Hugely Popular Twenty Valley Winter WineFest

Last Saturday, Jan. 12, Mike and I dropped in on the Twenty Valley Winter Winefest in Jordan Village. The day was so mild that unfortunately, the ice sculptures were melting, but people turned out in hordes! It was packed, which hasn’t been the case with other, frosty icewine festivals. Here are a few photos taken by Mike Davis.
Above, Steven D’Souza of CBC News and wife Nisha Patel of CBC News Network told us they were enjoying a weekend getaway in Niagara. We also met Tim Hudak, Conservative party leader, and his family. Look for a photo of them in our upcoming Spring issue.

People crowded the two large tasting tents where several wineries displayed their harvests and different kinds of food were offered. You paid with tokens bought at another tent.

At the less crowded end of the village, people could spread out and window shop at places like Native Arts Niagara, one of our favourite stores in Jordan Village.

Somebody with Twenty Valley Tourism Association always creates charming decorations for the festival. I love this nature-themed winemaking composition.

The Winemakers’ Barrel Roll Challenge required you to roll a wine barrel down the street and back as quickly as possible. The barrel’s shape makes it more difficult than it seems. To be attempted in public by professionals only.

AVella’s mobile wood-fired oven was heated up the day before in order to be the perfect hot temperature for thin-crust pizza made fresh on the spot to your order. The carmelized onion and brie pizza was a winner with us.
As I post this, we’re getting ready to go to the Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Festival being held today and tomorrow, with another festival next weekend. The fun never ends in January in Niagara!
For full icewine festival features, see “Embracing Icewine” in our Winter 2009 issue, and “Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Icewine Festival” in our current Winter 2012 issue.
What do you enjoy about icewine and/or their festivals?