A toast to local vineyards this fall

After a summer of playing it safe, enjoying the restored yet restrained freedoms of the gradual reopening of Ontario from phase 1 to 3, I decided to keep the travel theme local in line with the pandemic lifestyle 2020 has imposed upon the world.

September is usually the time of year I head over to Europe and I have been really missing it. I know, first-world problems…I am not going to whine about it, instead I would rather explore local wine country without completely obliterating the Italian aspect I hold close to my heart. So, in honour of Bacchus, the god of wine, (and the god of public health safety, if there is one!) I explored three vineyards owned by Italians. Each place has their own unique journey towards manifesting their vineyard vision, all were unified in their love of wine, Italy and commitment to excellence.

Beyond the wineries, take the time to visit the surrounding attractions of each region to optimize your stay. When it comes to local fall getaways, the spectacular foliage that colours the landscape in both Ontario and Quebec are world renowned—as are the award-winning wines that these regions produce. And as you savour the colours and flavours of home this fall, it may just renew your appreciation of the True North, strong and free.

first stop: The vineyard pioneer of Prince Edward County, Waupoos Estate Winery

Sitting on 110 acres of waterfront property, Waupoos Estates Winery was the first winery in Prince Edward County. The original owners, Ed Neuser and his wife Rita, did the first planting in 1993 with an experimental mindset to see what would grow in the area. Ed never planned on owning a winery but he loved the wine country of Niagara-on-the-Lake and sought to create a similar experience in the more northern landscape of Prince Edward County. He grew up in Germany and felt the climate of Prince Edward County resembled that of his beloved ancestral country, so he decided to experiment with German Riesling and Vidal stock.

Joe Pulla had his eye on the estate and wanted to be a part of this up-and-coming wine area. Once Neuser was ready to sell, the Pulla family purchased the winery in 2004 and has continued to expand and enhance the guest experience highlighting the unique features of this prolific region. Today, Waupoos dedicates 20 acres to the thriving vineyards that grow 18 varieties.

Kyle Baldwin, general manager of Waupoos, has worked there since its inception in 1993. He recalls Pulla investing in the winery even before he became the owner, bringing to life the Farm to Table restaurant, where besides savouring the freshness of local fare, guests enjoy the wraparound views of the vineyards, orchards and Lake Ontario. “The restaurant on the grounds is a fully operational farm, which supplies the kitchen with proteins and fresh produce. If we can’t supply them, we connect with local growers for everything we offer on the menu,” says Baldwin. They are members of FeastOn Ontario culinary tourism, connecting tourists with restaurants dedicated to farm-to-table cuisine. This is one of the many reasons the county, particularly Waupoos Estates Winery, has become a wedding and event destination for many Torontonians. The combination of natural beauty, rustic yet elegant charm and locally raised food is the perfect wedding venue.

For the Love of Wine

Cupid’s arrow struck when Baldwin hired a new winemaker in 2004—a fateful hire as it turned out as Baldwin married her in 2006. Besides producing the highly esteemed wines, Amy Baldwin also creates award-winning cider for the Estate Cider House–Clafeld Fruit Winery and for the 401 Cider Brewery. Known for their appassimento process, which produces high-end red wines, citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits are dehydrated in the greenhouse on custom-made drying racks and then fermented resulting in super concentrated flavours found in a bottle of Amarone.

The Guest Experience

The Estate diligently adheres to social distancing guidelines and safety protocols for everyone’s safety and enjoyment. Tastings are available daily 11a.m. to 6p.m. They are all conducted outside on a first-come first-served basis and a tasting of four wines costs $10.
Wine Tour: Outdoor tastings were set up in the summer during phase 2 and are slated to continue throughout the fall season. Up to 16 people can partake in a covered cabana area. The guided tour takes you around the property to learn about the estate, vineyards and how the wine is made. It also includes four Waupoos wine samples paired with four Fifth Town cheeses served at the cabana by the water’s edge, and a complimentary Govino glass to take home. $30
The Estate Experience Tour is an in-depth walking tour, which showcases the estate, during which you learn about winemaking and the farm-to-table philosophy. The tour lasts one hour before you are whisked to the restaurant patio, nestled in the vineyards with views of Lake Ontario. The chef will create an inspired farm-to-table four-course meal for you. There is no set menu; whatever is harvested fresh from the garden will be featured. $110
The Century Home: Accommodations on-site The Farmhouse is a beautifully restored century home situated on the grounds of the Waupoos Estates Winery. With breathtaking views of Prince Edward Bay and vineyards, the Farmhouse provides a stunning backdrop to your stay. The house has four bedrooms located on the upper level. Renting a room also grants access to the front parlour room as well as the porch overlooking the lake. The house is available to rent as individual bedrooms, the upper floor or the entire house.

