Day Trippin'

June 2020 - Niagara Region ON

Welland ON
Niagara Wine Region Part 1
St. Catharines
Niagara Wine Region Part 2


June 2020 - Niagara Wine Region ON

Just a reminder that these day trips are taking place during Covid 19 pandemic, so the rules are very different. Masks are requested, no unnecessary touching, social distancing, no tastings, patios are now open mainly on weekends. The good side for us is no tourists from out of country/province/state AND no tour r buses.

This week we're concentrating our visit around Jordan ON.

I drew up a map with addresses which we loosely stuck to.

Traffic coming into Toronto was heavy, the border is still only open to essential traffic, no tourism.

We normally fly by this garden/furniture place but today we were on the service road so we stopped. Not sure who would buy garden "gnomes" of this size!

First stop, a distillery., Dillion's. Friendly but not overly, didn't seem too interested in selling us anything.

THE NIAGARA REGION
We chose the location of our distillery for its proximity to incredible ingredients and wonderful people. We’re neighbours to farmers who grow great fruit and botanicals practically in our backyard, making it readily available to us as we need it.

Our first products are made from a base of 100% Niagara wine grapes that would otherwise be thrown on the ground during the annual thinning process. We have them dropped into baskets instead of the ground before we ferment them, then distill. Many of our herbs are either grown by us or by local farmers. Our grain is sourced locally and we have an abundance of fruit everywhere you turn in the Twenty Valley.

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Foreign Affair
Foreign Affair sits on forty acres of Amarone-inspired vines. Employing a drying process traditionally used in the making of the legendary Italian wines, this family winery has kept to its Italian traditions in producing concentrated, richly coloured wines that are dense with flavour.

This was closed to foot traffic. Perhaps because it is on the grounds of the Department of Agriculture.

There were assigned parking spots for curbside pickup and you were requested to remain in your car.

The Harbour Estates Winery is located in a unique setting of the Niagara Peninsula, along the Jordan Harbour. This area provides guests with the ideal views of the picturesque surrounding area, this water themed winery stretches across 1800 feet of the harbour. The Winery is dedicated to the production of premier VQA wines, from premium grown grapes from the surrounding area. The vineyards at the Harbour Estates consists of 30 acres of red vinifera grapes, mainly focusing on the Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot grapes.

Friendly, helpful.

Di Profio Estate Wines is one of Ontario’s smallest wineries located near the village of Jordan. The 12-acre site features eight varieties of grapes, and a uniquely shaped gravity flow winery.
They didn't appear to be open and we didn't even get out of the car.

CAVE SPRINGS
The history of the Pennachetti family in the Niagara region began in the early 1920s when Giuseppe Pennachetti emigrated from his hometown in Fermo, Italy, to work as a mason building Niagara’s Welland Canal. After establishing a successful concrete business along with his sons, Giuseppe retired and proceeded to explore a passion from his days as a young man in Italy—winegrowing. On lands of modest quality and with the native labrusca grape (a variety that was the order of the day), Giuseppe would prune and tie his hobby vineyard with his son John Sr. and grandson Leonard. The wines that came from these vines were made with heart, but wanting in quality, and the family knew that better was possible.

The least friendly, rather snobby winery. We were not allowed passed the front door, she brought us three bottles based on our preferences, the third of course, really expensive.

Cave Spring is in the town of Jordan.

Just out of the picture is the new curbside check-in for the inn that most hotels are implementing.

This was not on our list but we decided to stop and it was a delightful pleasure.

Sue-Ann Staff.

The Staff family originally immigrated to Canada from Lincolnshire England in the late 1700s. This property at 3210 Staff Avenue was acquired by Robert Staff and has remained in the Staff family for over 200 years. Through two centuries it has transformed several times due to the changes in agriculture commencing as a mixed fruit and livestock homestead to, currently, an estate winery and vineyard operation.

We had brought a picnic lunch and asked about a park near by. She immediately suggested Charles Dailey, about ten minutes away. It was the perfect spot overlooking Lake Ontario.

We made it back to the car just in time!

Creekside has been doing its premium thing on the Niagara Peninsula since 1997, beginning as a small winery with 11 acres under vine. Over the years, this determined little winery expanded its vineyards to include our premium red grape site, located in the St. David’s Bench sup-appellation. 

Good Earth offers one of the most unique wine and culinary experiences right at the foot of the Beamsville Bench. Established in 1998, it stands as one of the original farm-to-table experiences in Niagara.

Beautiful grounds and very friendly staff.

The Good Wine