Chefs of Cuvée
Tasting Plates are subject to change.
Note: Each food station will include an offering of a vegan/glutenfree dish.
Bolete
176 St Paul Street, St. Catharines, 289-213-2440 bolete.ca
Chef Andrew McLeod champions the modern Canadian cuisine movement Integrating local and terroir-driven products from across the country with influences from Canada’s myriad of cultures gives his style a distinct place in Niagara’s flourishing food scene.
TASTING PLATES
• Albacore Tuna Crudo Tostada
• Szechuan Pepper Glazed Pork Belly
Brindle
160 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines, 647-832-0204 brindlefoodco.ca
Chef Carlos De Veyra is one half of the team behind Brindle, a food and technique driven cafe in St. Catharines. Carlos combines his 15+ years of professional cooking experience, Filipino heritage, and travels to inspire his food. Working in some of the top restaurants in Toronto and Vancouver and finally settling in St. Catharines, Carlos combines different techniques from Italian, Japanese and French cuisine to create a unique and approachable menu while sourcing some of the great local ingredients of the Niagara Region.
TASTING PLATES
• Shrimp Kinilaw
• Potato Gnocchi
Fat Rabbit
34 Geneva Street, St. Catharines, 416-939-8377 fat-rabbit.ca
With over 20 years of culinary experience, Chef Zach Smith has run kitchens from Vancouver to Niagara. Most recently, Toronto’s Bar Raval and Matty Matheson’s Meat & Three in Fort Erie, Ontario.
TASTING PLATES
• Charcuterie
• Albondigas
Ostin’s Restaurant, Holiday Inn
327 Ontario Street, St. Catharines, 289-547-8102 ostins.ca
Chef Ryan Clarke is a Niagara Falls native and graduate of Niagara college. Ryan learned early on that he had a passion for food, people, and creating memorable experiences through hospitality. After spending his early years working through the Niagara hotel and restaurant scene, he moved to the Ottawa valley area where he specialized in weddings and an approachable take on steak, seafood, and navigating the restaurant industry during the unique challenges of the pandemic.
Tonight I am featuring and celebrating some of our provinces’ fantastic cheesemakers. See you at my station, help me celebrate their passion and talents. Cheers, J Mark.
TASTING PLATES
• Artisan cheeses of Ontario
Wellington Court
11 Wellington Street, St. Catharines, 905-682-5518 wellington-court.com
Chef Erik Peacock grew up around the food business. An early exposure to the food business, paired with the beautiful bounty of the Niagara food and wine region, shaped Erik’s future as a chef.
TASTING PLATES
• Trout tiradito with tiger milk, cucumber, radish and kale chips
• Beef stroganoff, jacket potato, bacon butter and fried shallots
Sweet treats
Criveller Cakes
4435 Portage Road, Niagara Falls, 905-356-9441 crivellercakes.ca
At Criveller Cakes, our two skilled chefs take the lead in the kitchen, bringing years of experience in the art of baking. We specialize in signature cakes, pastries, and tasting plates, crafted with passion and precision.
TASTING PLATES
• Signature cakes
• Pastries
• Icewine truffle and assorted chocolate
Italian Ice Cream
5458 Victoria Avenue, Niagara Falls, 905-651-6565 italianicecream.ca
Chef Andrew Vergalito is the chef/owner of The Italian Ice Cream Company, in Niagara Falls, est. 1978. With 30 plus years of experience, Andrew enjoys creating new, classic, gelato flavours for everyone to enjoy! His inspiration comes for the bounty of Niagara, local top chefs and ingredients from Italy. Enjoy!
TASTING PLATES
• Gelato bar
• Semifreddo
Cuvée winery program listing
13th Street Winery
1776 Fourth Avenue, St. Catharines, 905-984-8463 13thstreetwinery.com
WINEMAKER: Jean-Pierre Colas
FAVOURITE WINE: Blanc de Blanc NV, $30.65 GP #28420 W O
Why? Because I want to awaken your taste buds! Because my taste can become your taste too! Because I found tremendous rewarding pleasure sipping this bright, fresh, alive, mineral, elegant brut zero 100% Chardonnay, Method Traditionelle sparkling. Because I am sick and tired of this ocean of uniform, fat, creamy, toasty, oak and sweet Chardonnay sparkling. I raise this glass to the future. Join me on my journey. Perhaps it’s not too late! Welcome to my crazy world. Cheers! Jean-Pierre
FAVOURITE WINE: 2023 Syrah, $30.65 W O
As a consumer, I am a fanatic Rhone Syrah lover, and as a winemaker, I enjoy working with this Syrah varietal. I enjoy taking on the challenge of this complex varietal, which showcases floral components as well as spicy notes, gaminess, and earthiness. This one is still young but showing nice potential, not covered by too much barrel aging, and makes me dream of a future lamb or venison food pairing, for the pleasure of taste buds through the glass or the fork! Welcome to my crazy tastes. Cheers, Jean-Pierre
Calamus Estate Winery
3100 Glen Road, Jordan Station, 905-562-9303 calamuswines.com
WINEMAKER: Kevin Panagapka
FAVOURITE WINE: 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon, $24.95 W Cabernet Sauvignon is well-liked and a sought-after wine. Aroma of currant, cassis, and bell pepper. Full bodied, finely integrated tannin with a flavour of cedar, spice and vanilla.
FAVOURITE WINE: 2023 Unoaked Chardonnay, $18.95 W O This wine is a Double Gold Winner for the ACWC.
Château des Charmes Wines
1025 York Road, St. Davids, 905-262-4219 chateaudescharmes.com
WINEMAKER: Amelie Boury
FAVOURITE WINE: Eclat, $18.95 W
It’s been such a thrill to create our new Charmat Sparkling wine, Éclat - available in a white and rosé. Crisp and refreshing, the white cuvée is made from Aligoté, an amazing variety rarely grown in Ontario –even more rare as a sparkling. I love its bright notes of green apple and lemon zest, its freshness and low alcohol with just a touch of sweetness. It’s honestly delicious. Look for the Rosé Éclat at the Après Sparkling Bar!
FAVOURITE WINE: 2023 Gamay Rosé - Creek Road Vineyard, $26.00 W O
Rosé wines can span such a wide range of grape varieties, styles, and winemaking techniques. This wine uses a lot of different approaches to make the different components that make up the blend: direct to press hand harvested Gamay forms the basis and gives great freshness and purity, saignée from Gamay macerated for a few hours builds texture and fruit intensity, and finally some barrel fermented Sauvignon Blanc from the adjacent block adds some aromatic complexity while keeping the fruit source to just one vineyard. All of this may be interesting to us winemakers, but the important part is it’s just a delicious wine!
Domaine Le Clos Jordanne
4260 Mountainview Road, Beamsville, 905-563-3942 leclosjordanne.com
WINEMAKER: Thomas Bachelder
FAVOURITE WINE: Claystone Terrace Pinot Noir, $42.00 W O
Claystone Terrace is a benchmark for premium Pinot Noir out of Niagara. A handcrafted wine created from two small Pinot Noir parcels out of our iconic Claystone Terrace Vineyard. It’s a lovely and nuanced expression of the wild bramble fruit and textured iron-slate minerality that can be discovered within our Jordan bench terroir.
FAVOURITE WINE: Claystone Terrace Chardonnay, $42.00 W O Claystone Terrace is a benchmark for premium Chardonnay out of Niagara. A handcrafted wine created from a single parcel of Chardonnay out of our iconic Claystone Terrace Vineyard. It’s the whole package, when it comes to cool climate Chardonnay, with a dense core of citrus and stone-fruit and a great drive of chalky sea spray, minerality.
Flat Rock Cellars
2727 Seventh Avenue, Jordan Station, 905-562-8994 flatrockcellars.com
WINEMAKER: Andrea Perez Castillo
FAVOURITE WINE: 2021 The Rusty Shed Chardonnay, $32.99 W
This Chardonnay is one of my favourites—crafted from five unique micro-parcels on our estate, each bringing something special to the glass. A touch of new French oak adds layers of complexity, balancing savoury notes with ripe stone fruits, lemon curd, and a beautiful flinty minerality. The limestone-rich soils of our vineyard give this wine its signature vibrancy and depth, making every sip a reflection of our unique terroir. I love how it’s both rich and refreshing, with a long, lifted finish that keeps you coming back. This is the kind of Chardonnay that truly showcases what Flat Rock is all about.
FAVOURITE WINE: 2021 Gravity Pinot Noir, $35.99 W
A vintage like 2021 doesn’t come around often, and neither does a wine like this—Gravity at its most elegant and refined. The purity of the year shines through in every glass, with layers of red and black cherry, raspberry, and black currant, beautifully balanced by warm spice from barrel aging. On the palate, it’s intense yet graceful, with a silky texture that unfolds over time. The structure and velvety tannins hint at its incredible ageing potential, but if you can’t wait, a good decant will let its opulence shine. This is a wine to savour now or cellar for years to come—it only gets better with time.
Front Road Cellars
1195 Front Road, St. Williams, 519-586-2256 frontroadcellars.ca
WINEMAKER: Nick Vranckx
FAVOURITE WINE: Bright Side 2024 Off-Dry Riesling, $19.95 W O
Our 2024 Bright Side Off-Dry Riesling showcases Norfolk County’s distinct terroir and perfectly captures what we love about Riesling. Sourced just down the road from a local grower + friend, this vintage strikes a beautiful balance between bright acidity, ripe orchard fruit, and a touch of sweetness. It’s a true expression of our house style, while highlighting the breezy sun-soaked lakeside proximity that adds depth and complexity.
FAVOURITE WINE: Renegade 2022 Marquette-Cabernet, $27.95 W
Our Renegade 2022 Marquette-Cabernet was selected to spotlight Marquette, a grape we’ve planted widely on our estate and truly believe in as a future standout for Ontario. This blend brings together the vibrant, juicy character of Marquette with the structure and depth of cabernet, proving just how well they complement each other. It’s a bold yet balanced expression of our region — one that showcases the potential of cool-climate hybrids in Ontario’s evolving wine landscape.
Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery
1469 Pelham Road, St. Catharines, 905-684-8423 henryofpelham.com
WINEMAKER: Lawrence Buhler
FAVOURITE WINE: 2017 Cuvée Catharine Blanc de Blancs ‘Carte Blanche’, $44.95 V #315200
Named in memory of Henry’s wife, widow, and family matriarch, Catharine Smith, ‘Carte Blanche’ is a vintage expression of Cuvée Catharine. Fruit sourced from our oldest and best estate-grown Chardonnay vineyards is hand-picked, the best of the best juice is isolated, partially barrel fermented and then aged for 54 months on the lees. Look for elegant lemony flavours and aromas of freshly baked bread.
FAVOURITE WINE: 2022 Speck Family Reserve Baco Noir, $24.95 GP #461699 W O
From Ontario’s Baco Noir pioneers the Speck Bros. comes a full-bodied red wine with brambly fruit character and an intense core of minerality.
FAVOURITE WINE: Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Shiraz, $29.95 GP #317941 W
This wine comes mostly from our Delaine Vineyard situated on the Niagara River Sub Appellation and has been producing worldclass Shiraz for Jackson Triggs since 2005. Don and Elaine Triggs cherished this vineyard since taking ownership of this farm in the early 2000’s and to still be able to make outstanding wines from this vineyard is very humbling. Walking through this vineyard, you know right away that you are somewhere special. Incredible soil diversity is what makes this vineyard special, with sandy, silty soils on one end of the vineyard to heavy loam and clay on the other side. With the Niagara River nestled against the East side of the vineyard, nighttime temperatures remain quite warm and daytime temperatures a little cooler. This helps extend the growing season at Delaine by up to 7-10 days which allows for maximum ripening.
King and Victoria Winery
3845 Victoria Avenue, Vineland, 905-562-0000 kingandvictoria.com
WINEMAKERS: Robert Harold, Joe Schenck
FAVOURITE WINE: 2022 Pinot Noir, $55.00 W O
From the low yield 2022 vintage, this wine is the epitome of Twenty Mile Bench Pinot Noir. Violets, vanilla, and spice mingle on a backbone of dark cherry. At once bold and delicate, this is a great example of our Hanck Vineyard terroir and a true celebration of a place that consistently produces extraordinary wines. Vintage 2022. 100% Pinot Noir (clones 114, 115, 777) from 16-year-old vines. Handpicked. Hand-sorted. Wild Ferment. Natural MLF. Aged 21 months in French oak.
FAVOURITE WINE: 2024 Sauvignon Blanc, $30.00 W O Twenty Mile Bench sunshine in a glass. The rich, round mouthfeel is carried on bright acidity, making this the perfect wine for summer food pairings. Aromas of boxwood, melon, and pear are the result of a wild ferment that amplifies the unique terroir of our Hanck Vineyard site. Vintage 2024. 100% Sauvignon Blanc (clone 530) from 18-yearold vines. Hand-picked. Wild yeast, cool ferment in stainless steel.
Leaning Post Wines
1491 HWY 8, Stoney Creek, 905-643-9795 leaningpostwines.com
WINEMAKER: Ilya Senchuk
FAVOURITE WINE: 2021 Pinot Noir - Senchuk Vineyard, $79.30 W O 2021 is the seventh vintage of our flagship Pinot Noir from our estate Senchuk Vineyard, and perhaps the one we are the most proud of. The growing season was exceptionally tricky, with a lot of humidity and rain throughout the season. However, our property showed a bit of “Winona Magic” in this far western corner of Niagara. The work we put in was crazy, but right on cue, the rain swept away and the sun peaked out at our vineyard resulting in fully ripe Pinot Noir, with no breakdown and almost identical numbers, flavours and weight to previous vintages. The layers of earth and dirt have been dialed up to 11, without losing fruit! Unfolding effortlessly with black and red cherry, pomegranate, sugar-beets, mossy/brambly character, tarragon, sage and oregano, iron and rare-meat, pepper, kirsch and mulberry. Internally we call it our “miracle wine”.
FAVOURITE WINE: 2024 Sauvignon Blanc, $29.58 W O
Our goal for our Sauvignon Blanc is to reflect the unique Niagara Lakeshore terroir and this wine always delivers. I love this wine because it not only has a big, powerful nose, and bright acidity matched by a full, creamy texture, and a notable flinty, sea-spray minerality. Fermented in Stainless Steel, and aged in Acacia, neutral French oak, and stainless-steel on lees for 7 months. Even more intensely tropical than usual, aromas of mango and passionfruit leap forward with the kiwi, lemongrass and lime-leaf, dragon-fruit, keylime, lemongrass and sweet thai basil immediately behind.
Magnotta Winery
4701 Ontario Street, Beamsville, 905-563-5313 magnotta.com
WINEMAKERS: Peter Rotar & Marco Zamuner
FAVOURITE WINE: G.Marquis 2022 Chardonnay VQA - The Silver Line, $19.95 W O
Our single vineyard G. Marquis Chardonnay is made exclusively with grapes grown in our Niagara Stone Road vineyard, situated in the heart of the prestigious and historic Niagara-on-the-Lake region. The terroir of this 25-acre vineyard brings out the very best of Ontario’s character. This wine is aging beautifully, showcasing its full potential.
FAVOURITE WINE: Magnotta 2020 Enotrium Gran Riserva VQA, $59.95 W O
Enotrium is Canada’s first Amarone-inspired red wine. It is our best and finest expression of Ontario’s classic Bordeaux grapes grown in Magnotta’s Niagara Peninsula vineyards. Crafted in the Appassimento method to create a remarkably concentrated wine with great complexity and exquisite structure.
Malivoire Wine Co.
4260 King Street, Beamsville, 905-563-9253
malivoire.com
WINEMAKER: Elisa Mazzi
FAVOURITE WINE: Bisous Rosé NV, $32.00 W O
Our Bisous sparkling rosé stands out as one of my favourites because it truly captures the essence of Pinot Noir in its most refined and expressive form. Crafted using the traditional method and aged on lees for two years, it showcases a beautiful balance between freshness and complexity. For me, this wine is a perfect reflection of precision, elegance, and the potential of Pinot Noir in sparkling form.
FAVOURITE WINE: 2022 Small Lot Gamay, $22.00 W O
Gamay is a wine I always find myself reaching for—versatile, crowdpleasing, and perfect for any occasion. It has an effortless charm, offering bright fruit, freshness, and structure all in one. Our Small Lot Gamay is a true reflection of our Malivoire vineyards, and this 2022 vintage captures the perfect balance of all that Gamay has to offer. The palate is firm yet juicy, with fresh acidity that lifts the mid-palate, keeping each sip lively and refreshing. Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with a meal, our Small Lot Gamay is a wine that never disappoints ~ one I’m always glad to have on hand.
Marynissen Estates
1208 Concession 1 Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, 905-468-7270 marynissen.com
WINEMAKER: Mitchell McCurdy
FAVOURITE WINE: 2021 Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon, $44.95 W O
My choices have earned their spot as my favorite wines for their exceptional balance and character. Our Platinum series is meant to showcase the best wines Niagara can produce. This Cabernet Sauvignon is no exception. The Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon is a shining example of how well this variety can do in Niagara with its bold richness, offering deep, velvety tannins and notes of dark fruit and oak that linger beautifully on the palate. A beautiful cellar worthy dry red. Mitchell’s favourite.
FAVOURITE WINE: 2024 Heritage Riesling, $22.95 V #39279
My choices have earned their spot as my favorite wines for their exceptional balance and character. Our Heritage Collection showcases single vineyards and this Picone Riesling is a stunning expression of Riesling. The Picone Vineyard is situated in the Vinemount Ridge Sub-appellation right on the top of the escarpment with well-draining soil. This may be Mitchell’s favourite Riesling he has made as the intensity and acidity offer great balance and complexity, even with 25g/L of residual sugar. It is an absolute pleasure to make wine from such an incredible vineyard, the fruit is handpicked and when it arrives at the winery it tastes and looks incredible. This vineyard makes it easy to create world class Riesling.
Peller Estates Winery
290 John Street East, Niagara-on-the-Lake, 905-673-5537 peller.com
WINEMAKER: Katie Dickieson
FAVOURITE WINE: 2023 Peller Estates Private Reserve Gamay Novelle, $22.00 W
Our inaugural carbonic Gamay Noir was a thrill to make! Fresh, lively and delicate, the flavours were born of great fruit and allowing intracellular fermentation to create intense fruit flavours and softer tannin development.
FAVOURITE WINE: 2022 Andrew Peller Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc, $32.00 W The Wine Shop
From the Glenlake Johnston vineyard in NOTL, this wine is so fun to make! 100% barrel fermented and aged sur lie for 10 months to provide texture and weight beneath the intense aromatics and vibrant acidity.
Peninsula Ridge Estate Winery
5600 King Street West, Beamsville, 905-563-0900 peninsularidge.com
WINEMAKER: Sean Palmer
FAVOURITE WINE: 2020 BV Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, $35.20 W
This wine is 100% from our Beal Vineyard estate vineyards and shows a classic representation of the Beamsville bench terroir, with dark rich fruit and subtle tannins aged in American and French Oak Barrels. A wine to enjoy for years to come.
Ravine
Vineyard Estate Winery
1366 York Road, St. Davids, 905-262-8463
ravinevineyard.com
WINEMAKER: Lydia Tomek
FAVOURITE WINE: 2022 Reserve Patricia’s Block Riesling, $32.97 W O
We wanted to choose wines that were from specific blocks at our winery to showcase our unique soil and winemaker’s talent.
FAVOURITE WINE: 2020 Reserve Nancy’s Block Cabernet Franc, $66.87 W O
We wanted to choose wines that were from specific blocks at our winery to showcase our unique soil and winemaker’s talent.
Redstone Winery
4245 King Street, Beamsville, 905-563-9463 redstonewines.ca
WINEMAKERS: Jessica Otting
FAVOURITE WINE: 2018 Redstone Blanc de Blancs, $33.95 W
The 2018 Blanc de Blancs from Redstone really shines with a balance of complexity and freshness! The combination of bready, yeasty notes with the bright red apple adds such a nice contrast, making it both elegant and approachable. This traditional method sparkling from the Benchlands is playful yet complex, aged perfectly on lees for 6 years. The value of this wine is unbelievable!
FAVOURITE WINE: 2020 Redstone Merlot, $40.95 W
The 2020 Merlot was the truest test of patience and trusting the process. To get this wine to where it needed to be meant taking a step back and giving the wine the time it needed. It is a true expression of Ontario merlot.
Riverview Cellars Estate Winery
15376 Niagara Parkway, Niagara-on-Lake, 905-262-0636 riverviewcellars.com
WINEMAKER: Nicholas Salvatore
FAVOURITE WINE: 2023 Riesling “East Block” - Angelina’s Reserve, $24.95 W O
The Riesling on Riverview’s estate is grown on multiple different soil types. The “East Block” is grown on a silty clay loam which offers a grapefruit, floral and mineral component that I love so much. I wish that I could bring the “West Block” too, but I could only pick one for this event!
FAVOURITE WINE: 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon “Basket Press” - Salvatore’s Reserve, $59.95 W O
This might be the most unique red I’ve ever made. A small harvest of Cab was picked very late into November from a Virgil vineyard. It was so small that everything had to be done by hand including crushing, and destemming. Everything was pressed in a small basket press and there was only enough wine to fill 2 French oak barrels. The labour of love was worth the reward in this generously ripe and concentrated red.
FAVOURITE WINE: 2020 Terroir Cabernet Franc, $83.00 W O
Cabernet Franc is one of Strewn’s three foundation red varietals and is well suited to the Niagara terroir. The grapes in our 2020 Terroir Cabernet Franc came from our Home Farm vineyard in Niagaraon-the-Lake and the owners’ private vineyard in the Creek Shores appellation. We only make Terroir reds in exceptional vintages and the previous Terroir Cabernet Franc was made in 2016. I’m thrilled that the 2020 vintage won a Gold Medal at Selections Mondiales des Vins Canada.
Tawse Winery
3955 Cherry Avenue, Vineland, 905-562-9500 tawsewinery.ca
WINEMAKER: Jessica Otting
FAVOURITE WINE: 2022 Sparkling Rosé, $30.95 W
The 2022 Sparkling Rosé is a team favorite, and it’s easy to see why! Sourced from the Limestone vineyard, this traditional method sparkling wine captures the essence of the land. The vibrant notes of strawberry and cranberry shine, creating a lively and refreshing profile and the bright acidity adds a crisp, clean finish. It’s the perfect balance of fruitiness and finesse, making it a standout choice for any occasion!
FAVOURITE WINE: 2022 Cherry Ave Pinot Noir, $49.95 W
The 2022 Cherry Ave Pinot Noir is a true expression of Tawse’s commitment to quality. From the Cherry Avenue vineyard, this wine captures the essence of the bench’s unique terroir. The bright cherry notes reflect the sun-drenched days, while the crisp acidity is a result of cooler evenings. Truly a flagship wine that speaks to both place and craftsmanship.
Thirty Bench Winemakers
4281 Mountainview Road, Beamsville, 905-614-3219 thirtybench.com
WINEMAKER: Emma Garner
FAVOURITE WINE: Sparkling Riesling, $40.00
GP #469478 W The Wine Shop
This wine is always a great way to start a celebration. I enjoy it’s electric acidity and beautiful aromatics and flavours of lime and wet rock. Riesling always shines on the bench and this wine is no exception.
FAVOURITE WINE: 2021 Extended Barrel Aged Pinot Noir, $36.00 W The Wine Shop
In 2021 we decided to experiment with the barrel aging of our Premium Pinot Noir. The result was a well-rounded, increased intensity version of our Small Lot wine. In subsequent vintages we expanded this practice and is now how we approach our Pinot Noir vinification.
Trius Winery
11249 Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, 905-582-8412 triuswines.com
WINEMAKER: Emma Garner
FAVOURITE WINE: Trius Showcase Blanc de Noirs, $58.00 W
Bubbles and Trius are synonymous, and the Showcase portfolio is our most premium offering. The Blanc de Noirs is a blend of 90% Pinot
