Jill Troyer, Author at Niagara Now

Hollywood-style film shoot comes to NOTL winery

Chateau des Charmes on York Road has been transformed into an opulent mansion set in the idyllic Napa Valley for the film shoot of a new drama series for the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).

Newborn foals a source of joy in difficult year for NOTL stable

Two adorable new arrivals are bringing big smiles to everyone at Red Ribbon Stables, and even drivers passing by the paddock on Concession 6 can’t resist slowing down for a better look at the new filly and colt scampering about under their moms’ watchful gaze.

Top chefs’ asparagus tips

Cooking with asparagus

Hooked on Hiking: Trails should come with a warning: ‘Hiking may be addictive’

It started small. A long stroll on the Upper Canada Heritage Trail in Niagara-on-the-Lake, or through the Commons and along the Parkway. It seemed so innocent. COVID lockdowns and restrictions made outdoor walking more appealing

Virgil woman honoured by Niagara Bruce Trail Club

Margaret Northfield has been named Volunteer of the Year by the Niagara Bruce Trail Club, but her passion for the trail and her efforts to support the club date back much further. “Margaret’s

‘I got the Shot’ — Disappointed it wasn’t sooner, but happy to have vaccine

About 100,000 daffodils are about to bloom in nine different gardens around Niagara-on-the-Lake. The bulbs were planted in support of people touched by cancer and the force of energy behind the gardens was Sheila Hirsch-Kalm.

Life in the Pandemic: Finding ways to help others

Even when organized activities are suspended, NOTLers find ways to have an impact Editor's Note: Life since COVID-19 has changed things for all of us. We’ve experienced hardships, heartaches and challenges, but also new

First icewine harvest for Brock co-op students

Grape growers and winemakers weren’t the only ones nervously checking the weather forecast all winter.

Cold weather triggers icewine harvest

Early Thursday morning, in the pre-dawn gloom, with snowflakes gently drifting down, the magic moment arrived. It's the moment Niagara winemakers and grape growers wait for every winter. The temperature plunged to -8C and it was finally

Life in the Pandemic: Frustration but also resilience and hope

Editor's Note: Life since COVID-19 has changed things for all of us. We’ve experienced hardships, heartaches, and challenges, but also new and sometimes unexpected reasons to be thankful. This new Lake Report series

Life in the Pandemic: Some silver linings

Niagara icewine harvest will be late and smallest ever

Mid-January marks the time of year in Niagara when ice wine grapes typically are harvested. The temperature must drop to -8 C before the frozen grapes can be picked to make the sweet wine that

Life in the Pandemic: She’s coping but asks, Where is the vaccine?

Editor's Note: Life since COVID-19 has changed things for all of us. We’ve experienced hardships, heartaches and challenges, but also new and sometimes unexpected reasons to be thankful. This new Lake Report series will share

Life in the pandemic: Death, disruption and maybe ‘the best Christmas present ever’

EDITOR'S NOTE: Life since COVID-19 has changed for all of us. We've experienced hardships, heartaches and challenges, but also new and sometimes unexpected reasons to be thankful. This new Lake Report series will share some of the stories of

Fort Erie SPCA complaints prompt review by town

Accusations highlight lack of oversight for shelters across Ontario Fort Erie town council has voted to expedite a budget request for $30,000 to get a legal and veterinarian review of a potential animal welfare

Harvest time: Behind the scenes bringing in the grapes

Early mornings, long days and always at the mercy of Mother Nature

Hot summer means ‘tremendous’ wines, NOTL growers say

Deep into the 2020 harvest, growers and winemakers alike agree the quality of grapes in Niagara is excellent this year. While COVID-19 has wreaked havoc elsewhere, conditions in the fields have conspired to

NOTL winery Queenston Mile’s Taco Bell partnershipdraws international media attention

In a world grown weary of COVID-19 case counts and bleak economic outlooks, Queenston Mile winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake gave us all something to smile about last week. The story was irresistible to international media, garnering

NOTL wineries making most of a difficult season

NOTL wineries lost time early in the tourist season when they were largely shut down, but they've made the most of the opportunities they've had since then. Wineries large and small have adapted to serve guests safely as

Early reviews for laser bird control system are positive

Growers keen to see if system could replace bird bangers and netting Harvest time in the vineyards in NOTL is a beautiful season, but it’s also synonymous with the resounding booms of

Campaign to cut wine tax gathering steam

More than 3,000 people have signed a petition calling on the provincial government to eliminate a 6.1 per cent tax on wine sold at wineries. The petition was launched by Ontario Craft Wineries and their president, Richard

COVID-19:NOTL wineries get ready to welcome visitors for tastings

Wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake are preparing to invite guests back for tastings, and when they do, the experience will be very different. Social distancing measures mean there will be far fewer people in the

Innovation in Wine Country: Part 6: Henry of Pelham Winery running ‘flat out’with new production facilities

Editor's note: Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we launched our series on Innovation in Wine Country to focus on innovation and expansion in the industry. Today, in our final instalment, we take a look behind

Innovation in Wine Country: Part 5: Online sales, exports help Pillitteri Estatesnavigate pandemic

From new decor to revamped barrel cellar and technical improvements, winery eagerly awaits return of tourist traffic On a typical May long weekend, the scene at Pillitteri Estates Winery on Niagara Stone

Innovation in Wine Country: Part 4: Ravine’s new event centre ready and waiting

Editor’s note: We launched our series on Innovation in Wine Country in the days before COVID-19 changed the landscape and life as we know it. Many of the stories focus on innovation and

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