With summer in full swing, we are all about the perfect patio wine that will leave you feeling refreshed. Of course, we love when guests have a glass at the winery and enjoy views of the vineyard and try some of our locally sourced snacks, but we also love when they grab a bottle and take it back to where they are staying and pair it with some of our favourite local restaurants and eateries.
When you think summer in Prince Edward County, you bet that the famous Jerkebago Charcoal Grill comes to mind — how can it not? You can’t miss it as you drive past Carrying Place and into the County. It’s where good food and good vibes live — there will always be music playing, someone dancing and the smell of smoked Jerk chicken pulling you in. You can’t help but leave with a smile on your face and feel like you have transported to island time. They’re only open Friday-Sunday but check their social channels @jerkebago to confirm they are at their homebase or popping up elsewhere in the County over the weekend. You can order once you are there, or even order online ahead of time and select a time to pick up your order so it’s fresh from the grill, and ready to pair with a chilled County wine.
You can’t go wrong with any of the items on the menu, and it is such a seasonal treat for locals and visitors alike. We love to grab the Whole Smoked Jerk Chicken for the family, which comes with a side of rice ‘n peas, coleslaw, and our personal favourite — plantain chips. It is the perfect summer feast to enjoy outside on the deck with a bottle of our Pinot Gris. Yes, that’s right, our Pinot Gris is back!
During the pandemic we were able to expand our production capacity, which means we were able to bring back our Pinot Gris. We had to tear out our indoor store to make it happen, but the Pinot Gris is official back and ready for summer drinking! With a quick kiss of skin contact, there is a subtle pink hue to this 100% Pinot Gris wine from Niagara Peninsula. After fermentation, we let the wine age in neutral French oak for three months to add an extra layer of depth and texture to the pallet. The result? This wine is soft, round and has the aromas of baked pear and a touch of lemongrass. The perfect patio sipper paired with your favourite County eats this summer.
