Mike Weir Wines

Mike Weir Wines. VQA. Photo Courtesy

Wines Of Ontario.org

Mike Weir is not just a sports icon. He's also a vintner of the highest order.

Mike Weir Wines, all VQA, have been singled out for numerous distinctions, most recently during the Vancouver Olympics where he was featured in an afternoon of wine tastings at Ontario House. The Hall was packed and Weir spent time after his on-stage interview signing wine bottles for his fans - fans of his golfing and his winemaking.

Is it any wonder that his wines won the 2009 Ontario Wine Award Gold Medal?

And did we mention that Mike Weir himself is a recipient of The Order of Canada?

Can't See THE VIDEO? CLICK HERE

In late 2008 Mike Weir Wines, at the time already one of the  best selling and fastest growing Canadian wines in the market, partnered with  Chateau des Charmes of Niagara-on-the-Lake, a pioneering winery that planted Niagara’s first commercial vinifera vineyard 30 years ago. They have 300 acres of vines under cultivation today and the Bosc family banks generations of grape growing and wine making experience.  You can count Weir, then, as a true vintner. Many golfers just have the label. Weir has the winery, too.  And to round out it all out, the Canadian PGA TOUR is part of the affiliation.  More Here >>>

Now if that's not enough glitz and glamour for this VQA, quality wine, last year's Toronto International Film Festival also chose Mike Weir Wines as its official date.

"I am very proud to have my wines associated with an event that has the prominence and importance of the Toronto International Film Festival," said Mike Weir. "This event is important to Canadians and the world of film making and my winery is very proud to showcase our wonderful VQA wines."

All proceeds from the sale of all Mike Weir Wines went to The Mike Weir Foundation; a charity founded by Mike and his wife Bricia supporting Canadian children in emotional, physical and financial need. Their foundation is a cause both the Weirs are sincerely dedicated to.

Mike Weir Wines is distributed by Diageo Canada, the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wine and beer.

"As the Canadian distributor of Mike Weir Wines, we are extremely pleased to offer film lovers a selection of superior quality wines, which will pair well with the excellent cinematic offerings the Toronto Film Fesitval is internationally known for," said Debra Kelly-Ennis, President & CEO, Diageo Canada.

The press touted the union as  "an ideal marriage between a Canadian sports icon, an award-winning Canadian wine, a Canadian- based charity and an International Film Festival."

TIFF presents one of the world's largest showcases of Canadian films."We are thrilled to welcome Mike Weir Wines to the Festival family," said Piers Handling, Director and CEO of TIFF.

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Wayne Gretzky Estate Wines No. 99

Wayne Gretzky, Canada's sports king, has turned his attention to making wine for some time. And, like most things in his life he's focused his attention on, he's doing a pretty good job of it.

No. 99 Gretzky Estate Wines

Or, that's if you trust the Niagara Cuvee' Awards of 2010 to know what they're talking about. And most people, who know wine, do.

Known as the "Oscar's" of Niagara's Regional wines, each February the area's winemakers gather, sip and savor to determine who amongst them have produced the most notable wines for their participating vintages.

This year, the Wayne Gretzky Estates wine entries took home one Gold and another Tied for Third Place Gold.  In the category of Red Assemblage, Wayne Gretzky Estates' WINNER was its Estate Series Shiraz Cabernet 2007 for which it took GOLD. In the category of Meritage, Gretzky Estates' Estate Series Cabernet Merlot 2007 tied for 3rd Place Gold in this past February's Niagara Cuvee' Awards.

No. 99 Wayne Gretzky Estate Wines, Cuvee' Award Winner, 2010

The Cuvee' Awards are unique as they are the only awards in Canada where the winning wines are chosen by the winemakers themselves.   All proceeds from the Cuvee' Gala and Awards Weekend go to the Niagara Community Foundation which supports community groups throughout the region. For a complete listing of this year's winning wines, read More Here>>>

Niagara Region Cuisine

Local area restaurants participate in the weekend's festiveness and offer special menus tailored to a day of wine tastings.  For example, this past February, Hillebrand Winery Restaurant in Niagara-on-the-Lake celebrated the relationship between the region's land, people, wines and food with a special menu showcasing local cuisine inspired by the bounty of Niagara's local ingredients. Their winemaker paired the the 3-course lunch and dinner with wines grown from the same soil.

