Wineries to Watch for in 2020

Deep Roots

884 Tillar Road
Naramata, B.C.

Wow! What a year Deep Roots had in 2019. Their 2017 Syrah was named wine of the year at The Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Best Wine in British Columbia. Their 2016 Parentage red won Platinum. 2017 Malbec won Gold. Just to name a few of their awards.

The winery is owned by Bryan and Debra Hardman. The Hardman family has been growing apples in Naramata since 1919

Bryan planted two hectares (five acres) of grapes in 1996 “just to see if I liked it.” When he did, he gradually replaced his apple trees with vines and left the apple business entirely in 2010. Now he owns eight hectares (20 acres) of vineyard and manages another four hectares (10 acres).

Their son Will is the winemaker. Keep you eye on Deep Roots!

 

Mission Hill

1730 Mission Hill Rd
West Kelowna

You can always count on Mission Hill Family Estate with its skilled winemaking team to produce perfect wines. Canada’s Winery of the Year at the 2019 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada.

They also took home 3 Gold from the The Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Best Wine in British Columbia,

Keep an eye on them and their sister wineries.

Corcelettes Estate Winery

Making the Similkameen Valley proud! The growth here has been phenomenon both in their facilities and their wines.

At the 2018 Best of BC Wine Awards! They won Best BC Red Wine, Best BC White Wine, Best BC Rose’ Wine, Best BC Sparkling wine, Best Winery View and Best Winery Event in the Similkameen Valley! 

Corcelettes Estate Winery has recently acquired 132.5 acres of Bench land in the Similkameen Valley- this will bring their total Estate to 159 acres!

The future is bright for the Baessler Family.

Red Rooster

891 Naramata Rd
Naramata, BC

Located on the now famous Naramata Bench the winery had another banner year in 2020 receiving top honours for their 2018 Riesling at the Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards along with their Rare Bird Series Pinot Noir 2017.

The Rare Bird Series is the one to watch for.

The winery has always been popular with the public. You can never go wrong selecting a Red Rooster wine.

1400 Rancher Creek Road
Osoyoos, BC  V0H 1V6

Nk'Mip (pronounced ñk-meep) Cellars, North America's first aboriginal owned and operated winery, is a joint venture between the Osoyoos Indian Band and Vincor International, opened in August 2002. NK'Mip, in the Okanagan Language means "where the Creek (Wolfe Creek) meets the Lake(Lake Osoyoos)"

The senior winemaker is Randy Picton who over the years has crafted a number of outstanding wines.

Among its many awards 2016 NK'MIP CELLARS QWAM QWMT Chardonnay Gold, Chardonnay du Monde.

Three Gold at the Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards

Not only do they produce great wines, It is also a destination winery.

Culmina Family Estate

4790 Wild Rose Street
Oliver, BC

The Triggs family began planting its Golden Mile vineyards in 2007 and made the winery's first vintages in 2011.

Their Hypothesis has always been a classic red.

In 2019 the winery was purchased by Arterra Wines Canada, Inc, thus creating a powerful combination. This alone makes then a key winery to watch for in 2020.

 

 

 

Fort Berens Estate Winery Ltd

1881 BC-99
Lillooet, BC 

James Cambridge is back for his second tour of duty as head winemaker at Fort Berens, and that to me is exciting.

I like James' winemaking style. I totally enjoy the wines he has produced working at other wineries.

Take the amazing reputation of the winery since it opened, and add James' magic, and it's a winery to watch for in 2020.

 

Road 13

799 Ponderosa Road
Oliver, BC  

Tip of the hat to Road 13 Wine Align National Wine Awards Winery of the Year 2018

Road 13's wine making philosophy is to grow great fruit in the vineyard, maintain this fruit character through careful steps in the wine making, and finally, to perfect the texture of the mouthfeel of the wine with the use (or not) of barrels and fining.

They took home Platium at the Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards for their 2017 Syrah Malbec.

