Waupoos Estates Winery
by
Kathy Sullivan
Summary: Waupoos Estates Winery is a destination tourism site. They recently celebrated their 10-year anniversary. They are one of the first wineries in Prince Edward County. Waupoos Estates wines are sold in the tasting room. An onsite restaurant adds to the attractiveness of visiting the winery.
Waupoos Estates Winery is a unique destination site for wine enthusiasts and tourists. The site includes winery, vineyards, restaurant, boat dock and photographic views of vineyards along Lake Ontario. Imagine being able to sail your boat to the dock and stop for dinner and a wine tasting.
Surrounded by vineyards and the ambiance of Lake Ontario and bright white attractive buildings, a large patio is available for enjoying a day relaxing with a glass of Waupoos Estates wine. The patio is bright white with a white garden fence and white umbrellas. At times visitors can enjoy barbecued foods. Enjoy sitting here with the breeze off of Lake Ontario.
Background of Waupoos Estates Winery
Ed Neuser purchased the property in 1983. Ten years later Ed and Rita Kamins planted the first vineyards. The winery opened in 2001 making this one of the first wineries to open in Prince Edward County. Waupoos means running white rabbit.
Waupoos Estates Winery
The tasting room is bright from the numerous windows and the special ceiling window. Wine bottles line one side of the tasting room. A circular tasting counter allows plenty of space for visitors. A nearby circular staircase winds its way to the winery and cellar below. Although this is closed with a gate, tours allow visitors to see where the winemaking takes place and to learn the history of the winery. Visitors to the tasting room can browse wine accessories, aprons with unusual wine quotes and gourmet foods.
Amy Mumby, winemaker at Waupoos Estates Winery, was the assistant to the previous winemaker. Amy's first crush was with the 2005 harvest. Today the winery is producing between 3,000 cases and 4,000 cases. The winery has a 90,000-liter capacity.
Vineyards next to Prince Edward Bay
Strolling past thriving vineyards, Amy commented that this is a "magical location" due to the weather. With 20 acres of vineyards and a concentration of limestone soil, varietals planted include Vidal, Geisenheim, Riesling, Chardonnay, Baco Noir, and St. Laurent. At this location in Prince Edward County, on the shores of Prince Edward Bay, they do not feel the need to cover the vines with soil for winter protection.
White Wines
Aurerrois 2008 was a straw color. The aroma was of floral nuances and reminded one of a forest after a spring rain. The taste had suggestions of citrus with pear hints. The crisp finish was fruity. Riesling 2008 offered a mineral aroma. The taste had mineral and yellow stone fruit notes. The finish was dry with fruit yielding to mineral. Geisenheim 2007 was a pale yellow. This dry wine offered summer fruit and citrus notes. The wine was crisp. This wine would pair well with food. Geisenheim, 2007, semi-dry had hints of sweetness. This semi-dry wine would be a good wine to sip on a hot summer day. Honeysuckle 2010 was a pale straw color. The blend of Vidal Blanc and Seyval Blanc had a floral aroma. The taste emphasized honeysuckle and a hint of citrus. The wine was dry on the finish.
Red Wines
St. Laurent 2008 was ruby with notes of red cherries. The taste also had red cherry with mineral notes. Mild tannins were on the finish with the fruitiness yielding to mineral. Baco Noir Reserve 2009 was a dark opaque purple. The taste was smooth with dark fruit notes. The finish was smooth and lingerd. This red wine would pair nicely with food.
Dessert Wines
Maple Ice a lovely gold color was produced with Vidal Icewine infused with maple syrup. Due to regulations with the addition of the maple syrup, the wine cannot be labeled an Icewine. The aroma was of maple. The taste had maple notes yielding to floral, honeysuckle and dried stone fruit. The finish was crisp. Icewine 2008 produced with Vidal grapes was a dark yellow. The aroma and taste were floral. The crisp finish had floral-honeysuckle notes.
Gazebo Restaurant
Gazebo Restaurant, a short walk away, is on the same grounds as the winery and tasting room. The restaurant is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Reservations are suggested.
Enjoy a visit to Waupoos Estates Winery. Plan to spend the day and enjoy the onsite restaurant.
Waupoos Estates Winery
3016 County Road 8
Picton, Ontario K0K 2T0
GPS: N44º 00.875’ W76º 58.329’
Visit this Winery/vineyard travel agency and Canada winery that partner with Wine Trail Traveler.
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