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National Wine Awards Top Wines

/ A Layman's Wine Musings / Leave a comment
Photo credit: winealign.com

There was a new category, Non-Alcoholic Wines, at this year’s National Wine Awards. Non-alcoholic wines must be made either entirely or partially from grapes and can include hybrids such as products made from grapes blended with other fruits. There are no restrictions on how they are made (unfermented versus various methods of removing or lowering alcohol, partial ferments, etc.).

This year’s Platinum and Gold medal wine winners are presented below. The complete list of award winners is available at winealign.com/awards.

Sparkling Wines

Platinum Medal

  • Fielding N/V Sparkling Rosé, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Malivoire N/V Bisous Rosé, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON

Gold Medal

  • 50th Parallel 2020 Blanc de Noir, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Henry of Pelham 2018 Cuvée Catharine Estate Blanc de Blancs Carte Blanche, ON
  • Huff Estates 2022 Cuvée Peter, Prince Edward County, ON
  • La Frenz 2021 Aster Brut, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Liquidity NV Reserve Brut, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Malivoire 2019 Bisous Blanc de Blanc, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Megalomaniac N/V Bubblehead Rosé, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Queenston Mile 2018 Blanc de Blanc, St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Serendipity 2016 Sparkling Truth, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Tantalus 2023 Blanc de Blancs, East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Tawse N/V 25th Anniversary Spark, West Niagara, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Tinhorn Creek N/V Blanc de Blanc, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Township 7 2023 Seven Stars Rigel Fool’s Gold, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Two Sisters Vineyards 2021 Blanc de Franc, Niagara Peninsula, ON

Orange Wine

Platinum Medal

  • None awarded

Gold Medal

  • None Awarded

Rosé

Platinum Medal

  • None Awarded

Gold Medal

  • Le Vieux Pin 2025 Vaila, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Lunessence 2025 ESV Blanc de Noirs, Summerland Bench, BC
  • Seven Directions 2025 Grenache Rosé Solum Rosa Estate, BC

Pinot Gris/Grigio

Platinum Medal

  • None Awarded

Gold Medal

  • Bench 1775 2025 Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Hillside Winery 2025 Unoaked Pinot Gris, Naramata Bench, BC
  • Solvero 2025 Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley, BC

Red Blends

Platinum Medal

  • Hidden Bench 2022 La Brunante, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Laughing Stock 2023 Blind Trust Red, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Palatine Hills 2021 Overtime Meritage (Red), Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, ON

Gold Medal

  • Black Bank Hill 2023 Égalité, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Burrowing Owl 2022 Meritage, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Fielding 2023 Cabernet-Syrah, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Fielding 2023 Red Conception, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Fielding 2024 Fireside Red – Cabernet, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Kew 2023 Soldier’s Grant, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Kismet 2020 VIRSA, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Kismet 2021 Moksha, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • La Frenz 2022 Cabernets Rockyfeller Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • La Frenz 2022 Grand Total Reserve, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Laughing Stock 2023 Portfolio, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Maverick 2022 Renegade, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Moraine 2022 Meritage, BC
  • Mt. Boucherie 2022 Contessa, BC
  • Nomad at Hinterbrook 2022 Wanderlust, Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Painted Rock 2022 Red Icon, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Painted Rock 2022 Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Phantom Creek 2022 Grande Cuvée, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Phantom Creek 2022 Phantom Creek Vineyard Cuvée, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Road 13 Vineyards 2022 John Oliver 5th Element, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Roche Wines 2022 Chateau, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Rosewood 2023 Looking Glass, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Stratus 2022 Red, Niagara on the Lake, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • The Organized Crime 2022 Sacred Series The Download, Beamsville Bench, ON
  • The Organized Crime 2023 Sacred Series The Download, Beamsville Bench, ON
  • Thirty Bench 2023 Benchmark Red, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Township 7 2022 Benchmark Series Reserve 7, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Trius 2023 Grand Red, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Van Westen 2022 Voluptuous, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Wayne Gretzky 2023 No.99 The Icon, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, ON

White Blends

Platinum Medal

  • Roche Wines 2023 Viognier Marsanne, Okanagan Valley, BC

Gold Medal

  • Creekside 2024 Iconoclast Sauvignon Semillon, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Divergence Wines 2024 MVR Bock Vineyard, St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Divergence Wines 2024 Sémillon Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Kew 2024 Marsanne Viognier, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • La Frenz Naramata Estate 2023 Reserve Ensemble, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Maverick 2025 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Terravista Vineyards 2025 Fandango, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC

Library Wines

Platinum Medal

  • Poplar Grove 2015 The Legacy Library Collection, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Tawse 2016 Limestone Ridge-North Riesling, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON

Gold Medal

  • 50th Parallel 2022 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Crown et Thieves 2020 The Dimber Damber Okanagan Valley
  • Moon Curser 2020 Dead of Night, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • O’Rourke Family Estate 2020 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Phantom Creek 2021 Phantom Creek Vineyard Cuvée, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Queenston Mile 2020 Viognier Estate Bottled, St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Tawse 2016 Carly’s Block Riesling, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Tawse 2016 Quarry Road Riesling, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, ON

Gamay

Platinum Medal

  • None awarded

Gold Medal

  • 13th Street 2024 Whitty Vineyard Gamay, Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Bachelder 2024 Kirby Cru de Niagara 45% Whole Cluster Vieilles Vignes Gamay Noir, ON
  • Orofino 2025 Gamay, Similkameen Valley, BC
  • SpearHead 2023 Blueberry Hill Gamay, Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Vieni Estates 2025 Novello Nouveau Gamay Noir, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Volcanic Hills 2025 Gamay Noir, Okanagan Valley, BC