Recently the winery was sold to von Mandl Family Estates

Road 13 Vineyards took second place at this year’s BC Iconic Reds competition.

Gray Monk Estate Winery

1055 Camp Rd
Lake Country,

Any time a major winery is sold it brings about a sense of anticipation and excitement, especially when the purchaser is one of Canada's leading wine companies Andrew Peller LTD.

The Lake Country winery has a proud history and a reputation of excellence.

Odyssey White Brut 2014 awarded The Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Excellence in British Columbia Wines

They won again in 2019 for their 2018 Rose and 2015 Odyssey Traditional Brut.

What plans does Andrew Peller have for the future of Gray Monk!

Wild Goose Vineyards

2145 Sun Valley Way,
Okanagan Falls, BC

How do you not have Wild Goose Vineyards as one of the Wineries to Watch in 2020. They have produced top quality wines year after year after year. They will do it again in 2020.

They have received nine Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Excellence in British Columbia Wines since they were established in 2003, winning again in 2018.

2018 Gewürztraminer and 2017 Red Horizon won Gold at the 2019 InterVin.

Quality wines each and every year!

The Smoke and Oak Brit provides world class cuisine  to the Okanagan.

Harpers Trail

2761 Shuswap Road
Kamloops BC

Guess who is putting Kamloops on the World's wine map. Harper's Trail Estate Winery, the first winery to open in Kamloops with wines made from 100% Kamloops grown grapes. The winery is owned by Ed and Vicki Collett .

Their progress is amazing; as is the quality of their wines. Awards won far too many to mention.

2019 BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards
Recipients of the Platinum Medal
2018 Pioneer Block Riesling

Gold Hill Winery

3502 Fruitvale Way
Oliver BC

A family owned winery having vineyards in the Okanagan Valley with 24 acres on the Golden Mile and 32 acres in the heart of Osoyoos. They just quietly go about making quality wines.

2019 BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards winners of two gold.

Keep you eye on this winery in 2020.

La Stella

The winemaker here is the very experienced and well respected  Severine Pinte. Over the years she has produced some outstanding Okanagan wines.

LaStella La Sophia 2017 ($100) is a fantastic and powerful Cabernet Sauvignon. If only the price was lower one would rush out and buy a case after experiencing the wine.

Keep an eye on La Stella in 2020. It will be their year!

Day Dreamers Wine

305 Smethurst Rd
Naramata, BC

Daydreamer is a small family run winery based on the beautiful Naramata Bench in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia. The winery is owned by  Rachel and Marcus Ansems MW. Marcus is a well know and respected winemaker.

Their 2017 Marcus Ansems Shiraz was named Best Red Wine at the All Canadian Championships. Along with three additional Gold!

Marcus recently became the 5th Master of Wine in Canada and the only University qualified winemaker/viticulturist MW in the country.  He also won the Villa Maria Viticulture award and the Errazuriz Wine Business award for the best performance in the Master of Wine Examinations.

 Read More

Castoro de Oro

4004 BC-97
Oliver, BC 

One of those small family wineries you just can't help but like. They state on their website Family owned and operated, we look after wine-making from grape to glass, and we actually pretty good at it. I have to agree.

Crimson Rhapsody won the Peoples Choice award for the Best Red at the Edmonton and Calgary Wine Feasts this past February

Their 2015 Merlot is extremely good

Seaside Pearl Farmgate Winery

5290 Olund Rd,
Abbotsford, BC

Seaside Pearl Farmfgate Winery is a hidden gem nestled in the heart of the Fraser Valley Mount Lehman area just north of Abbotsford.

They have made impressive progress since opening just a few short years ago.

Winners of 4 Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards in 2019.

This family run winery is one to watch for in 2020.

Read More

 

50th Parallel Estate

17101 Terrace View Road
Lake Country, BC V4V 1B7

What an amazing winery. A true destination and the wines simply outstanding.

