Wines of Canada

Although my wife and I live in the heart of the Niagara's wine producing area, we still like to visit the other three designated wine producing regions of Ontario – Prince Edward County, Lake Erie North Shore and Pelee Island.

Prince Edward County is Ontario's newest Designated Viticultural Area and is the fastest growing wine region with 30 wineries at the present time and many new ones opening up all the time. Prince Edward County is located in Southern Ontario at the eastern end of Lake Ontario. It is an island community encompassing less than 700 square kilometers (270 sq mi), with over 800 kilometers (500 mi) of shoreline. It's about a 2 ½ hour drive from downtown Toronto, Ontario.

Once in the “County”, touring the wineries is quite easy since the wineries are quite close together especially in the area around Hillier. However, if you don't have a designated driver, it would be wise just do a few wineries each day if you want to try some of the great wines being produced. Accommodation varies from bed and breakfast guest houses, winery inns to hotels and motels. A wine tour map can be found at http://67.227.149.64/photos/custom/2010WineTourMap-English.pdf .

One of the highlights of our last winery tour of Prince Edward County was visiting Karlo Estates and meeting the owner, Richard Karlo and his partner and marketing person, Sherry Martin. They were so hospitable that we could have spent all afternoon there, touring the property and listening to Richard's plans for the future, hearing about the restoration of the old barn and, of course, tasting the wonderful wines. Two of the many wines we tried and purchased were made with 100% County fruit – the 2008 Cabernet Franc and the 2008 Merlot which was aged in old Canadian oak for 12 months and was absolutely wonderful! For more information, check out their website at www.karloestates.com

Kalo Estaes Photography by Fred Couch

1890's barn is being restored and houses the tasting bar and winery operations

Another highlight of our trip was meeting famous Ontario Chef, Jamie Kennedy. Jamie has owned many restaurants including JK ROM, Jamie Kennedy at the Gardiner, Jamie Kennedy's Wine Bar, and he's now at the Gilead Café and Bistro in downtown Toronto. Jamie Recently received the Order of Canada.

When we visited Rosehall Run winery, they were having an open house and serving food prepared and served by the Chef himself! We could also try wines under the Jamie Kennedy label – a 2007 Pinot Noir and a 2007 Chardonnay. Before leaving, the owner of Rosehall Run, Dan Sullivan, let us try a sample of the 2009 Rosehall Cabernet Franc which was just amazing. For more information check out their website at www.rosehallrun.com .

Rosehall Run owner, Dan Sullivan and Chef, Jamie Kennedy

Other wineries that should not be missed on your first include The Grange of Prince Edward, Hillier Creek, Casa-Dea, Norm Hardie (for the Pinot), and Closson Chase. This will still leave a number of wineries to visit on your next trip to the “County”!

Casa-Dea Winery

Casa-Dea Winery (formerly Carmela Winery)

News from the Ontario Vines

Fred Couch