Pinot Noir

Platinum Medal

  • Little Engine 2022 Vineyard Select Pinot Noir, BC
  • Malivoire 2024 Pinot Noir Three Rows, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON

Gold Medal

  • Bachelder 2023 Hanck Pinot Noir, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Bachelder 2023 Lowrey Vineyard Old Eastern Block 84/88 Cuvée Pinot Noir, St., ON
  • Black Bank Hill 2023 Pinot Noir, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Cloudsley Cellars 2023 Parke Vineyard Pinot Noir, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Domaine Queylus 2022 Pinot Noir Tradition, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Fielding 2024 Rock Pile Pinot Noir, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Flat Rock Cellars 2024 Capstone Series Gravity Pinot Noir, Twenty Mile Bench, ON
  • Four Shadows 2022 Pinot Noir, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Grange of Prince Edward 2024 Estate Series Pinot Noir Diana Block, Prince Edward County, ON
  • Hidden Bench 2023 Pinot Noir Rosomel Vineyard, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Jackson-Triggs Niagara 2023 Grand Reserve Pinot Noir, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Little Engine 2022 Silver Pinot Noir, BC
  • Meyer 2022 B Field Blend McLean Creek Road vineyard, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Roche Wines 2022 Pinot Noir, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • SpearHead 2023 Jagged Ridge Pinot Noir, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Stag’s Hollow 2022 Pinot Noir Shuttleworth Creek Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, BC
  • Stanners 2023 Pinot Noir, Prince Edward County, ON
  • Unsworth 2023 Cowichan Valley Pinot Noir, Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, BC
  • Wild Goose Winery 2022 Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, BC

Chardonnay

Platinum Medal

  • Deep Roots 2023 Reserve Chardonnay, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Meyer 2023 Chardonnay Old Main Rd Vineyard, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Queenston Mile 2023 Chardonnay Signature Reserve, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Stratus 2024 Chardonnay Unfiltered Bottled with Lees, Niagara on the Lake, ON
  • Tawse 2023 Estate Chardonnay, West Niagara, Niagara Peninsula, ON

Gold Medal

  • 16 Mile Cellar 2023 Tenacity Single Barrel Selection Chardonnay, Creek Shores, ON
  • Bachelder 2023 Hill of Wingfield Wismer-Wingfield Vineyard Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, ON
  • Bachelder 2023 Wismer Wingfield Vineyard Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, ON
  • Bachelder 2023 Wismer-Foxcroft NORD Vineyard Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, ON
  • Black Bank Hill 2023 Chardonnay, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Closson Chase 2023 Chardonnay Churchside, Prince Edward County, ON
  • Domaine Queylus 2023 Chardonnay Limited Edition Clone 548, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Domaine Queylus 2024 Chardonnay Réserve du Domaine, Lincoln Lakeshore, ON
  • Fielding 2025 Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Henry of Pelham 2024 Speck Family Reserve Chardonnay, Short Hills Bench, ON
  • Hidden Bench 2024 Unfiltered Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Mission Hill 2023 Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Mission Hill 2023 Terroir Collection Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Perenelle 2024 Chardonnay, St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Quails’ Gate 2023 Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Rust Wine Co. 2023 Chardonnay Lost Horn Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Stonebridge 2023 Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Tantalus 2024 Chardonnay Mio Vineyard, ON
  • Tawse 2023 Quarry Road Chardonnay, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Tawse 2023 Robyn’s Block Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • The Organized Crime 2023 Cuvée Krystyna Chardonnay, Beamsville Bench, ON
  • Three Dog Winery 2024 Foxcroft Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON

Red Single Varieties

Platinum Medal

  • None awarded

Gold Medal

  • Moon Curser 2022 Carménère, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Phantom Creek 2022 Becker Vineyard Carménère, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Rosehall Run 2024 Tempranillo, Prince Edward County, ON
  • Tightrope 2023 Barbera Fleet Road Vineyard, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC

White Single Varieties

Platinum Medal

  • None awarded

Gold Medal

  • Clos sans frontières 2024 Chenin Blanc Clos sans frontières, QC
  • Culmina 2025 Unicus, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Terravista Vineyards 2025 Albariño, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC

Gewürztraminer

Platinum Medal

  • None awarded

Gold Medal

  • Rust Wine Co. 2025 Gewürztraminer South Rock Vineyard, Golden Mile Bench, BC

Viognier

Platinum Medal

  • None awarded

Gold Medal

  • Palatine Hills 2024 Lakeshore Viognier, Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, ON

Sauvignon Blanc

Platinum Medal

  • Peninsula Ridge 2024 Reserve Fume Blanc, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON

Gold Medal

  • Chaberton 2025 Sauvignon Blanc, BC
  • Peller Estates 2024 Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
  • Peller Estates 2025 Private Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Queenston Mile 2024 Sauvignon Blanc Small Batch Reserve, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Stag’s Hollow 2025 Sauvignon Blanc Soaring Eagle Vineyard, Naramata Bench, BC

Syrah

Platinum Medal

  • Laughing Stock 2023 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Mayhem 2025 Syrah Gill Estate Vineyard, Golden Mile Slopes, Okanagan Valley, BC

Gold Medal

  • Clos du Soleil 2022 Winemaker’s Series Syrah, Similkameen Valley, BC
  • Corcelettes 2022 Syrah Estate Vineyard, Similkameen Valley, BC
  • Creekside 2023 Shiraz, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Moraine 2022 Syrah Anastasia Estate Vineyard, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Nk’Mip Cellars 2022 Qwam Qwmt Syrah, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Nostalgia Wines 2022 Syrah Family Collection, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Painted Rock 2022 Syrah, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Poplar Grove 2022 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Rust Wine Co. 2022 Syrah South Rock Vineyard, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Vanessa Vineyard 2021 Syrah, Similkameen Valley, BC
  • Vanessa Vineyard 2021 Syrah, Similkameen Valley, BC

