What’s Involved in Selling at Farmers’ Markets

Published on June 20, 2014 by Ingrid Sapona Category: Out and About

As promised, a bit more about the new program that allows Ontario wineries to sell and offer tastings of their VQA wines at Farmers’ Markets.

The program, which started on May 1, 2014, is a two-year pilot being run by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). Only wineries that have a manufacturer’s licence can participate – that means you won’t see any home brewers setting up a booth. Also, only Vintners’ Quality Alliance (VQA) wines can be sold at the markets. (So, for those wineries that have both VQA and non-VQA wines in their portfolios, they’ll only be able to sell VQA wines at the markets.)

There are also rules about what markets qualify – basically they have to be centrally located (so no side-of-the-road sales from pick-up trucks!) and have stalls at which people offer for sale farm products, baked goods and preserved foods that are their own products. The AGCO has a list of Farmers’ Markets across the province at which wineries can sell. The list is updated weekly. Here’s a list of the markets as of June 16, 2014.

The wineries can sell at any number of Farmers’ Markets, so if you happen to visit a couple markets on a given day, it’s possible you’ll see a particular winery at multiple markets on one day. But, a winery cannot be at a particular market more than three times a week. (So far that doesn’t seem like much of a restriction, given that most Farmers’ Markets are only open a few days a week.)

One other curious requirement is that the wines must be transported from the winery on the day they are for sale at a market and any unsold wine must be returned to the winery at the end of the day. So, for the wineries that means a lot of schlepping on market day – and a lot of early mornings to make sure that the wines get to the market on time.

Stanners Vineyard is a small winery (they produce about 1000 cases/year) in Prince Edward County. They’re participating in the program at a number of markets here in the Toronto area. (Just imagine what time they have to leave the winery in PEC to set up shop at a booth here in Toronto by 9 a.m. on a Saturday!) I asked Colin Stanner, owner and winemaker at Stanners Vineyard, about their participation in the program.

Colin said they decided to participate because their wines aren’t available at the LCBO and they saw the program as a way to give people a chance to try and buy their wines without having to make a trip to the winery or buy on-line without having tasted the wines. They also like the idea of being able get their wines “to people right in their own neighborhood”.

As for how they decide what wines to bring each week, Colin said they like to have a couple of reds and a couple of whites for people to choose from. So far they’ve not brought more than five different wines to the markets. Their plan is to vary what they bring each week, including new releases. (Apparently their 2012 Cab Franc will be out soon, and after that they’ll bring out their 2013 Pinot Gris.)

And finally, when asked how it’s been going, Colin admitted it’s been a lot of driving and a fair bit of work to set up and take down each time, but sales have been good and he’s been pleased with it. “The Farmers’ Market atmosphere is festive and people have been so happy to finally be able to taste and buy while at a market! … It’s also very fun to meet people in the market environment and talk with them about our wine,” he said.

From the consumer’s perspective the program is clearly welcome. Let’s hope it pays off for the wineries…

FYI — Stanners Vineyard will be at the Aurora Farmers’ Market on Saturday, June 21, 2014 and Leslieville Farmers’ Market on Sunday, June 22, 2014. As for the rest of the summer, they’re also attending the Junction Farmers Market, Withrow Park Farmers’ Market, Wychwood Barns, the Sorauren Farmers’ market, and the Concord Park Place Market in North York. Check their Facebook page for specific dates and times.

While You’re at the Market Today …

Published on June 14, 2014June 16, 2014 by Ingrid Sapona Category: Out and About

Ontario is piloting a program at Farmers’ Markets that allows Ontario wineries to set up booths at local markets to sell their VQA wines. I checked out the Brickworks Market this morning to see what wineries were there and to see how it’s going.

This program is terrific for folks who might be shopping for the freshest ingredients for this weekend’s meals (Father’s Day BBQ?). As you plan your menu, you can consult with the folks at the winery booths (tables, really) to come up with the perfect food and wine pairing.

Different wineries are participating in the program at farmers markets across the province.

I’ll write more about this pilot program in another posting. For now, here are some photos from this morning…

New Discoveries in Prince Edward County

Published on June 12, 2014 by Ingrid Sapona Category: Prince Edward County Region

Earlier this week I spent a couple days touring wineries in Prince Edward County (the County, for short). I’ve visited the County a number of times and, quite simply, I’ve fallen in love with it. There’s definitely lots to explore there – from history (with its Loyalist past), to art (the County Arts Trail is as well known – and as well marked – as the Wine Route) , to food (Vickie’s Veggies comes to mind), cheese (The Black River Cheese Co. and Fifth Town Artisan Cheese), and an increasingly vibrant culinary scene.