The winery has won more awards than we have space to list them all.

50th Parallel Estate has won the Intervin International Wine Awards #2 Winery of the Year!(2019) They received 4 Gold, 3 Silver and 10 honours medals.

read more

 

Spearhead Winery

3950 Spiers Rd,
Kelowna, BC

Winetraveller.org has named SpearHead as one of the 12 Boutique Wineries you have to try in the Okanagan Valley. They would be right the well located in east Kelowna is inviting quaint and beautiful The wines even better.

I stop counting when I reach over twenty medal won by the winery in 2018. With Grant Stanley, a highly respected BC winemaker coming on board as their new winemaker/general manager, 2020 will be an even better year for the winery.

Their 2018 Riesling won the trophy for Beat White at the All Canadian Championships

St Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery 

5205 Lakeshore Rd
Kelowna BC

The Idyllic and historic estate winery is located just minutes south of Kelowna,  nestled on the shores of beautiful Lake Okanagan. Just name an award competition it is most likely the winery has received a gold or Platinum from them. These awards span through their entire cellar of wines.

"a strong belief in family, healthy sustainable organic farmed vineyards, and great wines."

2020 should once again prove to be another banner year for the winery!

Painted Rock

400 Smythe Drive
Penticton, BC, Canada, V2A 8W6

Intervin winery of the year. Painted Rock is indeed a producer of high premium wines year after year!

The vineyard, growing about 50,000 vines, has been developed on property south of Penticton and east of Skaha Lake that old-timers still call Braeside Farms. 60-acre Blackhawk property is owned by John Skinner. It was decided to plant the primary red components of the classic Bordeaux blends, including a small planting each of Malbec and Petite Verdot to provide spice for their blend and to broaden blending options for their winemaker.

What will this world class winery give us in 2019!

40 Knots

2400 Anderton Road
Comox, British Columbia 

40 Knots Estate Winery was established in 2005 on 24 lush coastal acres in the heart of the Comox Valley. The winery was purchased by Brenda Hetman-Craig and Layne Craig in July 2014

The name comes from the 40 Knots winds from the Strait of Georgia. These winds help keep the grapes dry in the vineyard.  The wineries founder was a tugboat captain, 40 knots at sea, is a time to come in to land and enjoy a nice bottle of wine. 40 Knots' logo has swallows which are seen in the vineyard and they depict homecoming to a sailor

They had a very successful 2018 including 4 medal at the Lieutenant Governor awards'

40 Knots is committed to their Community and donates to numerous charities and events

Cedar Creek

5445 Lakeshore Road
Kelowna, BC V1W 4S5

Founded in 1987, the Kelowna winery has amassed countless awards from major domestic and international competition, including three winery-of-the-year titles, two from the National Wine Awards of Canada and, most recently, from the 2019 InterVin International Wine Awards.

In 2014 the winery was sold to Anthony von Mandl, who is best known as the owner of Mission Hills Family Estate Winery. The winery has been redesigned since the purchase.  Updated with a sleek, modern design that welcomes guests to the newly renovated tasting room and Home Block Restaurant. 

Viticulturist Kurt Simcic was hired to obtain organic certification for the 50-acre vineyard that surrounds the winery. Ecocert has certified the estate’s grape growing and winery operations as organic starting with the 2019 vintage

The winery now produces over 40,000 cases of premium wines each year and is considered one the elite producers in Canada. Product exceeds 30,000 cases.

 

Mt. Boucherie Estate

829 Douglas Road
West Kelowna, BC

In 2019 Mt. Boucherie, announced the appointment of Jeff Hundertmark as head winemaker, adding to a very exciting year for the year as construction is underway on an expanded tasting room and new winery restaurant, set to open this fall. Jeff was working at Mt Boucherie's sister winery Rust Wine co where he will continue as winemaker.

In 2020 the winery will have new facilities to go along with their rising reputation for fine wines.

