Pelee Trip, Episode 2 - wine country

The Pelee area is wine country. While there George and I, visited some wineries, did some tasting and made some purchases. It was quite hot and muggy so we only ended up bicycling to about 5 wineries near the town of Colchester, West of Leamington.
I love seeing the vineyards at this time of year, covered in green leaves and laden with green or purple grapes. When we travel in Europe, during the winter months, the vineyards are rows of gnarled and sculptured sticks, sometimes starting to bud a little about the time we leave for home.

Cycling down rows of grape vines.

Not long ago I visited some wineries in the Niagara area. In comparison the Pelee area either has free tasting or its $2 for 3 wines rather than $5 tastings. They also include their higher priced wines and ice wine in the tasting options where Niagara has restrictions as to what you can taste.

Loved the Crew logo (not the wine so much)

The Viewpointe Winery had a fabulous view from bluffs over the Lake to Pelee Island. We liked, and bought, their Big Bluff Red. The patio was beautifully located and quite reasonably priced.

The Oxley Estate Winery was our favourite for a couple of reasons: the friendliest staff person, nice retail area and favourite wine (cabernet franc). It was one of the first wines I tried. I then tasted at 5 other wineries, including a number of cab francs. I had to return to Oxley to check whether theirs was really the best. Tasted again! Yep! Purchased!

Comfy sitting area in Oxley Estate Winery

Many of the wineries went for the "dark wine cellar" look but Oxley's retail and tasting
area is light, bright and airy.

"Our go-to wine" is what is says on the Cab Franc display and I would love to
make it my go-to wine but at $18.95 its going to be my "special meal" wine.

We also visited the Pelee Island Vineyards on Pelee Island but that's part of the next post.

The grapes were ripening beautifully when we were there and it looked like a good harvest.