Niagara Grape & Wine Festival celebrates 70th in St Catharines park

For two weekends in September, Montebello Park in St. Catharines will become Niagara wine country.

When the Niagara Grape & Wine Festival, celebrating its 70th year, the park will be a key hub, holding the Montebello Park Wine and Culinary Festival on September 16 to 18 and 23 to 25.

It’s free and park guests over 19 can select their sips from over 100 VQA wines paired with food from 15 local culinary partners as they groove to a 50-hour soundtrack of live Ontario music, including hometown favourites like My Son The Hurricane, The Mandevilles, and Jonesy.

Grape & Wine Festival Executive Director Dorian Anderson says, “Niagara has so much love for all things local that growing the Grape & Wine Festival into a month-long celebration just seemed like the right thing to do. From wine, to food, to music, our goal is to shine the spotlight on all the fabulous things we’re making right here in Niagara.”

“Our Festival contributes $25 million toward Niagara’s economy each year, and we hope to increase that with the addition of Grape & Wine Month programming that encourages Festival guests to support local businesses that could use a post-pandemic boost right now.”

Organizers added, “The Pied Piper Family Parade returns on September 17, and in partnership with the Lincoln County Humane Society, with see the addition of dogs. Pied Piper Parade participants will have the option of promenading their pooches along the route.”

A week later on September 24, the Grande Parade with return with over 50 marching bands, dance and performance artists enlivening downtown St. Catharines.

A favourite of foodies, the Discovery Pass Touring Program is also back, allowing those who prefer to sip at the source to choose from 24 wine and food pairings at various winery locations across Niagara on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays beginning September 9 through the end of the month.

Exciting new perks and places launching at Montebello Park will include:

• The In Good Spirits Lounge, a highly stylized cocktail lounge set in the park’s historic rose garden offering delicious drinks featuring grape-based spirits
• A Sommelier Bar open to any guests wishing to enjoy unique, ultra-premium VQA wines
• New VIP Cabanas, six private glamping tents in the heart of the action, outfitted with luxe lounge furnishings and a private wine steward

For complete details on all Grape & Wine Festival programming, please visit HERE