All posts tagged Waupoos Winery

Also check these sites:
www.winesofontario.org
www.thecounty.ca
www.tastetrail.ca
www.pecountywines.ca

the low down
This island-like region between Toronto and Kingston (south of Belleville) is enjoying a wave of excitement thanks to the influx of winemakers, chefs, organic farmers and artists. But it’s still a work in progress.

Being surrounded by water and cut off from the rest of the province has given ‘The County’ (as it’s known) its own identity. It looks and feels a little different, with some of the pastoral feeling of New England. Winding roads encircle and criss-cross the area so you never have to come and go the same way. Cut off from highway traffic, The County is considerably quieter and slower-paced than Niagara.

Sandbanks Provincial Park is probably the best known feature and main draw, attracting a large percentage of summer visitors from Quebec and elsewhere. The three major towns, Wellington, Bloomfield and Picton, are well kept and almost devoid of sprawl or trash. Manufacturing industry is non-existent so the region is committed to the land for survival, making the present food and wine industry a natural fit. Because most of the food and drink players started more or less at the same time, there seems to be a nice all-in-it-together spirit that has moved everything forward in a cohesive, well-planned fashion. Farmers, wineries and restaurants are members of the Taste Trail, which is sign-posted around the region. So simple, but so effective. Taste! is the brand as such and is showcased with a big bash each September at the Picton fairgrounds.

The wine thing started because someone noticed a lot of the County’s soils were shallow dirt and gravel on top of limestone – just like in Burgundy, the home of Pinot Noir. But there is one problem – winter. Growing vines in the County is certainly testing the limits of what’s possible in Ontario winemaking. The solution seems to lie in burying the vines under hilled-up earth at the end of the year and unearthing them in the spring. It’s a huge job but it may be essential. To boost sales, some wineries supplement local production with Niagara grapes. When visiting, look for the ‘100% County’ sticker to help distinguish local efforts. Chardonnay and Pinot Gris have done well so far and Pinot is coming on strong, as long as you’re happy with a light, elegant style. Continue reading →