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News from the Ontario Vines
Fred Couch, Ontario Wine Society – Niagara Chapter
In my previous article I mentioned wineries that serve lunches on their outdoor patio or deck during the summer months. There are a few others including Jackson-Triggs and Inniskillin both in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
We recently enjoyed “Sunset on the Patio” at Ravine Vineyard and Estate Winery. It was a warm summer night as we sat on the outside deck at “Olson Foods at Ravine” overlooking the vineyards. Food is prepared by celebrity owners Anna and Michael Olson and their staff. Anna is known for the popular television cooking shows “Sugar”, “Fresh with Anna Olson” and “Kitchen Equipped”. Michael was in the kitchen that night serving up delicious appetizers, pulled pork sandwiches and freshly cooked pizzas. There is an outside wood oven for baking bread for the deli and this will eventually be used for making the pizzas as well. Our meal was accompanied by a glass of Ravine's 2007 “Red Coat” – a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Konzelmann Estate Winery. Photographed by © F.G. Couch
The tasting rooms and retail shops of Niagara wineries are in buildings as diverse as the wines being made in this area. These can range from chateau-style edifices such as Chateau-des-Charmes, Peller Estates and Konzelmann Estate Winery to the kitchen of a small bungalow (Daniel Lenko Estate Winery) or in the basement of the owner's home (Mountain Road Wine Company)!
Calamus Estate Winery. Photographed by © F.G. Couch
A number of wineries are in restored barns such as Calamus Estate Winery and Five Rows Craft Wines.
There are a few more Niagara wineries for sale. I previously mentioned Thomas & Vaughan. Legends and Royal de Maria are also up for sale and Stonechurch is in receivership. The price tag for Legends Estate Winery is $12.9 million and for Royal de Maria is $2.5 million. The latter is well known for selling a bottle of Icewine for $30,000!
Photograph by © F.G. Couch
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