{A very sad note: Elmer Swenson passed away on December 24, 2004 at the age of 91 years. A giant has gone. All growers of grapes in Cold climates owe him a huge debt.}

Which of the three characters below is the most energetic, long-lived, and famous in his field?

Surprisingly, it is the one in the middle. Click on Elmer to see an article written about him in the American press...

In August 2001, Dr. Bryan Pell and the little fat wino took a trip to Minnesota and Wisconsin, driving non-stop both ways to see the legend himself. A contingent from Quebec, led by Alain Breault and Mariette Lageux of Viticulture A & M, arrived by car and plane. Other members of the Quebec contingent were Fabien Gagne, John Antony of Chapelle St. Agnes, and Mike Marler of Vignoble les Pervenches.

It was worth every minute of the drive. On Thursday, August 23 at 6 in the morning we left for what "The Good Dr. Pell" described as a "12 hour tour". The only problem on the whole trip there was that a customs agent on the US side at Sault Ste. Marie decided I looked an unsavoury type (a normal reaction, she must be somebody's wife) and sent us to immigration. When I explained that I worked for my Ontario government employer, I was immediately questioned about my "criminal record". But eventually they let us proceed. Wonderful country on both sides of the border, scenic beauty all the way.

We drove 19 hours (including an hour of time change) to get to Stillwater, after a long trip. Bryan got a Triptik from the CAA, but had assumed the distances were all in kilometres (but the US maps were in miles). So much for the 12-hour tour, and Bryan's truck is now called the Minnow (like, eh, a Canajun Gilligan's Island, eh??).

Wish I'd been travelling with Ginger or Mary Anne from that show as "Bryan the Bad", Dr. Pell's alter-ego (Jekyll and Hyde), made his appearance somewhere around Sudbury, bullying the wee one the rest of the way... We arrived in Stillwater at our hotel just about midnight, and crashed.

Friday August 24th trip to University of Minnesota

Saturday August 25th trip to Northern Vineyard Winery and Elmer Swenson's Vineyard

Sunday August 26th visit to St. Croix Vineyards winery and a tour of Tom Plocher's vineyard

The return trip, after leaving Plocher Palace, was one of dodging deer after dark while driving three hours through a forest, then driving for hours through heavy fog between the Sault and Sudbury. We arrived home, tired, after 18 hours of driving, but thoroughly satisfied with the time and effort spent on the trip. If only Bryan wasn't such a bully!!!

Friday Aug 24Pictures from University of Minn HRC Aug 24

Saturday Aug 25Pictures from Northern Vineyards Winery Aug 25
Pictures from Elmer Swenson's Vineyard Aug 25

Sunday Aug 26Pictures from St. Croix Vineyards Winery Aug 26
Pictures from Tom Plocher's Vineyard Aug 26

Wine Growers www.littlefatwino.com