Clusters of vibrant grapes dangle from meticulously groomed vines, hovering over the warm earth, and beckon winemakers to turn their fruits into liquid sunshine. It’s harvest time in Canada and there’s no better way to appreciate the terroir, or sense of place, a wine delivers to your senses than to visit the vineyards in person. If you’re thinking of journeying to wine country, there is no better time to drop in. So peruse the upcoming events wine country across Canada has to offer and plan your trip immediately, if not sooner!
Okanagan:
The Okanagan Wine Festival kicks things off October 3 with the BC Wine Awards and Reception where over 100 wines from the Okanagan will receive tops honors over a night of scrumptious local cuisine and remarkable wines. The Fall Okanagan Westjet Wine Tastings, hosted on October 4 and 5, will offer over 180 wines under one roof along with samplings by local chefs and a rocking live band. Prep your palette with a blind wine and cheese soiree on October 9 then follow your warm up with a Harvest Reds and BC Cheese Seminar on the 10th. Anytime between October 4 and 14, enjoy Passport to Kelowna’s Fab 5 Wine Trail and sample some of the best wineries Okanagan has to offer. Wrap the festival up October 11 and 12 with the Valley First Grand Finale Consumer Tastings where over 80 wineries share their wares to the sounds of live music. Seminars are also available throughout the day. This is just a smattering of what Okanagan has in store for Harvest, but rest assured there is more than enough vino and revelry to go around.
Brome-Missisquoi, Quebec:
Brome-Missisquoi’s La Route de Vins gives one and all the chance to get their hands deliciously sticky. Enjoy grape gathering, the crush, pressing and winemaking followed by ample food and wine at several wineries including: Vignoble de la Bauge (Starts September 28), Vignoble Domaine Bresee (starts September 14) and Val Caudalies, Vignoble et Cidrerie (early October). If you’re inclined toward a more white collar affair, check out Domaine Vitis for a day of learning the art of tasting and pairing or simply peruse La Route de Vins’ twenty wineries in the prime of harvest season.
Niagra:
The Niagra Wine Festival is going on September 14 – 29 and has something for everyone throughout the festival. Flat Rock Cellars is hosting Pick, Stomp and Taste September 21 and 28. Also on September 21, Green Lane Estate Winery is hosting a night of wine, antipasto and local jazz. Be sure to check out Magnotta Winery’s Country Harvest Picnic anytime through the festival for an enchanting afternoon or visit Pillitteri Estates Winery for their 20th anniversary celebration, which includes cellar tours and educational tastings. Tawse Winery and Strewn Winery are both hosting vertical tastings during the festival! For those who have never experienced it, a vertical tasting consists of tasting a specific varietal or blend through consecutive vintages, which allows you to experience the evolution of the wine as it ages and evolves. This is an opportunity not to be missed. Once your palette is sufficiently primed, try out the Educate Your Senses Seminar for tips on wine appreciate, food pairings and hear from wine professionals as they share their philosophies and stories.
