Cuvée 2019 Summary Report by Brock University

Summary Report A CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE IN

ONTARIO WINEMAKING

CuvÃ©e 2019 Summary Report

CuvĂŠe 2019 Summary Report

Summary Report Cuvée 2019 marked the 5th anniversary milestone for Brock University taking over the stewardship of Cuvée – Canada’s largest and longest standing event of its kind.

Cuvée 2019 proved to be a great success in terms of guests at the Grand Tasting and the en Route program. The Grand Tasting continued to maintain remarkable attendance while the Cuvée en Route passport program welcomed a record number of consumers into partnering wineries for unie tasting flights. Cuvée en Route winery visits increased by over 30 percent during the Cuvée weekend with more than 2,500 winery visits.

Proceeds continue to support the Cuvée Legacy fund which provides student scholarships and helps fund research priorities identified by the grape and wine industry.

Date: Saturday March 23, 2019 Location: Scotiabank Convention Centre, Niagara Falls, Ontario Website: cuvee.ca

Cuvée 2019 Summary Report

Executive Summary – by the numbers •

877 total guests in attendance (consistent with 2018)

•

59% total overall consumer ticket buyers (58% in 2018)

•

Out-of-area ticket buyers represented 45 per cent of guests (37 per cent in 2018); 28 per cent from the GTA (24 per cent in 2018)

•

1,137 Cuvée en Route tickets distributed creating 2,513 winery visits (1,923 winery visits in 2018)

•

48 participating wineries

•

12 culinary stations

•

37 media in attendance

Generated Funds •

To date more than $122,000 has been generated through the Cuvée Legacy fund

› supports student scholarships at both UG and Grad levels

› supports research priorities identified by the grape and wine industry

Event Schedule Saturday* March 23 – Cuvée Grand Tasting 6:30–7:20 pm: VIP reception and Awards ceremony in the Fallsview Theatre 7:30–10 pm: Cuvée Grand Tasting in the Peller Estates Ballroom 9:30–12 am: Après Cuvée Party in the Fallsview Theater March 22-24 - Cuvée en Route passport program

* This was the first time the Grand Tasting would be held on a Saturday. Moving the event to a Saturday proved beneficial, both for our winery and culinary partners as well as guests coming in from out of town.

Cuvée 2019 Summary Report

Ticket Analysis Cuvée Grand Tasting

Ticket Sale Breakdown Category

Tickets

Ticket Buyer Geography

2019

2018

Niagara Region

55.45%

53.32%

Consumers

519

GTA

27.88%

30.51%

Sponsor

217

London Area

1.52%

1.81%

Trade

U.S.A.

1.36%

1.06%

Media

Guelph Area

0.76%

1.06%

Government

Hamilton Area

6.21%

3.78%

Other (Central Ontario/North Ontario/ Out-ofProvince/ Chatham-Kent/Simcoe County/Ottawa

6.82%

8.46%

Number of attendeaes

877

Ticket Analysis Category

2019

2018

2017

2016

Consumers

519

59%

513

58%

389

52%

391

53%

Sponsor

217

25%

240

27%

257

34%

251

34%

Trade

Media/Government

877

100%

881

99%

752

100%

738

100%

Number of attendees

 Since 2016 the Grand Tasting has seen a marked increase in consumer attendance and overall growth.

Cuvée 2019 Summary Report

In 2019, the Cuvée en Route program included 35 participating wineries. This is the third year that reliable data has been collected to measure Cuvée en Route consumer participation in terms of number of winery visits. Our aim is to use this information to show the success of the program to our partners and leverage more participating wineries as well as support through tourism partnerships. This year we achieved a record number of Cuvée en Route winery visits, a 30% increase from 2018.

Cuvée en Route Total en Route tickets included with Grand Tasting

Total en Route tickets purchased by consumers

Total number of tickets distributed

2018

881

196

1077

1923

2019

877

260

1137

2513

Winery Participation The Cuvée Grand Tasting continues to feature two wine selections per winery from the following categories – Red; White; Rosé; Sparkling; and Icewine. Our guests clearly enjoy the options that the event provides and our winery partners appreciate the enhanced exposure to Cuvée consumers.