Another option for dining if you had participated in the Cuvee' Weekend, would have been the Niagara College Teaching Winery where they served for lunch Lake Land Meats' Venison with a Grand Veneur Sauce complimented by local handpicked Elder Berries.  Dinner was a Five-course tasting menu with wine pairings priced at $65. For food and Wine lovers on a budget, this spells heaven.

Of course, No. 99 Estate Wine was also the official wine of Molson's Canada Hockey House during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. When Gretzky showed up to help host his wine tasting one afternoon at the next door Ontario House, there were "lines all the way out along the seawall" said an Ontario House representative.

Wayne Gretzky Foundation

Gretzky has winemaking in his blood. The story goes that when he was a kid, his grandfather — a Russian immigrant — used to make wine at home in Ontario.  A portion of proceeds from the Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery is donated to the Wayne Gretzky foundation each year. No. 99's Foundation is devoted to giving less fortunate youth the opportunity to play Hockey.  He has raised over $1million so far for these efforts.

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Petaluma Butter And Egg Days

Everyone loves the Petaluma Butter & Egg Days Parade!

 

Petaluma’s Butter & Egg Days Parade and Celebration, now in its 29th year, has become a tradition in Downtown Petaluma, celebrating the region’s rich agricultural history as one of the premier dairy regions in the country.  The event typically draws over 25,000 attendees.

Together with The Petaluma River, eggs and dairy products created an economy that turned Petaluma into one of the most prosperous communities in the state in the early 1900’s.

The community parade showcases the best of Petaluma and Petaluma’s history. The parade features over 3,000 participants, more than a hundred volunteers and supports every aspect of community life.

Activities before, during and after the parade include four blocks of arts and crafts exhibitors, food vendors offering a wide variety of festival foods, sponsor booths, community and non-profit booths and a large area to entertain youngsters with inflatables, rides, and hands-on activities.  This is one of the North Bay’s largest events and one not to miss for young and old alike. After all, everyone loves a parade!

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Parducci Wines

Parducci is owned in partnership by the grape-growing families of Tom and Tim Thornhill and Paul Dolan.

Tom, Tim and Paul are driven by three mandates: Respect for the environment, sustaining community and family, and a creative approach to business.

From tree-free papers and soy based inks to biodiesel tractors and organic grape growing, Parducci is creating a model of quality and environmental sustainability for other wineries to follow. Not to mention they give freely and frequently to many of California's Green Drinks Gatherings.

Tom, Tim and Paul of Parducci have taken a stand when it comes to growing their grapes and producing wines. They're doing the right things to make delicious wine, and the right things to make a healthier planet.

 

Family Farmed

If you stand on the top peak of our winery rooftop (not recommended, for safety reasons) you can see 90% of our family farmed vineyards … they're mostly within a twelve mile radius of our Mendocino County, California winery.
- Tom, Tim, Paul

Family farmers are responsible stewards of the land, protecting it for current and future generations. "Independent family farms also play a vital role in rural economies. In addition to providing jobs to local people, family farmers also help support small businesses by purchasing goods and services within their communities."
www.sustainabletable.org/issues/familyfarms

But family farms are at risk, disappearing at a staggering rate. Since the early 1960s, the number of farms in the U.S. has declined by over 1.25 million. There are now nearly five million fewer farms in the U.S. than there were in the 1930's. But buyers concerned about their communities, the environment, and quality are increasingly committed to buying organic food from local family farms. This food matches their personal values and includes attributes such as freedom from pesticides, synthetic hormones, and antibiotics; providing for the humane treatment of animals; and promoting buying local.

Renewable and Solar Energy-Use

Parducci Winery uses Biodiesel (a renewable fuel derived from natural vegetable oil) in their tractors and cars. Their solar energy installation supplies 25% of their energy needs. Renewable energy sources reduce carbon dioxide emissions and relieve pressure on declining world stocks of petroleum.

