Tag: Winery

Wineries we’ve visited.

South Dundas – The way business should be…

On 21st June 2019

OK, I’ve been baking again! Time for another day trip. Today the “and Steve” is in Newfoundland, so our good friend Kim is my accomplice. Our mini road trip took us to Prescott, ON. I really wanted to check out the Newport Bakery and have their Pulled Pork. Now coincidentally it is located right beside the Windmill Brewery and the Kings Lock Distillery! Imagine that…

We arrived early so we took a walk down to see the windmill from the historic 1838 Battle of the Windmill. Today it was closed but for you history buffs there is a number to call to have someone open it. However, there are some plaques that explain what happened here.

The Newport Bakery & BBQ was almost another disappointment…… Now this was our second time attempting to eat here and we had just drove an hour to check this out! Last time they ran out of pulled pork and today they had no buns. Maybe I am not meant to eat here! We ended up trying the pulled pork on a taco shell. Very messy, but at least we can check that off our list.

Now next stop was the Windmill Brewery where we tried the 1838 Pilsner and the Barracks Black. Yep-only the two samples. Behind the next door is the Kings Lock Distillery. Their philosophy is “Live Life in small Batches”. Interesting place – took a private tour learned a lot about vodka vs. rum and moonshine. The owner Rob, was so nice and very informative. There were many types of distilled spirits to sample – even a garlic vodka; apparently good to cook with – no thanks – I will stick to beer! Rob then suggested that we visit a few other small businesses in the area, so off we went.

Next stop, Dentz Berry Farm for freshly picked Strawberries – these were awesome. Then recommendation number 2 the Upper Canada Creamy – Biemond fresh curds and cheese and organic natural yogurt. Really nice family-operated farm and dairy.

Now what goes well with cheese but wine! On the recommendation of Biemond we headed a little east to the Stone Crop Winery. By Now Kim is running out of steam, but being a great sport we tried a few wines here. The 2016 Frontenac Gris/Vidal (White), a 2018 Frigio Reisling (White), then a 2017-Frontenac Noir-Cabernet Franc (Red), and lastly the 2016 Fronenac Noir-Cabernet Sauvignon. I have to say this was the cheapest stop at a winery that I have ever done. Hmmm… Maybe because Steve wasn’t here and I don’t like wine.

The thing that impressed me the most was that these individual little business support and recommend each other – that is that way business should be done.

The Letter B is Before V & W

By Momma Jo

On 7th June 2019

In Places We've Been

One’s destination is never a place but a new way of seeing things.
henry miller

Oh, what a beautiful sunrise as we awoke to the sounds of the local rooster. However, what a wonderful sleep listening to the waves off of Lake Erie. Today’s adventure will take us to Pelee Island with the first stop Leamington Ferry for the 10 am ferry. Now, to save us some money and the possible disappointment of not getting Winne on the ferry we took our bikes and walked on to the ferry!! $22.50 each way was great. The island is 28 km to circle the entire island and we only had three hours before the return sailing with a number of places we had to see! Jo strategically planed how to get the whole island explored in one day. So, we were off the ferry by 11:50, and off we go! Jo had Sam, the bike GPS, and had it down to a science as she was not missing the ferry back, lol.

Our first stop was the “The Bakery” Canada’s southernmost Bakery and eatery and voted number one on the island (it was the only one but was also very good!). We felt like food critics ordering 6 different things to try. You know it – Carb load to get the energy to do the whole island. It was a definite 5/5 stop!! 30 minutes off the clock … go go go ….

We stopped at a few beaches – Sunrise Beach was actually I thought the most beautiful. Ok, a little mishap with directions but we did get to Fish Point Reserve which is the location of Canada’s most southerly inhabited point. Jo didn’t plan for the fact that you had to walk 20 minutes to get there. Ummh, another 20 minutes walk/hike, 5 minutes for pictures and 20 minutes back – yep it will all work out!