Riesling

Platinum Medal

  • Redstone 2023 Riesling Limestone Vineyard, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON

Gold Medal

  • CedarCreek 2023 Aspect Riesling, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Charles Baker Wines 2022 Vinemount Ridge, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Fielding 2023 Estate Riesling, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Fort Berens 2024 Riesling Reserve Wild Ferment, Lillooet, BC
  • Fort Berens 2024 Riesling, Lillooet, BC
  • Huff Estates 2023 Day Tripping Riesling, ON
  • Orofino 2025 Old Vines Riesling Home Vineyard, Similkameen Valley, BC
  • Quails’ Gate 2025 Clone 21B Riesling, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Synchromesh Storm Haven 2023 Block 2 Riesling, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Synchromesh Storm Haven 2023 Blue Label Riesling Gold Digger, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Synchromesh Storm Haven 2023 Gibson-Block 3 Riesling, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Tantalus 2025 Riesling, East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Tawse 2024 Quarry Road Vineyard Riesling, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • The Organized Crime 2025 Riesling, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Upper Bench 2025 Estate Riesling, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC

Fortified Wine

Platinum Medal

  • None awarded

Gold Medal

  • La Frenz N/V Liqueur Muscat, Okanagan Valley, BC

Icewine & Late Harvest

Platinum Medal

  • Byland 2024 Riesling Icewine, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, ON

Gold Medal

  • Byland 2024 Riesling Icewine, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Inniskillin 2024 Vidal Icewine, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Inniskillin Niagara Estate 2023 Riesling Icewine, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Inniskillin Niagara Estate 2024 Riesling Icewine, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Magnotta 2023 Riesling Icewine Niagara Peninsula Limited Edition VQA, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Magnotta 2024 Vidal Icewine Niagara Peninsula Limited Edition VQA, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Pelee Island 2023 Riesling Icewine, Lake Erie North Shore, ON
  • Pillitteri 2024 Commendatore Sparkling Vidal Icewine, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Ravine Vineyard 2023 Riesling Icewine, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Tzafona Cellars 2024 Vidal Icewine, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Whistler Sauvignon Blanc 2022 Ice Wine, Okanagan Valley, BC

Cabernet Sauvignon

Platinum Medal

  • Black Bank Hill 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Nk’Mip Cellars 2022 Qwam Qwmt Cabernet Sauvignon, Okanagan Valley, BC

Gold Medal

  • Mission Hill 2022 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Nostalgia Wines 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Painted Rock 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Palatine Hills 2021 Overtime Cabernet Sauvignon, Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, ON

Cabernet Franc

Platinum Medal

  • Inniskillin 2023 Lament Farms Cabernet Franc, St David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON

Gold Medal

  • Al Borgo 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve, Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Black Bank Hill 2023 Cabernet Franc, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Burrowing Owl 2023 Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Dandor 2023 Cabernet Franc, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Inniskillin 2023 Heron Pond Cabernet Franc, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Magnotta 2024 Cabernet Franc Venture Series VQA, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Maverick 2022 Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Nomad at Hinterbrook 2022 Cabernet Franc Unfiltered, Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Peller Estates 2023 Signature Series Cabernet Franc, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Phantom Creek 2022 Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Synchromesh 2022 Cabernet Franc Storm Haven Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Thirty Bench 2023 Small Lot Cabernet Franc, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Tinhorn Creek 2023 Reserve Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Township 7 2022 Benchmark Series Reserve Cabernet Franc Raju Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Two Sisters Vineyards 2022 Cabernet Franc, Niagara Peninsula, ON
  • Wayne Gretzky 2023 Signature Series Cabernet Franc, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, ON

Merlot

Platinum Medal

  • None awarded

Gold Medal

  • Maverick 2022 Merlot, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Tinhorn Creek 2023 Merlot, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Township 7 2022 Infinity, Okanagan Valley, BC

Malbec

Platinum Medal

  • None awarded

Gold Medal

  • La Frenz 2022 Malbec Rockyfeller Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Moon Curser 2022 Malbec, Okanagan Valley, BC

No/Low Alcohol

Platinum Medal

  • None awarded

Gold Medal

  • None awarded

Sláinte mhaith

The 2026 National Wine Awards

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Photo credit:winealign.com

The 2026 National Wine Awards of Canada (NWAC) took place in Niagara Falls, Ontario in mid June. However, the results were not fully tallied and presented until July 31st.

This week I will focus on the wineries that attained the highest honours and next week I will direct attention to the individual wines that were declared the top in their class.

Winery of the Year

The Niagara region’s Tawse Winery was bestowed the honour of being Winery of the Year, for the fifth time in the Awards 26-year history. At this year’s Awards Tawse earned 1 Platinum, 4 Gold, 13 Silver and 8 Bronze medals.

