Along with the tomatoes I have been harvesting off of my back yard plants…some cheese…crackers and crunchy pickles, I enjoyed my last bottle of Dad’s ‘red’ just recently.  Mid-June, Dad and I drove to Frankford where he’s been making his wine for several years and got a batch started.  Along my drive home on the Trans Canada, I had a glass of red each evening after coming off the highway.  The five bottles packaged up in the back of the van have drummed up a lot of beautiful shared memories since I’ve been home, so I wanted to write a post about the process and person behind Dad’s ‘home made’.

We drove to Frankford, Ontario to Dave’s spot, Cold Creek Winery on Mill Street.

Cold Creek Winery, Frankford

Dave has been friends with Mom and Dad for many years and Dad has been purchasing wine kits from Dave for just as long.  Dave is warm and friendly with everyone who enters his little shop.  He offers so much more than a service and generates friendships that last for years. I don’t think we have anything like this establishment here in Alberta, so I was amused by every aspect of the process.  I was even surprised that, displayed in the front of the store, there were consigned antiques, china and crystal that were being sold.

The process of making wine, without fruit, begins with the purchase of a wine kit…something that DOES happen in Alberta, but from that point here at home, the consumer is on his/her own.  In that approach, much is required in terms of equipment, time and storage.  So, wine makers have some options.

Front Store Window

Retail space where the community members stop in for visiting and shared laughs.

Heh! Look what was hanging out in the back room! Whoot!

Corker