I was especially interested in stopping in at some of the newer ones. First on my list was Hinterland Wine Co. Vicki Samaras and her husband Jonas Newman have been in business a couple years and they specialize in making bubbly. (Reason enough to stop in, I know!) They’re off to a terrific – and ambitious – start. They produce sparkling wines using three methods: the Traditional Method (like the one used to make Champagne) the Charmat Process (the method used to make Prosecco and Charmats), and the Ancestral method, which I wasn’t familiar with. Jonas was kind enough to let me shoot a video as he explained the different methods. They also serve oysters and sandwiches, so it’s a great place to stop at after a morning exploring the County.

Next on my list was The Old Third Vineyard. I’d seen the huge old barn that is the winery’s tasting room last time I was in the County, but the winery wasn’t open when I stopped. This time it was, and I had the chance to chat with co-owner Jens Korberg. They opened in 2010 and they focus on Pinot Noir – a variety that Korberg and Bruno Francios, the other owner and the winemaker – have always loved and that does particularly well in the County. The striking 1960s barn is both fragile looking and stately and the tasting bar area is simple but elegant. They produce about 1000 cases per year and thanks to a loyal following, they tend to sell out each vintage.

Also on my list was Three Dog Winery – the newest winery in the County. So new, in fact, that they’re having their Grand Opening this Saturday (June 14). Owners James and Sacha Squaire were busy putting last minute touches on things, but were happy to chat and let me sample their wines. The winery is on Fish Lake Road, which is at the north end of the County, off on its own – but it’s not as far off the beaten path as it may look on the map.

And finally, I happened upon Terra Cello Winery – one that wasn’t on my list at all. It’s been open a couple years but they don’t do much traditional advertising. They have a sign that’s clearly visible from the road (they’re on County Road 1) and they have a lovely Tuscan style patio adjoining the rustic brick Enoteca. It was such an inviting setting – and it looked like a door was open – I decided to go in, even though the sign said closed. Owner/winemaker Tony Auciello and his daughter Bella were around and invited me in. After spending a few minutes there it’s clear that Tony is well on the way toward achieving his goal of bringing a bit of the Italian countryside and lifestyle to the County. Here’s a short video of Tony describing Terra Cello.

I also stopped in at a few old favourites in the County. I’ll write a bit about them in another posting.

i4C Preview

Published on May 22, 2014May 23, 2014 by Ingrid Sapona Category: Events and Festivals, Tasting, etc.

Depending on who you ask, International Chardonnay Day is either always on a (late) Thursday of May (like Beaujolais Nouveau is in November) in which case it’s May 22 this year), or it’s on May 23th each year. Why quibble? I say celebrate it both days!

Anyway – in celebration of International Chardonnay Day and in anticipation of the International Cool Climate Chardonnay (i4C for short) celebration in July, some of the wineries that’ll be participating in i4C held a “pop-up” tasting in Toronto today.

This year 58 wineries from around the world will be at i4C and of the handful of wineries at today’s event, there wineries terrific examples from South Africa, France, Spain, Argentina, Chile, and Ontario.

I have to say, the differences – some subtle, some quite distinct – was remarkable. I’ve always thought that one of the best ways to learn about a varietal is to try different examples of it – and at i4C you’ll be able to try Chardonnays from cool climate growing regions around the world. Can’t wait!

i4C runs from June 18-20, 2014. Information about the events happening over the three days (and ticket information) can be found at: coolchardonnay.org.

(More) Snapshots from Sip & Sizzle

Published on May 19, 2014 by Ingrid Sapona Category: Events and Festivals, Niagara-on-the-Lake Region

I was at Sip & Sizzle in Niagara-on-the-Lake again on Saturday. (Hats off to the NOL wineries for making the passports valid on any of the event days and for making them transferrable — that way you don’t have to feel that to “get your money’s worth” you need to stop in to an unreasonable number of wineries on one day or on one weekend! You can double your pleasure by spending time in NOL on different May weekends.)

There’s one more weekend for Sip & Sizzle 2014 and if you haven’t yet been to any of the participating wineries, here are some photos of what you’re missng…

Reif’s Taste the Terroir Experience

Published on May 16, 2014 by Ingrid Sapona Category: Niagara-on-the-Lake Region, Tasting, etc.

