linger we did. The three of us settled into our seats in the sunshine, glasses of sparkling wine in hand, thanks to a lovely perk of being wine club members. From that first sip to the very last bite of dessert, the afternoon was as much about the atmosphere and the wine as it was about the food.
Starting with a sparkle
We began with a celebratory pour of bubbly, the perfect way to ease into the meal. My son had the carrot ginger soup, which arrived silky and comforting with just the right hit of warmth from the ginger. I went for the summer salad, a beautiful mix of bibb lettuce, juicy peaches and small dollops of whipped feta that added just the right amount of tangy creaminess. It was fresh, colorful and exactly what I wanted on a late summer day.
My son also ordered the scallop crudo, which was fresh and beautifully presented but a little puzzling. Scallop crudo usually features thinly sliced scallops so the bright, acidic dressing can gently “cook” the seafood. Here, the scallops were cut into chunky, uneven pieces that didn’t soak up much flavor. Not a bad dish, just not the delicate, citrusy bite I was expecting.
From burgers to berries
For my main, I ordered the chicken breast with a promised berry wine sauce. The chicken was perfectly cooked, with golden crisp skin that I couldn’t wait to dig into. But when it arrived, the skin was covered by a thick blueberry wine purée. Instead of a silky sauce, it was more like a chunky reduction with seeds, and the tartness overwhelmed the chicken. I ended up scraping most of it aside so I could enjoy the meat on its own.
My husband went in a very different direction with their towering bacon cheeseburger topped with foie gras. It was massive, indulgent and exactly as decadent as it sounds. On the side came warm potatoes dressed like a tangy vinaigrette potato salad, which was a fresh and welcome contrast to the richness of the burger.
Sweet endings in the sun
We couldn’t leave without dessert. The deconstructed cheesecake was easily the highlight, with its creamy filling and playful presentation that let us mix and match bites. The mille-feuille, while pretty, fell a little flat in flavor by comparison. Still, sitting outside with the vineyard stretching endlessly in front of us, the sun shining and another glass of wine in hand, it was exactly the kind of afternoon that reminds me why I love living close enough to Niagara wine country for day trips.
The verdict
My first visit to The Winery Restaurant at Peller Estates delivered everything I’d hoped for when it came to the setting and the wine. The menu was limited, but there was something for everyone. Having a lunch tasting menu is a novel idea (it’s usually reserved for dinner), and the other option was the 2 or 3-course prix fixe with surcharges for a couple of the dishes. The food had some memorable highs, like that summer salad and the indulgent foie gras burger, though not every dish wowed. Yes, it’s a bit of a splurge, but with those vineyard views and a patio built for lingering, I’d happily go back the next time I’m in Niagara-on-the-Lake.