The Short Hills Bench, the strip of land along the Niagara Escarpment immediately west of St. Catharines, holds the largest concentration of Niagara's better wineries. Riesling, chardonnay, and pinot noir do well in the limestone-rich soils and the lake-moderated climate. The region's signature icewine — pressed from grapes frozen on the vine — is made by most producers.
Cave Spring, Henry of Pelham, Hidden Bench, Tawse, and Vineland Estates are reliable stops; the strip continues westward into the smaller wine villages of Vineland and Beamsville. Most wineries offer tastings, restaurants, and tours. A car or a hired driver makes a day of it; cycling between cellars along the Greater Niagara Bike Route is the alternative.