by Darcy Nybo
Make it an adventure and spend a day at Krause Berry Farms. Its picturesque 200 acres are good for the soul.
This is more than a farm. It’s also home to Krause Berry Farms Estate Winery and Restaurant. This oasis is open on weekends from now until May. After that, you can have the Krause Berry Farm experience any day of the week.
The restaurant and winery opened in 2012 as owners Alf and Sandee Krause looked for a way to show visitors the literal fruits of their labour.
“We are growers first,” said Sandee, “and this is a great way to showcase the products that are grown right here.”
The Estate Winery is the perfect place to bring family and friends to enjoy a farm-grown and farm-prepared dish and sample some delicious fruit wines.
“When we designed the place, we decided to put real saddles on stools at the bar for a total western experience,” said Sandee.
Saddle up and enjoy mouth-pleasing rhubarb, apple, blueberry, blackberry, strawberry, tayberry, cassis and raspberry table wines. If you come for dinner on a Friday night, try the blackberry portoe — a port-style fruit wine perfect for sipping after a meal. They also have sparkling and dessert wines to round out your fruit wine collection.
You can thank winemaker Sandra Lee for the delectable fruit wines created here. In the few years the winery has been open, it’s garnered numerous awards including the 2017 Best Fruit Wine in Canada at the Canadian Wine Championships in Niagara Falls.
Guests are encouraged to share plates or lunch with family and friends.
“The kids love coming here for waffles and pie,” said Sandee, “ and so do the adults. We’ve created a great family friendly experience here.”
Chef Jeremy creates a fresh sheet menu for Friday nights during the peak season. He uses foods picked fresh from the Krause Berry Farm garden and other ingredients that are supplied by local farmers.
A must-try is the hot berry waffles or a slice of warm pie a’la mode from the farm-to-table lunch menu. You can also enjoy grilled cheese sandwiches, roasted corn pizza, a delicious seasonal fruit and cheese board, as well as other signature double-crust pies.
There’s really no need to wait to head to Krause Berry Farms. After you’ve sipped and savoured, enjoyed and eaten, make sure you take home a bit of the goodness found here. They have pies, soups and IQF berries, frozen and perfect to enjoy another day. There’s also delicious jams, jellies and syrups made from the fruits of the farm.
Every season has something new to enjoy.
“In the summer months, we have everything from fudge and creamery ice cream to local vegetables, berries and baked goods,” said Sandee. “In the fall, there’s a living Barley Maze, u-pick pumpkin patch and festivals for the whole family. For the holidays, the farm becomes a winter wonderland with fresh trees, decorations and delicious baked goods.”
Krause Berry Farms is truly the place to visit for all the farm fresh flavours your whole family will love. www. krauseberryfarms.com