I have been a Flat Rock wine club member for many years, and I know some of their most closely-guarded secrets. Here's my favourite two:1) there are usually two hidden waterfalls on the property (except when it's really dry). You are welcome to buy a glass of wine and take it out exploring to find them. (Hint - one is beside the only southward-oriented slope on the 20 Mile Bench. I am also pointing at it with my glass in the first pic. The other is above some giant limestone rocks covered in thick moss near a bridge). Bring a sandwich, the mossy rocks are a great spot for a little picnic.2) there are smallmouth bass in the pond, and you can catch them easily using a bit of hot dog weiner as bait. You might have to compete with a blue heron, a bald eagle, or a cute but fierce muskrat for the best fishing spot, though.BONUS SECRET #3) Nadja's Vineyard (directly to the left of the driveway as you drive in) produces the best Riesling in Ontario. Why? Only 2 acres of 20 year old Weis clone 21B Riesling vines growing on only 1.5 feet of soil just barely covering all that delicious dolomitic limestone AND a gentle gravity flow process that keeps all those resulting complex natural esters, terpines, and phenols intact and inside the wine where they belong! That's why! Don't believe me? TRY IT YOURSELF, IT'S FREAKIN INCREDIBLE!
Brit Chihuahua
A visit to Flat Rock Cellars is a must when choosing to visit Niagara Benchland wineries!!
Augusta Walker
This is one of the best winery experiences that I have ever had!!! I went this past Sunday and the man and woman that we dealt with were so kind and welcoming. The seating area looking out at the vineyards is absolutely fabulous. Our server (a lady Im sorry I do not remember her name!) was amazing and really took her time to explain every wine to us and ask us about our experience. I have also never been able to do a wine and cheese tasting without a reservation before!!! So fun and convenient to be able to just walk in and do this!! Such an incredible experience.
Geoff Palmer - MSI Ltd.
Lovely location with beautiful views over their vineyard, Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline. Disappointed with our bottle of 2020 Gravity Pinot Noir. One-dimensional and unbalanced by a seemingly heavy alcohol bite. Expected more from a $40 bottle.
Rebekah Cathey
We had a lovely experience at Flat Rock Cellars with or server Tate. First the view was spectacular and the building was really cooler with floor to ceiling windows showing off the vineyards and even the Toronto Skyline across the lake.The tasting was reasonably priced (4 wines for $20) with a nice variety of options.We tasted sparking, rose, Riesling, and their Chardonnay. We were pleasantly surprised with the rose and it was our favorite! Although I have a personal aversion for Chardonnay I tasted theirs and completely understood the award winning level it has achieved.Tate gave us a tour of their new seating area available to reserve for events (up to 50 people) or overflow tasting space in the busy season. We also saw the wine making area where he explained the gravity style they make the wine in.Overall a great experience. Definitely a must stop on your Ontario wine tour.
Cherie Hartless
Amazing wine, amazing views, and amazing staff! ?
Sarah McVanel
Flatrock is a winery with huge heart. They want to get to know locals and are incredibly welcoming to visitors. You are not just a transaction to them. You are a guest they cannot wait to serve.I am particularly grateful to Tate, the head of retail, for the best wine tour of my life. I brought the members of my team from out of town to have a magical experience before our annual retreat. They enjoyed every minute of our one-hour tour, from the depths of the cellar to the incredible view from their private tasting room. We learned so much about wine, the Niagara region, and how Flatrock ensures they're an environmentally sustainable winery.THANK YOU to Tate and team Flatrock for always going the extra mile with huge love.
Mat Bienczyk
Have an amazing experience in the afternoon on a Saturday - came for a tasting without reservation, and had no issue getting in. Moreover, mid December they have opened their new tasting room which had plenty of space and we were surprised to be the first to use on the first day! Wines were phenomenal, mainly tried reds but also had whites. PTG and Pinor Noir hifhly recommended, as well as the Sauvignon Blanc! Price definitely worth it.
Charles Millar
The location offers an incredible view spanning the winery and lake. The wine is amazing and the staff there are so charming and friendly. They are currently renovating a new event room that I can't wait to see!
Paul M Woodman
Visited eight wineries over two days and Flat Rock Cellars had the best view all. You could see all the way across the Lake Ontario to the CN tower.At this cellar you will find an excellent selection of award winning wines to boot. Had great conversations with the employees on several occasions. It was harvest time and you could watch the field workers picking and sorting the grapes outside and in processing. Enjoyed a walk down to the small man made lake. I was told this was where the cellars ground geothermal system was located for all the facility including the refinery.Would recommend putting this wineryvisit on your list.
Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and made the tour interesting and fun. Learned many new things about the wine industry.Once they get their new room finished and start up with snacks - I will be back to have a glass and enjoy the view
Sherelee McHugh
Thank you Tate! You made our wine tour not only informative but fun! I will definitely be back!
Aad Vermeyden
We celebrated our 40th with friends doing a Backstage Tour at Flat Rock. Tate was amazingly knowledgable, yet easy to understand. The wines were really good and the view outstanding. This winery is totally worth a visit!!!
DAVID SUSA
For such a beautiful location and view, wine left a lot to be desired. We booked a tasting online for our visit to Ontario based on reviews. Unfortunately, after having a wonderful tasting with detailed instructions, we got our choices and were left to taste on our own. We tried both whites and reds, but could not finish any of the tastings and left our glasses 3/4 full. Not a location for someone who likes dry wines.
