St. Catharines, ON — One of Ontario’s premier wine events is set to return with renewed patriotic fervor, spotlighting the province’s world-class winemaking industry and the professionals who sustain it.
The Cuvée Grand Tasting, hosted by Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI), will take place on Saturday, May 24, at the Holiday Inn and Suites in St. Catharines. Organized by long-time Ontario wine advocate Barb Tatarnic, the event promises an evening of premium local vintages, gourmet cuisine, and live music.
“Ontario wines are among the best in the world, and we are going all in to prove it,” said Tatarnic, CCOVI’s Manager of Professional Studies and Outreach.
The Grand Tasting will feature a curated selection of wines from top Ontario producers, 10 live culinary stations serving gourmet dishes, and musical entertainment by AudioworX. The celebration aims to highlight the excellence of Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) winemaking and elevate awareness of locally produced wines.
Complementing the main event is the Cuvée En Route Passport program, running from Friday, May 23 to Sunday, May 25. The initiative offers guests the opportunity to tour and taste at select wineries across the Niagara region.
Tatarnic emphasized the significance of championing local producers, particularly amid ongoing economic and political challenges. “Now, more than ever, ‘Made in Canada’ and ‘Buy Local’ are top of mind,” she said. “We are shouting it from the rooftops to continue to support our local winemakers and wineries.”
According to Wine Growers Ontario, the province’s grape and wine industry supports more than 22,300 full-time equivalent jobs. Tatarnic stressed that the potential for growth is substantial if local support continues to increase. “We want to be part of a long-term effort that puts homegrown products front and centre and supports the people who live, go to school, and work in Niagara’s wine region.”
Proceeds from the Cuvée celebration benefit scholarships for students in Brock University’s Applied Grape and Wine Science (OEVI) program and help fund industry-driven research initiatives. The OEVI program, the only one of its kind in Canada, trains professionals who go on to work in vineyards and wineries from British Columbia to the Maritimes.
“Supporting Cuvée is a direct investment in the future of Canada’s wine industry,” said CCOVI Director Debbie Inglis.
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