Oh yeah, watch out for snakes. Seriously?! Yikes!! Now we headed out on the trail. The first part was amazing, well marked and somewhat groomed but the last part of it was not marked, not groomed, trees down everywhere and no direction signs. Steve’s GPS on the phone kept saying how far we were and he wanted to turn back but Jo had a timer set on the watch and we still had over 2 minutes to find this point and she (I) did not come all this way to turn back now. She was not giving up. We did have to climb over a bunch of trees and debris but she found it with 1 minute to spare!!! Well, we ran out to the point, got our shoes wet, took our Kodak moments, collected a small tigers eye rock off the most southerly point and headed back to the bikes. Yep, we did it!! Got the pictures to prove it.

Ok, time is running out and our next stop was to get the return tickets – now the process for ticket purchase is a story for another day. We passed by the Pelee Island Winery and said we’ll come back after we get the tickets, but oh the Stone House 1891 Brewery – imagine Canada’s most southerly brewery. So, we had a decision to make as we only had time for one stop. B “Beer/Brewery” is before “V’ Vineyard and “W” Wine – so “B” comes first and the brewery wins. Logical, right? But we did have time to go back and have a quick photo op by the Pelee Island vineyard. looked like a lovely place!

An extremely fun day! Definitely a place you should come and visit if you ever have the chance! Should we do it again, we’ll plan ahead and book a campsite!

Welcome to the Tip of Canada

By Momma Jo

On 6th June 2019

In Campgrounds, Places We've Been

Better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times.
Asian proverb

Well, we did not float away last night with all that rain and the sun is shining this morning. Today we are heading out to Point Pelee National Park. This park lies on the shores of Lake Erie and is home to the most southerly tip of mainland Canada. Did you know that this most southerly point of mainland Canada is as far south as Rome and Barcelona? Interesting, eh?

This park was a dream. The bike paths were amazing – some a little wet, but still bike-able. It has something for everyone. Boardwalks, marshes, bird watching, observation towers, historic sites such as “DeLaurier Homestead”, beaches, sand dunes and wildlife. Did you know that this was the home of the Cardinal Brand Apples Company? However, our main reason for coming was of course, the most southerly point of mainland Canada. We definitely got our feet wet here!

Momma Jo will not forget that for some of us (i.e. Jo) it was deer fly central, as she seemed to be a beacon for the deer flies. Hundreds of them swarming her. The deer flies did not like Steve but he did get dive bombed by a mother bird protecting her nest. Got to love nature! We got to explore over 16 km of the park. Our bike & hike took us about 4 hours but you could definitely spend a full day here.

Ok, on to our Harvest Host for the night Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery. Now Lola (our lovely GPS) was not winning any friends tonight as she definitely took us the wrong way. Not to worry though, as we made it by 4:55 pm with 5 minutes before closing time! The staff here were very kind and served us and kept the place open for us to enjoy a few of their wines. They had some very interesting names which made you want to try them and a whole section “for the Sweet tooth” yep right up Jo’s alley! A rosé Sweet Eloise, a white Chillin’ Dylan, a sweet select Riesling – Jo actually like a couple of these. Steve enjoyed the reds Caboom! and Lady in Red and we both enjoyed their Applelicous. This gorgeous winery on the shore of Lake Erie offers a great place to come and enjoy an afternoon on their beach, with a picnic basket or a charcuterie board (which you can buy there). The beach was so relaxing; this was such a beautiful place. If you are ever in Southern Ontario, we would highly recommend this stop and I hope some day we will be back!

The Smell of Spring!

By Momma Jo

On 2nd June 2019

In Campgrounds

Travel is like an endless university. You never stop learning.
Harvey Lloyd

Every morning is a new experience. What might we learn today? Today we head south on the St. Lawrence Seaway waterfront trail. Heading towards Prescott to meet up with the family – Jo needs her kid fix! As we were driving there, we spot a craft brewery! “Steve, turn around!” Lo and behold in the act of turning Winnie around we found a historic site we never even knew existed; The Battle of the Windmill. Apparently in 1838 there was a windmill (now a light house) and in a small rebellion the rebels took control of this windmill. But only a few days later the British came in and retook control – about 60 of the rebels were exiled to Australia. So, this explains the name of the Windmill Brewery which is just around the corner. Their flagship beer is the 1838 Pilsner – which was crisp and clean, very refreshing. We also tried the Barracks Black Lager, the Old Thyme Lemonade Shandy and the Scotch Style Maple Ale. Fun little spot to check out!!

