Megalomaniac and Organized Crime Wineries

I've got a number of events coming up over the next few months at work that require presenter gifts so yesterday Paul and I hopped in the car and headed to Niagara for some winery visits. It seems odd that we haven't been down to Niagara for a visit since May but I guess that speaks to the kind of summer we've had - BUSY!

Yesterday was one of those perfect days to visit the wineries - cloudy, and threatening with rain. Now you're likely thinking 'why would that be a perfect day to visit wineries?' Because the weather keeps the crowds at bay! *smile* There were many Americans who were up for a weekend of theatre, food, and wine but the local folks like ourselves who just hop in the car for a day of fun generally stay home on days like yesterday.

We selected 5 wineries to visit: Chateau des Charmes, Coyote's Run, Megalomaniac, Daniel Lenko, and Organized Crime. Two I've written about before. Two were brand new to us.

The grapes were full on the vines and the workers were out covering the vines with nets to keep the migratory birds at bay.

After visiting two wineries in the Niagara-on-the-Lake area we popped back on the highway to Jordan. We were getting hungry so we stopped for some picnic provisions which we ate on a large rock outside the next winery we were to visit.

Megalomaniac

John Howard was a Niagara pioneer when he opened Vineland winery a couple of decades ago. The stunning location on the escarpment in Beamsville is still one of the area’s main attractions. Howard sold out early on and went into semi-retirement, but now he’s back in the business (next door to Vineland) with a new winery called Megalomaniac. Named after himself, of course.

Megalomaniac is a classic cellar door winery, but this is no ordinary cellar. John owns a chateau in Bordeaux and has brought French sensibility and splendor to his Niagara winery. For sure, a must visit. Sue-Ann Staff makes the wines here, and also at her own winery close by.

We walked into the cellar and headed to the bar to taste. Unlike other wineries we've been to there was no separate tasting room - apparently that will come later but for now one enjoyed the wines in the cellar.

Enjoy we did.

I knew that the company had won international awards for their labels – which means their packaging is pretty impressive, but I wondered 'what about the wine inside?'

Our two favourites were the Narcissist Riesling: Riesling is a staple down Niagara way so to stand out you’d better be impressing somebody somewhere along the line. This Riesling has lots of peach qualities both on the nose and in the mouth, the finish is limeade with a touch of sweetness. Velvety smooth so it glides right down and you’re ready to sip again – goody.

The second was Major League: A classic Bordeaux blend (and named after John's dog Major League) this smooth red had a wonderful nose and a better taste! We were lucky to scoop six of the last bottles they had.

Organized Crime

This winery is not a typical tourist trap, it’s a small winery privately owned and operated. The story behind the name refers to a bit of local folklore: the story goes, back in the day the local Mennonite church had purchased a pipe organ. There was considerable rivalry with another nearby church over this organ. Indeed, late one night men from the one congregation broke into the other church, stole the organ, loaded it up on their wagon, and drove to the edge of a cliff where they dumped it over. Hence the name 'organized crime'. The Organized portion of the name has to do with the actual organ. Cool story, Even cooler name! 

When Jan and Krystyna Tarasewicz opened their boutique winery in 2006 in the heart of the Beamsville Bench, they turned heads with the name on their label—and with the lively, fruit-focused wines in the bottle. 

Consulting winemaker Andrzej Lipinski crafts whites and reds that catch a pure expression of their grapes, with 2008 Gewürztraminer and Riesling taking Silver Medals at the Canadian Wine Awards. Don’t miss the 2007 Chardonnay Reserve, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.

By the time we left Organized Crime we had 4 and a half cases of wine int he car, some for work, some for us to enjoy at home. It was back on the highway to home and a well-deserved NAP!

Comments

[Vicki]

What an amazing day you had!

There's a winery near us, and although we've talked about visiting, we haven't yet.

[Eden]

Love the winery names! Both of them.

Charmed life you lead. I am green with envy... all these adventures.

[Kayte]

5 wineries...yahoo! Sounds like a great time. We have visited the ones here, the ones in New York, and the ones in California, always a good time no matter where we go...the wineries are such a draw at harvest time!

[Shannon]

Wasn't it a Daniel Lenko gamay that you brought to the In 'N' Out tasting? That wine was delicious. I need to get up there sometime to taste.

[Barb Cabot]

Sounds like such a splendid day. I really love the way you and Paul embrace life. It's the way it should be. You really do make life a party. Love your style Jerry!

[Andrew]

Hi there! Nice to read aout your visit to the Megalomaniac winery! I was there yesterday hoping to buy some of the few wines missing from my Megalomaniac collection and was sad to see that they were now out of Major League. I am wondering if you would be willing to sell one? Please email me, I am very interested!
thanks!
Andrew.
Toronto.

[JDeQ]

It was a brilliant day. We are lucky to have so many great wineries within a short driving distance.

I'm not sure what you mean Eden and Barb - both of you lead full lives too - its almost impossible to keep up with you between stayvacations, vacatioms, and star sightings! LOL

It was Shannon. We are amassing quite a collection of Lenko's wines.

I'll fire off an e-mail Andrew. I can't believe that they ran out on Saturday - thank goodness we snapped up what we did.

[Andrew]

Thank you! I look forward to hearing from you!