Remi Jr. Ojo
Another Great experience!Such lovely views during the tasting experience.
I have been a Flat Rock wine club member for many years, and I know some of their most closely-guarded secrets. Here's my favourite two:1) there are usually two hidden waterfalls on the property (except when it's really dry). You are welcome to buy a glass of wine and take it out exploring to find them. (Hint - one is beside the only southward-oriented slope on the 20 Mile Bench. I am also pointing at it with my glass in the first pic. The other is above some giant limestone rocks covered in thick moss near a bridge). Bring a sandwich, the mossy rocks are a great spot for a little picnic.2) there are smallmouth bass in the pond, and you can catch them easily using a bit of hot dog weiner as bait. You might have to compete with a blue heron, a bald eagle, or a cute but fierce muskrat for the best fishing spot, though.BONUS SECRET #3) Nadja's Vineyard (directly to the left of the driveway as you drive in) produces the best Riesling in Ontario. Why? Only 2 acres of 20 year old Weis clone 21B Riesling vines growing on only 1.5 feet of soil just barely covering all that delicious dolomitic limestone AND a gentle gravity flow process that keeps all those resulting complex natural esters, terpines, and phenols intact and inside the wine where they belong! That's why! Don't believe me? TRY IT YOURSELF, IT'S FREAKIN INCREDIBLE!
A visit to Flat Rock Cellars is a must when choosing to visit Niagara Benchland wineries!!
This is one of the best winery experiences that I have ever had!!! I went this past Sunday and the man and woman that we dealt with were so kind and welcoming. The seating area looking out at the vineyards is absolutely fabulous. Our server (a lady Im sorry I do not remember her name!) was amazing and really took her time to explain every wine to us and ask us about our experience. I have also never been able to do a wine and cheese tasting without a reservation before!!! So fun and convenient to be able to just walk in and do this!! Such an incredible experience.
Lovely location with beautiful views over their vineyard, Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline. Disappointed with our bottle of 2020 Gravity Pinot Noir. One-dimensional and unbalanced by a seemingly heavy alcohol bite. Expected more from a $40 bottle.
We had a lovely experience at Flat Rock Cellars with or server Tate. First the view was spectacular and the building was really cooler with floor to ceiling windows showing off the vineyards and even the Toronto Skyline across the lake.The tasting was reasonably priced (4 wines for $20) with a nice variety of options.We tasted sparking, rose, Riesling, and their Chardonnay. We were pleasantly surprised with the rose and it was our favorite! Although I have a personal aversion for Chardonnay I tasted theirs and completely understood the award winning level it has achieved.Tate gave us a tour of their new seating area available to reserve for events (up to 50 people) or overflow tasting space in the busy season. We also saw the wine making area where he explained the gravity style they make the wine in.Overall a great experience. Definitely a must stop on your Ontario wine tour.
Amazing wine, amazing views, and amazing staff! ?
Flatrock is a winery with huge heart. They want to get to know locals and are incredibly welcoming to visitors. You are not just a transaction to them. You are a guest they cannot wait to serve.I am particularly grateful to Tate, the head of retail, for the best wine tour of my life. I brought the members of my team from out of town to have a magical experience before our annual retreat. They enjoyed every minute of our one-hour tour, from the depths of the cellar to the incredible view from their private tasting room. We learned so much about wine, the Niagara region, and how Flatrock ensures they're an environmentally sustainable winery.THANK YOU to Tate and team Flatrock for always going the extra mile with huge love.
Have an amazing experience in the afternoon on a Saturday - came for a tasting without reservation, and had no issue getting in. Moreover, mid December they have opened their new tasting room which had plenty of space and we were surprised to be the first to use on the first day! Wines were phenomenal, mainly tried reds but also had whites. PTG and Pinor Noir hifhly recommended, as well as the Sauvignon Blanc! Price definitely worth it.
The location offers an incredible view spanning the winery and lake. The wine is amazing and the staff there are so charming and friendly. They are currently renovating a new event room that I can't wait to see!
Visited eight wineries over two days and Flat Rock Cellars had the best view all. You could see all the way across the Lake Ontario to the CN tower.At this cellar you will find an excellent selection of award winning wines to boot. Had great conversations with the employees on several occasions. It was harvest time and you could watch the field workers picking and sorting the grapes outside and in processing. Enjoyed a walk down to the small man made lake. I was told this was where the cellars ground geothermal system was located for all the facility including the refinery.Would recommend putting this wineryvisit on your list.
Restaurantji Recommends
Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and made the tour interesting and fun. Learned many new things about the wine industry.Once they get their new room finished and start up with snacks - I will be back to have a glass and enjoy the view
Thank you Tate! You made our wine tour not only informative but fun! I will definitely be back!
We celebrated our 40th with friends doing a Backstage Tour at Flat Rock. Tate was amazingly knowledgable, yet easy to understand. The wines were really good and the view outstanding. This winery is totally worth a visit!!!
For such a beautiful location and view, wine left a lot to be desired. We booked a tasting online for our visit to Ontario based on reviews. Unfortunately, after having a wonderful tasting with detailed instructions, we got our choices and were left to taste on our own. We tried both whites and reds, but could not finish any of the tastings and left our glasses 3/4 full. Not a location for someone who likes dry wines.
Another Great experience!Such lovely views during the tasting experience.