Geography of Participating Wineries

Quantity

Niagara Peninsula

Prince Edward County

Lake Erie North Shore

Ontario / Virtual

2/1

NEW Initiatives Gourmet Food and Wine Show - this was our second opportunity to engage with guests in an interactive way to create a better awareness to out of area potential ticket buyers. Club Membership Program - providing with unique advertisement materials to create awareness of the event. Social Media was a huge driver in 2019 with YouTube video’s highlighting our winery partners, social media takeovers and TV segments to create even greater engagement and awareness. Enhanced Initiatives included WagJag, Wine Club Cards, as well as LCBO and Wine Rack store distribution to various locations throughout Toronto, Oakville, Hamilton, Burlington, London, Kitchener and the Niagara Region.

Cuvée 2019 Summary Report

Media Summary CCOVI issued four media releases to promote Cuvée and to gain press coverage and exposure for the event. •

https://brocku.ca/brock-news/2018/10/cuvee-grand-tasting-to-celebrate-ontario-vqa-wine-for-31st-year/

•

https://brocku.ca/brock-news/2019/02/cuvee-2019-to-celebrate-the-best-in-ontario-vqa-wine-and-food/

• •

https://brocku.ca/brock-news/2019/03/tickets-selling-fast-for-ontarios-biggest-vqa-celebration-2/ https://brocku.ca/brock-news/2019/03/record-crowd-pours-in-for-cuvee-grand-tasting/

Invitations were sent out to wine writers and media outlets by CCOVI and Wine Country Ontario to cover the event, and 37 attended the Cuvée Grand Tasting. The Wine Marketing Association of Ontario provided both in-kind and hard cost support for media to attend. Media were welcomed at the event with a media badge and digital media kit that included all of the event material and selection of photos from 2018 for their use. Media were given exclusive access to the Grand Tasting from 6-7:30 p.m. To ensure the best use of Media’s time, they were issued a wine list in advance of the Grand Tasting which was embargoed until 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 23. The following media were in attendance: Tony Aspler, Wine Writer’s Circle Tim Bolen, CHCH TV Emma Cavanagh, Today Magazine James Culic, Niagara This Week Sara D’Amato, Wine Align Ralph Degroot, Corkscrewed TV Mike DiCaro, Spotlight Toronto Suresh Doss, Spotlight Toronto Jamie Drummond, The Good Food Revolution Konrak Ejbick, social video content Stephen Elphic, social video content Patrick Gagliardi, Corkscrewed TV Cate Giannousopoulos, Corkscrewed TV Michael Godel, Wine Align Jeff Graham, Sparklingwinos Evan Saviolidis, Wine Savvy

Sarah Parniak, NOW Magazine Michael Pinkus, Ontario Wine Review André Proulx, The Wine Review – CFRB 1010 Karen Simpson, BYOTA Dick Snyder, Citybites and Freelance John Storm, Taking Niagara by Storm, COGECO Margaret Swaine, National Post John Szabo, Wine Align, Wine & Spirits Magazine Justyn Szymczyk, KWAF Rick VanSickle, Wines of Niagara Michael Vaughan, Vintage Assessments Michael Warren Thomas, Savour Life, Rochester Grapevine Chris Waters, VINES Magazine Adam Waxman, Dine Magazine Cuvée Media Articles

 Cuvée was listed in 38 event listing across the region – see Appendix H.

Cuvée 2019 Summary Report

There were eight media stories in the lead-up to the event including a live segment on CH Morning Live with Tim Bolen on March 18, 2019 highlighting our winery, culinary and local beer partners. See Appendix I for complete list and links. The Wine Marketing Association of Ontario and winery partners also shared the event in a large number of event listings informing consumers of the Grand Tasting and Cuvée en Route.

