Dave and I love travel whether it’s as a family or on a romantic couples getaway.
Accommodations, meals, tours, tastings, and gift bags received.
That’s why we were excited to get the chance to go to the Niagara Wine Trail. We had been to Niagara Falls before but had never been to, or even heard of, the Niagara Wine Trail.. Once we learned about the trail and the area, we thought it would be a fantastic getaway for our 9th anniversary.
Niagara Falls itself is about 4 hours from Cleveland. The Niagara Wine Trail is just 30 minutes or so past the Falls. Not a bad drive at all. Our first evening we pulled into the Brookins Inn & Suites of Newfane to get settled in for our two night stay
The Inn is lovely with a large warm & welcoming porch. We loved sitting out in the rocking chairs in the evening watching a relaxing rainstorm or two pass through and the hanging baskets of flowers are gorgeous and add a nice touch of summer color.
We enjoyed the lobby area as well. It was a friendly space packed full with lots of area information, a great guest book overflowing with compliments, a Keriug coffee machine with a fine selection of coffees & teas, a basket of snacks, a refrigerator full of complimentary drinks, a microwave, as well as plates, napkins, and silverware.
A nice continental breakfast is also offered on Saturdays and Sundays. And the homemade cookies calling to us from the front window every day were delicious!
The owners, Dan and Bev, really thought of everything which was wonderful. There were no worries about having to run out to the store for any last minute items.
There’s a peaceful outdoor courtyard with a wonderful fountain, chairs to relax in, and even a full size grill to cook on.
We stayed in the Patterson Room which was cozy and comfortable. The bright yellow color was cheery and we enjoyed watching the Opening Ceremonies for the 2012 Summer Olympics on the flat screen tv.
The little amenities in the room really made it homey as well. There was a hair dryer and soft bathrobes, eco-friendly soaps and lotions, the two wine glasses and corkscrew were a nice touch, and the roses on the nightstand celebrating our anniversary were beautiful.
I had a nice talk with the owner of the inn, Dan, who told me that their French Country style inn was built in 1893 as an important stop along the Lockport-Olcott Trolley System that brought people from Buffalo, N.Y. to the Olcott Beach Hotel. He took the time to explain how each of the 5 rooms were named for famous historical area moments. Our room, the Patterson, was so named because in 1823, Arthur Patterson constructed the first hotel in Newfane. The Roosevelt Suite was aptly named after Teddy Roosevelt who gave a speech at the Pioneer Days Festival in Olcott which put the town on the map.
The history, meaning, attention to detail, and comfort the Brookins Inn & Suites offers, as well as the kind and accommodating owners, makes this a great recommendation and a must-stay for anyone visiting the area.
One of our first stops after a night’s rest at the inn was a visit to the Van Horn Mansion.
The mansion was built in 1823 by James Van Horn. It is currently maintained by the local historical society whose members do a fantastic job with tours, information, and year-round events centering around the mansion.
We enjoyed learning about the mansion’s history and about the families who lived in it. The tour of the mansion was amazing. Some of our favorite parts included looking at all of the historical antique pieces throughout the mansion that gave us a glimpse of what it was like to live at that time. We also found the stained glass ceiling incredible.
Prior to hitting the Niagara Wine Trail we stopped for lunch at the Wine Trail Cafe where we enjoyed sandwiches and wraps. The Wine Trail Cafe will also put together boxed lunches to bring along with you as you travel between the wineries. Such a great idea!
Our first stop on the wine trail was Arrowhead Spring Vineyard. The tasting room was lovely, the wine was delicious, and the tasting room associate was very friendly and extremely knowledgeable. We enjoyed talking with him and learning about what it is like to work in a vineyard as much as we enjoyed the views, the photography displays, and the wine.
Our next stop was the Freedom Run Winery right down the hill and next door. As soon as we walked in the door we couldn’t get over the beauty of the tasting room. It was large, airy, bright, and beautiful. We learned that all of the glasswork on the front of the bars and throughout the room were crafted by a family member. They are gorgeous pieces and truly add a distinct and divine touch to the room.
The wines here were wonderful too. Dave particularly enjoyed the Pinot Noir he had there and would recommend it (I’m making a note for his Christmas list!).
Our third and final stop was definitely our favorite. While we enjoyed our time at the two earlier wineries, our visit to the Chateau Niagara Winery was an incredible immersion experience in itself. The owners of the Chateau Niagara, Jim and Kathy Baker, were there to greet us and we were immediately enveloped in their enthusiasm and passion for their winery.
Jim took us on a wonderful tour of his vineyard. He talked about each variety of grape and what type of flavor it produced, he explained why his dry, sandy, & gravel-filled soil is different than other wineries, and he even gave us a sneak peek at some baby vines he’s experimenting with that will soon make him a unique, notable, and distinguished wine.
While we were enjoying the vineyard tour, Kathy, was inside setting up our wine tasting. We tasted a handpicked selection of wines and were blown away by the bold flavors in each one. We enjoyed learning about each wine and how it came to be as well as why each food pairing was right for that wine. We had chardonnay strawberry cheese, raspberry jalapeno chocolates, and even oyster crackers. Each food pairing established or changed the flavor of the wine it was paired with making it stand out even more.
