Some people call Ed Neuser a Pioneer of the new wine industry in Prince Edward County. Others call him the Grandfather of County Wine (better than being called the Godfather, I guess!) Pioneer, Grandfather, Groundbreaker – Ed has been called all these things and more (not all of them printable) and this year he almost had “king” added to the list in a close-run race to be crowned Grape King of Ontario 2010 by the Grape Growers of Ontario. “It was a great honour to be in the running,” he told me. “But as we got closer to the choosing, I withdrew. I am so busy,” he explained. “It’s been a hell of a year at Waupoos Winery, and I didn’t think I could take time off to travel around being a royal and attending official functions.” I couldn’t tell if he was serious or kidding me – which he does a lot. But either way, Ed bowed out and the equally influential winemaker, Dr. Debbie Inglis from Niagara wears the title (Grape Queen actually) for 2010. But Ed was within grape-spitting distance of it. And it’s kind of a shame because he would look terrific in a king’s purple robe with all that white hair! If you’ve never met Ed and the lovely Rita Kaimins (the Queen of Waupoos Winery) you might run into them pouring their wines for the enjoyment of the people at TASTE! a celebration of regional cuisine in Picton on September 25.

Janet Davies

Tags: Taste Celebration, TASTE! a celebration of regional cuisine, Waupoos Winery, Wine