Cuvée en Route Media A total of seven videos pre-event were done by CCOVI to showcase winery partners taking part in the en Route program. These videos were often shared by wineries to further engage consumers. Social Media Take-over by Corkscrewed TV supported by Coventry Limousine on Friday March 22. CHCH TV’s Nicole Martin and Meg Shannon of Palate Practice visited many of our en Route wineries with posts and sharing stories on Instagram and Twitter. All event listings and media articles are available in Appendix H and I. Print and Digital Media Activities VINES Magazine •

Full page colour ad in Holiday Issue

Horizon Media Partnership •

Half page Ad/Half page Editorial in November/December edition

•

5 second spots running on screens in Dundas Square (Toronto)

•

5 second spots running on screens in The Path (Toronto)

Surgite Magazine for Brock Alumni •

Full page colour ad in Winter edition

Consumer Contest

redgrapes.ca redgrapes.ca

‘Click it for Tickets’ Social Media Contest In 2019 Cuvée launched the ‘Click it for Tickets’ social media contest on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. The contest ran from Jan. 4 to 31, 2019. The contest focused on targeting winery visitors as this is a demographic that is more likely to be interested in attending the Cuvée Grand Tasting or Cuvée en Route. During the contest period, participants needed to snap a picture of the wines that they thought would be featured as the wineries winemaker’s favourites at Cuvée 2019. Customers had to upload their photos to Instagram, Facebook or Twitter tagging the winery, a friend and hash tagging #Cuvee2019. There were 39 valid contest entries. This year’s randomly selected winner was LivAline Ringseisen from Facebook. She won: two Cuvée Grand Tasting tickets which also included two Cuvée en Route passports.

189 Likes redgrapes.ca Vote for a chance to win tickets tomo Cuvée jhon_doe Cheers! re

2019!!!! #cuvee2019 Winery @pellerwines @twentyvalleytourism @winecountryont

View allcomme 99 nts

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Cuvée 2019 Summary Report

Consumer Communication Social Media To advertise the event and create engagement with attendees and partners Cuvée utilizes social media including Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Social media activity surrounding the event began in January with regular posts and videos promoting Cuvée en Route and the Cuvée Grand Tasting. CCOVI worked to raise the profile of and create buzz around the event by publishing Cuvée-related content from their Instagram account @ ccovibrocku which has 790 followers, and Twitter @ccovibrocku which has 2,027 followers. Pre-event videos showcased winery partners and what they were pouring for Cuvée en Route. Those videos were often shared by wineries to further engage consumers. Social media takeovers – Cuvée ran two takeovers, one for Cuvée en Route with Corkscrewed TV and the other for the Cuvée Grand Tasting with social media influencers The Sparkling Winos. There were 471 posts on Instagram using the hashtags #cuvee2019 and #cuvée2019. Additionally, there were 69 tweets on Twitter mentioning our specific hashtags. The Grand Tasting pages shared all the content, plus generated some original content highlighting winemakers and chefs, and have continued to see an increase in the number of individuals that posts reach on both Facebook and Instagram. The Cuvée Grand Tasting pages have continued to see an increase in the number of individuals that the posts reach on both Facebook and Instagram. We appreciate all the winery and culinary partners as well as the Wine Marketing Association of Ontario for their help raising awareness of the event using their social media channels.

Instagram Analytics for @CuveeGrandTasting Average Users Reached per post

346

Average Users Engaged per post

Facebook Analytics for Cuvée Grand Tasting Total # of Page Views

553

Total # of Page Engagements (post clicks, likes, shares and comments)

2027

Total # of New Followers

Cuvée 2019 Summary Report

Mass Emailing Reports To communicate with potential attendees, Cuvée used the mass-emailing platform Active Campaign. To promote the 2019 event, four emails were sent to the Cuvée mailing list •

October 15, 2018: Tickets on sale now for Cuvée 2019

•

December 11, 2018: Early bird deadline fast approaching

•

February 7, 2019: Cuvée 2019 celebrates the best in local wine and food

•

March 22, 2019: Last call for Cuvée 2019 tickets

Website Engagment



Desktop

7.42%

Mobile Tablet

42.78%

Almost half of Cuvée website visitors are using mobile or tablet devices. Ensuring that the website content is mobile-friendly will continue to be a focus moving forward.