Top 10 Wineries

  1. Tawse Winery – Ontario – 1 Platinum, 4 Gold, 13 Silver, 8 Bronze
  2. Fielding Estate Winery – Ontario – 1 Platinum, 6 Gold, 9 Silver, 5 Bronze
  3. Black Blank Hill – Ontario – 1 Platinum, 4 Gold, 4 Silver
  4. La Frenz Estate Winery – British Columbia – 6 Gold, 6 Silver, 5 Bronze
  5. Bachelder – Ontario – 6 Gold, 5 Silver, 5 Bronze
  6. The Organized Crime Winery – Ontario – 4 Gold, 7 Silver, 5 Bronze
  7. Maverick Estate Winery – British Columbia – 4 Gold, 2 Silver
  8. Phantom Creek Estates – British Columbia – 4 Gold, 8 Silver, 2 Bronze
  9. Painted Rock Estate Winery – British Columbia – 4 Gold, 3 Silver, 4 Bronze
  10. Township 7 Vineyards & Winery – British Columbia – 4 Gold, 4 Silver, 3 Bronze

Best Performing Small Winery

Black Bank Hill, located in the Lincoln Lakeshore appellation of the Niagara Peninsula, is the Best Performing Small Winery. This award goes to the top-scoring winery that produces a maximum of 10,000 cases of wine. Blank Bank Hill only opened in 2021, making it one of the most rapid rising wineries ever witnessed by the NWAC.

The winery earned 1 Platinum, 4 Gold and 4 Silver medals at this year’s event.

Top 10 Small Wineries

  1. Black Bank Hill – Ontario – 1 Platinum, 4 Gold, 4 Silver
  2. La Frenz Estate Winery – British Columbia – 6 Gold, 6 Silver, 5 Bronze
  3. Bachelder – Ontario – 6 Gold, 5 Silver, 5 Bronze
  4. The Organized Crime Winery – Ontario – 4 Gold, 7 Silver, 5 Bronze
  5. Maverick Estate Winery – British Columbia – 4 Gold, 2 Silver
  6. Painted Rock Estate Winery – British Columbia – 4 Gold, 3 Silver, 4 Bronze
  7. Township 7 Vineyards & Winery – British Columbia – 4 Gold, 4 Silver, 3 Bronze
  8. Synchromesh Wines – British Columbia – 4 Gold, 3 Bronze
  9. Laughing Stock Vineyards – British Columbia – 2 Platinum, 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
  10. Queenston Mile Vineyard – Ontario – 1 Platinum, 2 Gold, 5 Silver, 4 Bronze

Top 10 British Columbia Wineries

  1. La Frenz Estate Winery – 6 Gold, 6 Silver, 5 Bronze
  2. Maverick Estate Winery – 4 Gold, 2 Silver
  3. Phantom Creek Estates – 4 Gold, 8 Silver, 2 Bronze
  4. Painted Rock Estate Winery – 4 Gold, 3 Silver, 4 Bronze
  5. Township 7 Vineyards & Winery – 4 Gold, 4 Silver, 3 Bronze
  6. Synchromesh Wines – 4 Gold, 3 Bronze
  7. Laughing Stock Vineyards – 2 Platinum, 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
  8. Roche Wines – 1 Platinum, 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
  9. Tantalus Vineyards – 3 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze
  10. Tinhorn Creek Vineyards – 3 Gold, 3 Silver, 4 Bronze

Top 10 Ontario Wineries

  1. Tawse Winery – 1 Platinum, 4 Gold, 13 Silver, 8 Bronze
  2. Fielding Estate Winery – 1 Platinum, 6 Gold, 9 Silver, 5 Bronze
  3. Black Blank Hill – 1 Platinum, 4 Gold, 4 Silver
  4. Bachelder – 6 Gold, 5 Silver, 5 Bronze
  5. The Organized Crime Winery – 4 Gold, 7 Silver, 5 Bronze
  6. Malivoire Wine Company – 2 Platinum, 1 Gold, 9 Silver, 7 Bronze
  7. Hidden Bench Estate Winery – 1 Platinum, 2 Gold, 8 Silver, 4 Bronze
  8. Queenston Mile Vineyard – 1 Platinum, 2 Gold, 5 Silver, 4 Bronze
  9. Palatine Hills Estate Winery – 1 Platinum, 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 5 Bronze
  10. Peller Estates – 3 Gold, 3 Silver, 3 Bronze

The complete list of award winning wineries is available at winealign.com/awards.

Sláinte mhaith

Your Own Whisky or Wine Club

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It has been suggested to me on more than one occasion that I should consider starting a whisky or wine club. Although I have never pursued such an endeavor it does provide some great opportunities for those who would like to do so. For example, it allows you to try more whiskies or wines than you could reasonably otherwise source.

Photo credit: artofit.com

It is beneficial to be somewhat knowledgeable about wine or whisky, but it is not absolutely necessary. More importantly, a club president should be an active listener and helpful when it comes to leading a group towards a consensus on the flavour profile of a wine or spirit.

To assist those of you who would like to consider organizing an enthusiastic group of wine or whisky lovers, I have put together a list of recommendations from a few experts to help get you started.

First, understanding the basics of how whisky or wine is made and the fundamental differences between styles is somewhat essential to starting a club. There are many resources you can access at no cost to assist you.

Begin with a small group, no more than ten people. This will help in spreading the cost of the whiskies or wines that you will be sampling.

Find a restaurant with a decent selection of wine or single malts, a good pub, or best yet, a specialist whisky or wine bar, and talk to them about a partnership. If you offer to bring in a group of enthusiastic wine or whisky drinkers on a quiet night on a regular basis, they may be willing to offer you space and may even let you provide some of the selections.

It is a good idea to have a theme for every meeting. This will help your members orient themselves when tasting a wine or whisky and give them something to focus on when thinking about how one selection differs from others tried during the session.

If asked, you may be surprised to learn that your favourite distillers or wineries may be willing to assist in some way. Don’t be afraid to write to your favourite brands, introduce yourself and let them know well in advance of any tastings you are planning. They may agree to support you in some way.