 Mt. Boucherie Summit 2016  a winner at the Iconic Reds 2019: BC's leading Meritage wines awards.

Hillside Estate Winery

1350 Naramata Rd,
Penticton, BC 

One of the early wineries to open on the Naramata Bench, They have a proud history and a strong record of producing top quality wines.

They have a very respected winemaker Kathy Malone. Kathy has called the Okanagan “home” for more than three decades.  In 2008, after many years winemaking with Mission Hill Family Estate, Kathy made the move to Hillside to share in the Naramata lifestyle.

I believe they make some of BC/s best white wines. Their Gewürztraminer   received Gold at the All Canadian Championships

La Frenz

525 Randolph Rd
Penticton, BC 

You will always want to keep your eye on La Frenz, a Naramata Bench winery winery opened in 2002 with Jeff and Niva Martin owners.

In 2019 they collected 5 medals at the All Canadian and 12 medal at the Cascadia International Wine Competition.

The consistency of quality wines year in year out from La Frenz is amazing.

Their fortified wines memorable!

 

Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery 

1469 Pelham Rd., R.R. #1
St. Catharines, ON Canada

Never forget this popular historic winery. They have recieved numerous accolates over the years and 2019 was no exception.

Bill Zacharkiw of the Montreal Gazette says theirsparkling wine are “consistently one of the top bubbles in Canada.” 

Winealign.com calls their Riesling reserves and Chardonnays “classics” and their Icewines “brilliant.”

Numerous sources call their  Baco Noir the country’s best.

This is indeed a winery to watch in 2020.

 

Two Sisters Vineyards

 240 John St E,
Niagara-on-the-Lake, 

What a year they had in 2018 named Best Performing Small Winery of the Year at the All Canadian . They won
1 Platinum, 4 Gold, 1 Silver at the Ontario Awards along with with many other awards.

They continued to produce quality wines in 2019 winning the trophy for the Best Sparkling Wine 2016 Blanc de Franc at the All Canadians.

At The 2019 Spirit of Niagara Awards, presented by the Niagara on the Lake Chamber of Commerce, they were awarded Company of the Year! 

Wine reviewers have been given their wines scores of 94 and 93. We see no reason that their success will not continue in 2020.

2016 Blanc de Franc- Sparkling wine of the Year - All Canadian Wine Championships 2019.

Adam Pearce is the winemaker

Ferox

1829 Concession 4,
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Fabian and Stephanie Reis – along with Erwin Wiens have purchased and taken possession of Rancourt winery.

Fabian Reis make icewines for Ziraldo Icewine  then started his own label Ferox. Erwin is a longtime grape grower for Peller – and has won grape grower of the year from Peller three out of the past seven years.

Fabian Reis was born into a traditional vintner family in Stuttgart, Germany. He is the sixth generation winemaker and his family winemaking background dates back to 1893. He moved to Niagara on the Lake, Canada in 1995. He returned back to Germany for over 5 years to study his winemaking roots from 2006-2011 and attended one of Germany's prestigious winemaking schools, working alongside wineries that are ranked Europe's best. 

Hidden Bench Estate Winery

4152 Locust Ln,
Beamsville, ON

A perennial favourite in Ontario. They keep producing wines people really like.

Owner Harald Thiel's uncompromising attention to detail has landed Hidden Bench in the Canadian Wine Awards' top 10 every year since the winery opened in 2007. 1 Platinum, 4 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze at2018 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada

Pondview Estate Winery

Located in the Four Mile Creek region of Niagara.

Ontario writer Michael Pinkus says Pondview Estate 2014 Bella Terra Cabernet Sauvignon is the best.

Lou Puglisi, Proprietor: "My work is my passion, and my goal is to establish a worldwide reputation for PondView as a premium wine producer.". Fred Di Profio is the winemaker.

