Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
endearing); outside there is a beautiful
patio popular for wedding parties and
other events. The restaurant, which is
popular with both locals and visitors, has
panoramic views of the vines running
down to the lakeside shore, as well as an
exhibition kitchen where you can sit down
in front of the chef and watch him cook
your meal. The food is excellent, but go
easy on the starter and main course. This
is one place where you will definitely want
dessert—of the liquid kind.
Hainle Vineyards,
5355 Trepanier
Bench Rd., Peachland (
&
250/767-2525;
www.hainle.com).
(
Kelowna (36km/22 miles).
L
$$
KeriGlen's Lakeview Bed &
Breakfast,
3404 W. Bench Dr., Penticton
(
&
250/276-9370;
www.keriglen.ca). $$
Accounting for Taste B & B,
1108 Menu
Rd., Kelowna (
&
250/769-2836;
www.
accountingfortaste.ca).
Canada
309
Cave Spring Cellars
A Rendezvous with Riesling
Jordan, Ontario
Could you have picked a more romantic
setting? The mammoth Niagara Falls is a
suitably grand backdrop to meet the love
of your life—no wonder it is so popular
with honeymooners. Lake Ontario lies to
the north and Lake Erie to the south as you
travel up the peninsula, away from New
York State towards the mellow town of
Jordan, a historic village brimming with
charming cafes and antique stores. Among
them, an ordinary storefront with banners
flapping in the wind announces Cave
Spring Cellars. You enter and find a trendy
wine bar with dark granite counter and
elegant decor, exuding sophistication—
ideal for a little romance. You are a little
early for your rendezvous, so you take the
guide up on his offer to go on a short tour
of the cellars.
You listen, slightly distracted and looking
back at the bar, as he tells you the story of
Cave Spring Cellars. The vineyards are
located away from the building on the leg-
endary Niagara Escarpment, part of the cliff
over which the Niagara river plunges. It was
here in 1972 that an 18-year-old geography
student called Leonardo Pennachetti noted
the unique microclimate with vine-growing
potential. The Lake Ontario breeze is kind
to grapes—it delays early budding and
prevents severe winters. His father and
grandfather were amateur winemakers,
and they all decided to take the plunge and
buy a plot of land on which to plant some
grapes. The vines took hold so well, at least
20 wineries followed in its wake.
At last you take your seat and rub your
knees with anticipation. What you have
been waiting for is just about to arrive.
First you'll prolong the anticipation by try-
ing the excellent sparkling Cave Spring
Brut. You follow up with a rich, vibrant
Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon blend
known as La Penna—an unusual wine,
since the Cabernet Sauvignon is fermented
in the Amarone style, by drying the grapes
before crushing. But at last your date
arrives, and the reason you are here is
placed before you: the Riesling Dolomite,
one of the best examples of the white
grape in the Americas. It has great miner-
ality, aromas of peach, and a long, linger-
ing finish.
