Discovering Twenty Valley

8/2/2018

What if I told you there is a place deliberately left hidden-secret-in the shadow of more well-known attractions...
A place where friends, lovers, and solo adventurers can experience not just the joys of great food, wines, hikes, shopping, and more-but the pure pleasure of discovery.

Twenty Valley is truly such a hidden gem in the vast area of Niagara. For years we have been traveling to Niagara-on-the-lake for wine tours, weddings and getaways. As we drove through the Twenty Valley region (which consists of Beamsville, Vineland and Jordan in the Town of Lincoln - and extends from Grimsby to St. Catharines) it never once occurred to us to stop. After spending only 24 hours in the area, I now feel so passionate about spreading word about the treasures we uncovered throughout our experience.

I first want to begin with the landscape. The area is described as Niagara's Sonoma Valley, and as we drove throughout the region, we couldn't agree more. We visited Sonoma three years ago, and we fell in love with the rolling hills and open fields. What we loved about Twenty Valley however was it's untouched, down to earth vibe. Being there on a Saturday, we expected a similar energy to other wine regions such as Niagara-on-the-Lake or Prince Edward County, and what we found was a laid back, quaint and unpretentious atmosphere.
Not only does the landscape stand out, but the people who have been apart of the region's growth are so present and passionate. Throughout our visit we continuously met men and women who have either devoted their hearts to their business, or they work proudly for a company they genuinely support. The connections we made, the history we learned, the laughs and stories we shared, truly made our adventure so special. There's something magical about Twenty Valley, and hopefully by the end of this article, you will be eager to experience the magic for yourself!

Henry of Pelham Estate Winery

Our first stop on the itinerary was Henry of Pelham Estates, and it couldn't have been a more beautiful start to our day. Walking into the tasting room at Henry of Pelham is welcoming and one can't help but feel the passion behind each person who works on the property. We were greeted with warm smiles and an intimate feel you might get when walking into a family member's home.

After getting a feel for the space we had the pleasure of spending time with Paul Speck - Owner of Henry of Pelham. Paul was an incredibly kind and gracious host who took the time to show us around the property, sharing history and memories. Paul's family history runs deep into the roots, brick and mortar of the property. Henry of Pelham was named after Paul's great great great grandpa's son Henry, who operated the property as an Inn and Tavern at the time.

The tasting room we stood in as Paul shared this story, was Henry's carriage house which had undergone obvious changes, but the original bones and history stood out remarkably.

We loved walking around the grounds with Paul. He told us about how he helped his family plant the vines back in the 80s, digging and labouring to create the straight lines. His passion for the property, and labour of love is so evident. We also had some great laughs as we spent time with him in the wine cellar - which is what I want to talk about next!!

Going into this tasting, we really had no idea what to expect! As we walked through the cellar doors, we were taken aback by the stunning ambiance of the space. Paul went through a series of wines, and shed so much knowledge upon us that we left feeling like we had a new perspective on wine selections.

We were surprised at the order in which he started, as he challenged the typical progression of white to red. We were also pleasantly surprised by the ice wine we tasted, as we are usually quick to opt out of tasting an ice wine due to its overly sweet taste- it was Delicious!

I guess I can say that overall our tasting experience was filled with new perspectives and pleasant surprises. As we left the cellar we both agreed that we had received the best tasting experience by far at Henry of Pelham - and as I mentioned previously, we have tasted across Niagara, Prince Edward County, Sonoma and Napa Valley! Thank you so very much Paul Speck for the laughs and memorable experience!

I want to mention our Lunch at the Coach House Cafe at Henry of Pelham in my final words about this portion of our experience. I love their description on the website, which is "localicious lunches and wine inspired sharing plates"...what more can you ask for when touring the region?

Andrew and I shared the Coach House Board which had a selection of cheeses, meats and spreads on a gorgeous wood plank. After that Andrew had the Shrimp and Lobster roll, and I had the Grilled Vegetable Sandwich on GF bread. The only way I can describe how much we loved this meal was that our plates were literally licked clean (well not literally..but there was nothing left on them!). Our Lunch at the Coach House was the cherry on the cake, and sealed our experience as unforgettable.

