On our last Wine Trail Ride on August 16, 2008, Nelson Santos of the Kingsville Reporter joined us and wrote this story for the weekly newspaper:
Riding the Wine Trail!
Written by Nelson Santos
The Kingsville Reporter
The lure of great Essex County wines and love of cycling has combined into a great mix for active toursim. This past weekend, over 45 cyclists participated in the second Wine Trail Ride co-hosted by WindsorEats and Maximum Edge. Pictured above, this group of cyclists biked nearly 25 kms and visited three Kingsville area wineries including Pelee Island, Mastronardi and Aleksander Estate as part of a new tourism opportunity.
For the second time this year, a unique Essex County Wine Trail Ride was held featuring over 45 cyclists. Held this past Saturday, August 16th, co-hosts WindsorEats and Maximum Edge visited three Kingsville wineries.
“It is a great opportunity to take in our beautiful region and enjoy our fantastic wineries “, says Pina Ciotoli, co-owner of WindsorEats.com. “Essex County has some of the best wines in the world and there is no better way to enjoy the surrounding countryside then by riding through it.”
Pina added that their first venture was held near the end of July and involved nearly 30 cyclists and wine enthusiasts. “The first trip went well as we visited our first three Essex County vineyards.”
For the second excursion into Essex County’s wine country, the group planned a 25 km ride starting off at Aleksander Estate Winery in Ruthven. “From here we’re heading over to Pelee Island Winery on the mainland,” she said Saturday afternoon before the group of 45 cyclists departed. The participants gathered under the shade of a beautiful willow tree at the winery and enjoyed a sip of wine before taking to their bikes. From Pelee Island Winery, the group then made their way to Mastronardi Estate Winery before completing their final let back to Aleksander for the much anticipated barbecue feast.
“We really want to offer this package the wine trail tours at least three times a year,” confirmed Pina. “We’re finding there are many people from all across Essex County and beyond that are participating.”
For more information about upcoming events and future cycling visit WindsorEats online at: online at: www.windsoreats.com/wineride/ or at Maximum Edge: www.maximumedge.ca/bicycles.htm.
A great thank you to the Nelson Santos and the Kingsville Reporter! Thanks for the help in promoting what our region has to offer!
