(pictured:(L-R) Sandra Lee Harcourt (winemaker), Ted Bowman (winery manager) with owners Sandee & Alf Krause.)
Krause Berry family farm which began in 1974 as a single acre strawberry patch, has blossomed into a 200-acre destination farm & winery under the ownership of Alf and Sandee Krause. Visitors to the farm can pick their own berries along with enjoying the on-site restaurant, winery and marketplace. The Krause Berry Farm is a “fun working farm” where everyone can enjoy a taste of the country.
Famous for their pies and handmade ice-cream, locals know to call ahead to reserve the “famous pie” made with custard and farm berries which sell out daily due to demand. Enjoy the nostalgia of the old-fashioned marketplace which sells farm-made bread, heavenly fudge and kettle corn, all made in the Krause Berry Farm bakery & fudgery. It’s worth the wait at the lined-up waffle bar for handmade waffles piled high with farm berries and whipped cream. The fall harvest brings the simple pleasure of eating freshly roasted corn on the cob, cooked outside on the farm’s corn roaster.
The newest addition to the Krause Berry Farm, the Estate winery which opened in 2013 has already seen their fruit wines, under winemaker Sandra Lee Harcourt, receive critical acclaim. In 2014, Krause Berry Estate Winery’s Blackberry Portoe and Sparkling Strawberry both received medals from the prestigious WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada, which recognizes the best in Canadian wine.
While Sandee and Alf Krause are serious about making exceptional Canadian fruit wines, the winery is a fun destination. The Western-themed wine tasting room has a tin roof, horse saddles at the tasting bar and watering troughs serve as chandeliers. Saddle up to the bar and enjoy a guided wine tasting, served in their signature boot wine glasses. After wine tasting, take a seat in the KB Corral or licensed flower garden and enjoy a fruit and local cheese platter with a pitcher of sangria. The winery’s sparkling fruit wines are an excellent pairing for the must try roasted corn pizzas served daily from Cookie’s Kitchen, the on-site winery restaurant.
The popular cooking and wine classes hosted by Master Chef Wolfgang Schmelcher return to Krause Berry Farms this fall. Enjoy classes such as All About Salmon, Quintessence of Italian Cooking or Tapas, Paella and Sangria. Classes starting from $108.00+. See website for details.
Krause Berry Farm and Estate Winery is the perfect escape to country. www.krauseberryfarms.com.
~ Claire Sear