50.79%

Sessions (number of individual website visits)

14,160

Users (number of different visitors to the website)

9,919

Page Views (number of pages visited on the website)

27,754

Top 5 cities for session visits (% of visitors)

2019

2018

2017

Toronto

27.73

St. Catharines*

14.31

15.95

Hamilton

7.27

6.98

Niagara Falls

6.96

9.12

Niagara-on-the-Lake

5.21

N/A

Lincoln

N/A

3.43

*Number may be slightly inflated due to website visits from Brock/organizing committee.

Cuvée 2019 Summary Report

What are visitors looking at? With the homepage being the highest in page views, we have reviewed the content displayed there to make sure it is in the best format and most accessible for website visitors on all devices

Page

% of page views

Homepage

37.01

Tickets

15.41

Grand Tasting

11.25

Cuvée en Route

10.15

Wine and Culinary Partners

5.34

News

2.36

2019 Sponsors

2.34

Photo Gallery

1.54

Impact

1.48

“

“Cuvée’s celebration of the Ontario wine industry shines a spotlight on the amazing wines being produced in our community. It’s a wonderful evening that is truly unique in Niagara as it brings together winemakers, grape growers, Brock’s wine institute and the community for a savory and memorable evening.” - Mayor Walter Sendzik, City of St. Catharines

“Cuvée is a magical event where Brock University and the wine industry combine their efforts, to not only recognize, but also promote the outstanding work being done in the Canadian wine industry today.” - Gary Comerford, Chair, Brock Board of Trustees “Cuvée is an important and vital showcase for Ontario’s VQA wines, bringing consumers, wine professionals, chefs and industry stalwarts together for a snapshot of the best in local wine and food. Brock has been a champion for this event and celebrates the next generation of winemakers and grape growers by providing scholarships to Brock University Oenology and Viticulture undergraduate and graduate students through the Cuvée Legacy Fund. It’s hard to imagine a more important wine event than Cuvée for enticing so many people to toast excellence in Ontario wine and food.” – Rick VanSickle, Publisher, Wines In Niagara

”

“I have attended Cuvée with friends for the past 5 years, and felt this year truly hit all of the right marks. The food and wine pairings were fantastic, and we didn’t leave the dance floor at the after party. I really loved the buzz around this year’s event. See you next year!” – Kim Rossi, Cuvée guest

Cuvée 2019 Summary Report

Team Cuvée 2019 Management team •

Debbie Inglis, Director, CCOVI, Brock University

•

Barb Tatarnic, Manager of Cuvée and Outreach, CCOVI, Brock University

•

Anil Rebello, Cuvée Coordinator, Rebello marketing and Event Services

Advisory Council •

Brian Hutchings, Vice-President, Administration, Brock University

•

Tim Kenyon, Vice-President, Research, Brock University

•

Debbie Inglis, Director, CCOVI, Brock University

•

Barb Tatarnic, Manager of Cuvée and Outreach, CCOVI, Brock University

•

Anil Rebello, Cuvée Coordinator, Rebello marketing and Event Services

Marketing and communication support •

Britt Dixon, Communications Officer, CCOVI, Brock University

•

Design and promotional work for Cuvée was completed by Brock Marketing and Communications staff Sebastién Marchal, Maryann Marino, Kev Greene, Natalie Castelli, Cynthia Quillman, Maryanne Firth, Jocelyn Titone and Doug Hunt

•

Media check-in as well as branding and Brock volunteers was supported by Dan Dakin, Manager, Communications and Media Relations

Sponsorship Committee •

Tracy Geoffroy, Director of Development (Interim), Brock University

•

Erica Walters, Major Gifts Officer, University Development, Brock University Contact for sponsorship information: ewalters@brocku.ca

Steering Committee •

Barb Tatarnic, Manager of Cuvée and Outreach, CCOVI, Brock University

•

Anil Rebello, Cuvée Coordinator, Rebello Marketing and Event Services

•

Chris Colaneri, Colaneri Estate Winery

•

Jim Duncan, Chef

•

Thomas Green, Lakeview Wine Co.

