2004
Located around the beautiful and tranquil Bay of Quinte, this county has been always an agriculturally important and blessed corner of the province.
Prince Edward County is definitely a cool climate-growing region with 1400 sunshine hour per season, and on north latitude 44 N, the same as Burgundy. Winters are cold, requiring vineyard site selections that face south and east with extra labour involved to bury vines for winter damage protection. The soils range from clay/loam to sandy/clay, and clay with mixed chalk. Some growers planted Chardonnay, Riesling, Seyval Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir. Others are experimenting with hybrids!
Presently there are about 250 hectares under vine and some growers have suffered substantial losses during the severe winter of 2002.
Gastronomically, the country offers a few restaurants to satisfy even the most discriminating diners. Waupoos Winery on the shore of the Bay offers fine fare as does Waring House, and Carmela (formerly Peddlesden) and Hotel Merill Inn in Picton.
Torontonians interested in wine would do well to spend a day or two in this quiet county enjoying the vistas and unhurried life. By Chadsey's Cairn Winery owners Vida Zalnierinnas and Richard Johnson accomplished a lot by creating fine Gewurztraminers and Mosel-style, light, fragrant Rieslings. Converting old barns and buildings created this modern winery.
Located five kilometres west of Wellington on Highway 35, Carmela Wines located close to Chadsey Cairns' winery is modern and houses a small but fine restaurant as well. Surrounded by approximately 10 hectares of vineyards, Carmela's wines (Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling) are light, fragrant, acid-driven and delightful, particularly with food. Highly recommended a visit to taste their wines and experience their specialties.
Waupoos Winery, overlooking the calm waters of the Bay of Quinte is the oldest and largest of the four wineries in Prince Edward County. It operates a restaurant that serves good food. The tasting room and boutique winery offer samples of some of their wines. There is a small charge per sample. Waupoos wines are light, high acid and thin mostly due to young vines in their vineyards.
County Cider Company is an estate winery overlooking the Bay of Quinte and specializes in cider, but the winemaker has planted a few hectares of Chardonnay and Riesling on chalky and pebbly, well-drained soils. The vineyards are exposed south east to benefit most the sunshine and heat units. County Cider Company's wines tasted proved to be good and potentially very good once the vines have achieved a higher level of maturity.
Now he consults and writes to increase wine, beer and liquor awareness. He conducts seminars and would be pleased to consider your requests. To peruse the list of his published books and order please contact him at hirayrberberoglu_3@sympatico.ca
www.littlefatwino.com