We originally introduced Norm Hardie in this article. He is gracious, fun, passionate and committed to making fabulous wine.
Norm is getting close to harvest time and has an offer of a traditional Thanksgiving to those who wish to learn and participate in a traditional harvest. In exchange for an honest day labour, Norm offers local food prepared by some of the top chefs (including yummy-not-so-local Oysters) and plenty of his beautiful wine. This is a family friendly event and is less than 2.5 hours away from Toronto in Hillier, Ontario.
Here`s the details from Norm – if you decide to go, let us know that you`re going. We would love to track how many are going as there`s talk of trying to get a busload together for next year (this year is tough with our own harvest falling across the harvest weekends; Dana is planning to make it on the second weekend which is the start of hunting for me).
Here`s the invite in Norms words:
We have had an unbelievably busy summer in the vineyard. Fortunately Prince Edward County did not get the rains that the rest of the province experienced. In August, we followed the conservative approach we initiated in 2008 and green harvested down to less than 750 grams of fruit per plant to ensure as close to perfect ripeness even if the skies opened up on us. This strategy paid huge dividends for us in 2008. September blessed us with 21 straight days of sunshine and perfect heat. The long term forecast looks very positive, so potentially, we are in for an incredible year!
We are anticipating harvesting over the Thanksgiving weekend (October 10, 11 and 12) and possibly the weekend of the 17th and 18th – all weather dependant. Raymond from Balluchon will be there to start your picking morning with freshly roasted coffee. Johannes and Manly will be manning the suckling pig on the spit, a number of top chefs will be doing their magic on the vegetables from both Vicki’s Vegetables and Cherryvale organic farm, and both Rodney’s Oyster Bar and Oyster Boy will be shucking. Goes without saying there will be Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in abundance to enjoy with the harvest lunch. Come and enjoy a true Thanksgiving harvest with us. If not, join us the weekend after. Harvest is a family affair, so your kids are welcome. And for those whose knees are tender, we always need hands on the sorting table. Please email norm@normanhardie.com and let us know which date’s you can join us for the harvest. Picking starts from 9am on, lunch served promptly at 2pm.
Look forward to sharing this magical time with you here.
Cheers!
Norm
