Between the Lines Cheese and Charcuterie Picnic

Niagara wine country gets its best introduction over a board of cheese, cured meats, nuts, and dried fruit. At Between the Lines Winery, you sit down for a private tasting and work through generous pours while your host explains the wines and their pairings. I like the substantial food board and the way the best hosts, including Paula, Elaine, Jennifer, and Paul, turn a short tasting into a friendly lesson.

I also like the winery’s willingness to try new formats, from unusual wine names to a few wines served in cans. The session is a good value at $33.80 per person, especially if the board replaces lunch. The main point to consider is that the tasting can feel rushed, and the exact wine selection may be chosen for you rather than taken from the full wine list.

Key points at a glance

• Private tasting: Only your own group takes part, with a personal host or server.
• A filling picnic board: Cheese, cold cuts, nuts, and dried fruit are served with the wine.
• Six samples may be included: Some sessions serve two wines at a time, while the exact selection can vary.
• Friendly personal hosting: Paula, Elaine, Jennifer, Paul, Eri, Gord, and others have each made the tasting more engaging.
• Indoor seating: The picnic table is inside, so do not book this expecting an outdoor vineyard lunch.
• Simple logistics: You meet at Between the Lines Winery and finish at the same place. Transportation is not included.

A private tasting at a Niagara family winery

Between the Lines Winery is owned by brothers Greg and Yannick Wertsch. Their stated aim is to push Niagara winemaking in new directions while keeping the visitor experience personal. That spirit matters here because this is not just a set of pours placed in front of you with little explanation.

Your host guides you through the wines, the winery’s approach, and the food pairings. The tone depends on the person leading your table. Paula has been especially good at introducing new flavors and explaining what makes each wine different. Elaine has received praise for making the pairing portion easy to follow, while Paul has a reputation for being relaxed and well versed in wine.

That personal format is the real reason to choose this tasting over a larger public room. You can ask questions without feeling as if you are holding up a line. If you are new to wine, you can ask basic questions about sweetness, acidity, or the reason one cheese works better with one wine than another.

The setup is also suitable for a family celebration, anniversary, birthday, or a quiet afternoon with friends. It is not a formal wine-school lesson. Instead, you get useful information in small portions, with food on the table and a host who can adjust the conversation to your group.

What happens during the 45-minute session

The published duration is about 45 minutes, although the winery stop is also described as lasting about an hour. Plan for a short tasting rather than a half-day visit. It fits neatly into a Niagara-on-the-Lake day when you have other wineries or sights planned.

You arrive at Between the Lines Winery at 991 Four Mile Creek Road in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The activity begins and ends there. No bus, shuttle, or private transportation is provided, so you need to arrange your own way to the winery.

Once seated, you receive wine, cheese, and charcuterie. Several accounts describe six wine samples, often brought two at a time, with one of each tasted before the next pair arrives. The exact number and selection can vary, so I would not assume that you can pick every bottle from the winery’s complete list.

This point deserves attention. One tasting session offered three wines chosen by the host from a much longer menu, while another allowed the group to select the wines. If you have your heart set on a specific grape or style, ask at the start. The private format gives you a better chance of discussing your preferences, but it does not guarantee a free choice of every pour.

The tasting works best when you pay attention to the food as well as the wine. Try a sip on its own, then taste it with the cheese or meat. The host can explain why a pairing works, and you will leave with a better sense of what you actually like.

The cheese and charcuterie board is more than a snack

The board is one of the strongest parts of the experience. It includes a generous selection of cheeses, cold cuts, nuts, and dried berries. Several diners found it large enough to finish a meal, with some cancelling lunch plans afterward.

That makes the $33.80 price easier to judge. You are not paying only for a few thimble-sized pours. You receive alcoholic beverages, food, and a private host. For two people, the board may function as a light lunch, though you should not rely on it as a full meal if you have a large appetite.

The food also gives the tasting a clear purpose. Some winery tastings offer pairings as a small extra, but here the board is central to the visit. You can compare how a wine changes when matched with a mild cheese, salty meat, dried fruit, or nuts.

The exact items can change, and the available information does not promise a fixed menu. That is normal for a winery board. If you have strict dietary needs, contact the provider before booking rather than assuming substitutions will be available.

The wines: generous samples, with some surprises

The wine selection is broad enough to make the session interesting, but the experience is not built around a single fixed flight. You may taste several styles, and the host can describe the flavor profile and the winery’s approach to each one.

The winery’s innovation theme shows up in small details. A few samples have been served from cans, which surprised some people. If you expect every wine to arrive in a traditional glass bottle, this may feel unusual. It is not necessarily a problem, but it is part of the Between the Lines style.

