So – I know it’s the dead of winter here in Ontario, but I’ve always loved February. Honest. My friends and family figure I love it because it’s my birthday month. Well, sure, that’s part of it. (My dream birthday present growing up was a day off from school because of snow!) But it’s not just that. I love the fact that it’s a no brainer in terms of what you wear – it’s cold so you bundle up, right? Simple! And of course, smack dab in the middle is Valentine’s Day! If that doesn’t appeal to your heart (even if you’re single) – well, you may as well stop reading this …

Anyway – if the reasons I’ve already mentioned aren’t enough to win you over to the “loving February side”, the wineries of Ontario go all-out in February to get your mind off winter. The wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake, for example, are hosting their Days of Wine and Chocolate (more on that in a minute) on weekends throughout the month and on Feb. 7 and 8 the wineries in the Lake Erie/Pelee Island region (EPIC, as it’s known) are having their Festival of Ice, and at the end of the month is Cuvée (which I’ll be writing more about in coming posts).

As well, various wineries are hosting winter-themed events. Here’s just a sample of what you’ll find: Georgian Hills hosts an Après Ski tasting of their Vidal Frozen Wine and chocolates and roasted marshmallows ($20/person), on Saturday afternoons there’s Raclette at Malivoire with The Cheesy Guys ($10/person and it includes tasting of 3 wines – great deal!), Peninsula Ridge’s lovely restaurant is featuring a very reasonably priced ($24.95) Surf & Turf dinner every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. As well, many wineries are hosting Valentine’s Day dinners. So – really – what’s not to love about February?

Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Days of Wine and Chocolate

As mentioned, 27 wineries in the Niagara-on-the-Lake region are hosing Days of Wine and Chocolate on Fridays-Sundays in February (ending on Sunday, March 1) from 11-5 p.m. The passports ($35/person; $30/person for designated driver passports) are good throughout the event, which means you can enjoy wine and chocolate all month long. Tickets can be purchased on line and at participating wineries.

Here’s the list of the wineries and what they’re serving:

• Between the Lines — 2013 Cabernet Franc paired with a Raspberry Filled Chocolate Truffle
• Cattail Creek Estate Winery — 2008 Select Late Harvest Cabernet Sauvignon paired with a Nutella Crunch Cream Cake
• Château Des Charmes — 2011 Cabernet Franc, Estate Bottled paired with a Spicy Double Chocolate Cookie Bar Topped with Cassis Dark Chocolate Truffle & Dried Berries
• Coyote’s Run Estate Winery — 2012 Cabernet Merlot paired with a Chocolate Espresso Cheesecake
• Diamond Estates — 2008 Lakeview Cellars GMR Sparkling paired with Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
• Hinterbrook — 2012 Cabernet Franc paired with a Cabernet Franc Chocolate Cake
• Inniskillin Wines – 2012 Cabernet Franc Icewine paired with a Chocolate Soba Noodle Salad with Cocoa and Soy Cured Duck
• Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery — 2012 Grand Reserve Shiraz paired with a
• Red Wine Chocolate Cake with Smoked Almond Cream
• Joseph’s Estate Wines — 2010 Late Harvest Vidal paired with a White Chocolate Almond Biscotti
• Konzelmann Estate Winery — Konzelmann Merlot paired with a Nutella Cheesecake
• Lailey Vineyard — 2012 Merlot paired with a Flourless Chocolate Brownie
• Niagara College Teaching Winery — 2011 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay paired with a Roasted Butternut Squash with Chocolate Mole
• Palatine Hills Estate Winery — 2011 Lakeshore Red paired with a Caramel Brownie
• Peller Estates Winery — Ice Cuvée Classic paired with Sea Salt Caramel & Valrhona Dark Chocolate Truffles
• Pillitteri Estates Winery — 2012 Rose paired with Dark Chocolate Pecan Bark Topped with Caramel & Sea Salt
• PondView Estate Winery — 2012 Cabernet Merlot Reserve paired with Milk & Dark Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Drizzled with Caramel and Sea Salt
• Rancourt Winery — 2013 Chardonnay Reserve paired with Lobster Bisque with White Chocolate Shavings
• Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery – 2012 Sand & Gravel Cabernet Franc paired with Chocolate Mint Opera Cake
• Reif Estate Winery — 2011 Merlot paired with Chocolate Chicken Tortilla Soup
• Riverview Cellars Estate Winery — 2012 Rosso Cabernet Merlot paired with a Chocolate Cronut
• Small Talk Vineyards — 2011 Riesling Icewine Cocktail paired with Pineapple infused white chocolate
• Southbrook Vineyards — Triomphe Cabernet Franc paired with Bresaola dusted in thyme and cacao nibs
• Stratus Vineyards — 2010 Tollgate Fume Blanc paired with Roasted Fennel, Beet, & Dark Chocolate Salad
• Strewn Winery — 2010 Merlot Terroir paired with Herb & Pepper Crusted Pork Tenderloin on Crostini with Red Currant & Chocolate Glaze
• Trius Winery At Hillebrand — Trius Brut Rosé paired with a Dark Chocolate and Bacon Truffle
• Two Sisters — 2011 Eleventh Post paired with a Roasted Mushroom Crostini with Gorgonzola, Arugula and Agrodulce sauce