 |
| |
|
“Where shall I begin? Which of my important nothings shall I tell you first?”
|
|
Author Jane Austen asked herself that in 1808. All these years later, I can identify with Ms Austen for I have many important updates for you from Featherstone. I will leave you to determine if they are ‘nothings’ or ‘somethings’.
To begin, the summer’s unusually hot and dry weather has been of particular importance to us. In Vineland, we had a period of drought that lasted from April 30 until early August. It was the driest summer on record since 1934. For a while, we wondered if we were growing raisins or grapes. Fortunately, a creek runs through the property; this access to water was invaluable. Back in 2001, we installed irrigation lines and, while we don't use the system every year, we were happy to be able to stave off the worst of the July drought this summer. As Jane points out, "What dreadful hot weather we have. It leaves one in a continual state of inelegance.” Indeed.
|
|
|
“Surprises are foolish things. The pleasure is not enhanced, and the inconvenience is often considerable.”
Please be mindful of the following dates, so that you are not inconvenienced.
Monday Sept. 5 at 4:00pm : Noshing on the Veranda closes for the season
Saturday Sept. 10 : the winery is closed for a private, family function
Sept. 9 - Dec. 11 : retail opening is reduced to only Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11:00am- 5:30pm
|
|
|
“One cannot have too large a party.”
The Niagara Wine Festival, the region’s largest annual celebration of the fall harvest, takes place on the last three weekends of September.
Enjoy our estate raised pork, roasted to perfection in our wood-fired oven and served with homemade creamy coleslaw on a fresh baked buttermilk biscuit slider. Paired with our 2011 Pinot Noir, its a match made in heaven (for pigs with wings).
Cost: Included in the Niagara Wine Festival Discovery Pass $40 +HST
|
|
|
“How quick the reasons come for approving what we like.”
There are many reasons (at least five that I can think of) to mark December 3 & 4 on your calendars. Save-the-date for the annual Five Elves Yuletide Tour. On this weekend, passports can be purchased to visit all five elvish wineries: Malivoire, Vineland Estates, Ridgepoint, Featherstone, and GreenLane. All of the participating wineries will have special food and wine pairings and unique offerings for passport holders. We are sure you will approve that we donate the passport fees to the local food bank.
For more information, visit: featherstonewinery.ca/the-five-elves-yuletide-tour/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
“A large income is the best recipe for happiness that I ever heard of”
…but in lieu of that, Dave and I are opting for a slightly extended holiday this Christmas.
Consequently, the tasting room will close for the season on Sunday, December 11 at 5:30pm (and it will re-open on April 1, 2017).
In the intervening months, we will make and bottle the 2016 white and rosé wines, clean the winery, prune the vines (there are about 25,000 of them), hire retail staff for the new season, and plan a roster of events for 2017. Oh, yes, and we will lay on the couch and test recipes that lie within our means for happiness. Bon-bon consumption will likely feature.
|
|
|
“Let us never underestimate the power of a well-written letter”.
I hope that I have tempted you into a visit to Featherstone. The fall is our favourite time of the year, and we hope to see you. If you aren’t able to visit us, then perhaps you’ll pick up a bottle of our wine in the LCBO if you see it (occasionally we are in the section at the back of the store marked 'Vintages’). After all, "it is well to have as many holds upon happiness as possible."
We wish you many holds.
Louise and Dave
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
