Royal Botanical Gardens - A Rock Garden Splendour

The Royal Botanical Gardens Rock Garden display in the spring is wonderful.  Tulips grace the gardens in contrasting and complimentary colours.  Their scent is in the air along with the sound of water babbling in the stream.  The gardens are located in Burlington Ontario - here are a few selections from the visit last week.

13th Street Winery

Hi everyone,

This little seating area is between the greenhouses and the barn at 13th Street Winery.  It is located in St. Catharines, in the heart of the Niagara Wine Region.  The winery was purchased by Whitty Farms some years ago, and they have located the winery at the tomato and blackberry production greenhouses.  My mother and I really like this location as it is next door to where good friends, Jake and Marg Litke, had lived for many years.  The winery owner, Doug Whitty, knew them well, so we have a great chat when we see him. He knows the story of the Mennonite Exodus, but turns out to have been of Irish descent.  His great grandfather was orphaned on the boat coming over to Canada and had to make his way in Canada alone as a child - a wonder of accomplishment with the farms that he accumulated.

There's a bakery cafe in the barn and the winery is in an elegant white building on a hill.  Last weekend was Passport Weekend, so the winery was abuzz with visitors.  This coming weekend they are unveiling the new bacon butter tart…I wonder what wine they will pair that one with.  

The winery is located on 4th Avenue just west of Seventh Street.  Exit the QEW at Seventh Street, go away from the Lake (South) and the signs will point you to the Winery.

Here's more:

http://www.13thstreetwinery.com/bakery_marketplace/category/whitty_farms

Don't forget to look at the wonderful orchards along the route: