No. 99 Club: January 2022

WINTER FUN IN NIAGARA WINE COUNTRY JANUARY 2022

wayne gretzky estates

wayne gretzky estates

wayne gretzky estates

Spirited Nights: Our Great Canadian Whisky Dining Experience

Skating

Fireside Cabana Experience

February 11, March 4 & 25, 2022 $110++ for Wine Club members The evening will begin with a cocktail reception in our Club Lounge followed by a structured whisky tasting in the distillery. The highlight of the evening will be a four-course menu, prepared by Chef Maurice Desharnais, in our underground barrel cellar to complement our whisky portfolio. Finish off the evening with a night cap around the fire in our great Canadian backyard.

Offered Daily $5 for for Wine Club members Bring your skates to enjoy a favourite Canadian activity and relax on the heated Whisky Bar patio as we serve up wine, cocktails and our winter menu (non-alcoholic beverages, too). Skating, plus a table reservation at the Whisky Bar patio, is $5 plus tax per person. Rentals are $10. Skate and helmet rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Skating reservations are required.

Offered Daily $179 for Wine Club members The Fireside Cabana Experience is an exciting private cabana rental for up to 8 guests next to our skating rink. Sit back and relax with the best views of the rink. Our comfy couches are the perfect perch for a couple of hours.

Each cabana has a personal gas fire table for ambiance. Your experience includes 2.5 hour cabana rental, rink entry, skate rentals, and complimentary hot chocolate with Wayne Gretzky Estates Canadian Cream.

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PLEASE NOTE: Check website for current COVID-19 updates and policies.

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Please contact us for complete Member Benefits or for assistance with planning your visit.

WAYNEGRETZKYESTATES.COM Prices do not include taxes or gratuities. Event dates and details are subject to change.

1.844.727.7099 99CLUB @WAYNEGRETZKYESTATES.COM

Happy Birthday, Wayne!

Here’s one to buy

Wayne Gretzky Estates Sauvignon Blanc 2020

$15.95 750 ml

This light to medium-bodied Sauvignon Blanc presents with aromas of grapefruit, gooseberry, green apple, honeydew melon, and lemon balm.

You’ll find flavours of citrus and tropical fruit while notes of lemon and herbs linger on the finish. Serve this alongside Margherita pizza; herbed tomato bruschetta; basil pesto chicken or pasta or spring pea risotto.

Available at the Estate, The Wine Shop, LCBO and online at thewineshops.com

WINEMAKER’S NOTEBOOK Icewine season has arrived! The winemaking team has been busy in the vineyards on cold nights and spending long days in the cellars. Our vineyard operations are relatively quiet at this time of year. We stay indoors to repair netting, maintain equipment and make plans for the 2022 vintage. We were devastated to see the Icewine festivities get cancelled this year, so we hope you can celebrate with our award-winning Vidal at home!

GET TO KNOW OUR

DISTILLER Tim Wilson

wayne gretzky estates

What made you want to work in the whisky industry?

I’ve been in the beverage alcohol game for over 20 years now, starting with brewing beer in my wardrobe as a teenager (sorry Mum!), through to spending 14 years working as a winemaker, before leaping over to spirits. Back in 2012, I had the chance to work with the crew over at Dillon’s when they first opened their doors, and it gave me a little “taste” of the spirits industry.

I was eager for something new to sink my teeth into and was super intrigued by the world of spirits - I made the leap and haven’t looked back, I absolutely love it.

What do you like about working as a distiller for a company that is predominantly known for wine?

The best part is having a group of extremely talented palates, with decades of experience, that I can lean on. Whenever I’m trialing something new or seeking an opinion, we have a plethora of great folks at Andrew Peller Limited that are always keen to get involved and share their opinions. Whether it be wine or whisky, putting together great products requires a team of great people.

What is your favourite Wayne Gretzky Estates product to enjoy and why?

I really love the 99 Proof Whisky. It has a good smack of aged rye in there that brings a lot of spice that I love, but it’s also a really smooth and delicious whisky that can cater to anyone.

Wayne Gretzky Estates Merlot 2020 $15.95/750 ml

ORIGIN:

Niagara Peninsula

STYLE:

Medium-bodied and fruit-forward

ALCOHOL:

12.5%

Winemaker’s notes: This Merlot aged for several months in French oak and underwent a full malolactic fermentation to round out the mouthfeel.

Flavour profile: Purple garnet in colour with a bouquet of cherry, dark plum, subtle spice, and oak notes. This merlot has moderate drying tannins that will soften as the bottle ages. On the palate, flavours of plum and cherry are dusted with cocoa powder and the finish shows notes of black tea, pomegranate, and a touch of mocha.

Best served: Serve at a cool room temperature of 16 to 18°C. Drink now through 2024 served with Portobello mushroom or gourmet beef burgers topped with grilled red pepper and aged cheddar; grilled red meats; lamb chops; three bean stews; meat pie or Bellavitano Merlot cheese.

Wayne Gretzky Estates Vidal Icewine

ORIGIN:

STYLE:

$72.95/750 ml

ALCOHOL:

Niagara Peninsula Sweet and tangy 11%

Winemaker’s notes: This small lot Icewine is harvested from naturally frozen Vidal grapes at -10°C. The grapes are pressed frozen, releasing one drop of pure extract from each grape. The juice is cool fermented to retain freshness and bright fruit flavours, and 10% of the wine is fermented in oak barrels to build texture and complexity.

Flavour profile: This Vidal Icewine is bright yellow gold in colour with a classic bouquet of peach, yellow apple, golden kiwi, mandarin orange, and floral honey.

The mouthfeel is rich and elegant with perfectly balanced sweetness and acidity.

Flavours of citrus, candied pineapple, and golden kiwi explode on the palate, while notes of tangy sweet citrus and delicate honey linger on the long finish.

Best served: Serve chilled at 8 to 10°C in small wine glasses, 1 to 2 oz per person. Enjoy before a meal, chilled with your favourite vodka and a couple of frozen grapes for an amazing Icewine Martini. Enjoy during a meal with pâté; spicy crab cakes, vegetable rolls or Thai dishes; with 2 to 5 year-old Canadian cheddar or blue cheeses, or alongside fruit-based desserts (pineapple, peach, pears, apple, apricot). Enjoy now through 2029.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM: Platinum Medal - 97 points | Decanter World Wine Awards, UK 2021 Gold Medal - 96 points | International Wine & Spirit Competition, UK 2021 Gold Medal - 95 points | International Wine Challenge, UK 2021