•

J. Mark Hand, Chef

•

Magdalena Kaiser, Wine Marketing Association of Ontario

•

Nancy Kennedy, Creekside Estate Winery

•

Ed Madronich, Flat Rock Cellars

•

Erik Peacock, Chef

Cuvée Founding Members •

David Bergen, Cuvée Founder

•

Debi Pratt

Chef Committee

•

Barb Tatarnic, Manager of Cuvée and Outreach, CCOVI, Brock University

•

Anil Rebello, Cuvée Coordinator, Rebello marketing and Event Services

•

Jim Duncan, Chef

•

J. Mark Hand, Chef

•

Erik Peacock, Chef

Cuvée 2019 Summary Report

Appendix

Table of Contents Appendix A................... Winery Partners.......................................... 15 Appendix B...................Culinary Partners....................................... 15 Appendix C...................Beer/Cider Partners....................................15 Appendix D..................Sponsors...................................................... 16 Appendix E...................Cuvée en Route Partners......................... 17 Appendix F...................Awards Ceremony......................................17 Appendix G.................. Government Attendees ...........................18 Appendix H.................. Cuvée Event Listings..................................18 Appendix I....................Cuvée Media Coverage..............................19

Cuvée 2019 Summary Report

Appendix A - Winery partners 13th Street Winery

Harbour Estates Winery

Peller Estates

Adamo Estate Winery

Harwood Estate Winery

Pillitteri Estates Winery

Alvento Winery

Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery

Pondview Estate Winery

Atlantis Niagara Wines

ICELLARS Estate Winery

Queenston Mile Vineyard

Big Head Wines

Inniskillin Niagara Estate

Redstone Winery

Burning Kiln Winery

Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate

Reif Estate Winery

Cave Spring Cellars

Kacaba Vineyards and Winery

Riverview Cellars Estate Winery

Chateau des Charmes

Karlo Estates

Rockway Vineyards

Colaneri Estate Winery

Konzelmann Estate Winery

Southbrook Organic Vineyards

Colio Estate Wines

London Born Wine Company

Sue-Ann Staff

Creekside Estate Winery

Lundy Manor Wine Cellars

Tawse Winery

Domaine Queylus

Malivoire Wine Company

The Hare Wine Co.

Fielding Estate Winery

Marynissen Estate Winery

The Lakeview Wine Co.

Flat Rock Cellars

Megalomaniac

Thirty Bench Wine Makers

Fogolar Wines

Niagara College Teaching Winery

Trius Winery

Foreign Affair Winery

Palatine Hills Estate Winery

Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery & Distillery

Appendix B - Culinary partners Backhouse Restaurant

Criveller Cakes

Bolete Restaurant

Italian Ice Cream

Brushfire Smoke BBQ

Ravine Vineyard and Winery Restaurant

Canadian Food and Wine Institute

Righteous Monger

Chili Jiao Authentic Chinese Restaurant

Appendix C â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Beer/Cider Partners Atlantis Niagara Ciders

Kame & Kettle Beer Works

Bench Brewing Company

Tawse Sparkling Cider (Tawse Winery)

Breakwall Brewing Company

The Exchange Brewery

Decew Falls Brewing Company

CuvĂŠe 2019 Summary Report

Scotiabank Convention Centre Niagara Falls The Restaurant at Redstone Winery Tide & Vine Oyster House

Appendix D - Sponsors Hosting Sponsor

Scotiabank Convention Centre

Founding Sponsor

Wine Marketing Association of Ontario/VQA Wines of Ontario and Wine Country Ontario

Niagara Hospitality Sponsor

Niagara Casinos

VIP Reception & Awards Sponsor

LCBO

Education Advocate

BASF Canada

Cuvee en Route Sponsor

Coventry Transportation

Winery Award of Excellence Sponsor

Goodman School of Business

Floral Decor Sponsor

BBBlooms Floral Studio

Media Partners

Cogeco Vines Magazine Cork Screwed TV

Augmented Reality Partner

Life AR

Pillar of Excellence

A.O. Wilson Farm Credit Canada Lakeview Vineyard Equipment Inc. Performance BMW Scotiabank

