Saturday, June 21, 2008 - Plant your own micro-vineyard at home

There isn't a special gene for wine appreciation. And there are no shortcuts to either quality or sustainability. Join my brothers and me as we walk the land, explore the winery and taste the sought after wines from Niagara's Short Hills Bench as you discover sustainable-winemaking on an Eco-Tour. Spend the day in our company and live our life with wine. You'll even get your hands dirty as we teach you how to plant a vine and send you off with one to plant yourself at home.

What:
Tours will be conducted by members of the Speck family and include wine
tastings at several vineyards followed by a vine planting demonstration. The tours will be approximately 1 hour long, rain or shine, and walking is involved. (In case of rain a tasting indoors will replace the vineyard tour component).

When:
On June 21, 2008 two tours will be conducted by members of the Speck
family at 11:00am and 1:30pm sharp. Show up for whichever works best or
you (earlier will likely be the least busy).

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to whichever tour time you choose and
check in at the registration table.

Cost:
The Dirty Hands Project event is FREE on Sat June 21 only. (This event
is comparable to our Reserve Tour, with a value of $25 per person plus
taxes). Note, this event does not include lunch but the Coach House
cafe will be open.

Where:
Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery, Click here for maps and directions
1469 Pelham Road, St. Catharines, Ontario, L2R 6P7
1-877 PELHAM-7. (1-877-735-4267)

To register:
Click here to register

Following the event, you will receive a complimentary grape vine to take home and plant yourself. Don't worry, we'll give you care instructions, and we'll invite you to join our Dirty Hands Project Facebook Group dialogue with us and others about managing the care of your vine and Henry of Pelham wines in general. As a community member, you will also receive first access to other first-come, first-served Dirty Hands Project events like Harvest with Henry, where visitors join us in the vineyard for a day of picking.

Monday, September 22, 2008 - Harvest With Henry

Put your boots on the ground and join Paul, Matt and myself as we hand-pick fruit from the 2008 vintage. Live the life of a winemaker for a day and later drink the wine you helped to create. For this 4th year event we invite you to join the harvest of another great vintage in Niagara's Short Hills Bench on the morning of September 22nd.

We'll hand harvest the grape variety which is at peak of ripeness that day. Most likely we will be picking one of the following: Baco Noir, Pinot Noir, Gamay, Chardonnay or Pinot Blanc- to be determined the day of the event. In case of inclement weather we will instead conduct an in-depth tour of the winery at harvest, focusing on the fruit, fermentation, punch-downs, the use of oak etc. You will also be able to sample grapes and fresh juice to assess the vintage.

Feast on a hearty Cellar Hands' lunch with a glass of red, white or pink wine, catered by our own Coach House Cafe & Cheese Shoppe. Non-alcoholic beverages will also be available. Enjoy a tasting conducted by the Speck brothers and surrounded by our family's collection of Canadian oil paintings. After the tasting, guests are invited to stroll the grounds or visit the tasting room where they can try a full range of our wines. Daniel will be on hand until 5 pm to answer questions and conduct impromptu tours for those interested. Also feel free to visit the neighbouring Short Hills Provincial Park (picnic supplies are available for sale in the Coach House Cafe and Cheese Shoppe).

When:
Monday, September 22, 2008. Please arrive no later than 9:30 am for a
prompt 10 am start.

Where:
Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery, Click here for maps and directions
1469 Pelham Road, St. Catharines, Ontario, L2R 6P7

Cost:
For Distinctions Club members only, the charge is $95 per person (plus tax).
For non-club members the price is $125 plus tax. (see below on becoming a
Distinctions Club member). Price includes the harvest event, Cellar Hands'
meal with wine and soft drinks, wine tasting, tasting in the retail store,
and certificate to prove that you were here! Bottled water will be provided.
When the wine you have harvested is ready we will send you an e-mail to give
you the first opportunity to taste and purchase it.

How do you become a Distinctions Club Member and receive the discounted
price? If you regularly receive Distinctions e-newsletters directly from us,
then you are considered a Distinctions Club Member. If you would like to
become a member please click here

To register:
Click here to register