VINEYARDS AND VINTAGES in NIAGARA'S WINE REGIONNiagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
Row upon lush row of vines stretch north-south toward a distant horizon. Clusters of plump juicy grapes hang low on each vine, above bone-dry nutrient-rich Niagara soil. And each lush row ends with the red or pink or yellow of a blossoming rose bush. As a tourist in the beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake region of Southern Ontario, these common vineyard features seem perfectly placed to enhance the lovely landscape. For the vintner of this idyllic domain though, each vine, each row, each blossoming bush, and every other addition to this scene is a carefully calculated component. Years are dedicated to the art and science of viticulture before a vintner has the skill to produce a fantastic grape in abundant quantities. More years are dedicated to the art and science of oenology before those fantastic grapes can be transformed with the hope of producing a great wine. When this dance of nature and vintner is successful, the balance of sun and water, heat and nourishment comes together just perfectly to produce a heavenly combination of color, clarity, flavor and aroma. This is when a wine connoisseur - an oenophile - or any regular appreciator of the grape swirls a glass, sniffs, sips, enjoys the complexity of flavors, and nods or smiles in appreciation. This is the moment when those years in the vineyard and the cellar all pay off. Whether oenophile or dabbler, you’ll enjoy a day in the vineyard dappled region of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Visit one of these award-winning vineyards, imbibe the essence of a fabulous winery and you’ll soon feel the love that each vintner pours into the next great vintage.Peller Estates WineryAt Peller Estates, the pairing of wine and food is considered of utmost importance. This is evident in Chef and CityLine personality Jason Parsons belief that “The perfect pairing should allow both the wine and the food to shine, without one overshadowing the other”. Take a tour at Peller Estates and you’ll experience a variety of perfect pairings that highlight the talented Chefs ability to synthesize two delectable experiences into one that is simply sublime. If you have time for one pairing only though, I highly recommend ‘Chicks and Chocolate’. Some suspicious looking math is used to explain this combination, but the answer, it turns out, is indisputable: Chocolate + Wine = Quite possibly the world's perfect pairing. In ‘Celebrate the Harvest’, Chef Parsons creates a delectable feast from fresh local produce while you relax, celebrate a bountiful harvest and sip award-winning wines in the vineyard. Make sure you leave a little space for dessert though. The famous and divinely gooey Icewine marshmallows are not to be missed! Trius Winery at Hillebrand Trius has got it right with this declaration: “The life of any great wine begins in the vineyard”. Savour the wonderful ‘Trius Red’ and you will realize their conviction that vines and grape development really are central to the success of the end product. Swirl your glass, take a deep sniff, a long slow sip, now sit back and gaze out across the vines as your mind transports you to an early summer day in the vineyard. Imagine long hot hours of blazing sun, note rich and fertile soil, and thank whatever divine powers you wish for the perfect Niagara micro-climate that gave this wine its great start. Now fast forward back to you and your delectable glass of wine. Thanks to Trius’ talented winemaker - Craig McDonald - the potential in the vineyards has been harvested and fermented and blended into something wonderful. That glass of ‘Trius Red’ is the progeny of the 1991 International Wine and Spirits Competition ‘Best red wine in the world’. Want to know more about the path from Trius’ ‘Backyard Vineyard’ to the award-winning finished product? The Twilight Winery Tour & Tasting gives a great mix - enjoy a picturesque winery, taste some of the family of award-winning Trius wines, and learn enough to really appreciate what it took to win that accolade. Colaneri Estate Winery Colaneri wins the prize for most heart-warming place to enjoy a glass of wine. Everything about this destination speaks of a close-knit Italian family, tradition, and a passionate dedication to the family business. An imposing structure presides along the upper reaches of St. Davids Bench and sets the scene for a unique winery experience. The structures ‘C’ shape embraces the beautiful surroundings, and mirrors the Colaneri family name in buildings that channel an old Italian village. Wine labels further enhance an understanding of Colaneri values. Each is a work of art, and each captures the essence and spirit of a family member. "Coraggioso", or “bold” depicts a bull and symbolizes the strong presence of Mike Colaneri, while his brother Nick is represented by "Pensieri" or "Thoughts" - a thoughtful artist contemplating his work. Now imagine the success of the Colaneris when their passion and their skill come together in the family business. Colaneri produces some great wines including their 2009 Visione Syrah - gold medal winner at the Wine Access 2011 Canadian Wine Awards. Tasting Notes describe the 2009 Visione with phrases like ‘beautiful garnet colour’, and ‘fantastically spicy white pepper’. But in the true style of the Colaneris, this is preceded with a glimpse into the real passion they have for this product: ‘The fear of falling precedes the thrill of soaring. So it is with the complexity of our Syrah’. This poetic accolade spoke to me even more than the gold award! Chateau des Charmes A grand estate, a host of awards, and an insatiable quest for knowledge makes Chateau des Charmes a really great destination for anyone who loves a good glass of wine. The setting is simply spectacular - gardens sculpted and brimming with colour and wafting with the perfume of hundreds of roses, an imposing entrance, a forested horizon as backdrop to lush vines. Don’t let the idyllic surroundings overshadow other pleasures though - there is much more to be enjoyed. Chateau des Charmes offers the Winegrowing Discovery Tour with insight into the wineries' contribution to Niagara’s wine region. You’ll learn about the benefits of sustainable agriculture as well as multiple on-going research projects. You’ll tour the “Harvest Room”, geothermal cellars, and bottling line. And don’t forget an essential part of any tour here in wine country - the tasting. Your tour guide will demonstrate the steps, and you'll taste and enjoy three of the Chateaus excellent VQA wines. Need some more incentive to visit? Enjoy an afternoon overlooking a stunning display of roses and vines, and treat yourself to a divine dessert experience. ‘Add a Little Ice’ pairs hand-made local ice-cream and Niagara-grown fruit with a glass of Vidal Icewine. Put it all together and the combination is heavenly! |
TRAVEL DIY Peller Estates Winery Email | Website | TripAdvisor 290 John St E, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, Canada, L0S 1J0 1.888.673.5537 Trius Winery at Hillebrand Email | Website | TripAdvisor 1249 Niagara Stone Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, Canada, L0S 1J0 1.800.582.8412 Coleneri Estate Winery Email | Website | TripAdvisor 348 Concession 6 Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, Canada, L0S 1J0 905.682.2100 Chateau des Charmes Winery Email | Website | TripAdvisor 1025 York Rd, St Davis, ON, Canada, L0S 1J0 905.262.4219 WHERE TO STAY Riverbend Inn and Vineyard Email | Website | TripAdvisor 16104 Niagara Pkwy, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0 905.468.8866 Starting at $216 per night Sunset views over the vineyard are the perfect end to a romantic getaway! WHERE TO EAT Shaw Cafe and Wine Bar Email | Website | TripAdvisor 92 Queen St, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0905.468.4772 Main courses start at $16.95 Visit Shaw Cafe in the springtime - the balconies are literally overflowing with flowers. |
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