A taste of Niagara is what organizers had in store for CanACT members and visiting University of Florida ACT members for their Friday outing. With Jamie Reaume, editor of The Grower as tour guide, delegates learned many fascinating points about Escarpment country and the Niagara region.

The group's first destination of the day was Pillitteri Estates Winery, where group members learned some wine basics - including the nose (scent) and the art of humouring, swirling the liquid in the glass to bring it to life and extract the flavours. Students learned to always hold a wine glass by its stem, so as not to smudge the glass or warm up the wine.

Pillitteri gains its solid reputation by being Canada's largest estate producer of ice wine and by having University of Guelph graduate Sue-Ann Staff as Winemaster. Sue-Ann was proclaimed Winemaker of the Year in 2002 at the Ontario Wine Awards. Next stop on the tour was Coyote's Run Estate Winery. Coyote's Run is a young winery with only two years experience in the industry, but filled with passion for producing the highest-quality wine. Already, it's sold out its first vintage of white wines, and is planning a host of events this summer to attract wine region tourists to its locale.

The best was yet to come as delegates made their way to town to visit Niagara's jost prized possession. And indeed, Florida students were in awe at the sight of massive Niagara Falls. The Falls provided an excellent backdrop for the many pictures that ensued.

Tour delegates indulged themselves at Boston Pizza, for an evening meal after exploring the tourist area of Clifton Hill. A few friendly games of air hockey were held with the hopes of promoting good international relations, but it's difficult, because Canada always won. More practice for the Americans seems to be in order.

One of the highlights of the evening was getting to see the colourful lights beautifully and peacefully illuminate the rushing water of the falls. The voyage back to Guelph was quiet, as weary travellers rested on the bus, enjoying their final evening of fellowship together.