We ended the tasting with their dessert wine, the A La Mode. It’s wine that tastes just like apple pie and there’s no apples in it! It was so delicious that we bought a bottle to bring home with us to share with family and friends – if it lasts that long!.
Later that evening we had a wonderful filling and flavorful dinner at Cafora’s. It’s a cozy family owned restaurant that offers a huge menu with equally large and enjoyable portions of pizza, pasta, subs, sandwiches, calzones, and more.
We had an incredible time our our Niagara Wine Trail romantic getaway and would recommend a visit to wine lovers, those looking for a bit of romance, and to anyone who is looking for a peaceful and relaxing getaway. There are 16 wineries on the wine trail and while we only made it to three of them, this just means another trip back soon is in our future and we can’t wait!
What a fun, relaxing time. The Inn looks so warm and cozy. I bet the tours were interesting learning about all the different varieties of grapes and wines.
This looks like such a fun experience, I love that the owners of inn thought of everything and that mansion is beautiful!
I would love a nice relaxing vacation – this is beautiful
What a LOVELY trip! I am a huge wine fan, so Niagara is on my list (LOVE Canadian ice wine especially).
Looks like a great time. We would love to go back to Niagara Falls!
What a fun trip! I’d love to go back to Niagara Falls some day. We saw a few vineyards, on our travels to NIagara Falls.
This looks like an amazing trip. Love wine inspired get aways.
What a nice place to visit! Would love to do the wine trail someday!
I have always, always wanted to do the wine trail! How fun!
That looks like a lovely getaway Did you cross over to Canada Niagara to tour any of their vineyards or wineries?
Awesome photos and great review!! Looks like a great place!
great trip – i love the restaurant and it looked yummy
Looks nice and cozy!
Hubby and I would love to visit Niagara Wine Trail. Looks like such a great place.
I wanna go to cedar point
Heading to MI next year. Maybe it’s time for a Niagara detour. It’s been a long time.
That pizza looks yummy!
You’re very lucky that so many things are fairly close to Cleveland. Such a long haul from here in FL (we don’t fly well).
We took the kids to Niagara in May and we stayed near downtown, MUCH less romantic than your getaway, but the kids had a good time and so did we. The downtown area is very touristy, really not my cup of tea!
I really want to go to the Chateau Niagara Winery! I live close by but I’ve never been!
It looks really nice. I would like to visit there someday
We had a wonderful time hosting you and are very greatful for the kind words. We do love the wine, the vineyard and meeting wonderful people such as yourselves. We look forward to seeing you the next time you can make it up to Niagara and taste the bounty she gives us.
this would have been so fun but I was with a non drinker and my under age daughter – haha! I will convince my husband to go!
Looks like a sweet and cozy little place!
We live next door to the hotel :) glad you enjoyed your stay – they are GREAT people :) Reading your blog makes me want to do the niagara wine trail – can you believe I have lived in Newfane my whole life and I have NEVER done it? Craziness!!
i bet they lock the wine celler!..i really want to go on a wine tasting tour one day!
This looks like such a lovely place!
I would love to go there…relaxing and enjoy wine!!
Hey there! Have I ever told you how much I love your name. That is just like our family too. I love this review. We have been to Niagara many times, but never on a wine trail tour. This makes me want to go.
Looks like an amazing trip! I’ve never stayed at a bed and breakfast before but would love to!
Looks like you had a great adventure. I want to do something similar. Guess I’ll have to head North :)
WAIT!!!!
Did someone say wine?? I’m sure I’m saw wine!
(Looks like a beautiful place! Wine or no wine!)
Wow! That place looks really really nice! I am jealous! It is awesome that it had a Keurig maker and that stained glass sky light was AMAZING!! I went to Niagara Falls once about 2o years ago. :) It was gorgeous!
Dawn
http://www.cheapisthenewclassy.com
The Chateau looks very cozy !:)
Awesome pictures! You stay at the most amazing places!
Fantastic Review, Michelle and me go to Niagara Falls every year, but this October will be our 10th wedding anniversary. We Started there, but will be going all out this year, but we visit many of the winery areas, but really never did the trail, thanks for a great article.
Tom
Beautiful pictures! Looks like a very nice place to visit.
Not a lot of wineries in FL, and when we visit out of state it seems the grapes are just budding. Someday I want to see them ready to pick.
What beautiful places you stayed at. I like the fountain in the courtyard.
Wow – I had no idea New York had such amazing wineries – thanks for introducing me to something new!
I’ve been wanting to go to Niagra Falls for a couple years now. That place look wonderful.
Chardonnay Strawberry Cheese. Yum! Seriously, the whole trip looks positively amazing! Earlier this summer we found ourselves unexpectedly in Niagara (I know — sounds insane, but, if you read about our VERY EVENTFUL road trip, you’d totally get it). Our three children (9, 7 & 7) were totally blown away by the power and magnificence of the falls. I’m SO glad our adventures led us there.
We’re looking for a more “planful” way back, and I’ve noticed that Groupon has had a pretty good deal several times…but, now that I’ve read about your Wine Trail, I’m thinking my husband and I might need a trip there as a couple!
Thanks for the awesome review of what looks like a truly amazing trip!