Flat Rock Cellars

2727 Seventh Avenue
Jordan, ON L0R 1S0

The main focus for Flat Rock Cellars has been to plant its vineyards with Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Set into the side of a hill, the winery was cleverly designed as a gravity flow winery. The winery is filled with technical innovations, including a geothermal heating and cooling system. At the heart of this are 4,572 metres/15,000 feet of pipes snaking back and forth at the bottom of the small man-made lake beside the winery. Heat exchangers give the winery the option of cooling wine tanks or heating the winery, as required. The advantage is a green image and inexpensive climate control.

I have a feeling 2020 will be their year!

Big Head Wine Co

304 Hunter Road,
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Andrzej (Andre) Lipinski a successful winemaker and consultant in Ontario who opened his own wine company along with family members,featuring Big Head Wines. The name Lipinski draws from his childhood, a self-deprecating salute to his, well, big head!

Focusing on wild fermentation and the appassimento winemaking method (kiln drying of the grapes), Big Head Wines is producing small-batch artisanal wines.

There is quite a buzz about the wines One Ontario magazine gave very one of their wins scores above 90

The winery won two Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Ontario Wines

Big Head Wines 2018 Gewürztraminer
Big Head Wines 2017 RAW Syrah

 

Sue Ann Staff Winery

3210 Staff Avenue,
Jordan, ON

The key here is the owner/winemaker Sue Ann Staff. Following  her formal education in winemaking from the renowned Roseworthy College, University of Adelaide, South Australia and several vintages abroad, Sue-Ann has become one of Canada’s top winemakers by winning over 450 national and international wine awards.  She was acclaimed as “2002 Winemaker of the Year” by the Ontario Wine Awards and one of the top four “Women in Wine” in the world by the International Wine and Spirits Awards of London England

Her Howard’s Vidal Icewine won a Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Ontario Wines

Stratus Vineyards

Stratus, one of the few pump-free wineries in the world, wine is transported in tanks and barrels or moved through gravity flow, but it is never pumped.

Their winemaker J-L (Jean-Laurent) Groux with a reputation few can match.

The winery was founded by Teknion CEO and president David Feldberg, who cultivated a passion for wine while travelling to Italy, France and Spain for business. It was the first LEED accreditation awarded by the Canadian Green Building Council in 2005. It earned international attention for its bottle and label collaborations, namely with industrial designer Karim Rashid and San Francisco Michael Vanderbyl. Visitors to the vineyard, meanwhile, are greeted by tasting rooms and retail environments designed by Diego Burdi of Toronto interior design studio Burdifilek.

However it is Stratus allowing wine lovers to rediscover the noble tradition of assemblage, the art of combining several grape varieties to create a single wine that makes them a winery to watch in 2019

Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Ltd

1067 Niagara Stone Rd.
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

A major wine company based in Ontario they operate their wineries under Lakeview Cellars wine company, producing some of Ontario's top-selling wine brands, including EastDell, 20 Bees, FRESH, Lakeview Cellars McMichael Collection, Seasons (De Sousa Wine Cellars) and Canadian acting legend Dan Aykroyds line of wines as well as the top-selling kosher wines Tzafona Cellars.

They recently expanded into British Columbia purchasing Backyard Vineyards in Langley Township.

They did well at the Wine align All Canadian Awards

July 29, 2019 – Lassonde Industries Inc. (Lassonde) (TSX: LAS.A) announces that it has acquired 19.9% of the common shares in Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Inc.

Better keep your eye on Diamond Estates.

Icellars Estate Winery

615 Concession 5 Road
Niagara On The Lake

 It was founded in 2010 by the ICEL family who pays tribute to their homeland Anatolia, now present day Turkey. The Anatolian civilization of Hittites called their lands 'Wiyana Wanda' meaning “Land of Wine”. 

Owned by Adnan Icel a 60 acres (24 Ha) vineyard&future winery focusing on big reds Cab Sauv, Merlot, Cab Franc, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. Four Mile Creek sub-appellation provides the ample nutrients needed to produce high quality fruit for winemaking. 

