Fielding Estate Winery
Nestled against the forest on the Escarpment above Beamsville, Fielding Estate has got off to a brilliant start. One of its winemakers, Andrzej Lipinski, fashioned five medal winners for Fielding’s debut at the 2005 Ontario Wine Awards—the most by any winery. It makes a wide range of $13 varietals (ultra-fresh whites) and $25-plus reserves (including great cab-merlot).
4020 Locust Ln., Beamsville, 1-888-778-7758.

Flat Rock Cellars
Situated on the Bench above Jordan, Flat Rock boasts a fine vista and 80 acres of vineyard. The wines are a well-focused lineup of taut, juicy Niagara rieslings, chardonnays and pinots noirs—all bottled under screw cap, all in the $15 to $25 range. The 2004 Nadja’s Riesling is a standout.
2727 7th Ave., Jordan, 905-562-8994.

Stratus Vineyards
This high-tech, high-gloss winery was designed by some of the best minds from France, California and Niagara. Flagship wines Stratus White ($40) and Stratus Red ($38) are excellent buys. These varied blends are made by J.L. Groux, one of Niagara’s most experienced composers of bordeaux-style reds.
2059 Niagara Stone Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake, 905-468-1806.

Tawse Winery
Perched on a steep slope near Vineland, Tawse makes good use of its location: gravity moves the wine through the production phases until it reaches the cool caves at the bottom. Deborah Paskus crafts elegant, layered wines from low-yield vines: powerful chardonnay, bold, dry riesling and finely tuned cabernet franc and pinot noir. From $25.
3955 Cherry Ave., Vineland, 905-562-9500.