Ontario had 79 wineries enter this year’s National Wine Awards competition, second only to B.C. With such a strong field of competitors, earning a position in the top 10 is truly an accomplishment.
The wines were presented to the judges without displaying the producer, origin or price. The wines were identified and organized by grape variety or style. The top medalists were tasted in multiple rounds by many different judges.
All ten wineries were from the Niagara region. There were no winners from Prince Edward County, the North Shore of Lake Erie, Norfolk County, Georgian Bay, Huron Shores or the Toronto Wine Region.
The wineries identified in green periodically have their wines available for sale in local liquor stores. The award winning wines identified in blue are available in Ontario through the LCBO.
1. Malivoire Wine Company, Beamsville, ON (1st overall)
Malivoire Wine Company is the National Wine Awards Winery of the Year as a result of their earning 3 Platinum, 1 Gold, 8 Silver and 5 Bronze medals. This was the first year that a winery has received 3 Platinum medals. Malivoire’s wines may be purchased from their website at www.malivoire.com.
Platinum Medal Winners
2020 Le Coeur Gamay – Category: Gamay – $27.95
N/V Bisous Rose – Category: Sparkling Pink – $29.95
2020 Analog Demo Series – Category: Red Blend – $27.95
Gold Medal Winner
2020 Small Lot Chardonnay – Category: Chardonnay – $19.95
Silver Medal Winners
2019 Mottiar Pinot Noir – Category: Pinot Noir – $39.95
2019 Small Lot Pinot Noir – Category: Pinot Noir – $29.95
2020 Genova Gamay – Category: Gamay – $27.95
2020 Small Lot Gamay – Category: Gamay – $21.95
2019 Mottiar Chardonnay – Category: Chardonnay – $34.95
2020 Moira Chardonnay – Category: Chardonnay – $49.95
N/V Bisous Brut – Category: Sparkling Wine – $34.95
2020 Moira Rosé – Category: Rosé – $24.95
Bronze Medal Winners
2018 Stouck Farmstead Red – Category: Red Blend – $29.95
2020 Wismer-Foxcroft Gamay – Category: Gamay – $27.95
N/V Che Bello, Ontario – Category: Sparkling Wine – 17.95
2020 Ladybug Rosé – Category: Rosé – $16.95
2020 Vivant Rosé – Category: Rosé – $19.95
2. Trius Winery, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON (4th overall)
Trius Winery was awarded 2 Platinum, 1 Gold, 7 Silver and 5 Bronze medals at this year’s event. Their wines may be purchased from their website at www.triuswines.com.
Platinum Medal Winners
2019 Showcase Late Harvest Vidal – Category: Late Harvest – $29.95
Brut Rose – Category: Sparkling Pink – $29.95
Gold Medal Winner
2019 Showcase Riesling Ghost Creek – Category: Riesling – $29.75
Silver Medal Winners
2020 Distinction Sauvignon Blanc – Category: Sauvignon Blanc – $19.75
2019 Red The Icon – Category: Red Blend – $24.95
2019 Reserve Syrah – Category: Syrah – $25.75
2019 Showcase Cabernet Franc Red Shale – Cabernet Franc – $54.80
2020 Distinction Sauvignon Blanc – Category: Sauvignon Blanc – $19.75
N/V Brut – Category: Sparkling White – $29.95
N/V Showcase Brut Nature – Category: Sparkling White – $55.00
Bronze Medal Winners
2019 Showcase Pinot Noir Clark Farm – Category: Pinot Noir – $36.75
2020 Distinction Cabernet Sauvignon – Category: Cabernet Sauvignon – $19.75
2019 Distinction Divine White – Category: White Blend – $22.75
2019 Reserve Viognier – Category: Viognier – $23.75
2020 Rosé – Category: Rosé – $18.05
3. Peller Estates, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON (5th overall)
Peller Estates received 2 Platinum, 2 Gold, 5 Silver and 3 Bronze medals at this year’s awards. Their wines are available at retailers across Canada, as well as from their website at www.peller.com.
Platinum Medal Winners
2019 Private Reserve Cabernet Franc – Category: Cabernet Franc – $23.75
2019 Signature Series Riesling – Category: Riesling – $29.95
Gold Medal Winners
2018 Andrew Peller Cabernet Franc Icewine – Category: Icewine – $108.90
2019 Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc – Category: Sauvignon Blanc – $24.75
Silver Medal Winners
2018 Signature Series Vidal Blanc Icewine – Category: Icewine – $74.85
2019 Private Reserve Gamay Noir – Category: Gamay – $21.75
2019 Signature Series Cabernet Franc – Category: Cabernet Franc – $54.80
2018 Signature Series Vidal Blanc Icewine – Category: Icewine – $74.85
2019 Andrew Peller Riesling Icewine – Category: Icewine – $24.99
Bronze Medal Winners
2020 Private Reserve Sauvignon Blanc – Category: Sauvignon Blanc – $20.75
N/V Ice Cuvée Rose Signature Series – Category: Sparkling Pink – $36.75
2020 Private Reserve Rosé – Category: Rosé – $22.75
4. Thirty Bench Wine Makers, Beamsville, ON (9th overall)
Thirty Bench earned 5 Gold, 6 Silver and 3 Bronze medals. Their wines are available online at www.thirtybench.com.