As I noted recently, last Saturday a girlfriend and I were taking in Sip & Sizzle and one of our stops was Reif Estate Winery. The winery was hopping but the tasting room/retail area was large enough to handle the crowd, and they had plenty of knowledgeable staff on hand.

To round out our day, we had booked a formal tasting with Archie Hood, one of Reif’s sommeliers. I’ve had the pleasure of being guided by Archie on a tasting at Reif before and I thought my friend would enjoy it. Reif has a few different tastings to choose from and the one we were doing was Taste the Terroir.

The formal tastings are set up on the back side of the tasting bar, which is nice because you have a bit of privacy to chat with Archie, but at the same time you have the relaxed buzz of people enjoying the winery. Archie started by explaining that we’d be sampling four wines paired with four different Ontario artisanal cheeses. The wines – the 2010 White Meritage (paired with Mountainoak Wild Nettle Gouda), the 2011 Chardonnay Reserve (paired with Gun’s Hill Farms’ Five Brothers, which is kind of a gouda/Swiss blend), the 2010 Merlot Reserve (paired with Thornloe Cheddar), and the 2012 Vidal Icewine (paired with Glengarry Celtic Blue Reserve) – were chosen because they’re representative of the terroir on which Reif’s grapes grow.

Archie gave us very specific instructions about the process he wanted us to follow in terms of tasting the wines and then the cheese – I’m not talking about the usual directions about holding up the glass and looking at the colour, then swirling it to open the bouquet, then smelling the nose, and so on. First we were to take a sip of the wine. Then we were to take a nibble of the cheese, chewing it for about 10 seconds. We were to then leave the cheese on the roof of our mouth and then take another sip of the wine, noting how the taste of both had transformed.

I don’t mind telling you I found the process a bit challenging and it took me a few tries before I got the hang of it. (My friend either fared batter, or was too embarrassed to admit finding it tricky.) As we proceeded through the flight, Archie explained different things about the wines, the cheeses and the science of what was going on with our taste buds and about why we were noticing different things. He was also more than willing to answer all matter of questions. For example, I asked about the selection of glassware, especially the fact that the Chardonnay was in a balloon glass.

The most delightful part of the tasting was the Ah-Ha moments each of us experienced. My personal Ah-Ha came when I had a mouth full of wine and cheese and I was clearly trying hard to notice the taste differences and Archie pointed to my mouth and encouraged me to swish the wine around. (I had kind of just been holding it in my mouth.) I did as he said and – oh man – what a difference! After swallowing I commented on it and Archie knowingly nodded. I knew immediately that this new “technique” (however simple it is) is something that would change my way of enjoying wine. Talk about a terrific learning experience!!

My girlfriend’s Ah-Ha moment came when she tasted Reif’s Magician, which Archie served us after learning that my friend and her family normally drink reds. The Magician is a Pinot Noir-Shiraz blend (60/40) with 30% of the grapes kiln dried. The way my friends face lit up on trying the Magician was nothing short of (pardon the pun) magic. When I saw her reaction, I had to spill the beans to Archie: I knew my friend liked reds but that she had a bias against Ontario reds. When she announced she’d be buying some to take home to her family, I knew that she was going to have to re-think her moratorium on Ontario reds. Talk about gratifying…

When we finished, I thanked – Archie for turning what could have been a very straightforward wine and cheese tasting into a memorable experience that I’m sure both of us will remember for a long time.

P.S. Don’t Forget: Sip & Sizzle continues this weekend and the last weekend of May!

Spring Fever Meets Sip & Sizzle

Published on May 11, 2014May 19, 2014 by Ingrid Sapona Category: Events and Festivals, Niagara-on-the-Lake Region

A friend and I were down in Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOL) for Sip & Sizzle yesterday and it was obvious we weren’t the only ones who were so happy to finally see the first sings of spring! The weather was lovely – breezy and mainly sunny – and the fruit trees and forsythia have just started to bloom. We stopped at about a half dozen wineries (there are 26 participating in the passport event) and everywhere we went the wineries were hopping – it was SO nice to see.

The Sip & Sizzle event was clearly a draw – and rightly so. The food and wine pairings were truly inspiring. At Reif Estate Winery, for example, it was quite amazing how well their 2012 Empress (unoaked) Chardonnay paired with the mussels – if you don’t believe how the great pairings of food and wine bring out the best in both – Sip & Sizzle will convince you. (Another one of our favourite combinations was at Ravine Vineyards – they were serving the 2011 Sand and Gravel Cab Franc with a grilled lamb kabob.)