This is not one of those wineries that boast numerous award It is a winery people take about for their wines and hospitality.

Peninsula Ridge Estate Winery

5600 King St
Beamsville

 

According to the LCBO Peninsula Ridge ranks among their best selling wines. They have planted 42 acres of vinifera grapes and also manage a neighbouring 43-acre vineyard, producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. In addition, Peninsula Ridge has entered into long-term contracts with some of the best growers in Niagara to ensure the finest-quality fruit for their wines.

The Restaurant at Peninsula Ridge was named one of the “100 Best Outdoor Dining Restaurants in Canada 2019” by OpenTable diner reviews!
Already this year The Restaurant at Peninsula Ridge received awards in the categories of “100 Most Romantic Restaurants in Canada 2019 and “100 Best Brunch Restaurants in Canada 2019”

Featherstone Estate Winery

3678 Victoria Ave
Vineland, ON

Owner and winemaker David Johnston was named winemaker of the year at the 2019 Ontario Wine Awards. This year marks Featherstone’s 20th vintage and production now is about 9,000 cases annually.

David works along side his wife and co-owner Louise Engel. The winery has distinguished itself in Niagara as being insecticide-free since 1999 and practitioners ofeco-friendly farming. In 2003, Featherstone Estates was chosen as best vineyard in Ontario, and David Johnson was named Grape King. This prestigious annual award is judged by the Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario and the Grape Growers of Ontario.

Watch for their  Rosé along with their double gold Cabernet Franc !

Chateau de Charmes 

1025 York Road,
Niagara-on-the-Lake

It is time the historical and elite winery stepped forward once again Will 2020 be their year!

Château des Charmes was founded in 1978 by Paul Bosc, a fifth generation French winegrower. Paul and his young family arrived in Niagara with the idea that growing our own grapes was the best way to make fine wine. Paul did what no other in Niagara-on-the-Lake had done before, he planted Canada’s first commercial vineyard dedicated exclusively to vitis vinifera, the European grape varieties that make the finest wines. The impact on the Niagara-on-the-Lake wine industry can only be described as revolutionary.

 

Amélie Boury is Vice President, Winemaking & Operations 

Dunham's Run Estate Winery

Gorhams Bluff Road
Kingston, NB

A true dark horse in this years picks simply because we do not hear about the winery in competitions or news articles. We hear about the winery through social media. Those who have been to the winery and tasted their wines are impressed.

Richibucto River Wine Estate 

New Brunswick is not as yet considered a major wine producing region in Canada. Richibucto has a number of awards for their wines thats say they can compete with Canad's top wine regions.

They have approximately 20 varieties of cold-climate hybrid grapes. The majority of their grapes are either French hybrids (Marechal Foch, Leon Millot, etc) or Minnesota hybrids (Sabrevois, Prairie Star, Raddison, etc) Hybrids are bred from vinifera to obtain traits that are able withstand cold Canadian winters and ripen in a short growing season.

Alan Hudson grew up locally and had lived on the property with his family for 20 years before starting the vineyard. He is also the winemaker, although in 2017 he began teaching his youngest son, Derek,

Benjamin Bridge

1966 White Rock Road
Gaspereau, Nova Scotia

A global news report used the following headline "Surprise! One of Canada's best wines is from Nova Scotia" let me correct that headline to read Benjamin Bridge continues it's tradition of producing world class sparkling wines.

They will continue to be a top notch producer in the years to come.

Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards

The Lightfoot family have been farming in the Annapolis Valley for eight generations, Lightfoot & Wolfville provides a truly unique farm winery experience. Embracing organic and biodynamic agriculture. Located in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.

They focus on classic vinifera includes Chardonnay, Pinot Noir,Riesling, and other German-styled whites specifically selected for our micro-climates.

Winners 2016 Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Nova Scotia Wines. They held their grand opening in 2017. Consulting winemaker is Peter Gamble.

