On Thursday, June 16th, I attended the inaugural #Winetario at George Brown College. Presented by Ontario Wine Awards, George Brown College Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts and iYellow Wine Club, #Winetario showcases the best of Ontario VQA wines including many award winners.
Founded 22 years ago, the Ontario Wine Awards (Twitter: @tonyaspler, Facebook: Ontario Wine Awards) is an annual event that is recognized as "the Oscars" of the Ontario wine industry. The awards recognize VQA varietal quality in 25 different categories and acknowledge winners in Bronze, Silver and Gold Medal levels. There are also distinctive awards given out honouring the Winemaker of the Year, White Wine of the Year, Red Wine of the Year, Wine Journalism Award, and Best Label Design.
This year, 71 wineries entered 473 wines that were assessed by 30 judges. The awards ceremony was held on June 1st at Niagara College, hosted by celebrity chef and TV personality, Michael Bonacini. Below are all the Ontario Wine Awards winners this year. Find yourself squinting? You can also see the full list here.
After grabbing my wine glass, I made my way to the grazing station. Wine tasting with an empty stomach is never a good idea! A variety of beautiful cheeses, fresh fruits and chocolates were made available to all #Winetario guests.
My friend and I both started our evening with a glass of EastDell Estates Black Label Viognier 2014 from Diamond Estates Winery and a small plate of cheeses and fruits.
We made our way to many wine stations throughout the night, learning and sampling a variety of wines from different Ontario wineries. It was so much fun!
Silver in "Sparkling Wine Award" with their Thirty Bench Wine Makers N/V Sparkling Riesling
- "2016 Red Wine of the Year" with their Creekside Estate 2012 Broken Press Syrah Reserve
- Gold in "Syrah/Shiraz Award" with their Creekside Estate 2012 Broken Press Syrah Reserve
- Bronze in "Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon Award" with their Creekside Estate 2013 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
- Bronze in "Meritage and Cabernet/Merlot Blends Award" with their Creekside Estate 2013 Cabernet Merlot
- Gold in "Gamay Award" with their Château des Charmes 2014 Gamay Noir, Estate Bottled
- Gold in "Gamay Award" with their Château des Charmes 2014 Gamay Noir ‘Droit’, St. David’s Bench Vineyard
- Gold in "Cabernet Sauvignon Award" with their Southbrook Vineyards 2013 Estate Grown Small Lot Cabernet Sauvignon
- Bronze in "Best Label Design Award" with their Southbrook Vineyards Seriously Cool 2013 Red
- Bronze in "Oaked Chardonnay Award ~ Over $20" with their Southbrook Vineyards 2013 Estate Grown Small Lot Wild Ferment Chardonnay
Unoaked Chardonnay 2012
- Gold in "Pinot Blanc/Pinot Gris Award" with their Konzelmann Estate 2014 Pinot Blanc
- Gold in "Meritage and Cabernet/Merlot Blends Award" with their Konzelmann Estate 2012 Cabernet Merlot Family Reserve
- Gold in "Late Harvest Award" with their Konzelmann Estate 2013 Special Select Late Harvest Vidal
- Gold in "Gewurztraminer Award" with their Konzelmann Estate 2013 Gewurztraminer Late Harvest
- Bronze in "Sparking Wine Award" with their Megalomaniac N/V Bubblehead
- Silver in "Late Harvest Award" with their Pillitteri Estates 2014 Select Late Harvest Riesling
- Bronze in "Appassimento Red Award" with their Pillitteri Estates 2013 Super Niagara
- Bronze in "Merlot Award" with their Pillitteri Estates 2012 Winemakers Selection Exclamation Merlot
Bronze in "Merlot Award" with their Two Sisters Vineyards 2012 Merlot
- Gold in "Best Label Design Award" with their Pelee Island LOLA
- Silver in "Pinot Noir Award" with their Pelee Island 2013 Pinot Noir
- Gold in "Cabernet Franc Award" with their Kacaba Vineyards 2014 Cabernet Franc
- Silver in "Cabernet Franc Award" with their Kacaba Vineyards 2012 Reserve Cabernet Franc
- Bronze in "Cabernet Sauvignon Award" with their Kacaba Vineyards 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Bronze in "Syrah/Shiraz Award" with their Kacaba Vineyards 2013 Terraced Vineyard Syrah
- Bronze in "Pinot Blanc/Pinot Gris Award" with their Kacaba Vineyards 2015 Jennifer’s Pinot Gris Summer Series
- Bronze in "Vinifera Icewine Award" with their Peller Estates 2013 AP Signature Series Riesling Icewine
- Silver in "Dry Riesling Award" with their Henry of Pelham 2013 Speck Family Reserve Riesling
Sushi platters replaced cheeses and fruits towards the end of the night.
*This is a sponsored post. The opinions and views expressed on this post are my own*