Lennox and Addington County will pop the cork on its third annual wine and cheese event this weekend. The county’s two wineries, Thirty-Three Vines and Bergeron Estate Winery & Cider Co., will open their doors for tours and offer free samples to the public.

“Lennox and Addington County has so much to offer in terms of its natural rural beauty and people are now becoming aware that we have two very fine wineries right in our own backyard,” Stephen Paul, L&A County’s Manager of Economic Development, said in a release.

Guests to Bergeron Estates will notice some additions from last year. Along with introducing a hard cider called Cole Point Cider, they’ve also added a line of thin crust pizzas. Ingredients are supplied by local producers such as Quinn’s Meats in Yarker, cheeses from the Wilton Cheese Factory and Fifth Town Cheese, as well as vegetables from Willow Brook Farm & CSA in Bath.

“The local ingredients have contributed to the amazing flavours found on our pizza. We also do local takeout orders as well, which has been well-received,” said David Bergeron, who co-owns the winery with his wife Mary.

Over at Thirty-Three Vines, a new face will welcome guests. “This is a great ‘get to know your neighbours’ event,” says Art Maw, who is the new owner of Thirty-Three Vines along with his wife Lorrie. “We have excellent soil in our area that enables us to produce some remarkably fine wines.”

The event will run both Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Among the wines available for sampling are Chardonnay to Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir, Cabernet Franc, Riesling, Merlot, a Merlot/Cabernet Franc blend, to a Vidal/Riesling blend. On Saturday Bergeron Estates will feature live entertainment.

Both wineries are located minutes apart from each other on the Loyalist Parkway, just west on Conway and just east of Adolphustown. Both offer picturesque views of Lake Ontario.

From: L&A Wineries to hold grape event
By:  Adam Prudhomme
The Napanee Beaver
September 15, 2011