Grape Witches is still serving some of the best wine in the city

Grape Witches lands on our Toronto bucket list every summer for this Toronto wine bar's gorgeous, relaxing back-garden patio. Sheltered from the elements with high walls draped in greenery and a fully retractable roof adorned with hanging bistro lights, it's a secret oasis on Dundas West that can be enjoyed in almost any weather. A stone fountain in the middle of it all bubbles with tranquillity. And they allow dogs. 

It doesn't get much better than basking in the serene atmosphere with a glass of natural wine in hand. The eponymous wine duo, Nicole Campbell and Krysta Oben were champions of natural wine and diversity in the wine industry long before they opened the first Grape Witches location. Now, their bottle shop-slash-wine-bars (one on Dundas West and one at Waterworks Food Hall) are beloved spots for the fun part of wine education — tasting and shopping.

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At both locations and in their online shop, their expertly curated organic, biodynamic and natural wine selection comes without the pretension often found in the wine world. You don't have to understand all the fancy terminology to know that this is the good stuff, made with minimum intervention (read: less chemicals, more care).

Along with the knowledgeable and friendly staff, quirky descriptions will help guide you through the wine list. My favourites of the evening are an Italian rosé described as "strawberries and cream yacht-side," a "stunningly fine, mineral and herbaceous" red from Georgia (the birthplace of wine), and an orange wine from Spain that's "equal parts fruit, flower and salt." In short, they're all delicious in their own way, and we savour every last sip. Pro tip: Order two flights and share them both, so you can each taste six wines. You can thank me later.

The snack plates are just as alluring as the wine. I'll never say no to St. Brigid's butter with sourdough, but seasonal snack plates like the summer tomatoes, a tangy dish of heirloom tomatoes piled on top of chimichurri with pumpkin seeds for crunch, and juicy shrimp skewers on yet another zesty sauce have me swooning in my seat. It's simple, well-executed fare that pairs perfectly with every sip. 

As we count down the dwindling patio days, be sure to add Grape Witches to your hit list. Of course, you can also sit inside, or start planning for next summer.