Red or White or Ice?

So this past Saturday I was invited last minute on a winery tour in Niagara-on-the-Lake. I've never toured a winer before so I jumped at the chance. Our group of 8 met at our friend Rudy's house who arranged the trip at 2pm, expecting to be picked up at 2:30pm. Well the driver arrived at 3:30pm, that hour was spent watching YouTube videos and some episodes of Better Off Ted. We jumped into our Sprinter van and met our driver Bill (who proceeded to tell us that he had gone to St.Jacobs to pick up some cinnamon butter...). Off we were finally. We had snacks in the van and made up stories about the other cars driving by.
Inside Bill's Party Van

We arrived at Canyon Run, a fairly new winery. Our tour guide was not there yet so we hung out and just as we were about to start the party ourselves Chris our guide arrived. I didn't trust his orange sunglasses...So we started off at the vines themselves and learned a bit about the soil and the grapes and growing seasons. Then we headed inside for our tasting. The room of stainless steel vats was tiny but we all squeezed in. We proceeded to taste 2 whites and 2 reds. I purchased the unoaked chardonay which was my favourite out of the ones we tasted.

Waiting for Chris outside of Coyote's Run 

Then we loaded up back into the van and headed to Pillitteri Estates which is the largest ice wine producer in the world and the inventors of red ice wine. Our guide there was pretty funny and we saw the cellars and did a tasting of 4 more wines and 2 ice wines (apparantly that's the first time they have done 2 ice wine samples). They were so delicious. I picked up a bottle of the 2007 Gewurztraminer Reisling Fushion which has 1% ice wine and a bottle of the Cabernet Franc ice wine. While waiting for the other bus group to finish up one of them came to our bus, opened the door with a CASE in his hands and was like "Oh this isn't my bus is it?" We should have grabbed the case and shut the door. We died laughing.

Outside of Pilliteri Estates 

Then we were off to Trius Hildebrand. The property an buildings were gorgeous. Perfect for a wedding. We had an outdoor tasting beginning with sparkling wine. Then Trius White and Trius Red. Then came the ice wine, it
had a apricot/pineapple taste. We ended up getting 2 or 3 samples. The bottles were $70 so unfortunately didn't buy any. We were sufficiently happy at this point and were ready to get some food.

Chris pouring samples for Stevie and the rest of the gang

Amy and I sampling at Trius Hildebrand

We arrived at Casa Mia, a gourmet Italian restaurant. We were seated in a private room and our waiter Andrew was great. With each course was a bottle
of wine (ice wine at dessert!). We had an amouse bouche, appetizers,
sorbet, main course and dessert. The food was REALLY good...see the pictures below for proof (smoked salmon and tiramisu). 

All in all it was a great day and night. When I finally home at 2am I was thinking I can't wait to do it again :)