Tag: ONVQA

My next set of Ontario Chardonnay wines to review comes from Cave Spring Vineyard.  This winery is one of the pioneers in the area, having been around for four decades.  They are certified by Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario and their wines are also vegan-friendly.  The two wines I received to review are Cave Spring Vineyard Chardonnay 2024 (coming from a selection…

The next Ontario Cabernet Franc wines I would like to tell you about are from Thirty Bench Wine Makers, who are located on the Beamsville Bench.  This is one of my favourite Niagara wineries, best-known for their Riesling and Pinot Noir wines, IMHO.  I eagerly anticipated opening these two Cabernet Franc wines to see what these wines offer.  Both are…

I am continually amazed by the wines and the wineries that I have come across as part of my study of Cabernet Franc wines produced in the Niagara region of southern Ontario.  One of the wineries is Drea’s Wine Co. which produces small batch, single vineyard, low intervention wines.  Checking their website, I read, “Drea’s Small Batch Wines are crafted…

Peller Estates, nestled in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake, has a rich winemaking heritage that began in 1969 under the vision of Andrew Peller, a Hungarian immigrant with a dream to craft world-class Canadian wines. Over the decades, the winery has become a cornerstone of the Niagara wine region, producing a diverse portfolio of varietals that express the local terroir. Among…

Inniskillin Wines near Niagara-on-the-Lake holds a significant place in Canadian wine history as the country’s first estate winery since Prohibition. The granting of their license on July 31, 1975, was a historic event, as it was the first winery license issued by the LCBO since 1929. The founders, Donald Ziraldo and Karl Kaiser, are credited with starting the winery. Inniskillin began…

At Creekside Estate Winery, in Jordan, Ontario, are self-described cork dorks who love what they do and have fun doing it. Their first vintage was in 1997. They do cover many Bordeaux grape varieties, but Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah are their signature wines.  They also make a popular Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon blend (a white Bordeaux blend).  Sauvignon Blanc is planted…

Two Sisters Vineyards by Niagara-on-the-Lake has an imposing, impressive wine-tasting room that also includes a restaurant and wine-making facilities.  Driving up to the winery, I felt like I was watching the primetime TV soap operas, Dynasty or Falcon Crest. Yes, I know I am dating myself.  The main Estate, which opened its doors in November 2014, was inspired by Italian…

While researching wineries I should visit in the Niagara region, I came across Kew Vineyards Estate Winery, which is a little east of Thirty Bench Wine Makers, and specializes in sparkling wine, I had to visit. Their original 1975 plantings are among the oldest in the region.  They have a classy, Old World feel wine tasting room, and make their…

In the summer of 2017 I attended the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (i4c) in the Niagara region.  A celebration of Chardonnay and Ontario wines in particular (other Canadian wineries were in attendance).  After attending i4c, I visited a few wineries in the Niagara region.  One of the wineries I visited, and wines I tasted at i4c, was Thirty Bench…

You may be wondering what happened to me as i typically post 3-4 wine articles a week.  I am in the Niagara region in southern Ontario to celebrate my birthday and to visit some wineries and taste their wines.  I have copious notes on the wines and probably tasted over 60 wines covering eight different wineries.  It will take me…