Wayne Gretzky Estates — Restaurant in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Recently, I had the pleasure of being part of a whisky-tasting experience at Wayne Gretzky Estates for my Visage group of 15 members. It was hosted and organized by Sanderson Wealth Management. The setting was magnificent, nestled in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake, known for its picturesque vineyards and wineries.

Upon our arrival, we were greeted by the warm and welcoming staff who led us to The Whisky Loft, an exclusive private tasting area offering a spectacular view of the distillery’s workspace. The room's ambiance, with its intimate and cozy setting, was perfect for our group.

Our tasting session was led by a knowledgeable sommelier who introduced us to a range of Wayne Gretzky Estates’ finest whiskies. Each whisky was unique, showcasing different flavors and complexities. The sommelier’s passion and expertise truly enhanced our experience, as they explained the distillation process, the history behind each spirit, and the best ways to appreciate their distinct notes and aromas.

As we sipped and savored the various whiskies, we couldn't help but be captivated by the breathtaking views of the estate. The serene landscape of vineyards and the distant Niagara Escarpment provided a perfect backdrop for our tasting adventure.

After the tasting, we headed to Trius Winery, conveniently located next door. Here, we enjoyed an amazing dinner that beautifully complemented our whisky experience. The food at Trius was exceptional, each dish carefully crafted to pair with the region's exquisite wines. The dinner was not only a gastronomic delight but also a great way to unwind and reflect on our delightful whisky tasting experience.

This event was a memorable journey through the world of fine whiskies and exquisite cuisine, set against the backdrop of one of Canada's most beautiful wine regions. It was an experience that all of us in the Visage group cherished and would highly recommend to anyone looking for a unique and sophisticated outing.

Wayne Gretzky Estates offers a variety of private tastings and experiences for wine and bourbon enthusiasts. Located in the scenic Niagara-on-the-Lake, the estate provides an engaging blend of hockey heritage and the art of winemaking and distilling.

The estate organizes several types of experiences:

Tours and Tastings: They offer guided tours where visitors can learn about Wayne Gretzky's journey and the process of crafting wines and spirits. These tours often include tastings of various wines and spirits produced at the estate.

Private Group Bookings: For groups of ten or more, Wayne Gretzky Estates arranges private tours, tastings, and dining events. This includes special spaces like The Club Lounge, The Barrel Cellar, and The Whisky Loft, each offering a unique ambiance and experience. These spaces cater to different group sizes and preferences, ranging from intimate whisky tastings to larger group events.

Seasonal and Special Events: The estate also hosts seasonal events, such as the Holiday House Tour, and provides options for private events like rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, and corporate gatherings.

Virtual Group Tastings: For those who cannot visit in person, the estate offers virtual tastings. This involves sending curated tasting kits to participants, and their wine consultants guide the group through a virtual tasting experience.

Dining and Relaxation: Besides tastings, the estate features dining options like The Whisky Bar Patio, offering a space for visitors to relax and enjoy food and drinks amidst the beautiful vineyard settings.

Each of these experiences is designed to provide visitors with an insight into Wayne Gretzky’s legacy and the fine craftsmanship of their wines and spirits. Reservations are recommended for these experiences to ensure...

Canadian wine isn't really my thing, but I enjoyed a pleasant enough visit to Wayne Gretzky Estate winery on a recent trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake. The wine is downright bad (I am sorry to say this, but I would call it completely undrinkable), but the grounds and setting of the winery is top notch. Wayne knows what the people want, and he delivers - just not in the category of tasty wine.

The winery itself is modern and welcoming. As a hockey fan, I especially appreciated all of the memorabilia of Wayne's record-breaking days as a professional athlete in the NHL. Take some time to browse so you can see it all. Also, be sure to check out the well-curated gift shop, which features some cute hockey and wine themed merchandise.

We arrived in the evening without a reservation, and luckily the hostess said she could find a space for us. The tasting room was very busy, but we had a high top table for two. I noticed the clientele was mostly female / groups of women who looked like those "see and be seen" type of ladies, all decked out in designer shoes and handbags with perfect makeup and hair. This is a great place for a girls' night out, with its welcoming yet chic atmosphere.

We opted for two different tastings from the menu so we could have a nice variety of wines. We chose a range from white, reds, and dessert wines, and there was absolutely nothing to our liking. We were also hungry and I was delighted they had a modest food menu (we ordered the warm baguette with whipped maple whisky butter for $10) which was tasty enough, if not Earth shattering).

The tasting itself was just okay. The service was prompt and our knowledgeable hostess answered all of our questions (but wasn't much on small talk). The major problem I had is that she was doused in stinky perfume. This is a huge no-no at a winery, and whenever she came by to check on us or to deliver something to a nearby table, all I could smell was her perfume. It's not that it smelled rank or anything, but it really did interfere with the taste of the wine.

The wines were very low quality, and I couldn't bring myself to take more than two tastes of each one. I guess if I had to drink something it would be the dessert wine, which was creamy yet the overpowering maple is definitely an acquired taste.

Note that tastings are pricey and bottles are as well. There's a separate bar for tasting spirits and a stunning outdoor patio area if you want to come and hang a while. I'd definitely return here for the grounds and setting alone, but I'm going to pass...

I will preface this review by stating that we have been wine club members at Gretzky's sister property Peller Estates for a decade+ and have enjoyed MANY meals and/or wine tasting experiences over the years at Peller and their other local sister properties Trius and 30 Bench. Gretzky did not live up to the high expectations set by previous sister property experiences. This review is for both the outside Whiskey Bar Patio Restaurant (reservations through OpenTable) as well as the indoor tasting bar upstairs. Very nice surroundings but even with the outside table umbrellas, there was a significant lack of shaded seating available at noon. There also appeared to be a general lack of training, and during this first timer visit for lunch, no visible hands-on management on site. Our server was pleasant and efficient. Food portions were generous but quality was just "ok". Poutine was a soggy blob, pizza toppings seemed minimal and crust was dry, coconut shrimp were pretty similar to a standard frozen product you can find at Trader Joe's. Biggest disappointment was red wine by the glass with the meal. It was a minuscule portion for the price and it was served so warm that ice was subsequently requested and two cubes melted immediately upon contact (note: this is the first time I have ever put ice in a red wine). A VERY POOR showing for attention to wine service. Inside tasting bar experience seemed mechanical, impersonal, and understaffed. A request for water after purchasing a whiskey flight was greeted with a staffer pointing to a self-service Igloo cooler halfway across the room with a spout that sprayed onto your clothes if not careful, or the soaking wet towel already on the floor. The building is gorgeous but the overall experience was lacking. The creamed whiskeys are a must try and the traditional double oaked whiskey is quite smooth. We did purchase a mixture of eight bottles before leaving. Retail store is nicely organized and efficient. There are numerous other much better dining venues in NOTL. This was probably a one and done for food but will return for spirits...