Friends of the Vine

Cellar-Tek MNP Multi-Area Developments Inc. Root Bissonnette Walker LLP Stanpac Inc. Walker Industries

CuvĂŠe 2019 Summary Report

Appendix E – Cuvée en Route Partners 13th Street Winery

Inniskillin Niagara Estate

PondView Estate Winery

Atlantis Niagara Wines

Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate

Queenston Mile Vineyard

Cave Spring Cellars

Kacaba Vineyards and Winery

Redstone Winery

Colaneri Estate Winery

Konzelmann Estate Winery

Reif Winery

Creekside Estate Winery

London Born Wine Company

Riverview Cellars Estate Winery

Fielding Estate Winery

Malivoire Wine Company

Southbrook Organic Vineyards

Flat Rock Cellars

Marynissen Estates Winery

Sue-Ann Staff

Fogolar Wines

Megalomaniac

Tawse Winery

Foreign Affair Winery

Niagara College Teaching Winery

The Lakeview Wine Co.

Harbour Estates Winery

Palatine Hills Estate Winery

Thirty Bench Wine Makers

Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery

Peller Estates

Trius Winery

ICELLARS Estate Winery

Pillitteri Estates Winery

Appendix F – Awards Ceremony Award Winners Cuvée Vineyard of Excellence Award Winner (sponsored by BASF Canada Inc.)

Martin Schuele

Tony Aspler Cuvée Award of Excellence Winner

Doug Whitty and 13th Street Winery

Cuvée Winemaker of Excellence Award Winner

Bruce Nicholson

Scholarship Recipients

Cuvée Hosting Award for Academic Excellence

Marnie Crombleholme

Cuvée Award for Academic Excellence

Jessica Oppenlaender

Cuvée Award for Academic Excellence in OEVC

Jeffrey Moote

Cuvée Graduate Scholarship

Jennifer Kelly

Cuvée 2019 Summary Report

Appendix G – Government Attendees Name

Federal

Chris Bittle, MP

St. Catharines

Rob Nicholson, PC, QC, MP

Niagara Falls

Vance Badawey, MP

Niagara Centre

Name

Provincial

Jeff Burch, MPP

Niagara Centre

Sam Oosterhoff, MPP

Niagara West

Wayne Gates, MPP

Niagara Falls

Name

Local

Terry Ugulini

Mayor, Thorold

Walter Sendzik

Mayor, St. Catharines

Appendix H – Cuvée Event Listings http://www.101morefm.ca/news1/cuvee-grand-tasting-returns/ https://13thstreetwinery.com/event/cuvee-2019-grand-tasting/ http://www.allaboutniagara.com/niagara-tours/niagara-event-calendar/ https://allevents.in/ burlington/dancescape-at-cuvee-2019-wine-dine-dance/20002695837538 https://www.bramptonguardian.com/events/9070746--cuv-eacute-e-grand-tasting/ https://www.cambridgetimes.ca/events/9070746--cuv-eacute-e-grand-tasting/ https://www.citytv.com/toronto/community/sysd-toronto/ https://https://www.topofcliftonhill.com/niagara-falls-events/cuvee-weekend/ https://creeksidewine.com/events/detail/cuvee-2018 https://www.dancescape.com/cuvee https://www.evensi.ca/cuve-grand-tasting-scotiabank-convention-centre/291038300 http://www.fallsconventions.com/events/cuvee-grand-tasting/ https://www.fallsviewboulevard.com/events/cuvee-grand-tasting/ https://www.fieldingwines.com/event/cuvee-weekend-2019 https://gobeweekly.com/cuvee-grand-tasting-2019/event/4509 https://www.goodfoodrevolution.com/see-you-at-cuvee/ http://www.grapegrowersofontario.com/1502 https://www.guelphmercury.com/events/9070746--cuv-eacute-e-grand-tasting/

