Australia’s Wolf Blass Yellow Label Cabernet Sauvignon is one of my personal favorites. Formerly, if I was preparing roast beef or lamb, I’d serve it up. Remarkably, however, I’ve switched to Muscedere Vineyard’s Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, in my mind one of the top 100 wines and right from my own backyard. The unexpected change occurred shortly after I began conducting tours in the Lake Erie North Shore Wine Region.
The Winery Experience at Colio Estate Wines
At every vineyard visited, I was curious to know what award-winning top wines were produced and what little extra they had to offer visitors. At Colio Estate Wines, one of the largest operations in the region and winner of a gold medal at the Ontario Wine Awards for its Cev Vidal Icewine (2005), Doug Beatty stressed the large scale of the winery and boutique. Then, when asked my ‘journalistic’ question, ‘what are five good reasons to visit your winery?’ Doug's top three were their picturesque winery building, the impressive walking tour that includes the chronological steps in the wine making process, and the temperature and humidity controlled barrel cellars.
Family-Friendly Wineries
Similar questions were asked of a smaller operation, Colchester Ridge Estate Winery Inc. and of a larger, multifunction estate winery, Sprucewood Shores. At the former, better known as CREW -the winner of three medals at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition for its Meritage, Cabernet Franc and Merlot wines- Bernard and Nancy Gorski stressed that the basics of making good wine comes from the grapes themselves. By way of emphasis they pointed out that during the growing seasons they bring the customer outside and show and taste the grapes.
They also underlined their belief that a customer should be treated like a guest in their home and that they appreciated every visit, encouraging guests to come back with family or friends throughout the year.
In answer to my 'top five' question they stressed their boutique-style winery which has unique special gifts and tastings for every wine lover and the 12 acres of perfectly manicured vineyard; they further emphasized that this is not just for aesthetics but to make sure every vine is cared for throughout the growing season.
At Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery, winner of a silver metal at the All Canadian Wine Championships for its Meritage 2007, owner Tanya Mitchell was very forthcoming about the reasons to visit them. She stressed the feeling of unique and elegant warmth associated with their sandy beachfront on Lake Erie, and their beautiful Tuscany-style 'old world' building with extensive balconies overlooking 35 acres of rolling vines. A special feature, in tune with the multifunctional nature of the winery is the experience of live music every Sunday afternoon complimented by a cooking demonstration with a local chef.
Tour the Wineries: Experience the Region
Winery tours often begin in the Detroit-Windsor area but could also start and end either within the wine district or near the famous sand spit in Lake Erie better known as Point Pelee National Park.
Updated: May 15, 2011
James Gibson - James Gibson is a retired teacher and small business owner. He is a published writer and has a wide spectrum of interests.
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