My sister is visiting from Nova Scotia and one of the things that she wanted to do while she was here was to visit wineries in Niagara. Originally we were going to go yesterday but Paul was a bit sad about us visiting wineries while he was at work. No one wants a sad Paul so we changed plans and went today. Mom decided that packing for her cruise could wait so she joined us as well - it was a repeat of our trip to Napa and Sonoma in 2006.
We left home at 10 am under menacing skies. Enough with the bloody rain!
Ah, the rolling hills of grapes!
We visited a number of wineries, actually we tasted at six! I was the driver so I didn't taste at all of the wineries. How sad.
We had brought the cooler to protect our purchases from the heat but I think we would have been fine without it because the temperature was not too bad. The clouds couldn't figure out what to do so we had short bits of rain followed by clearing skies and sunshine.
We saw a fascinating site at Featherstone, one of our favourite wineries. A herd of sheep was being used to prune the vines! Apparently this practice is common in New Zealand but Featherstone is unique in introducing this practice into Canada. The sheep eat the leaves where the grape clusters grow exposing the grapes to the sun.
The sheep 'pruning' the grapes.
After visiting a few wineries we drove through the town of Beamsville, where mom grew up and Rose and I spent countless holidays staying with our grandparents. We stopped at the Dutch bakery in town which has been in business for close to 50 years (family trivia here - mom's wedding cake was made there) where we bought far more treats than we needed.
Of course, we couldn't wait to dig in!
We ate lunch at Penninsula Ridge, a winery that makes some of the best wines in Niagara in my opinion. The restaurant is in the Kitchen House which was built in 1885.
The Kitchen House
At the end of a curving road high on the Niagara Escarpment, this Victorian house, next to the immaculately restored red brick winery, is a perfect spot for a relaxed meal. The best table, in a bay window, provides spectacular views of the surrounding vineyards and Lake Ontario, with the Toronto skyline in the distance (yeah - we got this table!). The wine list is predictably heavy with the estate’s own offerings, but considering winemaker Jean-Pierre Colas has quickly established the Ridge as a winery to watch, this is not a bad thing. With such inspiration, chef Robert Trout can’t help but deliver. The food is inventive and delicious. Service is exceptionally smooth.
Paul's cannoli with roasted banana and chocolate filling - WOW
Lunch was made even better by the news that mom was treating!
On the way back to the car mom spotted a cherry tree laden with fruit. At first she wanted Paul to do grab some sweet cherries for her but he thought better of it and refused. Mom wasn't going to let that come between her and some cherries! Apparently they were quite tasty.
It was a great day in Niagara. We laughed a lot, enjoyed some wonderful wines and incredible food. It is easy to forget at times how spoiled we are in this area!
Jerry,
What a fun way to spend the day with family! It sounds like you have some great wineries there... Hmmm, and you still travel to Sonoma, Napa, and Paso Robles!... and Italy, I must not forget. LOL...
Question on the sheep pruning the grapes... won't they eat the fruits while trimming the leaves?
Your Mom sounds like a fun person too... cherry picking and all.
Posted by: Eden | July 27, 2008 at 12:55 AM
Beautiful photos. I didn't realize there were vineyards up there. I love the architecture of the Kitchen House. Sounds like you had a fun day!
Posted by: girasoli | July 27, 2008 at 02:28 AM
Eden - it was a great day. The sheep don't eat the green fruit, only the leaves. Apparently they have to put them in the pens when the grapes start to become sweet - those grapes they like!
Susan - we have lots of vineyards near us but few people know about them outside of Canada. Generaly the wine is produced in such small quantities that exporting isn't an option.
Posted by: Jerry | July 27, 2008 at 07:18 AM
What a great staycation! (of sorts)
I think you need to duplicate that cannoli. It looks scrumptious.
Posted by: sandi@ the whistlestop cafe | July 27, 2008 at 10:39 AM
There ARE some good Canadian wines, I'm not familiar with Featherstone but I'm going to check it out!
I love the idea of using sheep to help prune the vines (great photo, too!)
Posted by: sandrac | July 27, 2008 at 07:26 PM
Hi the pictures are amamzing and Jerry you have to come to Cape Breton next year because I can't let Rose go again!! LOL I am glad for the update and even happier you all had a great time!!
Kim
Posted by: Kimberley | July 28, 2008 at 09:51 AM
Sand i - I shall work on it for you!
Sandra - if you are ever in the area and want a tour of the Jerry and Paul favourite wineries just give me a shout!
Kim - it was a super day! Rose told us all about you *smile*.
Posted by: Jerry | July 28, 2008 at 08:50 PM