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Rossco's Linzer Dough Ingredients
1 lb softened butter
5 hard-boiled egg yolks, sieved
½ cup + 1 tbsp ground almonds
½ cup + 1 tbsp icing sugar
2 tbsp dark rum
3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg

Niagara Cherry Jam Ingredients
3 cups Niagara cherries, pitted and sliced in half
2 cups granulated sugar
4 tsp fresh lemon juice

To make the jam, combine all ingredients in a stainless saucepan and mash the cherries with the back of a spoon. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 30 minutes. Set aside to cool.

In a stand mixer, whip the butter, egg yolks, almonds, icing sugar, and rum together until cohesive, light, and fluffy. Sift the dry ingredients and then slowly fold into the whipped mixture, incorporating fully. Divide the dough into two batches and chill slightly. Once chilled, roll between two pieces of parchment paper until ¼ inch thick. Line tart molds with the dough and fill with cooled fruit jam (raspberry is traditional if you don’t want to use cherry). Lattice the top of the tarts with strips of dough. Bake 350°F until golden brown and serve with a scoop of Brown Butter Ice Cream.

Brown Butter Ice Cream
1 L 35% cream
1 cup sugar
12 egg yolks
2 vanilla beans, split lengthwise
½ cup browned butter

Simmer cream with split vanilla beans. In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar and egg yolks until you reach the ribbon stage. Temper the warm cream into egg mixture and return to clean, non-reactive saucepan. Bring to a boil and then fold in browned butter. Strain and chill overnight before spinning in an ice cream maker. Freeze until ready to serve.

“It’s history, luxury and magical location is why the Riverbend Inn & Vineyard is the toast of Niagara’s wine region.”

– Marc Atchison, TraveLife Magazine

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Embrace the Canadian winter chill in Niagara Wine Country! Join us at the estates for holiday shopping and gifting services, cozy up by the fireplace during a romantic escape at Riverbend Inn, or enjoy the Icewine festival in both downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake and Jordan. There’s always something going on in Wine Country.

Visit myWineCountry.com or call our Wine Country Concierge at 1-888-510-5537 to plan your escape today.

The Rink at Wayne Gretzky Estates

Whether you’re a pro (like Wayne Gretzky), or lacing up for the first time in many years, visit the backyard rink at Wayne Gretzky Estates from mid-December to March. You can sip on a craft cocktail, chilled brew, glass of wine or spiked hot chocolate, and savour the winter food menu at The Whisky Bar Patio. The patio is heated to keep you comfortable during your meal. You’ll won’t want to miss Chef Desharnais’ two new winter menu items: a delicious shaved beef panini and ‘snowshoes’ (a crispy fried pastry with chocolate and cinnamon sugar).

Visit myWineCountry.com to learn more about our Community Skate Days, Date Night package, and DJ Nights on Saturdays.

Feature Rink Cocktail – The Rusty Skate

1.5 oz No.99 Red Cask Whisky
1 oz Wayne Gretzky Estates Old Fashioned simple syrup
1 oz Wayne Gretzky Estates Cherry Hibiscus simple syrup
¾ oz lemon juice

Niagara Icewine Festival

This month-long celebration in January offers a variety of different experiences for wine and food lovers. Purchase a discovery pass online at niagarawinefestival.com and enjoy several wine and food pairings along the wine route in both Niagara-on-the-Lake and Twenty Valley. You can also stroll through downtown Jordan Village and old town Niagara-on-the-Lake on the weekends to enjoy entertainment, wine, and food, attend the annual Icewine Gala at the Fallsview Casino, or an Icewine dinner at Peller Estates and Trius Winery.

Snowshoeing at Thirty Bench

If there’s snow on the ground on Saturday and Sunday, head to Thirty Bench in Beamsville for a snowshoe trek through the vineyard. You’ll be outfitted with equipment and coached on snowshoeing tips and tricks by an expert guide as you make your way through the snow-covered vineyard. You’ll also be treated to an outdoor tasting of Thirty Bench wines and a warm fireside snack to wrap up the experience. If Mother Nature doesn’t bring us enough snow, we’ll enjoy a winter hike in the vineyard.

This is an incredibly popular experience and reservations are required. Book online at myWineCountry.com.

Winter Lounge at Peller Estates

Join us at Peller Estates on weekends from November to March for a Winter Lounge experience. This experience includes a seat for up to 5 guests around one of our firepits. Enjoy a glass of wine or our signature hot beverage in a souvenir glass/mug and Icewine marshmallow handmade by Chef Jason Parsons.

Romantic Retreat at Riverbend Inn

Stay with us at The Riverbend Inn & Vineyard this winter. Enjoy an intimate escape in one of our 21 uniquely designed guestrooms and suites, with surroundings of grandeur, magnificent amenities and service. Warm yourself in front of the fireplace and enjoy the scenic beauty from your window. Enjoy a delicious meal at The Oaklands restaurant prepared by Chef Ross Midgley and his culinary team. The Inn offers guests a complimentary tasting at neighbouring winery, Peller Estates, snowshoes for winter walks through the vineyards, and cozy outdoor firepits with wonderful vineyard views.

*Winter experiences are subject to change. Reservations are highly recommended. Visit myWineCountry.com or call our Wine Country Concierge at 1-888-510-5537 for more information.