Barb and girls at Marjim Manor, the haunted winery
On Sunday Barb and I and her two daughters, Stephanie and Alex hit the Niagara Wine Trail. The trail encompasses twelve wineries nestled between the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario. Knowing that we wouldn't be able to visit all twelve in the noon to six pm time span, we planned to go to the farthest away first and then work our way back through seven more. The first stop was the winery where you received the glass that you would be using throughout the day. Our first stop was Spring Lake. They touted miles of hiking trails surrounding a beautiful lake. Since it was 13 degrees outside we decided to fore go the trails and just imbibe instead. We chose our second stop, Marjim Manor, not so much for their wines but in hopes that we would see the ghost who supposedly haunts the mansion. We didn't see him but I could see where he would be right at home in the mansion that featured a large stage-like altar where funerals were held right in the home of the family who had lived there so many years ago.
These amazing glass flowers decorated the bar and all the counter fronts.
Our other wineries were Schulze, Niagara Landing, Eveningside, Warm Lake, Honeymoon Trail and my personal favorite Freedom Run which was named for the route that slaves took along the escarpment to get to the narrowest part of the Niagara River where they swam their way to freedom in Canada.
tasting at the flower bar
Freedom Run is owned by three brothers. All three are involved in the operation in varying capacities. One of the brothers is also a potter and his work is sold at the winery.
painted floor in the wine making area
The area where these wineries are located is rural. Driving between wineries we encountered this family of turkeys running down the road ahead of us. When Barb stopped so I could photograph them, they turned around and approached me. I think they would have liked to hitch a ride in our warm car.
We wrapped up our day with dinner at a cozy old restaurant, The Sawyer Hotel. Friendships were strengthened. Laughs shared. And this part you won't believe - neither Barb nor I felt like having a glass of wine with our dinner.
2 comments:
I love those glass flowers. Are they Dale Chihuly or just resemble it? There is some kind of exhibit of his here at the Botanical Gardens but limited to certain numbers. Becky suggested going the day after Thanksgiving but we never seem to get around to that kind of thing. Looks like you all had fun.
I think they may have been made by one of the brothers or a friend of theirs. There is a fair amount of glass for sale at the winery also.
Bill and I missed a Dale Chihuly exhibit at the Corning Museum of Glass. But everything in the museum was fantastic. Come visit and I'll take you there.
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