The sun is blazing, the warm breezes off Lake Ontario carry the scent of new vine growth from the vineyards well on their way to flowering, and no one wants to eat indoors now until they absolutely have to.
The May long weekend is time to unfurl the umbrellas, wipe down the tables and fire up the grill from St. Davids to Beamsville. It’s patio season at Niagara’s wineries!
Most wineries kick off their service outdoors on the May long weekend, and with a season like we’ve had in Niagara so far, it couldn’t have come soon enough.
Patio menus are chock full of great local food made by outstanding chefs and served in a casual style at wineries. It’s the perfect time to grab some friends or family and enjoy the fresh salads, grilled meats, vegetarian delights and creations that pair so well with Niagara wines.
I was at the opening of Treadwell Farm to Table Cuisine Vineyard Bistro at Southbrook Vineyard in Niagara-on-the-Lake on Friday. This wonderful addition to the Southbrook experience, features a wood-fired pizza oven, fresh salads, and, new this year, a featured daily sandwich, along with a tasty dessert all prepared by Stephen Treadwell with wine matches by son, James, the owners of Port Dalhousie’s Treadwells.
At the Friday debut of the bistro, special guests were served various pizzas including the Margarita with Arugula; Pingue’s Salami and Wild Mushroom; Potato, Red Onion, Asparagus, Rosemary and Truffle Oil on a Bioflavia (organic grape skin powder) crust and the Goat Cheese with Spring Mushroom pizza. All so tasty and fresh, served straight out of the oven on the back patio at Southbrook overlooking the vineyards.
The pizzas range in price from $8 to $18 with the salads costing $8.
New this year, said James Treadwell, is daily sandwich, for example pulled pork or Pingue meat selection, all oven toasted and costing $12. The daily dessert is $7.
The wines paired to the food include Southbrook’s Connect White (Vidal) 2011, Connect Red (Cab-Merlot) 2011 (both $8) and some tasty Triomphe wines including the Rose 2011 ($10) and 2008 Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, (both at $11 per glass).
All the wines served with the Treadwell food are certified organic and biodynamic.
James Treadwell says the menu and wines will change often as he wants to attract both locals and tourists to enjoy the bistro.
The hours are: Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 4:30.p.m. Wednesday to Sunday (with Mondays added on long weekends)
Comment here