The city’s favourite all-you-can taste wine and bevvy festival Wine Fest Toronto has announced its boldest expansion to date with a multi-day festival at a new indoor location! Wine lovers in Toronto have known Wine Fest, started in 2019, to be a free-flowing, outdoor, sip and stroll one-day event and we can’t wait for even more Wine Fest time and activities this time around.
With spring and holiday editions set to uncork in BOTH May and November (2025), turning this into a bi-annual event, attendees will open their liquid passports to explore and celebrate an expanded selection of wines and more in Heritage Court at Toronto’s iconic Exhibition Place — and now includes an Ontario Wine Market!
discover both local and international wines
This is the perfect time to discover wines from Canada, Europe, Africa, South America & New Zealand!
With 100+ wines and other beverages from across the globe, Wine Fest Toronto will showcase a diverse array of brands from renowned regions.
With a heightened awareness for supporting Canadian brands, this year will feature sips from the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Niagara Benchlands which are just a short drive from Toronto and always make the perfect day trip to support local wine makers!
You may find one specific country with a notable wine region left off this year’s line-up, but it makes for the perfect time to explore wines from across the pond (and on the other side of the world!) from notable wine regions like Argentina, Chile, South Africa, New Zealand, and all over Europe including Spain’s Rioja and Rueda wine regions, as well as France’s iconic Rhône Valley.
You can also taste wines from Emiliana – the world’s largest organic winery and Chile’s Casillero del Diablo, just to name a few.
new this year to wine fest
Adding to the enhanced multi-day experience this year, attendees can complement their sipping and savouring journey with the ability to take their favourite wines from Niagara-on-the-Lake home! Shop local wines and bring home the best bottles for date night.
You’ll also be able to enjoy gourmet food pairings with the varietals served, listen to live entertainment to activate all of your senes, attend educational seminars and take advantage of the MANY fun photo-ops to keep these memories forever.
we spoke to wine fest’s CCO about wine & date ideas!
“The response from Toronto’s wine community has inspired us to create more opportunities for discovery and celebration by adding more tasting options as well as educational seminars to the experience inside Heritage Court.” says Angela Aiello, Chief Creative Officer of Wine Fest Toronto.
We couldn’t announce the return of Wine Fest Toronto without checking in with Aiello about what she’ll be sipping and sampling at this year’s event! datenight got the scoop..
“My favourite Canadian wines are so hard to pick! But the grapes I love the most from our country are Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Cabernet Franc!
I love showing off with a bottle of Canadian bubbles!”
The best Niagara winery restaurants according to Aiello
“Having grown up in Niagara, I’ve been lucky enough to work at a couple of these winery restaurants. Now, living in Toronto, I return over and over again to experiences that have exceptional service, incredible food, amazing wine and offer an overall highly memorable experience,”
Angelo Aiello in her Top 6 in The 6ix: Niagara Winery Restaurants piece via ViewTheVibe.com.
These top six restaurants include Pearl Morissette, Peller Estates Winery Restaurant, Vineland Estates Winery Restaurant, Two Sisters Vineyard, Good Earth Food & Winery, and Trius Restaurant.
Best spots to visit in Toronto for a wine-lovers date
Aiello also shared her favourite spots in Toronto to seriously impress your wine-loving date. Whether you’re prepping for Wine Fest, searching for more cozy date night spots in the city, or will need to keep the local wine love going after the festival ends, add these places to your list.
- Paradise Grapevine
- Downtown Winery
- Chez Nous Wine Bar
- Grape Witches
- Grey Gardens
- Paris Paris
- Vintage Conservatory
- The Wood Owl
This festival is running on:
- Friday, May 9th, from 6pm-9pm
- Saturday, May 10th, from 1pm-4pm
- Saturday, May 10th from 6pm-9pm
All-you-can-taste ticket prices range from $41-$82. A limited-time two-for-one offer for $82 plus taxes and fees is available while supplies last.
This is a 19+ event.
Looking for more great spots for your next date night? Check out our Toronto date ideas page for more!
