In my review of the rather lovely Chateau St. Jean winery near Kenwood (page 120) I mentioned the two ponds in the grounds shaped like two of the Great Lakes. They were pretty much the only reminder of the Michigan roots of the couple that built the property in the 1920s. Well, the winery's corporate owners (bless 'em) decided to drain that little piece of history in favor of a nice slab of concrete.

The two ponds are gone, to be replaced by a disabled access ramp (commendable) and a large extension to the patio (dubious). If you've seen the size of the old patio and the vast expanse of manicured lawn in front of it you might be forgiven for wondering why the winery needed any more flat space. I suppose concrete is easier to upkeep than a couple of dinky ponds.