Forty-seven smiling Porsche owners with 25 cars gathered on a beautiful sunny Saturday morning, July 8, at the Niagara Gateway Information Centre in Grimsby.
We started right on time at 10 am, and headed into one of the best-kept secrets in Niagara, the Painted Ladies of Grimsby Beach. This is an architectural treasure which has to be seen be to truly appreciated. We then climbed the escarpment, drove some twisty rural roads, and ended up at Flat Rock Cellars. The tasting and tour here was so popular last year, we decided to repeat, and our hosts Kelly and Tate did not disappoint. A couple of drivers took the opportunity to purchase cases of the award-winning 2020 Gravity Pinot Noir.
Next up was a short hop to the Upper Canada Cheese Company in Jordan Station, the only cheese maker in Niagara region. Here we were treated to a light lunch of fresh-made grilled cheese sandwiches. Ronan McGrath discovered that the carbon fiber wing on his GT3 RS makes an excellent picnic table.
After this break we threaded through the scenic Ball’s Falls area, then back to Grimsby. Niagara region boasts some of the most fertile soil in Canada, and gardening is very popular. We arranged for a private tour of three adjacent award-winning private gardens. This was a bit of a departure from the usual fare on driving tours, but proved to be very popular.
The last and longest portion of our day was the drive from Grimsby, back through the Ball’s Falls area in the opposite direction, then through several kilometers of very tight and twisty country roads. Our tour ended at the 13th Street Winery, where we had reserved parking on the grass adjacent to the art gallery. We enjoyed a light meal of sandwiches and salads, with complimentary juice and soft drinks, and a wine bar for those who wanted to sample 13th Street products. The light rain held off until we were sitting down; perfect timing.
There was a rush for the 13th Street Bakery after our meal, as the butter tarts are legendary, and they were running out.
The Art Gallery also stayed open, so that our participants could view the current show. Based on feedback, the PCA/UCR members found the event well organized and tremendously varied. All we need to worry about is how to raise the bar next year! </>
By Gerry Cornwell & Jeff Millman, Co-hosts
Photography by Marilyn Cornwell, Matt Klucha, Bruce Coull, David Adams, Marcelo Regen and Ronan McGrath