The tasting also includes stories about wine names and the Canadian wine industry. That personal background helps keep the session from becoming a simple checklist of pours. You are given a sense of how the winery thinks about its products and why certain choices are made.

Still, keep your expectations practical. This is a compact tasting, not an extended technical seminar. One poorly trained host gave very little information, and another session felt too hurried. Those experiences appear to be exceptions rather than the usual pattern, but they point to the one part of the visit you cannot fully control: the person assigned to your table.

The hosts shape the whole visit

The strongest praise has gone to the staff. Paula has been singled out for taking time to explain the wines and introduce new flavors. Elaine has done a fine job describing the pairings, and Jennifer has been praised for explaining the winemaking process in a clear way.

Eri has been described as friendly and well prepared, while Gord brought a lively sense of humor to the table. Other hosts, including Brian and Mike, have helped turn the tasting into a warm, relaxed occasion. These details matter because a short wine tasting lives or dies by its host.

You should expect a conversational presentation rather than a scripted lecture. Ask questions. Tell the host what kinds of wines you usually enjoy. If you are celebrating something, mention it. The private setting makes it easier for the host to focus on your group instead of delivering the same speech to a crowded room.

There can be a less polished session. A host who had only been working at the winery for about a week was not able to explain the wines or property well. Another group felt watched and rushed. I would not ignore these drawbacks, but the overall pattern suggests that most hosts are friendly and well prepared.

Indoor picnic seating, not a vineyard lunch

The name picnic may lead you to picture a table outdoors, surrounded by vines. That is not a safe assumption. One session took place at an indoor picnic table, and several people specifically wished they had been outside with a view of the vineyard.

The interior has been described as pleasantly decorated, clean, and well organized. It can be a comfortable choice in poor weather or during cooler months, when an outdoor table would be less enjoyable. The winery has also been decorated for Christmas during one visit, giving the room a festive feel.

If the setting matters as much as the wine, call ahead and ask where your group will sit. Some people may prefer the controlled indoor table, while others will feel that a vineyard visit should include more time among the vines.

A walk around the fields has been possible during at least one quieter visit. Do not treat that as a guaranteed part of the package, since the included activity is the tasting and picnic board, not a walking tour.

Is $33.80 a good value?

At $33.80 per person, this is a reasonably priced Niagara wine stop, particularly for a private session with food. The board appears generous enough to serve as a light meal, and the wine samples are more than a token taste.

The value is strongest for couples or small family groups who want a relaxed introduction without committing to a longer winery program. You get a personal host, several pours, and a useful food pairing lesson in less than an hour.

The value is weaker if you want a long, scenic vineyard outing or complete control over the wine list. You also cannot add an extra glass to continue drinking after the tasting because the setup is not licensed for that. Transportation is not included, so your total cost will be higher if you need a taxi or other ride.

For a Niagara Falls visitor with only one night in the area, the short format works well. You can visit Between the Lines, enjoy the board, and continue on to another stop without giving up half the day.

Who should book this tasting?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Couples looking for a calm anniversary or honeymoon stop
• Families who want a shared food and wine activity
• Friends who enjoy trying several wines without a full winery tour
• First-time wine tasters who want guidance without a formal classroom
• People seeking a filling afternoon snack in Niagara-on-the-Lake
• Visitors with a tight schedule who cannot spare several hours

It is less suited to anyone expecting an outdoor picnic with vineyard views. It may also disappoint serious wine fans who want a detailed tour of the property, a fixed premium flight, or the freedom to choose every sample.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. If you need a language other than English, call ahead. The activity is private, so only your group participates, but the standard offering is in English.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book Between the Lines Winery?

Book it if you want good food, several Niagara wine samples, and a personal host in a compact format. The generous board is a real advantage, and a strong host can make the tasting both useful and fun. Paula, Elaine, Jennifer, Paul, Eri, and Gord are examples of the warm, engaging service you may receive.

Before you commit, remember three things: the table may be indoors, the wine choices may be set by the host, and the short session can feel hurried. If those limits suit your plans, $33.80 is a fair price for a private tasting that can easily replace a light lunch.

FAQ

Where does the Between the Lines Cheese and Charcuterie Picnic begin?

It begins at Between the Lines Winery, 991 Four Mile Creek Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, L0S 1J0. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tasting last?

The experience is advertised as approximately 45 minutes. The winery stop is also described as lasting about one hour, so allow roughly 45 to 60 minutes.

Is transportation included?

No. Bus, shuttle, and private transportation are not included. You must arrange your own transport to and from the winery.

What food and drinks are included?

Wine, cheese, and charcuterie are included. The board may contain cheeses, cold cuts, nuts, and dried berries. The exact food selection is not fixed in the provided details.

Is the activity private?

Yes. Only your own group participates, with a private host or server.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund by cancelling at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.