O’ Heaphy’s Irish Pub – Now we asked two different locals where to eat in Prescott and they both said O’Heaphy’s – so how could one go wrong? Awesome time spent with family but don’t necessarily have to go back there. It was so good to spend time with the kids! 😊 Unfortunately for us, we left Max with the kids. They missed him and he just wasn’t traveling as well as he used to. Perhaps still getting used to Winnie.

On the road again and we continued to avoid the 401 by staying on the St Lawrence Parkway. On the way we found some really cheap diesel in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory along ON-49 .

Tonight, we stayed at Lacey Estates Winery and Vineyard, another Harvest Hosts stop. Kimble and Liz Lacey were our hosts and very gracious as we tried a few of their different wines; a couple of Whites, Reds and even Rosé. They were great storytellers and very interesting people. This was one of the more peaceful and beautiful spots we have been at and the views were amazing with the fragrances of the spring lilacs so sweet in the air. The best part of all was that the campsite cost us $51 and we got two free bottles of wine! – How does it get better than this?!

Key West – 48 Hours in 8!

By Momma Jo

On 5th February 2019

In Florida 2019, Places We've Been

Today’s destination brings us to the southernmost location in the USA and Steve’s ultimate goal for this trip. Buckle up, here we go!

Key West offered great memories, as we ate local cuisine, dipped our toes in the Caribbean, saw the “Key” highlights, put over 14 kms on our weary feet and, of course, had a few drinks at many local spots!

In order we hit;

Moose Lodge (for parking),
Tourist Info (location closing due to Google),
Veterans Memorial Gardens (not initially on the list but Steve had to take that call & Momma Jo walked wrong direction),
Back on planned route (did you know there’s free range chickens everywhere?),
Ernest Hemingway house (we didn’t pay the US$28 to enter),
Photo op at Key West Lighthouse museum (Jo wondered why the Lighthouse was in the middle of town!),
Southernmost Point, Buoy, House, Pier & Beach,
El Sibnoey Restaurant (we would highly recommend the excellent Cuban food! – #33 of 200 on Trip Advisor),
Duval Street (nice during the day and expect it gets wild at night!),
Oldest House in Key West museum (free to enter),
Mile Zero of Hwy US 1,
First Flight Brewery (southernmost microbrewery in USA),
Mallory Square (seems to made for the cruise ships),
Sloppy Joe’s (just had to try Sloppy Joe Ale & (hard) Lemonade),
Hemingway Rum Distillery (Pillar Rum tastings),
Key West First Legal Rum Distillery (more rum tasting!),
Key West Winery (I know, mixing our liquor isn’t good),
Historic Harbour Walk (accidentally due to wrong turn) ,
Finally Key Lime Pie! – Kermit’s Key West Pie Shoppe (confirmed with a few locals we met as the best in Key West),
But one more stop was the hidden gem of the Waterfront Brewing Co (thank goodness we had to leave before Happy Hour or we would’ve spent the night!).

The Vineyard at Hershey

By Momma Jo

On 16th January 2019

In Campgrounds, Florida 2019

We stopped at this Harvest Host location just outside of Hershey, PA. Boondocking the first night with temps still around zero.

Wine tastings at the Vineyard at Hershey included the likes of Firefly, Twisted Kiss, Blood Orange Sangria, Crimson Fox, Frostbite and Cocoa Di Vezzetti. We also tried the unique flavours of Presidential Peanut Butter Cider and ApPaul Revere Apple Pie Cider.

We of course purchased some wine to go and we’d like to thank Chelsea & Morrissa for making this a memorable visit!

Tag: Winery

South Dundas – The way business should be…

The Letter B is Before V & W

Welcome to the Tip of Canada

The Smell of Spring!

Key West – 48 Hours in 8!

The Vineyard at Hershey

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