Your club or society should meet regularly, either monthly or bimonthly. This makes managing venues and attendance much easier.

Social media, such as a Facebook group, will enable club members to get more involved, offering opinions and suggestions for future tastings. It relieves you of the pressure of having to come up with all the new ideas.

If you decide that a spirit enthusiasts club is the thing for you, there are additional things you may need to consider such as membership fees and financing, advertising, guest speakers and educators, any liquor control requirements, etc.

Ultimately, whether your club has three or thirty members, it is a venture that can provide much pleasure and banter.

Sláinte mhaith

Wine for Valentine’s Day

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Photo credit: springsgroup.ca

Wine is a popular choice for Valentine’s Day. Whether it is paired with food or enjoyed on its own, it helps create a romantic atmosphere. Given that Valentine’s Day is about your partner’s love and affection, be sure to select a wine that will match their preferences; the best wine is one that your partner will enjoy, so tailor your selection to their tastes.

Remember to serve the wine at the correct temperature as this will help enhance its flavour and aroma. The ’20 Minute Rule’ is an easy way to do this. For white wine that has been chilling in the refrigerator all day, set it out 20 minutes before serving. For red wine do the opposite. Place it in the fridge to chill for 20 minutes before serving.

If you want to add an element of surprise to your experience, introduce your partner to a wine from a less-known region. Another option is to try a grape variety that you don’t normally serve.

If you are looking for a wine to enjoy with chocolate, it is best to match the intensity of the wine to the type of chocolate. For dark chocolate, opt for bold red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Port. Milk chocolate goes well with fruity, lighter-bodied reds, such as Pinot Noir or sweeter sparkling wines. White chocolate pairs well with sweet white wines like Moscato or dry options like a crisp Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Sláinte mhaith

A New Ontario Winery

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According to an Instagram post just before Christmas, coming soon is the new “Skye Chase Winery” where you can “Discover what’s happening at St Thomas’ new social experience. Exceptional wine, culinary delights and a lounge with breathtaking views. Explore the new Skye Chase Winery and all it has to offer.”

Being intrigued, I did some research and learned that Skye Chase Winery was previously the Quai Du Vin Estate Winery. The vines of Quai Du Vin, now Skye Chase, date back to the 1970s with the original winery operating since 1990. Therefore, the vineyards that Skye Chase has assumed are well established and mature. It appears the new owner, Kyle MacDonald, took over ownership of the winery in 2025.

According to their website, Skye Chase’s objective is to create a winery that will establish Southwest Ontario as one of Canada’s great wine regions. They refer to themselves as a terroir-forward vineyard, letting the grapes be a direct expression of the natural environment, including the weather, soil and mineral content. They feel that this will let them make the highest quality, most interesting wines.

The head winemaker is Jay Johnston, a graduate from Niagara College’s Viticulture & Winemaking program. He has previous winemaking experience with Jackson-Triggs, Le Clos Jordanne, Hidden Bench, and Flat Rock Cellars.

The Skye Chase team has expanded the vineyards and dedicated their winemaking skills to focus on varietals best suited for the region’s unique terroir and climate. Thus, their focus is on cool climate varietals. The whites include Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Riesling. The reds are Cabernet, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir.

They have revamped the “Fruit & the Vine” fruit wines with the new label “Wine’d Up Wine Company”. They claim, “It’s fruit wine done better, fresher, cleaner and ready for any occasion. Same flavour forward personality, just a whole new vibe.”

Skye Chase is looking to enhance the winery by constructing a new building that will feature a retail store, tasting room and Restobar.

Best of luck to the new Skye Chase Winery.

Sláinte mhaith

Gift for the Host

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Good Housekeeping magazine now suggests to their readers that a bottle of olive oil is a much more appropriate hostess gift than a bottle of wine. Personally, I am not about to change my behaviours simply on the advice of a magazine or trends in office parties. If I am hosting or attending a social gathering, it is most likely with my friends who, like me, still enjoy a well-crafted alcoholic beverage, whether it be wine, beer or spirits.

Photo credit: cwocorp.com

I am right at home, literally, when I select a bottle of wine from the cellar to take to a dinner party. What I choose will vary based on the occasion, whether I am pairing the wine to a dinner menu, or the host’s personal wine preferences of white versus red, the grape varietal, or country of origin.

On the other hand, I would have no clue as to what olive oil I should purchase for a hostess gift. I feel that I would need to go to a food specialty store as making the purchase at my local Food Basics or No Frills grocery store seems to lack thought and character. Then comes the question – do you get regular olive oil, extra virgin olive oil, or cold pressed extra virgin olive oil? Is one better? Does the use matter? Is Italian olive oil better or different from Greek or French olive oil? Is one brand better than another?

After dealing with the stress of trying to select the most suitable oil, I would then have to witness the expression on my host’s face as the bottle is pulled from the package and the realization is made that this is not something to be poured into a glass, sipped on and enjoyed. I would be met with a polite smile and eyes of bewilderment.

During these changing times the most important thing is to understand your host’s preferences. Don’t change your gift giving practices just to correspond with current trends but match your gift giving to the preferences of your host.

Sláinte mhaith

Holiday Season Wine Pairings

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With Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve celebrations all quickly approaching, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to choosing what to eat and drink during those festive gatherings. Here is a list of some of the best wines to pair with the flavours of the holidays.

Photo credit: winedevaexperiences.com

For rich, buttery foods, wines with good acidity will refresh the palate. As always, match the weight of the wine to the food: Light-bodied wines go with lighter dishes, while full-bodied wines can stand up to hearty, richer food.

If you are serving sparkling wine, be sure to keep it chilled. Sparkling wine always adds an instant celebratory feel and pairs well with everything from appetizers to desserts.