From that first winery in 1993 to a current total of 67 in Prince Edward County, the area is now a bona fide wine region in Ontario embodying the “little region that could” example. Enza Pulla (Joe’s wife) says, “The county is very different from the more well-known Niagara wine region but is just as rich in history, natural beauty, not to mention the fabulous wines and restaurants.” Baldwin concurs, “There is a different feel here, it is more spread out, so you have to take a tour to find a winery.” They are also smaller with an intimate, casual mom-and-pop shop vibe. It’s a formula that has taken off as people flock to the area for a getaway as well as welcoming a lot of Torontonians who have always dreamt of having a winery. For more information or to make reservations, go to waupooswinery.com

From Farmers’ Markets, boutiques and restaurants, to apple picking, nature trails as well as taste and arts trails, go to visitpec.ca to plan your fall getaway in Prince Edward County.

Aerial view of Waupoos Farm to Table restaurant and surrounding vineyards

OFF TO La Belle Province

When explorer Jacques Cartier landed on Île d’Orléans in 1535, he named it Île de Bacchus for a reason. The sheer volume of wild vines that grew there planted the seed for more hybrid grape varieties able to sustain harsh Quebec winters and -30 °C temperatures, which emerged centuries later. The first vineyards in the province came to life in the early 1980s. Today, there are nearly 100 vineyards in about 15 regions across Quebec producing still, fortified, sparkling and organic wines, with more than half of them in the Eastern Townships and Montérégie regions.

This particular Italian-owned winery takes us to the historical town of Dunham, about 90km east of Montreal and 10km from the U.S. border. Dunham is known as the main agricultural producer in Brome-Missisquoi, particularly due to its high concentration of vineyards. Vignoble Gagliano Vineyards is located in the Appalachian foothills, in a rolling and picturesque landscape. It opened originally in 1987 as the Le Vignoble Les Blancs Coteaux. In 2008, the Gagliano family became the official owners and renamed it, bringing a touch of southern Italy to the rural region. “We are a family-run business. My dad is Sicilian and my mom Calabrese and my brother Vincenzo runs the entire vineyard alongside our parents and siblings,” says Imma Gagliano, marketing director at Vignoble Gagliano. She continues, “We have brought a piece of Italy to Dunham. We try to give it a charming country mix with a personalized, boutique-type environment offering made-in-Quebec wines and high-quality products.”

And the country element is apparent upon entry. The 86-acre estate is built around a red barn that, over time, has received several improvements and additions yet retains a country look and feel.

The Guest Experience

This year, the full experience isn’t available due to COVID-19 restrictions; the family decided not to offer guided wine tours. Instead, they are conducting wine tastings outside on a terrace as well as inside the boutique. Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the tastings that take place in the boutique strictly follow all social distancing rules and sanitary practices.

If you’re there for a weekend, you can indulge in a real country experience by ordering a picnic basket that Gagliano Vineyards prepares for guests to be enjoyed outdoors in the picnic area or on the terrace. There are two picnic basket options on the menu: charcuterie or sushi. Perfect portions for two people, the picnic baskets must be ordered via their website or telephone by Thursday at noon so it will be ready for your weekend visit.

”Fall is the harvest season, the foliage is beautiful, the harvest is in action…and nature is the big show you really shouldn’t miss.”

Of course, once you leave the Gagliano Vineyard, you’re in the heart of Brome-Missisquoi, the region with the most agritourism enterprises in Quebec. From nature and outdoor activities to arts and culture, be sure to plan your weekend escape with all your favourite things the area has to offer. Check out easterntownships.org for weekend package ideas and laroutedesvins.ca to map out your tour. Summer may be over, but the autumn offers a unique kind of experience beyond the grape harvest in September. “The number of people who come in the fall far outweighs the summer,” says Gagliano. “Fall is the harvest season, the foliage is beautiful, the harvest is in action…and nature is the big show you really shouldn’t miss.”