Gold Medal Winners
2019 Small Lot Gewürztraminer – Category: Gewürztraminer – $29.75
2019 Small Lot Riesling Steel Post Vineyard – Category: Riesling – $29.75
2018 Small Lot Riesling Wild Cask – Category: Riesling – $29.75
2018 Small Lot Riesling Wood Post Vineyard – Category: Riesling – $29.75
2017 Small Lot Cabernet Franc – Category: Cabernet Franc – $75.20
Silver Medal Winners
2017 Small Lot Cabernet Sauvignon – Category: Cabernet Sauvignon – $50.00
2018 Small Lot Riesling Triangle Vineyard – Category: Riesling – $29.75
2019 Small Lot Pinot Noir – Category: Pinot Noir – $36.75
2019 Small Lot Riesling Wild Cask – Category: Riesling – $29.75
2019 Small Lot Riesling Wood Post Vineyard – Category: Riesling – $29.75
2019 Winemaker’s Blend Riesling – Category: Riesling – $22.95
Bronze Medal Winners
2019 Winemaker’s Blend Red – Category: Red Blend – $24.95
2019 Small Lot Riesling Triangle Vineyard – Category: Riesling – $29.75
2018 Effervescent Riesling – Category: Sparkling White – $38.95
5. 13th Street Winery, St. Catharines, ON (15th overall)
13th Street was awarded 1 Platinum, 1 Gold, 5 Silver and 14 Bronze medals. Their wines are available at retailers in Ontario, as well as from their website at www.13thstreetwinery.com.
Platinum Medal Winner
2015 Premier Cuvee – Category: Sparkling White – $39.95
Gold Medal Winner
2020 Cabernet Franc June’s Vineyard – Category: Cabernet Franc – $24.95
Silver Medal Winners
2013 Grande Cuvee Blanc de Noir – Category: Sparkling White – $59.95
2019 Gamay – Category: Gamay – $19.95
2019 Blanc de Blanc – Category: Sparkling White – $29.95
2020 Riesling June’s Vineyard – Category: Riesling – $19.95
2020 Gamay Whitty Vineyard – Category: Gamay – $24.95
Bronze Medal Winners
2018 Essence Cabernet Franc – Category: Cabernet Franc – $49.95
2019 Cabernet Merlot – Category: Red Blend – $19.95
2019 Expression Cabernet Merlot – Category: Red Blend – $17.95
2019 Gamay Sandstone – Category: Gamay – $34.95
2020 Gamay – Category: Gamay – $17.95
N/V Burger Blend Gamay Pinot Noir- Category: Red Blend – $14.95
2019 Chardonnay L. Viscek Vineyard – Category: Chardonnay – $34.95
2019 Reserve Pinot Gris Home Farm – Category: Pinot Gris – $29.95
2020 Chardonnay, Creek Shores – Category: Chardonnay – $24.95
2020 Maximum Intervention Riesling – Category: Orange Wine – $24.95
2020 Pinot Gris Market Vineyard – Category: Pinot Gris – $19.95
N/V Burger Blend Riesling Pinot Grigio – Category: White Blend – $14.95
2019 Gamay Blanc de Noir – Category: Sparkling White – $34.95
N/V Cuvée Rose – Category: Sparkling Pink – $29.95
6. Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery, St. Davids, ON (21st overall)
Ravine Vineyard earned 3 Gold, 4 Silver and 6 Bronze medals at this year’s event. Their wines are available online at www.ravinevineyard.com.
Gold Medal Winners
2020 Botrytis Affected Riesling – Category: Late Harvest – $38.00
2019 Lonna’s Block Cabernet Franc – Category: Cabernet Franc – $55.00
2018 Reserve Red Category: Red Blend – $65.00
Silver Medal Winners
2018 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – Category: Cabernet Sauvignon – $65.00
2019 Nancy’s Block Cabernet Franc – Category: Cabernet Franc – $55.00
2020 Patricia’s Block Riesling – Category: Riesling – $35.00
2019 Cabernet Franc Icewine – Category: Icewine – $45.00
Bronze Medal Winners
2018 Reserve Merlot – Category: Merlot – $65.00
2019 Meritage – Category: Red Blend – $32.00
2019 Small Batch Riesling – Category: Riesling – $28.00
2019 Chardonnay – Category: Chardonnay – $35.00
2020 Gewürztraminer – Category: Gewürztraminer – $25.00
2020 Rosé – Category: Rosé – $25.00
7. Fielding Estate Winery, Beamsville, ON (22nd overall)
Fielding achieved 3 Gold, 5 Silver and 12 Bronze medals this year. Their wines are available at retailers across Ontario, as well as from their website at www.fieldingwines.com.
