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Wine Country Rocks

By K.D. Dawn

ClubWest(To view our July/August 2014 issue of ClubWEST online, click here.)

There are so many reasons why Niagara wine country rocks my world. The vast beauty of our Niagara region never ceases to amaze me. I headed out to the west side of our lovely wine country to see what I could find and was thrilled to find some fabulous people, support our local economy and drink some
beautiful wines. This served as an escapade within the everyday life I lead. There were no phones ringing, office windows to stare out blankly or even a deadline to get too. Just me, in my car, sunroof open singing at the top of my lungs and my stomach rumbling in anticipation of the wine and food adventure that awaited me.

The first stop was Harvest Estate Wines, nestled inside a fabulous little place called the Harvest Barn on Fourth Avenue. I popped inside to see what was in store. The signs on the wall read “Come and try our new Rhubarb Wine”, and that is exactly what I did. I walked into the winery boutique and was greeted by the sweetest smile. Nancie is a one-of-a-kind wine aficionado with sass. A woman full of energy and a passion for wine, she was able to help me decide on my tasting selection.

From fruit wine to ice wine and even a Green Tea Gewürztraminer, these succulent sips were a hit. The price point was phenomenal and I think I might have bought one of the last bottles of their amazing Blueberry Wine too. Once a month Nancie hosts a customer appreciation day and pairs her wines with some fresh bakery items from the Harvest Barn, baked right on premises. This is a great place to stop in for a chat, a sip, or just savour the fruits of our region.

See the full article in our online edition.

From the Publisher July/August 2014

ClubWest(To view our July/August 2014 issue of ClubWEST online, click here.)

“Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.”
– Benjamin Franklin

Cover page of ClubWest first edition, July/August 2014.
Cover page of ClubWest first edition, July/August 2014.

These little comments stick in my brain.

There is a reason they hang around for centuries. Not only do they ring true, but they inspire.

Welcome to the inaugural edition of Niagara West’s first glossy lifestyle magazine, just for us, local residents who are members of the very exclusive ClubWEST.

ClubWEST is not a notion or a dream. It is a very real feeling a great many of us who live here feel every day. We know how lucky we are to reside in this area. In our other incarnation, NewsNow, we work a great deal with all the businesses, organizations and groups which make the area hum.

ClubWEST will present us with an opportunity to tell one and all the real stories behind some of the interesting facades of the our community – indeed, their passions, pastimes, pursuits. You think you know someone? Well, we will tell you things not only that you didn’t know, but that you would never have surmised about people who may live right next door.

Many, many area residents know Mary Rashleigh, the long-time curator of Grimsby Public Art Gallery. However, did you know one of her greatest adventures was riding an elephant in Thailand?

Did you know Canada’s greatest golfer – and newest ClubWEST member via the grand opening of his new winery – Mike Weir showcased uniquely Canadian dishes and VQA wines when he hosted the legendary Champions Dinner at Augusta National the spring after he won his green jacket in 2003? You can read about that right here!

We’re not worried about being big and bad. That is not our style. We are ALL about taking care of our readers, first and foremost. If we put out a great publication, whether that be a magazine or a real community newspaper, the rest will take care of itself.

And this has proven true as we look at the second anniversary of our community newspaper in the rearview mirror and we look ahead to doing new and innovative things for our “club members” in Niagara West both in print and online.

We are actually putting out just over 15,000 magazines with ClubWEST, but we rounded down a bit. If you don’t happen to get one, we will have some overrun at the office and in select locations around the area. Readers can call the office to find a spot close to where they live to pick one up. We will also be online at: clubwest.ca

One can read the full e-edition at that site as well as other website-only offerings. So grab a coffee, or a cold beverage, sit back and enjoy!

Publisher, ClubWEST Magazine
Mike Williscraft

Weir winery’s winding road finally leads it to EastDell

(To view our July/August 2014 issue of ClubWEST online, click here.)

An underlying but consistent characteristic in the life of Mike Weir has been passion.

“When he started out he told me when he was 14 years old he would play on the PGA (Professional Golf Association) Tour one day,” recalled Steve Bennett, affectionately known as The Guv by Weir and his family. It was Bennett who helped craft Weir’s game at an early age as the club pro at Huron Oaks in Weir’s hometown of Bright’s Grove, just outside Sarnia.

“As a junior golfer, Mike was always a step ahead of the others but he really wanted it more. He had a passion for it. He wanted to learn how to play the game.”

Fast forward about 35 years to Mike Weir, standing officially in what started out as Walters Estate Winery in the 1990s, then became EastDell Estate Winery, and now Mike Weir Winery, on a bright and sunny Saturday afternoon during a grand opening hosted in typical Mike Weir fashion, classy and personal. The June 21st opening was for family and friends only.

Weir, who cemented his fame capturing the 2003 Masters in Augusta, Ga., had the Order of Canada bestowed upon him in 2009.

Mike Weir addresses the gathering at the official opening of Mike Weir Winery in Beamsville, June 21, with winery president Barry Katzman, left and Lincoln Mayor Bill Hodgson.
Mike Weir addresses the gathering at the official opening of Mike Weir Winery in Beamsville, June 21, with winery president Barry Katzman, left and Lincoln Mayor Bill Hodgson.

The winery opening was the culmination of four years of development for a “winery” which had no home until now.

Weir Winery president, Barry Katzman, notes the organization took a very different tack to get to where they are.

“We started out in 2005 and developed a national wine sales program which has grown to sell 20,000 cases of wine per year before we even had a retail spot,” said Katzman, who noted the brand launched with help of Laura and Peter McCain at Creekside Winery.

“Most wineries follow a more typical route. They go retail first and then try to get into bars and restaurants as well as Vintages and such. The missing tooth in our smile has always been retail. We’re very fortunate. We think we have the best spot in Niagara.”

See the full article in our online edition.