EastDell Estates
- A Must-stop Along Niagara's Wine Route
Food,
wine and nature, oh my! Now there's a winning combination when it
comes to delivering the true essence of Niagara to visitors.
There's no denying
that EastDell Estates is one of the most family-friendly wineries
in the region with lots of things to do and space to roam for kids
and adults. There is the spectacular view and the warm, casual ambience
of the Bench Bistro from which to enjoy it. There is the Bench Boutique
where you can sample, and shop for, EastDell's award-winning wines,
and a new winemaking facility to tour. There are also 5 km of nature
trails to explore winding through the property's vineyards and lush
Carolinian woodlot, along with a charming cabin for two, hidden deep
in the vineyards.
Welcome To
EastDell
Founded in 1999
by Susan M. O'Dell and partner Michael East, EastDell Estates sits
on 65 picturesque acres of the Beamsville Bench along the Niagara
West Wine Route. A third partner, Murray Watson, joined them in 2001.
A popular touring
destination, EastDell's winery and restaurant are open year round.
The visually striking rustic main building, built with wood and Escarpment
stone from the property, houses the Bench Bistro, a tasting bar and
sales boutique and an intimate event loft for up to 24 people. Grape
harvest 2003 inaugurated the company's new 6,440 sq. ft. standalone
winemaking and storage facility.
Self-guided tours
encourage visitors to explore EastDell's hills, dells and vineyards.
A number of themed group tours and tastings are also available.
EastDell's classic
wood-cut logo of a great blue heron represents the beauty and importance
of the nature found along the famed biosphere of the Niagara Escarpment
where EastDell makes its home. The winery is also on the migration
path for a wide variety of birds, and EastDell Pond is a favourite
fishing ground for a family of resident herons.
Dining With
A View
Enjoy
a break in your wine route touring to dine in the Bench Bistro without
breaking the bank. The menu focuses on simple, yet innovative dishes
that pay homage to the area's bountiful harvests and local producers.
Reasonably priced, two can dine, with a bottle of wine, for about
$80 (CDN). Menus change seasonally.
Floor to ceiling
windows frame the Bench Bistro's picturesque view of rolling vineyards
with Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline shimmering in the far distance.
During the summer, guests can dine al fresco on the side deck. In
winter, a roaring fire is lit in the large fireplace designed from
Escarpment stone.
A lovely spot
for weddings, EastDell's Bench Bistro is also popular for its weekly
Sunday Brunch Buffet and many special events, including holiday dinners,
winemaker's suppers and cooking demonstrations.
The Nature of Niagara Rules
The
nature of Niagara reigns over EastDell's approach to wine, from the
careful selection of cool-climate grape varieties suited to the Cayuga
Clay soil, to its non-invasive viticulture and traditional winemaking
methods, respectful of the land and local community.
Well-known Niagara
winemaker Jim Warren currently oversees production as consulting Wine
Master. The result? Wonderful VQA wines, carefully handcrafted to
emphasize varietal character and the unique terroir of the vineyards.
Taste The Vintages
Sidle
up to the tasting bar to explore EastDell's vintages. Innovations
in winemaking include Black Cab™ - a Baco Noir, Cabernet Franc
and Cabernet Sauvignon blend - and Red Cab™ - a unique blend
of Gamay Noir and Cabernet Franc. Don't miss the chance to sample
EastDell's multi award-winning Summer Rosé, or the Unoaked
Chardonnay, which was selected by Ottawa's House of Commons as its
2002 dining room house white. All four wines are available through
the LCBO.
EastDell's wine
list encompasses a full range of reds, including Cabernet-Merlot,
and whites, such as Barrel-fermented Chardonnay and award-winning
Riesling. A series of fruit wines is produced under its Benchberry
label. Icewine, in a lovely keepsake bottle, and a sparkling wine,
are also available directly from the winery or through www.winerytohome.com
Bed & breakfast
accommodation in the area is plentiful. There is also a charming cabin
on the property, which is ideal for two. Perched on the banks of EastDell
Pond, guests can enjoy the nature and solitude of the surrounding
vineyards and woods.
EastDell
Estates
4041 Locust Lane, Beamsville,
Ont. Phone: 905-563-9463 Fax: 905-563-1241
E-mail: [email protected]
Open Year Round