Gold Medal Winners
2018 Estate Bottled Cabernet Franc – Category: Cabernet Franc – $39.95
2019 Cabernet-Syrah – Category: Red Blend – $29.95
N/V Sparkling Brut – Category: Sparkling White – $37.15
Silver Medal Winners
2019 Estate Bottled Riesling – Category: Riesling – $16.25
Fielding 2020 Chardonnay Unoaked – Category: Chardonnay – $15.95
2020 Estate Bottled Chardonnay – Category: Chardonnay – $18.15
2020 Estate Bottled Gamay – Category: Gamay – $25.95
2020 Rosé – Category: Rosé – $15.95
Bronze Medal Winners
2017 Syrah Lowrey Vineyard – Category: Syrah – $34.95
2019 Cabernet Franc – Category: Cabernet Franc – $24.95
2019 Pinot Noir – Category: Pinot Noir – $39.95
2019 Red Conception – Category: Red Blend – $14.75
2020 Gamay Category: Gamay – $19.95
2018 Riesling – Category: Riesling – $16.95
2018 Rock Pile Chardonnay – Category: Chardonnay – $36.95
2019 White Conception – Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon – Category: White Blend – $25.95
2020 Estate Bottled Pinot Gris – Category: Pinot Gris – $21.95
2020 Pinot Grigio – Category: Pinot Grigio – $16.95
2020 Sauvignon Blanc – Category: Sauvignon Blanc – $19.95
N/V Sparkling Rosé – Category: Sparkling Pink – $29.95
8. Creekside Estate Winery, Jordan Station, ON
Creekside was awarded 2 Gold, 5 Silver and 3 Bronze medals. Their wines are available from their website www.creeksidewine.com.
Gold Medal Winners
2017 Iconoclast Syrah – Category: Syrah -$25.00
2020 Sauvignon Blanc – Category: Sauvignon Blanc – $15.95
Silver Medal Winners
2017 Broken Press Syrah Reserve Queenston Road Vineyard – Category: Syrah – $55.00
2018 Iconoclast Semillon Sauvignon – Category: White Blend – $23.00
2018 Laura’s Red – Category: Red Blend – $25.00
2019 Syrah – Category: Syrah – $15.95
2020 Backyard Block Sauvignon Blanc – Category: Sauvignon Blanc – $22.00
Bronze Medal Winners
2017 Laura’s Red – Category: Red Blend – $25.00
2019 Cabernet Merlot – Category: Red Blend – $15.95
2020 Red Tractor Pinot Gris – Category: Pinot Gris – $19.95
9. Tawse Winery, Vineland, ON
Tawse received 2 Gold, 12 Silver and 7 Bronze medals at this year’s awards. Their wines are available from their website www.tawsewinery.ca and from retailers across Ontario.
Gold Medal Winners
2019 Riesling Limestone Ridge-North – Category: Riesling – $21.95
2018 Meritage – Category: Red Blend – $67.95
Silver Medal Winners
2016 Merlot Laundry Vineyard – Category: Merlot – $49.95
2019 Growers Blend Pinot Noir – Category: Pinot Noir -$25.95
2019 Pinot Noir Quarry Road Vineyard – Category: Pinot Noir -$35.95
2018 Riesling Carly’s Block Category: Riesling – $31.95
2018 Riesling Limestone Ridge-North – Category: Riesling – $21.95
2019 Pinot Gris Lawrie Vineyard – Category: Pinot Gris – $27.15
2019 Riesling Quarry Road Vineyard – Category: Riesling – $24.95
2020 Skin Fermented Pinot Gris – Category: Orange Wine – $26.95
2019 Spark Rose Quarry Road Vineyard – Category: Sparkling Pink – $29.95
2014 Spark Chardonnay David’s Block – Category: Sparkling White – $39.95
2019 Spark Limestone Ridge Riesling – Category: Sparkling White – $20.95
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine – Category: Icewine – $35.95
Bronze Medal Winners
2016 Meritage – Category: Red Blend – $67.95
2018 Cabernet Franc David’s Block – Category: Cabernet Franc – $49.95
2019 Gamay Noir Cherry Avenue – Category: Gamay – $28.95
2019 Pinot Noir Tintern Road – Category: Pinot Noir – $44.95
2018 Riesling – Category: Riesling – $15.88
2019 Riesling Carly’s Block – Category: Riesling – $32.15
2020 Sketches Rosé – Category: Rosé – $17.95
10. Redstone Winery, Beamsville, ON
Redstone received 2 Gold, 3 Silver and 2 Bronze medals. Their wines are available from their website at www.redstonewines.ca.
Gold Medal Winners
2019 Brickyard Riesling – Category: Riesling – $13.95
2017 Meritage Redstone Vineyard – Category: Red Blend – $67.95
Silver Medal Winners
2018 Syrah Redstone Vineyard – Category: Syrah – $40.15
2019 The Club Riesling Limestone Vineyard – Category: Riesling – $23.95
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine – Category: Icewine – $36.05
Bronze Medal Winners
2017 The Club Syrah Redfoot Vineyard – Category: Syrah – $39.95
2018 Merlot Redstone Vineyard – Category: Merlot – $39.95
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