If you want to keep it simple, you can offer a red, white, and a sparkling option to cover the diverse flavours on the dinner table. Guests can then choose which wine they prefer. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling are all good general options.

Here are some classic holiday pairing selections:

Main DishesRed WineWhite Wine
Roast turkeyPinot NoirChardonnay (oaked or unoaked)
Glazed hamPinot NoirPinot Gris, Riesling
Prime Rib / Roast BeefCabernet SauvignonChardonnay  
Roast ChickenPinot NoirChardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Salmon / Baked FishPinot NoirSauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris
Beef BrisketSyrah, MalbecRiesling
Spicy Gumbo Off-Dry Riesling
Side Dishes / AppetizersRed WineWhite Wine
Charcuterie Sparkling
Crab cakes          Sparkling
Creamy dishes Pinot Gris, Chardonnay
Vegetable dishesPinot Noir          Sauvignon Blanc
Collard Greens Dry Riesling
Sweet Potatoes Chardonnay
Mashed potatoesPinot NoirChardonnay
Potato latkes     Sauvignon Blanc
Squash soup      Chardonnay
Pasta salad        Beaujolais, GamayPinot Gris
DessertsRed WineWhite Wine
Peach cobbler Late Harvest Riesling
Apple PieTawny PortDemi-Sec or Doux Sparkling Wine
Bread puddingTawny Port, SherrySémillon
Sticky toffee pudding   Tawny Port, SherrySémillon
Pecan pieTawny Port, Gamay 
Crème brûléeTawny PortDemi-Sec Champagne
Christmas cakeTawny Port, SherryChampagne or Prosecco

Enjoy the festive season!

Sláinte mhaith

The Office Holiday Party

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Drinking one’s face off at a party or social gathering is becoming a less acceptable behaviour. The younger generations, Millennials and Gen Z, are now the most likely groups to attend holiday parties. They tend to find alcohol less desirable and thus, its use in social settings is changing. Getting into the holiday spirit no longer requires spirits, with mocktails and alcohol-free bars now becoming very popular. 

Photo credit: homrest.com

Gen Z and Millennials are also the ones most likely to make an early exit from the party. About 28% of Gen Z say they stay just long enough for the food, while 39% of millennials admit to quietly slipping away without even saying goodbye.

Zero-proof cocktails and menus featuring gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options are reflective of a broader focus for these events. However, for those that continue to provide alcoholic options, cocktail menus are more curated and upscale and aim to incorporate local ingredients or have a more direct relationship with the company or event. 

A poll conducted in Great Britain suggested that over twenty percent of office Christmas parties in 2024 were alcohol-free events. This is an increase of two percent over just one year previous, suggesting that this is an increasing trend.

For me, being retired, gone are the days of attending work-related events steeped in their traditions and corporate politics that were often fueled by alcohol, especially during the later hours. Having emceed one of these events attended by a couple of hundred people, I appreciate the benefits of the alcohol-free approach. It can be entertaining to sometimes watch the alcohol fueled antics of some attendees and stressful to see others say or do something totally inappropriate and potentially career-limiting. It can be both tragic and embarrassing for these individuals after they sober up and realize what they had done.

Gatherings are becoming smaller as well. Less companies are hosting single large gatherings attended by all employees. Instead, they are opting for smaller intimate settings pertaining to the interests of specific groups. The events tend to focus more on food and less on spirits.

Gone are the days of wearing lampshades at a party.

Sláinte mhaith

The 2025 National Wine Awards

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Photo credit: winealign.com

This year Penticton, British Columbia hosted the 25th anniversary of the WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada (NWAC). The NWAC is the country’s largest competition, involving only 100 percent Canadian-grown and produced wines.

This year a new category was introduced – Library Wines. This classification includes wines that are 5 years or older. These aged wines were not compared against each other but instead, each wine was independently assessed as to where it was in its lifecycle and how well it was ageing and tasting.

The Replacement wines or Crafted in B.C. wines were not included as part of The WineAlign National Wine Awards.

Winery of the Year

The 2025 Winery of the Year is Penticton, British Columbia’s Mission Hill Family Estate. This is the sixth time Anthony von Mandl has been awarded this prestigious honour.

This year, Mission Hill entered 11 top-tier wines, earning two Platinum medals, five Golds and one Silver medal.

The balance of the top 10 wineries are:

  • Laughing Stock Vineyards, Penticton, British Columbia
  • Meyer Family Vineyards, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • SpearHead Winery, Kelowna, British Columbia
  • The Organized Crime Winery, Beamsville, Ontario
  • Quails’ Gate Winery, Kelowna, British Columbia
  • Peller Estates, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
  • Fielding Estate Winery, Lincoln, Ontario
  • Trius Winery, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
  • Tantalus Vineyards, Kelowna, British Columbia

Best Performing Small Winery

This year’s Best Performing Small Winery is Penticton, British Columbia’s Laughing Stock Vineyards. Laughing Stock earned eight medals at this year’s event: two Platinum, three Gold, one Silver, and two Bronze. 

When the winery was acquired by Arterra Wines in 2017, some experts had concerns as to whether Laughing Stock would maintain its boutique identity under its new corporate umbrella. However, the winery continues to operate with a small, focused team and remains fully independent in its winemaking approach.

