What a fantastic Saturday evening I spent at PELLER Estates Winery in Niagara on-the-lake. In its third year running, the Wine Country Fare event had me especially excited. This event is for the cowboy or cowgirl in ya. I couldn’t wait to put my cowgirl boots on and bring out the Southern side in me. The Wine Country Fare event features Country music artists from all over. Mechanical Bull Rides, great Country Fare, and plenty of PELLER Estates wine. I had to put my riding skills to work and try the mechanical bull, clearly the bull won but I tried my best to stay on.
Chef Parsons and his staff at the Barrel House Grill were ready to rock, not only representing PELLER Estates Winery but looking fabulous in his Tragically Hip t-shirt. Chef Parsons was serving up some country cuisine and once again he did not disappoint. You can’t have a country cookout without a Sweet Pig roasting on a spit. I called this delectable pig Mr. Crisp P. Bacon! He was gorgeous just spinning and roasting.
Chef Parsons then put together an Ice Wine pulled pork sandwich with fried onions & raclette, nestled together on a fresh focaccia bun. The two styles of Poutine was a huge hit, as I watched everyone enjoy every bite of the Dirty Lobster Poutine with succulent Black truffle Lobster, cheese curds, lemon thyme mayo, and hand cut fries. The lobster pieces in this Poutine were huge and the lemon thyme mayo was delicious, and I’m not a great fan of Poutine. I must say I enjoyed it. I never tried the Mushroom Poutine ( I’m allergic to Mushrooms) but it was good to see a vegetarian option, this dish as well looked quite interesting with spicy grilled mushrooms, cheese curds, lemon thyme mayo & hand cut fries.
I ordered The Wrangler a juicy rib eye burger grilled, with peameal bacon, melted caramelized onion cheddar, with black bean & corn salsa as a side, served on a fresh sesame bun. This Wrangler Burger was not for the weak, it was large, full of beef, and I loved every bite. Once the country music started I was in my element, ready for some line dancing. I even heard a version on Hallelujah and once this country artist started singing it, it lead me right to the dance floor. It was illuminating just to hear the rendition this artist put on such a meaningful song.
It got even better when a country artist that was just a guest by the name of Jessica Mitchell, at this amazing event got up and sang a wicked version of Ain’t Worth the Whiskey. Food Trucks, Giant Jenga, a Drone flying around & plenty of Country. Cowboy Boots, Hats & attire was everywhere you looked, and I found it quite interesting to just look around at how many people attended this event. Their were Husband & Wives, Boyfriend & Girlfriends, Friends, even bachelorette parties were in attendance. Plenty of smiles and good times, becoming memories.
I even spoke to a few of the guests, on what brought them to this wonderful Wine Country Fare event. I was told what better way to have a reason to get dressed up in country gear and come out to have a good time, and see some amazing country performers & enjoy some fabulous wines. This is what I love to hear, great country music & lots of laughter, that’s the sign of a successful event. I would choose country life over city life any day.
My boots were worn out from all the dancing, blisters appeared the next morning, my stomach was full from all the amazing fare, I met so many new friends, & my glass was never empty from enjoying the fruits of labour from PELLER Estates Winery in Niagara on-the-lake. It’s amazing how a simple fruit such as a grape can bring so many people together. I look forward to many more visits to the extraordinary PELLER Estates Winery in Niagara on-their lake.
Thank you to all the great staff for another warm welcome, see you again soon.