Cuvée 2019 Summary Report

http://www.infoniagara.com/events/Cuvee-grand-tasting.aspx https://marynissen.com/ https://www.meetup.com/dancescapeburlington/events/259134505/ http://www.mypelham.com/events/cuv%C3%A9e-grand-tasting http://www.mywelland.com/events/cuv%C3%A9e-grand-tasting http://www.niagaracollegewine.ca/page?pageid=7036F0DB-68ED-4CB3-B08C-CCB7DD29D107 https://www.niagarafallstourism.com/events/cuvee-grand-tasting-2019/ https://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/events/9070746--cuv-eacute-e-grand-tasting/ http://www.niagaragrapelife.com/events/cuvee-grand-tasting-2019/ https://theniagaraguide.com/event/cuvee-grand-tasting https://www.niagarathisweek.com/events/9070746--cuv-eacute-e-grand-tasting/ https://www.niagaraonthelake.com/event/69324/event-title https://www.sachem.ca/events/9070746--cuv-eacute-e-grand-tasting/ http://www.fallsconventions.com/events/cuvee-grand-tasting/ https://downtowntoronto.snapd.com/events/view/1211002 https://scarborough.snapd.com/events/view/1211003 https://stcatharines.snapd.com/events/view/1210999 https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/events/9070746--cuv-eacute-e-grand-tasting/ https://www.sue-annstaff.com/pages/events https://www.tawsewinery.ca/event/cuvee-weekend-2018/ https://www.thespec.com/events/9070746--cuv-eacute-e-grand-tasting/ https://www.therecord.com/events/9070746--cuv-eacute-e-grand-tasting/ http://www.niagaragrapelife.com/events/cuvee-grand-tasting-2019/ https://www.todocanada.ca/city/niagara-falls/event/cuvee-grand-tasting/ https://www.torontoondemand.ca/festivals-niagara-ontario https://www.wellandtribune.ca/events/9070746--cuv-eacute-e-grand-tasting/ https://www.winecountryontario.ca/ https://winesinniagara.com/2018/10/ontario-wine-wire-the-new-alvento-plus-niagara-wines-coming-tovintages/#more-15767

CuvĂŠe 2019 Summary Report

Appendix I – Media Articles Media support prior to the event (may not contain all articles written): Cuvée Grand Tasting CHCH Morning Live: https://www.chch.com/a-grand-tasting-time-in-niagara/ Good Food Revolution: https://www.goodfoodrevolution.com/see-you-at-cuvee/ Kwaf only good wine: https://www.kwaf.ca/blogs/whats-new/cuvee-grand-tasting Modern Mississauga: https://www.modernmississauga.com/main/2019/3/6/learn-about-the-cuve-grand-tastingan-annual-celebration-of-ontarios-vqa-wines Niagara This Week: https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/9181441-fine-wine-fine-dine-at-cuv-e/ Palate Practice: http://www.palatepractice.com/a-cuvee-en-route-wish-list/ The Grower: http://thegrower.org/news/best-ontario-vqa-wine-and-food/ Wines in Niagara: https://winesinniagara.com/2018/10/ontario-wine-wire-the-new-alvento-plus-niagara-winescoming-to-vintages/ Wines in Niagara: https://winesinniagara.com/2019/03/niagara-wine-wire-big-changes-at-westcott-vintagesrelease-highlights-cuvee-tickets-on-sale-niagara-colleges-first-orange-wine-blanc-de-blanc/ Cuvée en Route Cuvée en Route Vlog: https://youtu.be/T5N69epqcvs Countdown to Cuvée: https://youtu.be/Llb2GnMR-kw Countdown to Cuvée: https://youtu.be/F4lxQwgi-QA Countdown to Cuvée: https://youtu.be/o9w-aICO9ZM Countdown to Cuvée: https://youtu.be/aMCw96Iw8bw Countdown to Cuvée: https://youtu.be/BRotvc0wv0w Countdown to Cuvée: https://youtu.be/0mYUI69Ohv8 Winemakers Favourites social media contest: https://youtu.be/uFEDou3t5pA Media support post-event (list may not represent all articles written): Good Food Revolution: https://www.goodfoodrevolution.com/what-i-saw-at-cuvee-2019/ Niagara This Week: https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/9240952-ontario-wine-industry-stretchesits-legs-at-cuvee/ The Grower: http://thegrower.org/node/1964 The Grower: http://thegrower.org/news/cuvee-grand-tasting-honours-leaders/ The Standard: https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/living-story/9241034-decanting-niagara-ingenuity-innovationkey-descriptors-for-cuv-e-weekend/ Travel Industry Today: http://travelindustrytoday.com/2019-03-27-cuvee-2019-a-toast-to-ontario-wine::30680/ Vines Magazine: https://www.pressreader.com/@VINES_Magazine/ csb_5Jzw4dTcLPGu_9jz3K5Frb7Sh14UhtYkJwFMKl5tYxM_EBk76S3wEeosWHdeklLA/ Wines in Niagara: https://winesinniagara.com/2019/03/cuvee-2019-in-niagara-the-best-yet/ Wines in Niagara: https://winesinniagara.com/2019/03/the-tasty-food-of-cuvee-2019/ Your TV Niagara, Cogeco: https://yourtv.tv/node/169621?c=niagara/

