Ghosts Among the Grapes

 

Henry of Pelham Family Estate, 1469 Pelham Rd., St. Catharines
905-684-8423 or 1-877-Pelham7.  Open daily.

The grape harvest is celebrated in Niagara during September.

Henry of Pelham is the only winery that has its own graveyard.

I think.

Actually I guess I shouldn't make such a bold statement without knowing the facts. For all I know having a graveyard might be part of the licensing requirement to grow grapes.

Chardonnay grapes like these.

Or these Riesling grapes.

But how many wineries have ghosts?

Rumours that Henry of Pelahm has at least one ghost have been around for years but I found the workers reluctant to talk about it.

I had to badger one of them into admitting that things 'have been seen'.

I suppose the stories make for good  publicity but when you step into the old building it is easy to imagine that it might be haunted.

But for wine lovers the trip to Henry of Pelham's is worth facing an irate 'spirit' or two.

Wine tastings and tours are offered daily in the summer and by appointment in the winter.

If you can squeeze a trip in before Thanksgiving the Coach House Cafe and Cheese Shoppe will be open for lunch!

Just make sure you order Henry of Pelham Chardonnay with your Baco Barrel Smoked Trout with Horse Radish Cream,

or a Sauvignon Blanc with your Spicy Eggplant Capponata,

or a Pinot Noir with your Roasted Niagara Peaches, Prosciutto and Brie Cheese Panini Sandwich.

It's  all so frightfully good!