While Sip & Sizzle might have been what brought people out – it was clear that it wasn’t just a case of eat and run. People were taking their time to stop and enjoy other wines – sampling different new releases and old favourites. My friend and I also had a wonderful tutored Terroir Tasting at Reif with Archie Hood, one of their resident sommeliers – I’ll do a blog posting about that soon (no time today, as it’s Mother’s Day) – it was so much fun and quite memorable – so stay tuned for that.

Anyway — if you don’t already have Mother’s Day plans, or if you’re looking for something to enjoy with your Mother – head out to a few wineries, where spring is (finally) in bloom!

Sip & Sizzle – No Strategy Needed, but…

Published on May 6, 2014 by Ingrid Sapona Category: Events and Festivals, Niagara-on-the-Lake Region

A girlfriend and I are headed down Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOL) this weekend for Sip & Sizzle and I can’t wait! It’s a new event with 26 participating wineries serving passport holders one of their VQA wines paired with sampling fresh off the grill (hence the sizzle).

We’re only going down for the day, so we’ll only have time to stop at five or six wineries. Fortunately, the event takes place every weekend in May so I’ll probably pop back down there later in the month to take in some others. This particular friend isn’t that familiar with the wineries down there and so I’m in charge of planning the day.

I’ve come up with a few different strategies and I’ll let her choose. Here are the ideas I’ve come up with for organizing the day:

By colour: I was looking at the list of what wine each winery is serving and I was pleasantly surprised by the split – looks to me like 12 are serving whites, 9 are serving reds, and 5 are serving rosés. Since rosés are such a terrific summer sipper, it’s tempting to focus on rosés, with a view toward picking up some bottles for sharing with friends over the summer. On the other hand, the list of whites being poured include some wines my friend might not be familiar with, or maybe is especially fond of – so that’s another option. Of course, if she’s looking forward to firing up the BBQ for some burgers, brats, chops, or steaks, maybe she’ll want to find a few reds to take home for enjoying with her dinner guests.

By Location: Planning the day based on a particular route may sound odd, but it is really fun. You’ll put your day in fates hands in terms of the wines and food you’ll sample, but in doing so, I’m sure you’ll discover lots of new favourites. The wineries in NOL tend to be clustered and so it’s really easy to hit five or six that are all near each other. For example, you might try wineries along the Niagara Parkway, or on Niagara Stone Road (aka Highway 55), or along the Lake.

By what they’re grilling: If you’re into grilling, or if you’re looking for new ways of serving some of your favourite BBQ foods, why not pick the wineries based on what they’re grilling up? You might be inspired to try different recipes this summer and you’ll find some great wines to serve with your summer BBQ creations.

By wineries you’ve never been to: Unless you’re a regular (or you’ve written a winery guide), chances are there are at least a handful of wineries in NOL that you’ve not stopped at. Well, why not use Sip & Sizzle as your reason to try those wineries you’ve never been to before.

By favourite: If you’ve got some favourites – and most of us do – Sip & Sizzle is a great way to reconnect – see how they fared during the winter, raise a toast to their wines, and see what they suggest goes well with something on the grill.

Sip & Sizzle is happening every weekend in May (Fridays-Sundays 11-5 p.m.). Passports are $43+HST ($35+HST for designated driver passports). You can order them on-line and pick them up at the Chamber of Commerce in downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake, 26 Queen St.

Special App Promo on Now!

Published on May 1, 2014 by Ingrid Sapona Category: App Info

Download the Ontario Wineries Guide for FREE on iTunes from May 2-4, 2014.

Please help spread the word – mention it on your Facebook page, Tweet about it, put it on Google+, mention it in an e-mail – or just good old word-of-mouth.

The App is freshly updated – with over 230 entries and 950+ photos, it’s crammed full of useful information about all there is to see and do at Ontario winerie.

And if you like the App, rate it on iTunes. How? From the main screen of the App (before you view a specific entry) you’ll see a Comment button on the lower right corner. Tap the comment button. That takes you to another screen where you see a “Rate on iTunes” button on the upper right. Click that (choose 4, or say, 5 stars!) and feel free to say you think this is the best travel app in the known world!

Your Guide for Exploring Ontario's Wine Regions