Jul 5

Written by: chris
7/5/2012 

Wine Country Ontario – Prince Edward County

So close, yet so under-appreciated: Wine Country Ontario! There are four regions to choose from: Niagara Escarpment and Twenty Valley; Niagara-on-the-Lake; Lake Erie North Shore and Pelee Island; and Prince Edward County. With over 130 wineries in Ontario to choose from, there’s so much to see and do. After broadcasting the Travel Shows from Fielding Estate Winery on the Niagara Escarpment last year, we moved eastwards this year to Prince Edward County. With typically friendly hospitality, we broadcasted the shows in the sunshine overlooking the vines of The Grange of Prince Edward Vineyards and Estate Winery with Caroline Granger, President and CEO of the winery.

www.grangeofprinceedward.com

The Grange of Prince Edward Vineyards and Estate Winery

Caroline has 60 acres of her 600 acre farm under vine and has developed and grown a much-respected winery in the heart of the County. Her hospitality was warm and generous as she showed me round some of the vines and her gorgeous old Loyalist barn dating from the 1820’s where visitors can taste and buy the wines, including the award-winning Trumpour’s Mill. I tasted a luscious 2007 Pinot Noir and her brand new sparkling Riesling, just out in time for Canada Day. Caroline was the perfect guest on the Travel Shows and afterwards we enjoyed a picnic on the shaded patio in this perfect setting.

Rosehall Run Winery

I was greeted by the exuberant Dan Sullivan, Owner and Winemaker at Rosehall Run and treated to a generous tasting session and a guided tour of the winery. He has 25 acres under vine and produced his first harvest in 2004. His 2011 Pinot Gris has fresh lemony flavours with pear and gooseberry, while his 2009 Chardonnay is a complex buttery wine with nectarine flavours. He ships free to Toronto and his enthusiasm is contagious!

Huff Estates Winery

Named as one of the top 20 wineries in Canada, this is a very impressive wine estate with a long sweeping drive leading to the winery and a much-praised boutique hotel – The Inn at Huff Estates. There is also an art gallery on site. When I arrived they were preparing for a gala charity evening under a big top tent, but Brian the Sommelier still took time out to show me round. Brian is quite the character and his dry wit and ability to conjure mental food pairings for the wines we tasted added much to the pleasure of the experience. My favourite was the sparkling Champagne-style Cuvee which is every bit as delicious as the much more expensive French champagnes.

A wonderful relaxing break!

Prince Edward County has so much to offer - from the stunning dunes and beaches of Sandbanks Provincial Park to the delicious local produce to be sampled while following the Taste Trail. Cheese, honey, lavender, fruit, wine and beer ... delicious! And the County is blessed with some exceptional boutique B&Bs where you can rest up after a day pottering through the rolling countryside. I stayed at The Manse in Picton and experienced one of the best breakfasts I have ever eaten!

http://www.themanse.ca

So much good wine, such little time…And it’s all right in our own backyard – so close to home. Come to Wine Country Ontario for an afternoon – or a few days. Visit any time of year and start planning your next trip by visiting www.winecountryontario.ca.