Jost Vineyards

48 Vintage Lane
Malagash, Nova Scotia, 

The largest of Devonian Coast Wineries’ vineyards, Jost Vineyards is nestled in the gentle hills and sheltered coastal inlets of the Northumberland shores. The longest operating and largest winery in Nova Scotia, Jost Vineyards is a pioneer of the Nova Scotia wine industry producing distinctive wines and styles, which have won hundreds of national and international awards.

2018 Tidal Bay won a prestigious Lt Governor Award for Outstanding wines in Nova Scotia in 2019.

Jost’s GBFR was named “Wine Innovation of The Year” by the NSLC at their annual Partnership Awards ceremony on September 7th.

 

Le Cep d’Argent

1257, Chemin de la Rivière
Magog, Quebec

The Eastern Townships most northern Winery located on the sloping hills between Magog and Sherbrooke. The vineyard began its operation in 1985 with the planting of 10,000 vines from a French hybrid stock called " Seyval blanc ". Today the winery produces 10,000 cases of wine a year and with production plans to produce over 20,000 cases. Their grape varieties: Seyval blanc, Guysenheim, Cayuga White, Maréchal-Foch, De Chaunac and Ste-Croix.. This stock, recognized for its hardiness, is well suited to the Canadian climate and produces high-quality grapes The winery was founded in 1985 and is owned by François & Jean-Paul Scieur.

They are among Québec's best sparkling wine producers.

 Since the fall of 1993, the Fête des Vendanges du vignoble Le Cep d’Argent has been known as La Fête des Vendanges Magog-Orford.  The Magog-Orford Grape Festival, as it’s called in English, was the first ever step towards celebrating the wine harvest in Quebec and it has now become a not-to-be-missed fixture in the yearly calendar.

 

Vignoble du Marathonien

318, route 202
Havelock, Québec,

Located in the far south close to the US border. Owner Jean Joly trained as a marathon runner, which accounts for the name. Jean's wife Line is co-owner of the picturesque winery. They produce Vin de Glace Icewine.

The vineyard has an area of 2.0 hectares with 7000 vines aged 10 to 15 years. It produces white wines, red ice wine and late harvest. The majority of plants are French hybrids like Seyval Blanc, Cayuga, Vidal and Geisenheim. The red varieties DeChaunac Maréchal Foch and are very well adapted to the Cool climate.

Since 1994, the Winery has been awarded more than 100 medals including more than fifty gold, big gold and first prizes at various competitions.

Winners at the All Canadian Championships Trophy, Best Dessert Wine of the Year -2017 Vin de Glace $30.00

Vignoble Gagliano Vineyards

1046 Rue Bruce
Dunham, Quebec

A family run winery in Quebec's Eastern Township, The Winery walked away with four medals at the 2018 Finger Lakes Festival.

Originally know as Le Vignoble Les Blancs Coteaux which opened its doors in May 1989. On August 21st 2008, the Gagliano family acquired this beautiful winery and changed its name to “VIGNOBLE GAGLIANO VINEYARDS” to personalize its character.

Numerous Quebec writers have acknowledge the quality of their wines. One to watch for.

Domaine Bresee

I hear the whispers! Its about the quality of their red wines. Some say the best reds in Quebec. Yet it was their Bressoc White winning at the all Canadians.

Owned by the Richard Bresee and family. Richard is the winemaker. Production will be about 20,000 bottles in 2019.

Domaine Bresee also raises Charolais beef

Festina Lente Estate Winery Ltd.

21113 16 Ave,
Langley BC

Located in the Fraser Valley across the street from Township7. . The meadery is owned by Teresa Townsley and Bill Townsley. You can feel the passion and dedication of Tersesa the moment you walk into the tasting room.

If you enjoy desert wines the Silvanas with a touch of pure Canadian Maple Syrup is the one for you Barbara and I were both impressed by the wine.

Our visit

Meadow Vista Honey Wines

3975 June Springs Rd
Kelowna BC

Numerous articles in newspaper and magazines have praised the quality of their meads.