Henry of Pelham direct link to website: bit.ly/HenryofPelham

Inn on the Twenty

After receiving such an incredible experience at Henry of Pelham, we were taken back to our hotel to check in, and I am so thrilled to share a little bit about Inn on the Twenty!
Perfectly situated in the most charming part of Jordan which is filled with shops and patios, Inn on the Twenty stands out as a charming and elegant home base.
As we walked around Inn on the Twenty we found a peaceful sitting area to the side of the building that also had an adorable little ice cream shop window! In this spot we discussed how the Inn is the perfect place for so many different types of getaways. We envisioned a Romantic trip in the future, or maybe a girls spa and shopping weekend. The property is also such a beautiful venue for a wedding or special event!
We absolutely loved our stay at the Inn, and couldn't believe the delicious breakfast included with our accommodations! The chefs at the restaurant were kind enough to make me gluten free french toast, which I was so grateful and excited for. We will definitely be returning to Inn on the Twenty!

Direct Link to Inn on the Twenty website: bit.ly/InnonTwenty

Jordan Harbour Rowing School & Paddlesports

When we learned about the Niagara Rowing School & Paddlesports location in Jordan Harbour, we thought to ourselves.."wow, we drive past this spot often, how did we not know about it?!". I can't tell you how Glad we were to discover it!! We haven't stopped talking about our experience here since leaving. So, I am really happy to be sharing it with all of you!
Jordan Harbour is absolutely breathtaking, and it feels like you're hours outside of the city or somewhere up north in cottage country. We started our visit by taking out a pair of Kayaks to head under the bridge and out to the open body of Lake Ontario. I'm not going to lie, I was a little intimidated by the size of the waves out in the open, but the kayak was steady and glided beautifully. We kayaked around the bend to the iconic Ship Wreck which we see when we are heading Niagara Bound on the left hand side of the highway. I felt like a kid, wanting to hope off and explore! We talked about how great the experience is for both adults and children, and loved learning that they host all sorts of kids programs that sound fantastic for leadership, cooperation and fostering a love and appreciate for the outdoors.

When we returned our Kayaks we picked up a canoe and decided to head away from the open water, more in the direction of the river which leads directly into the little town of Jordan. We saw a crane and heard the whistling of the reeds and water lapping against the canoe. It was such a peaceful calm amidst our day of exploring. I had to celebrate the natural beauty around us by making the "call of the wild" or a loon call! I learned how to do this when I was little and have always loved to call out to the loons - such a magical bird.

A part of us wanted to stay out on the water all day, but the clouds and raindrops reminded us that it's time to head in. Afterall, we still had a few adventures ahead of us! As we returned the canoe and drove out of the harbour, we felt grateful for the kind smiles we received and the peaceful calm we experienced. We will be back!!

Direct link to Niagara Rowing School Site: bit.ly/NiagaraRowing

Exploring Jordan Village

When we returned to the Inn on the Twenty, we got out of our damp clothes and headed out for some shopping and exploring in Jordan Village! Thankfully, the sun came out and the rain stopped just as we walked out onto the streets.

Our first impression of Jordan Village, when we arrived was utter shock and amazement. How on earth had we not discovered this adorable village already? It truly is a hidden gem, and unlike any other village we have visited in Ontario. It's quaint and uncomplicated in the most beautiful way.

One of our favourite stores that we visited was a hat shop! We had a blast trying on every type of hat you could possibly imagine. I laughed as Andrew put on a hat that immediately transported him to the French country side in a classic Morgan convertible. I loved my Kentucky Derby hat, and felt a little fancy for a second! After this, we walked around and picked up a Frankincense candle and Tea Tree oil at Mary Rose's Lavender Boutique, and some Fresh Jam and Red Pepper Jelly at the Heritage Gift Shop (run by volunteers, and all profit goes to charity).

To finish off our exploration of Jordan Village we grabbed a glass of wine and a beer at the Inn on the Twenty Restaurant patio. We reflected upon our experience in the village, and thought that the stores are purposeful and offer a unique variety of shopping options. We also loved that the stores are filled with beautiful creations of local artisans, and the offerings seemed like items one might cherish forever. I can absolutely see myself returning with Andrew and Piper or a group of friends to spend more time in the village!

Direct link to Jordan Village Site to plan your next visit: bit.ly/JordanVillage

The Good Earth Food & Wine Co.

