Day 22 - Sunday, June 22 - Niagara-on-the Lake & Wine Tour

A while back when we met Ralph and Mary they said we should do 2 things once we get to Niagara. #1 - go into the states to see the other side of Niagara with the ghettos and the low standard of living and a tourist attraction in the middle it.  Well we didn't make that one.  

#2 - go to Niagara-on-the Lake.  Well we added a wine tour in there as well and that way we didn't have to drive.  We called up Grape Escapes and they came and picked us up right at the RV Park.  Our driver, Keith,  was a very nice retired fellow that does this one or two days a week depending on his golf schedule! 

The group consisted of 3 relocated Brits, now US Citizens, 1 young couple from Ohio, a couple from Canada, she from Montreal and he from Hamilton and ourselves.  Quite a mix I say.  The older Brit lady was fairly loud and a bit obnoxious at times.  But all in all it was a good group.  

Keith was full of information about the are and the wineries.  Niagara-on-the Lake was originally the Capital of Upper Canada in and around 1814 when the US lost this area back to Canada.  In 1812 the US plundered us and took possession, but lost it when the British conquered Napoleon and came to rescue Canada.  This area is very quaint and Victorian.  Nicely manicured places, cute parks and live theatre throughout the summer.  A cottage on the or near the lake would range in the area of $300,00 to start.  A lot of Americans own summer cottages here.  It is a good retirement area from Toronto as it has lots of activity happening year round and many golf courses that can be used right up until February each year, with the exception of this year of course.  

This Niagara region produces 80% of all of Canada's wine.  The area is on the same parallel as Northern California - that is why it is such a good wine region.  We visited four wineries - the Reid Estate Winery, Pillitteri, Hinterbrook and Strewn - all very different indeed.  The Hinterbrook Winery is very green - it produces it's own power via a huge solar panel and they have enough to power the entire operation and excess for others to purchase.  They collect rainwater and have storage for 30,000 gals.  They use the pulp from crushing the grapes as fertilizer for the vines.  They also handpick, so no damage occurs to the vines and hand sort as well so no bad grapes will enter the wine making process.  

A great day and wonderful tour guide!