For information on the winery, go to vignoblegagliano.com

fall at two sisters’ vineyard, niagara-on-the-lake

Reaping the rewards of the harvest season

Last but certainly not least, we visit the ever-popular Niagara wine region—an Ontario getaway staple. Whether you visited the Falls this year already or not, planning a weekend to Niagara-on-the-Lake in the autumn never disappoints, especially when you’re whisked away to a winery that takes its cue from Tuscany—from the lush grounds to the neo-classical architecture that echoes luxury and affability seamlessly. All elements were added ultimately for a heightened guest experience.

“We took the very best from our travels in Italy and France and captured the romance, architecture and food in our estate,” says Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli, chief administrative officer of Two Sisters. “It also comes down to the exceptional level of hospitality our team provides to visitors, rooted in professionalism and knowledge, providing discerning clients with a level of winery experience that celebrates the very best of wine, art and culture.” Chief executive officer Angela Marotta oversees product development and emphasizes the elevated guest experience as the core value. “Everything at Two Sisters Vineyards was built and developed with the consumer in mind. Our family all shared a vision of exactly how we wanted our guests to experience a Niagara winery while committing ourselves to producing ultra-premium Ontario wines that can be recognized on the world stage,” says Marotta.

Their particular piece of paradise is located at the northern tip of the Niagara River sub-appellation bordered by the Niagara River to the east and Lake Ontario to the north. The sprawling 130-acre Two Sisters Vineyards Estate was established more than a decade ago, finally opening its doors in 2014. Already some significant milestones have been reached in only six years of operation. The winery won best Small Performing Winery in Canada 2018 and most recently their 2016 Blanc de Franc won Double Gold and was named Best Sparkling Wine of the Year at the 2019 All Canadian Wine Championships. The Cabernet Franc is winemaker Adam Pearce’s favourite varietal to play with. After a trip to Champagne, France, he was inspired to create a truly unique sparkling wine. The Blanc de Franc is the first sparkling Cabernet Franc in Ontario.

The Two Sisters: Angela Marotta & Melissa Paolicelli-Marotta cin cin to the harvest in their vineyard

The year of COVID may have halted the wine tours as well as the cooking classes at the moment, but this hasn’t stopped Two Sisters from evolving the guest experience. This pause was the perfect opportunity to create more exclusive wine experiences with smaller groups, which allow them to better engage with their guests, ultimately resulting in a more well-rounded experience and introduction to premium wine education. Even their tasting boutique has adjusted to limit the number of participants, allowing for a more focused education on wine and a one-on-one retail experience.

Two_Sisters_Patio_-_Daniel_Ricci_Wedding_Photography-090.jpg

And what’s wine without a delicious meal? That Italian touch permeates the entire menu at the on-site rustic Italian restaurant, Kitchen76. Their love of food from the homeland made with local ingredients and paired with fine wine is nothing short of a gastronomical delight. The quintessential cherry on top: the spectacular views wherever you look. “We have seating areas throughout the estate with vineyard views, from the restaurant and outdoor terrace to a beautiful pond area that is perfect for sitting alongside while sipping your favourite wine,” says Marotta-Paolicelli. Designed to be enjoyed in all seasons, there’s something extra special about visiting the winery in the autumn. “At Two Sisters, you can feel the excitement in the vineyards and in the estate as it’s beautiful to see the ripe fruit on the vines and the hustle over harvest,” enthuses Marotta-Paolicelli.

The realization of the Two Sisters’ vision is one at which to marvel, as is the singular beauty of the pristine countryside. There is something poetic about special places in our heart when they become the backdrop where we delve into our passions and create our dreams. Niagara-on-the-Lake holds many fond memories for the Marotta sisters as they enjoyed frequent family picnics in the area while growing up. Fast-forward to the early 2000s (and adulthood) when the property they always admired from afar became available and they purchased the original 76 acres of fruit orchards with the intent of producing superior wines and a multigenerational business that can be passed on to their children. Beyond the rustic Italian food, spectacular views and an overall elevated guest experience, the heart of the Two Sisters Vineyards is family. Honouring those ties that bind in a magical place, creating new special memories is the order of the day.

For more information, go to twosistersvineyards.com and sign up for their e-newsletter for wine tour updates. Reservations for wine tastings are also done online.

For more information on the Victorian 19th century charm of Niagara-on-the-Lake, go to visitniagaracanada.com

Cheers to keeping it local, the fall harvest and rediscovering the beauty of our own backyard.