The balance of the top 10 small wineries are:

  • Meyer Family Vineyards, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • SpearHead Winery, Kelowna, British Columbia
  • The Organized Crime Winery, Beamsville, Ontario
  • Tantalus Vineyards, Kelowna, British Columbia
  • Township 7 Vineyards and Winery, Penticton, British Columbia
  • Stag’s Hollow Winery, Okanagan Falls, British Columbia
  • Moon Cruiser Vineyards, Osoyoos, British Columbia
  • Orofino Vineyards, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
  • Thirty Bench Wine Makers, Beamsville, Ontario

Platinum Awards

A Platinum medal is the highest award possible. Less than 2% of the 1,700 wines and ciders entered received this award.

The award process involves a minimum of eight judges, three or four in the first round, and five or six in the second round. Each wine must have achieved an aggregate score of 93 points by five of those judges. 93 points or better is considered entering the realm of “outstanding.” Thus, not every judging category had a Platinum recipient.

This year’s Platinum Award winners are listed below:

Library Wines

  • Moon Curser 2020 Malbec, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Red Blends

  • Black Hills 2023 Bona Fide, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Laughing Stock 2022 Blind Trust Red, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Nomad at Hinterbrook Winery 2021 Wanderlust, Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Palatine Hills Ramblers 2024 Schmoozer Cabernet Merlot, Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • The Organized Crime 2022 The Download, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Trius 2022 Grand Red, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Pinot Noir

  • 1 Mill Road 2022 Pinot Noir Home Block, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Lightning Rock Winery 2022 Pinot Noir Canyonview Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Meyer 2022 Old Block Pinot Noir   McLean Creek Road Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • SpearHead 2022 Okanagan Valley Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • SpearHead 2022 Pommard Clone Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Chardonnay

  • 1 Mill Road 2023 Chardonnay, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Meyer 2022 Chardonnay McLean Creek Road Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Mission Hill Family Estate 2022 Perpetua, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Quails’ Gate Winery 2022 Rosemary’s Block Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Syrah

  • Laughing Stock 2022 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Sandhill 2022 Syrah Terroir Driven Wine, British Columbia
  • Stag’s Hollow 2022 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Riesling

  • CedarCreek 2022 Aspect Collection Riesling, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Peller Estates 2023 Signature Series Riesling, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Thirty Bench 2022 Small Lot Riesling, Triangle Vineyard, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario Trius 2023 Showcase Riesling, Ghost Creek, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Icewine and Late Harvest

  • Inniskillin 2023 Riesling Icewine Niagara Estate, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Byland 2023 Riesling Icewine, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Cabernet Franc

  • Black Bank Hill 2022 Cabernet Franc, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Fielding 2023 Cabernet Franc, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Kismet 2022 Cabernet Franc Reserve, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Mission Hill Family Estate 2022 Terroir Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Niagara College Teaching Winery 2022 Dean’s List Cabernet Franc, St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
  • Tinhorn Creek 2022 Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
  • Merlot

The complete list of award winners can be found at www.winealign/awards.

Sláinte mhaith

The 2025 All Canadian Wine Championships

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The All Canadian Wine Championships (ACWC) is open to all Canadian licensed wineries, cideries and meaderies and content must normally be grown and made in Canada. However, for this year, a new section was added, the international “Cellared in Canada” segment. These wines contain imported grapes or juice. The “Cellared in Canada” program was introduced in 2024 in response to the environmental disasters that severely impacted many British Columbia vineyards. No trophies were awarded for this special category.

As with previous years, the judges come from across Canada and include wine writers, sommeliers, and professional wine judges from the Wine Judges of Ontario. Some judges have been with the competition for more than twenty years.

Awards are presented for Gold, Silver and Bronze winners but the top scoring wine in each category is awarded Double Gold.

This year there were a total of 911 wines entered from 163 wineries.

The Trophy and Double Gold winners for grape wines are presented below. For the complete listing of award winners, visit the ACWC website at www.allcanadianwinechampionships.com/acwc-2025-results/. All prices are expressed in Canadian dollars.

The 2025 Trophy Awards were presented to:

Best Sparkling Wine of the Year

Time Family of Wines, British Columbia – 2018 Evolve Brut Nature – $49.99

Best Red Wine of the Year

Creekside Estate Winery (Diamond Estate Wines and Spirits), Ontario – 2020 Shiraz – $15.95

Best White Wine of the Year

Solvero Wines, British Columbia – 2022 Chardonnay – $40.25

Best Dessert Wine of the Year

Pillitteri Estates Winery Inc., Ontario – 2019 Racina Riesling Icewine – $40.00

Best Rosé Wine of the Year

Keint-he Winery and Vineyards Ltd., Ontario – 2023 Portage Rosé – $24.80

Best Fruit Wine of the Year

Maan Farms Estate Winery, British Columbia – N/V Strawberry Dessert – $29.41

Best Cider of the Year

Archibald Orchards & Winery, Ontario – N/V Hard Ginger – $13.80

Best Mead of the Year

Miel Nature Inc., Quebec – N/V Pomme et miel – $20.00

The 2025 Double Gold medal winners were the following:

Sparkling Wine-Traditional Method

Time Family of Wines, British Columbia – 2018 Evolve Brut Rosé – $49.99

Sparkling Wine–Charmat Method

Monte Creek Winery, British Columbia – 2022 Living Land Sparkling – $27.59

Sparkling Wine–Frizzante Method

Cherry Point Estate Wines, British Columbia – 2024 Spritzy Rosé – $33.40

Chardonnay, Unoaked

Strewn, Ontario – 2023 Distinctive Small Lot Chardonnay Musque – $24.92

Chardonnay Under $35.00

Deep Roots Winery, British Columbia – 2023 Reserve Chardonnay – $34.90

Chardonnay Over $35.00

Solvero Wines, British Columbia – 2022 Chardonnay – $40.25 “Best White Wine of the Year”

