NIAGARA-ON-THE LAKE, ONTARIO – We’re sitting on comfy outdoor furniture in a lovely cabana in mid-August, sipping some of Niagara’s best wine and nibbling away at a tray of splendid, hot cheese puffs.
There’s an attractive, blue/grey sail over our heads to protect us from the sun, and we have a close-up view of the bright green, leafy vineyards, where red wine grapes are just beginning to turn soft shades of plum.
We’ve each been served a glass of the Chateau’s excellent sparkling wine and are slowly (well, kind of) sipping away as we soak in the beauty – and the quiet – that surrounds us.
It’s all part of the winery’s new “Cabana Experience,” which is tremendous. As a travel writer and wine afficionado, I’ve had the pleasure of tasting wines all around the world. But I don’t recall such a serene setting, complete with an elegant table and a vase of summer flowers in full bloom.
The Cabana Experience is a great way to taste wine and food at Chateau des Charmes winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Chateau des Charmes Photo
Château des Charmes has long been one of North America’s best wineries, with award-winning wines and a lovely setting just a couple minutes off the Queen Elizabeth Way.
But the new owners (a group of Canadian investors bought the winery last year) have put a new polish on the place, including a new tasting room, new retail space, a “sparkling fountain” area with loungers, bistro tables and sparkling wine by the glass, and a bright new Brut bar for sparkling wine with stunning pink and white marble.
They also stage weddings on the grounds and can set the lucky couple up with a stay at one of the fabulous Vintage Inn properties in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Other events include salsa nights and an opera series.
Wine tasting above the Brut Bar at Chateau des Charmes, Chateau des Charmes Photo
They’ve also expanded their on-site programs to include the cabana experiences. They have three sizes, and their food and wine pairing experience can be customized to include anywhere from two to 20 guests.
For our family visit (I brought along my wife and my sister), we were joined by Magdalena Kaiser, one of Canada’s top wine and communication experts.
“They’re redoing a lot of things and really looking at everything from the ground up,” Kaiser told me. “There’s a new energy, and there’s also a huge focus on quality and sustainability.”
Kaiser, by the way, is in the final stages of writing and editing a wine and recipe book for Niagara. It’s called “Niagara Wine + Food” and is scheduled for release in late May of 2026. There will be recipes from a number of wineries, including two from Chateau des Charmes.
OUR CABANA EXPERIENCE
We started things off with their Brut Sparkler, which is a wonderful, classic champagne-style wine made in the traditional method with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. It’s got a lovely apple flavour with yeasty note.
A fine charcuterie tray at Chateau des Charmes. Jim Byers photo
Our server and winery tour guide, an entertaining and knowledgeable local named John, brought along a plate of addictive cheese puffs made with tapioca flour and Oka cheese from Quebec.
Our charcuterie tray included Westphalia ham, Tuscan salami and cured beef filet. We tasted a nice array of cheeses from the Cheese Boutique in Toronto, including a Wildwood cheese from Stonetown Cheese in St. Mary’s, Ontario and a lovely, aged Gouda from Mountainoak Cheese in New Hamburg, Ontario. My fave was likely the Douanier from Quebec, which features a small ribbon of vegetable ash.
Oh, yes, the wine! We got to taste a wide variety of excellent estate wines.
The Cabana Experience at Chateau des Charmes. Jim Byers Photo
The Eclat Bubbles Rose is a pretty, pink sparkler made in the prosecco style, which makes it light and perfect for mixing, or sipping on a warm summer’s day. The Paul Bosc Estate Chardonnay is aged in French oak barrels and has a nice mix of old and new world flavours.
Chateau des Charmes is famous for its Gamay Noir, a terrific grape for growing southern Ontario, and I loved their Gamay Noir Droit from the nearby St. David’s Bench. It’s a light, bright red wine that’s ideal for summer sipping.
A major surprise to me was the crisp Old Vines Savignin, a white wine grape I’d never heard of but that struck me as something that both Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc enthusiasts would enjoy. It’s also very good with food.
Ripening grapes at Chateau des Charmes. Jim Byers photo
After our tasting, John took us on a great tour of the property, showing off the vineyards up close and explaining how the wines are made. We also got to check out the barrel room, where workers who help pick the grapes scribble their names on barrels at the end of the year.
All in all, an exceptional and unique wine and food experience I highly recommend. The weather should still be good for weeks, and Niagara is lovely in the fall.
IF YOU GO:
Cabana bookings are offered Monday-Sunday with seatings at 11 am, 1:30 pm and 4 pm. To make your reservation please book directly through the “Request a Reservation” button or email the reservations Team: reservations@chateaudescharmes.com
Vineyard Cabanas start at $175 + 18% gratuity for 2 people. The experience includes:
- Exclusive 2-hour use of one of our Cabanas with incredible views of the St. David’s Bench Vineyard
- Welcome toast of Brut Sparkling to start ( two included)
- Cheese Puffs on table
- Intro to Chateau des Charmes and Niagara wine with your personal guide/server
- A bottle of Estate Wine for the table (additional cost for Premium Wines or Sparkling)
- Cheese and charcuterie board with bread and locally sourced fare
- Add a Winery Tour for an additional $20 per person
- Add guests for $87.50 per person up to 10 guests
- For larger groups inquire with their team
