LCBO Food & Drink Travel 2026

Treat yourself to something special like flowers or a vintage find. Bring it Home

The Benchlands Sitting beneath the Niagara Escarpment is a lively area of wine country known for its outstanding roster of wines—both classic and inventive. Journey around and you’ll find it’s ripe with stunning wineries, notable breweries and distilleries, plus spots to nosh and stock up, too.

PYOFLOWERS When flowers begin to bloom in the spring, keep your eyes peeled for a pick-your-own-flowers farm so you can bring home live souvenirs. Look for tulips early in the season. In midsummer, pick lavender at NEOB Niagara or go there in the off-season to buy lavender products. GO THRIFTING Pull off the QEW briefly at exit 55 or 57 to get to Prudhommes Antique & Vintage Market. It houses a mix of vendors and markets in a couple of farmhouse buildings, plus small shacks and tables, so you can peruse a large selection of wares all at once.

TRY AT HOME

A Bench Artisanal Path For those looking for a boutique-style winery experience, enter “The Bench” wine country in Lincoln and Beamsville to find hopping tasting rooms and lots of good vibes.

Bench Brewing Lincoln In this converted schoolhouse setting, enjoy a solid beer flight (be sure to try their rotating seasonal fruit flavoured beers) and their fantastic kitchen offerings. Make this your lunch or dinner destination or take-out.

Hidden Bench Estate Winery Beamsville Against a beautiful backdrop, you can sip organic wines, many of which are award-winning and made using low intervention practices.

Thirty Bench Wine Makers Beamsville This winery crafts limited batches of small-lot wines that feel really special. Reserve one of their experiences like a tutored small-lot tasting flight.

Bench Brewing Ball’s Falls Session IPA, LCBO 481515, 473 mL, $3.75 Hidden Bench Estate Organic Pinot Noir VQA, VINTAGES ESSENTIALS 274753, $38.95 Thirty Bench Winemaker’s Blend Riesling VQA, VINTAGES ESSENTIALS 24133, $22.95

FOOD STYLING BY LINDSAY GUSCOTT; PROP STYLING BY WILLIAM SCOTT CHRISTY

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———————— TRAVEL 2026