Riesling Dry

Three Sisters Winery, British Columbia – 2023 Riesling – $28.75

Riesling Off Dry

Huff Estates Winery, Ontario – 2023 Day Tripping Riesling – $20.00

Sauvignon Blanc

Featherstone Winery, Ontario – 2024 Sauvignon Blanc – $17.95

Gewürztraminer

Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery, British Columbia – 2023 Gewürztraminer – $26.00

Pinot Gris Style

Alderlea Vineyards, British Columbia – 2024 Pinot Gris – $26.45

Pinot Grigio Style

Volcanic Hills Estate Winery, British Columbia – 2024 Pinot Gris – $28.74

Viognier

Rainmaker Wines, British Columbia – 2022 Viognier Rainmaker – $30.00

Other Single Vitis Vinifera Whites

Chaberton Estate Winery, British Columbia – 2024 Estate Grown Siegerrebe – $19.95

White Vitis Vinifera Blends

Alderlea Vineyards, British Columbia – 2024 Valerie – $26.45

Single White Hybrids

Magnetic Hill Winery, New Brunswick – 2024 The OC Osceola by the Sea – $20.00

White Hybrid Blends

Bear River Vineyards, Nova Scotia – 2024 Greater Yellowlegs – $25.00

Orange Wines

The Good Earth Food and Wine Co., Ontario – 2023 Chardonnay Musque Orange – $23.80

Rosé Dry

Keint-he Winery and Vineyards Ltd., Ontario – 2023 Portage Rosé – $24.80 “Best Rosé of the Year”

Rosé Off Dry

Kismet Estate Winery, British Columbia – 2024 Phulkari Rosé – $29.89

Cabernet Sauvignon $35 and Under

Black Sage Vineyard, British Columbia – 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon – $32.99

Cabernet Sauvignon Over $35.00

Laughing Stock Vineyards, British Columbia – 2022 Market Darling – $60.00

Merlot $35 and Under

Bordertown Vineyard & Estate Winery, British Columbia – 2020 Merlot – $25.00

Merlot Over $35.00

Pillitteri Estates Winery Inc., Ontario – 2020 Exclamation Merlot – $60.00

Pinot Noir $35 and Under

Keint-he Winery and Vineyards Ltd., Ontario – 2022 Portage Pinot Noir – $24.80

Pinot Noir Over $35.00

16 Mile Cellar, Ontario – 2022 Tenacity Pinot Noir – $59.80

Cabernet Franc $35 and Under

Pillitteri Estates Winery Inc., Ontario – 2020 Carretto Cabernet Franc – $28.00

Cabernet Franc Over $35.00

Bella Terra Vineyards, Ontario – 2022 Cabernet Franc – $49.72

Bordeaux Blends $35 and Under

Magnotta Winery, Ontario – 2019 Magnotta Meritage Gran Riserva VQA – $31.95

Bordeaux Blends Over $35.00

Dirty Laundry Winery, British Columbia – 2020 Bordello – $44.99

Syrah/Shiraz $35 and Under

Creekside Estate Winery (Diamond Estate Wines and Spirits), Ontario – 2020 Shiraz – $15.95 “Best Red Wine of the Year”

Syrah/Shiraz Over $35.00

Moraine Estate Winery, British Columbia – 2022 Syrah – $39.00

Single Red Hybrids

Magnetic Hill Winery, New Brunswick, – N/V Terroir Generator New World Cali Style – $30.00

Red Hybrid Blends

Planters Ridge Winery, Nova Scotia – 2022 Quintessence Red – $25.36

Other Single Red Vitis Vinifera

Colchester Ridge Estate Winery, Ontario – 2022 Petit Verdot – $39.95

Other Red Vitis Vinifera Blends

Nk’Mip Cellars   British Columbia, – 2022 Winemakers Talon – $32.99

Marechal Foch

Alderlea Vineyards, British Columbia – 2023 Clarinet – $27.60

Malbec

Rainmaker Wines, British Columbia – 2022 Malbec – $40.00

Gamay

Hillside Winery & Bistro, British Columbia – 2021 Founder’s Block Gamay Noir – $45.00

Appassimento Style

Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery, Ontario – 2023 Appassimento Cabernet Franc Hawks Flight Reserve – $44.80

NEW SEGMENT FOR 2025 – INTERNATIONAL “CELLARED IN CANADA”

Single Red Vitus Vinifera

Devonian Coast Wineries, Nova Scotia – N/V Ducks Crossing Cabernet Sauvignon – $13.67

Sparkling

Moraine Estate Winery, British Columbia – 2024 Shipuchka Frizzante – $28.00

Single White Vitus Vinifera

See ya Later Ranch, British Columbia – 2024 Pinot Gris – $19.99

White Vitus Vinifera Blends

Sunnybrae Vineyards & Winery, British Columbia – 2024 Twisted Path Washington – $24.73

Rosé

Arterra Wines Canada, British Columbia – 2024 Saintly Rosé – $20.99

DESSERT WINES

Late Harvests

Vignoble Rivière du Chêne, Quebec – 2024 Cuvée Glacée des Laurentides – $28.05

White Icewines (Riesling, Vidal, Other)

Pillitteri Estates Winery Inc., Ontario – 2019 Racina Riesling Icewine – $40.00 “Best Dessert Wine of the Year”

Red Icewines

Magnotta Winery, Ontario – 2019 Magnotta Cabernet Franc Icewine Limited Edition VQA – $44.95

Grape Fortifieds

Moraine Estate Winery, British Columbia – 2022 O’port – $47.00

Next up on the championship list will be the National Wine Awards. The results should be released around mid-July.

Sláinte mhaith