Rockway Glen Golf Course and Estate Winery
by
K. L. Sullivan
Summary: Rockway Glen is one of the very few wineries with a connection to golf. Even if you are not a golf aficionado, have dinner in the lovely restaurant, taste wines in The Wine Boutique and take a tour of the wine museum.
Rockway Glen Winery started in 2001 and today produces 14,000 to 15,000 cases a year. They would like to increase production to 20,000 cases. With 135 to 140 acres of grapes, they are able to sell and trade grapes to get the specific varieties they would like to work with. Currently the vineyards are planted with Vidal, Baco Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and Riesling. The entrance to the visitor center complex is beautifully landscaped. There is a wine museum with a separate entrance to the left of the main doors.
We met Bill Evans in The Wine Boutique. Bill was enthusiastic and eager to share his information about the history and insights about the facility. Be sure to ask about the wine history museum, Le Musée du vin, where many artifacts are on loan from Brock University. Other artifacts are from France. Unlike many museums which house the artifacts in display cases, this museum set the artifacts in a diorama making it easier to identify the artifacts’ purposes. The museum is appropriate for the entire family.
The winery is directly opposite the Wine Boutique complex. Bill took us into his lab where he tests the wines. We tasted two recently bottled reds. These wines can be aged for several years. Stainless steel tanks and oak barrels fill the rooms in the winery.
The Wine Boutique is small with a granite topped tasting bar. Wine is stocked artfully on shelves while wine related accessories displayed on glass shelves are readily available in the retail area. A mirror behind the glass shelves reflects the accessories as well as the tasting bar and wines. Predesigned wine gift baskets are available and customized baskets can be created.
A window filled event room provides natural light with views of the golf course and the Niagara escarpment in the distance. On the day of our visit, a bridal shower was scheduled for the afternoon. The room offers a wonderful venue for events. Nearby, is the “Windows on the Rockway” restaurant with more windows and views of the Niagara escarpment and golf course. Large, dynamic wall murals painted by a retired schoolteacher celebrate wine. These murals cover every available wall space in the restaurant and are all unique. Visit the restaurant and view this wonderful art.
Stacie Domio is the winemaker following in the footsteps of the former Jeff Innes after she worked with Jeff as assistant winemaker. We tasted several wines including 2006 Clubhouse White made with Vidal grapes. The result was a floral nose with a fruity taste that was medium bodied. Riesling 2006 had a mineral with a bit of petrol nose and fruit taste. Pinot Gris 2006 offered melon on the nose, citrus and melon on the taste. It was crisp with a melon finish. Gewürztraminer 2006 had pineapple and roses on the nose. It was smooth with a medium body and grapefruit taste. It had a crisp finish. Cabernet Franc Rosé 2006 was created with a 17-hour cold soak. The color was a reddish orange. There were strawberries and cherries on the nose, raspberries and cherries on the taste with a crisp finish. Vidal Late Harvest 2001 had a golden yellow color, with caramel and honeysuckle nose and apricot and honey taste. Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 had blackberry with a bit of cedar on the nose and a dark berry taste and tannins on the finish.
Whether you want to play a round of golf, taste wines, have dinner, celebrate with a special event, or learn about the history of wine, you may want to consider visiting Rockway Glen Golf Course & Estate Winery.
Rockway Glen Golf Course and Estate Winery
3290 Ninth Street
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
GPS N 43° 12.624' W 079° 31.947'
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