Meadow Vista produces seven different honey wines, two sparkling and four still, all made from BC honey and local fruits. The wine shop also contains a variety of bee-inspired products including beeswax candles, honey and a wellness line.

The first honey wine producer to win Best Winery of The Year at Wine Fest Edmonton and Wine Fest Calgary and again in 2014 as Ostara was the first honey wine to win a Gold Medal at the BC Wine Awards.

 

Tamarack Jack's Honey and Meadery

51079 Township Rd 360
Caroline, AB

 

Located south west of Red Deer in the foothills. This family-run meadery makes every bottle of their delicious mead from their very own honey. The bees in their 450 hive apiary feed on the various wildflowers and plant species in the surrounding countryside.

Alberta Beverage Awards 2018 - Judges Selection (Sawyer Mead)

Canadian Bee Better Conference AGM 2017 - 2nd place (Buzzsaw Mead)

 

Sunset Heights Meadery

4 Sunset Blvd
McLeod Hill, NB

Sunset Heights Meadery and Apiary is a cottage meadery located in McLeod Hill, owned by  husband-wife duo: John Way and Deb Wilson. They produce small-batch, artisanal, limited-edition meads 

 In the meadery they combine NB honey and other local agricultural products to create two lines of mead, Sunset Heights still meads and Pollen Angels carbonated session meads. John takes care of mead making, while Deb handles the beekeeping.

Their first release was in 2014 the meadery has already won more than six major awards, including a recent sweep at the Mazer Cup International in Colorado, the world's largest international mead competition.

Applewood Farms

12416 McCowan Rd
Stouffville, Ontario

 

At the All Canadian Championships Applewood won a silver and Double gold for their meads. They also produce fruit wines and cider.

Applewood Farm has been in the Passafiume family for almost forty five years. It began as one of the first pick your own strawberry and apple farms in Stouffville Ontario.

Numerous comments on Social Mead recommends Applewood as a place to visits and comments on the fine quality of their products.

 

Cidrerie Milton

Quebec is famous for ciders. One that stands out is Cidrerie Milton they can trace their routes back to 1927.

A the Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition their  Cid Rosé named Best Cider

Watch for their products.

McAuslan Brewery

 5080 St Ambroise St,
Montreal, Quebec 

September 13, 2017 – McAuslan Brewery launched its McAdam Urban Cider, made exclusively from Quebec-grown apples.  In 2018 the cider won Gold as the best cider in Canada at the  Canadian Cider Awards

While the Brewery has been a firm fixture in the Saint-Henri neighbourhood since 1989, this is the first time it has incorporated not only a cidery into its facilities, but also an urban orchard on a portion of its land. Think of it as McAuslan’s way to help spruce up the neighbourhood.

 

Over the years they have produced some high quality beers,

McKeown Cidery

30, chemin de Marieville
Rougemont, Québec

Created in 2004 by Robert McKeown and Andrée St-Denis, the cidery produces ciders focused on the freshness and the purity of the fruit. The McKeown ciders include the Draft, Cranberry, Pear, Honey and the Bone dry flavours.

McKeown ciders are distributed outside of Québec, in the United States, England, and China

The growth of this company is amazing!

Cidrerie du Minot

The Minot Cider House’s closed-tank method produces fine sparkling ciders, in which the signature taste of apple dominates. 

 Robert and Joëlle Demoy left their native Britanny in the late 1970s to settle in Quebec and set up Minot Cider House in Hemmingford in 1987. Over the years, the couple shared their passion with their children, Audrenne and Alan, who are now ensuring succession of the Minot Cider House.

Robert – Oenologist-cider maker Breton-born, Robert Demoy, a graduate oenologist from the University of Bordeaux is recognized in the cider industry in Quebec for his expertise as well as for both his artisanal and innovative methods.

Won a Double gold and four Golds at the All Canadians.