Cuvée 2019 Summary Report

WHY IT MATTERS All proceeds from Cuvée support the Cuvée Legacy Fund which provides student scholarships and helps advance the research priorities identified by the grape and wine industry. A fundraising event like Cuvée would not be possible without committed sponsors and our growing list of attendees from across Ontario and beyond. Sponsorship and ticket sales are the critical drivers for the sustainability of the event.

Meet Nick Pappas Winning this scholarship really meant that all my hard work for the past 3 ½ years came together. It’s great to win any scholarship but to win a scholarship in the industry you’re entering is really amazing. I received so many congratulations that night from people I didn’t even know or people I’ve heard of and idolized … hearing them say “congratulations” just felt so gratifying. The (scholarship) money goes towards your registration fees at Brock so that really helped me get through my remaining courses. It was awesome not having to worry about going through OSAP. Just having the award on your resume is amazing. It has been really great to see all that community involvement coming together at Cuvée. For more info on Nick visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg53C-htu-g&feature=youtu.be

Meet Jessica Oppenlaender I grew up on a vineyard, my dads a grape grower, my entire family is really involved in the industry. It’s quite the honor to receive such a prestigious scholarship. Cuvee and the scholarship really matter, it’s such a growing industry in Ontario and Canada and Cuvee is really such a nice event to come together, talk and taste some of the incredible wines being made from the region. The proceeds all us to keep researching so that we can continue to make really incredible wines to set us apart from the rest of the world.

For more info on Jessica visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSr3pQM_FNw&feature=youtu.be

THANK YOU To all of our generous supporters including our sponsors, guests, winery and culinary partners, Steering Committee and volunteers.

Cuvée 2019 Summary Report

Cuvée is a magical event where Brock University and the wine industry combine their efforts, to not only recognize, but also promote the outstanding work being done in the Canadian wine industry today.

Gary Comerford,

Chair, Brock Board of Trustees Cuvée is an important and vital showcase for Ontario’s VQA wines, bringing consumers, wine professionals, chefs and industry stalwarts together for a snapshot of the best in local wine and food. Brock has been a champion for this event and celebrates the next generation of winemakers and grape growers by providing scholarships to Brock University Oenology and Viticulture undergraduate and graduate students through the Cuvée Legacy Fund. It’s hard to imagine a more important wine event than Cuvée for enticing so many people to toast excellence in Ontario wine and food.

Rick VanSickle,

Publisher, Wines In Niagara

Cuvée’s celebration of the Ontario wine industry shines a spotlight on the amazing wines being produced in our community. It’s a wonderful evening that is truly unique in Niagara as it brings together winemakers, grape growers, Brock’s wine institute and the community for a savory and memorable evening.

Mayor Walter Sendzik, City of St. Catharines

I have attended Cuvée with friends for the past 5 years, and felt this year truly hit all of the right marks. The food and wine pairings were fantastic, and we didn’t leave the dance floor at the after party. I really loved the buzz around this year’s event. See you next year!

Kim Rossi, Cuvée guest

Cuvée 2019 Summary Report

CuvĂŠe 2019 Summary Report