Let me start by saying that this was not our first visit to Good Earth. The first time that we dined at the Good Earth Bistro was 24 hours before I went into labour! We decided to get out for a nice dinner while waiting for our girl to arrive, and this beautiful spot came highly recommended. Both this time and last, we were welcomed by proprietor Nicolette Novak who is all sorts of fun to be around! Nicolette makes each experience so rich, and we are never disappointed by the atmosphere she creates along with the staff. Good Earth is an oasis for the senses. The gardens overflow onto the patio where we eat, and the vineyards and orchards provide the most inspiring backdrop one could ask for in this stunning region of our province.

The menu at Good Earth is one of the first "farm to table" in Niagara, and they build each plate with Fresh and local ingredients. We are always inclined to try something completely new because their menu offers such a unique variety of dishes! To start we chose the Chef's Sharing Board filled with artisan cured meats, cheeses, preserves, pickled items and mustards. For dinner I had the catch of the day, and Andrew enjoyed a delicious shrimp dish. We also shared a bottle of the Rose (which we liked so much that we bought one to take home)!

In between courses we took the time to listen to the live band and explore the orchard and vineyards. We just couldn't get enough of the unparalleled scenery at Good Earth. On both occasions that we visited, we left feeling like we had experienced something special. In fact, we are planning another visit with a group of friends very soon! A huge thank you to Nicolette and the warm and welcoming staff at Good Earth! We always feel at home.

Direct Link to Good Earth's Site for Resos and Upcoming Events: goodearthfoodandwine.com/

Creekside Estate

Our final stop for our day of adventures was Creekside Estate Winery. We were so excited to see what the live entertainment entailed, and who would be performing! The event was listed as a "concert at Creekside", however when we arrived we heard nothing - no music, no chatter of visitors. So we went to the tasting room and hung out with the lovely staff who were so kind and inviting. Finally, we thought to ask "when is the concert starting?", and we were shocked to learn that it had already started, and that we would be taken there right away.

Walking towards what appeared to be the entrance to an underground bunker, we were suddenly overtaken by the most beautiful vocals and shimmering candlelight upon opening the doors. Walking down the sloping, candle lined rock hallway of the Creekside Cellar, we were blown away by the space we found ourselves in. The cellar has a grand candelabra chandelier hanging from the rock ceiling, which romantically lights up the barrels that hug the room. We scurried to our seats, to join a small group of people listening to soul songstress Ann Vriend. This could not have been a more memorable end to a fantastic day. Ann's voice has been compared to Aretha Franklin, yet we both agreed that she has one of the most unique - soul touching sounds we have ever heard. The stone space brought out her vocals as they echoed and touched each and every one of us. Looking around at our fellow listeners, we couldn't help but notice that they were all completely enamored by the performance as well.

At one point in Ann's performance she sang her own rendition of "Stand by Your Man" by Tammy Wynette, and the deep passion behind the delivery filled my eyes with tears and covered my body with chills. At intermission, Ann set up a table where she was selling her CD's, and when she asked which one I wanted, I didn't hesitate to say Both! We hope to see Ann perform again and again, and have no doubt that she will be touching the hearts of people all over the world with her music.
Between sets, we had the opportunity to mingle on the Creekside Deck. Although it was dark, and we couldn't quite soak in the beautiful landscape surrounding us, we agreed that we have to return to see the panoramic view of the vineyard in day light- and we Did! All daylight photos were taken on a return visit!
We finished our evening in the tasting room where we met friends, and laughed with the Creekside staff. It was such a jovial and inspiring end to such a Rich experience overall!

Link to Creekside's Site for Reservations and Upcoming Events: bit.ly/CreeksideWinery

Final Words

Waking up in our Inn on the Twenty room, both Andrew and I felt so blessed to have experienced a day that offered such a dynamic assortment of adventures - all within a 30 minute drive from our home. We also felt an immense appreciation for our province - the land and water, as well as the stories of the people who have committed their lives to creating such a special offering for visitors. Above all, we cherished the opportunity to explore, taste, sip, paddle, laugh, meet, shop, rest and listen to some gorgeous soul music - together. We are already planning our next visit to the region, and can't wait to continue to uncover more gems hidden in the rich region of Twenty Valley!

To check out everything the region has to offer and to plan your next trip, click the link below!!

Twenty Valley Tourism Link: bit.ly/TwentyValleyAmber

Am xo

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