Wine, Glorious Wine

On Monday, Team Grigsby drove from Ottawa to Prince Edward County, Ontario -- which is technically an island, but since the name Prince Edward Island is already taken, they're sort of stuck calling it Prince Edward County.  The county/island is in Lake Ontario, not far from Kingston and the Thousand Islands region.

It took about four hours to get there, a leisurely drive through lots of lovely flat farmland interspersed with soft, rolling green hills.  Our destination was the Long Dog Winery.

I know one of the co-owners/co-operators, Steven, and when I mentioned to him a couple of months ago that I was going to be passing through Ontario on my adventure, he graciously invited Jenny, Grigsby, and me to spend a night at the winery's farmhouse.

Just seeing Steven and his winery would have been reason enough to stop by, but then in his invitation he casually mentioned that there was a pool, that he would cook us dinner with veggies picked from his garden, and that we could imbibe all the wine we could drink.  Sold!

When we arrived, it was a unseasonably warm and a little humid.  Perfect weather for some chardonnay by the pool with his co-proprietor (and equally gracious host) Victoria, and their adorable dachshunds, Fanny and Bella (hence the "Long Dog" name).

After that treatment session, Steven showed us around the winery.

Jenny inspecting the embryos.

Steven explained how both the island's microclimate (it's warmer there than you'd think) and the unique limestone-heavy soil on this particular high point of the island, result in wonderful chardonnays and pinot noirs, varietals that typically don't fare well in southern Ontario. 

Steven and Jenny in the birthing chamber.

Steven let us try some of everything they produce, several different vintages and blends.  Pinot noirs, pinot gris, chardonnays, and even a delightfully dry rosé.  All really really nice.

Shhhhhh.  The babies are napping.

After the tour, Steven and Victoria whipped up a fabulous dinner of fresh pea purée on toast points with bacon, beef steak with an an Argentinian cayenne marinade, mashed potatoes, raw beet gratinée, and Greek salad.  Then more wine, followed by a late night dip in the pool.  Followed by a good night's rest up in the loft.  Many, many thanks to Steven and Victoria for the lovely (and tasty!) time.

Team Grigsby set out early the next morning.  We had a long day ahead of us.  First stop, Oakville, which for you non-Canadians, is on the other side of Toronto.  There, I met my old friends Salam and Hala, whom I haven't seen since 1995!

We haven't changed in 16 years!

We all worked together in the U.A.E. back in the early 1990s.  It was great getting to visit with them and catch up, and see how Salam's two little babies have grown up into fine young men.

After an outstanding lunch of Salam's homemade Thai curry with fish, Team Grigsby hit the road again.  We headed west, back towards the U.S. border crossing at Port Huron, Michigan.  The CBP people let us through without incident (though crossing this direction, we did, finally, have to show someone our passports).  We then headed down to Ann Arbor, spending the night at the local Microtel, cheap and clean, after having dinner at Zingerman's Roadhouse, an Ann Arbor classic.

Grigsby survived his first international journey without incident.  Next stop, the midwest.