My futile attempts to update this site have failed repeatedly in the past few weeks during which my life and the life of my fiance have changed drastically. Seizing on an opportunity we felt would not be so easily attainable in the future, we took a giant step into adulthood and became home owners. This is where the story gets interesting because we didn't just buy any home, we bought a farmhouse in the Niagara Escarpment AVA on 10 acres of well drained gravelly loam in hopes of some day being able to live and work in a fledgling wine country.
Leaving the city life and our friends who are more like family has not been and will never be easy. We have had some of the happiest time in our life living in New York and crazy is the word I might describe our sudden decision to leave but my family lives in the area and we've been interested in what's been going on agriculturally here for a couple years.
The farmhouse predates the 1870's and it lies just south of Lake Ontario. There is a rather large vineyard and winery opening across the street and the area in general is packed with historical sites, farm stands, and sleepy cottage towns with harbors and parks. There is a creek that runs through the north west corner of our property in which trout make there way up to spawn and there is never a moment where we aren't without some geese or wildlife in view.
In the coming weeks I'm going to share my experiences in what may be the most foreign environment I've ever lived as well as touch on what's happening locally here. I'm truly excited to be close to Niagara, Ontario too because it has much to offer in terms of culinary options and a maturing wine industry. My internet is not hooked up yet as I am waiting for the satellite company, that's right I said satellite company, to install it. Oh my... what have we gotten ourselves into?
Is this in Lewiston? Sounds wonderful. I was just in Niagara this weekend.
Best of luck setting yourselves up.
Posted by: Marcus | April 09, 2007 at 02:22 PM
Congratulations! I can't wait to be writing about your lil vineyard in years to come!
Posted by: Lenn | April 10, 2007 at 01:11 PM
Oh my god - I've been looking around there, too!! We may be neighbors at some point...
Posted by: Jay | April 16, 2007 at 03:45 PM
Nice, the more the merrier! The area is actually Burt, NY and the neighbors I've met are uber friendly. And Jay...it's a barn buffet around here.
Posted by: WaterintoWino | April 17, 2007 at 05:20 PM
Green with envy? You betcher sweet ass I am...
And dude, it's western NY! Friendly is more than shitty ice cream up here. It's actually unnerving at times - I cut people off in traffic and go to get all Bronx on 'em, middle finger poised and whatnot, but they kinda wait and smile and wave. S'almost enough to make me change my ways...
Posted by: Jay | April 17, 2007 at 05:46 PM