Solar electric power is created using photovoltaic cells and panels. Many of us use electricity generated in this way every day, without even thinking about it, since many small calculators and wrist watches are run on photovoltaic cells. Photovoltaic material converts sunlight directly into electricity. When sunlight strikes the material, electrons are dislodged, creating an electrical current which can be captured and harnessed. The photovoltaic materials can be several individual solar cells or a single thin layer, which make up a larger solar panel.  More Info HERE>>> www.solarelectricpower.org Also known as SEPA.


Energy audit partner Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) helped them monitor energy usage, and recommended ways and means to enhance their energy efficiency. www.pge.com/environment

Does Organic Farming make a difference in the Wine? Paul Dolan helped lead a revolution in the way top wineries think about quality...

Read More HERE>>>>

Photos courtesy StarksilverCreek and WineInstitute

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Tofino Food And Wine Festival June 2010

The mission of the Tofino Food and Wine Festival is to promote BC Culinary Tourism while enjoying the company of friends and family of the culinary community. Culinary tourism is an economic driver that helps showcase local restaurants as dining destinations and generates demand for locally grown/raised/caught or processed food and beverage products.

Tofino Food And Wine Festival June 2010

The Tofino Food and Wine Festival began in 2003. It was an idea formed between two foodies who worked in the food and wine industry, at a restaurant set amidst the beautiful Tofino Botanical Gardens.

8th Annual Grazing In The Gardens
Spend a the afternoon wandering the Tofino Botanical Gardens while tasting canapes and wines, all local to beautiful British Columbia! Live music with Dinah D Swingclub from Gabriola Island, DJ Kevin West, silent auction fundraiser, artists in action and more. Outdoor event, rain or shine! Car free event. Shuttle Service provided by Tofino Bus in partnership with the Wickaninnish Inn. Schedule will be posted here, one week before the event. For More INFO >>>

This festival provides cultural and educational experiences for food and wine lovers from all over, as well as an opportunity to discover sustainable British Columbia food sources. With a showcase of local culinary talent, the festival also provides networking opportunities for cuisine and tourism establishments to form new business relationships and alliances.

The idea for a festival celebrating the marriage of food and wine in the unique setting of a temperate coastal rainforest was, and still is, strongly supported by the community of Tofino, as well as Vancouver Island purveyors and British Columbia wineries.

Most of all the festival fosters a wonderful weekend for friends and family,  creating a memorable experience in the heart of Tofino.

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Pebble Beach Food And Wine

Mark Your Calendars! April 8-11. 2010

Four days.
60 Celebrity Chefs.
250 Wineries.

Thousands of foodies... In just a couple of weeks, thousands of kindred- foodies like you will descend on the exquisite Pebble Beach, California, a peninsula enclaved between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey Bay, for an event that has been described in past years as an "epicurean delight."

Pebble Beach Food and Wine at Pebble Beach is set to bring you a culinary experience of a lifetime. Enjoy lunches, dinners and wine tastings. Educate yourself with cooking demonstrations. Experience the most legendary grand tasting the California coast has ever seen. And it's all surrounded by the most beautiful scenery in the world.

The Kick-Off

Pebble Beach Food and Wine kicks off on Thursday with two fabulous events that marry the theme of the weekend with its spectacular setting.

The first event of the weekend is the Celebrity Chef/Winemaker Golf Tournament at the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links, pitting gastronomy's stars against one another, and against Pebble Beach Food and Wine attendees. Tee-time is at 8:30 am and the morning starts with a Krug champagne toast.
Thursday evening, the famous Inn at Spanish Bay becomes a beautiful backdrop for an exploration of outstanding food and wine. The Lexus Opening Night Reception features food from 20 top chefs. Over 200 wines are available for tasting.

The weekend continues with event spectaculars that include Naked Chardonnay, To Oak or Not To Oak; Icons of Washington; Chef Thomas Keller - Ad hoc at home; Chef Wolfgang Puck - Make It Easy; Sommelier Blind Tasting and on and on. The unspoken theme of the weekend is "It's always a great time for bubbly!" so be sure not to miss out on Brut and Rose - 30 years of vintage at Veuve Clicquot.  Read More HERE >>>>>>>

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Culinary Tourism Anyone? Try Vancouver Island

Culinary Tourism makes perfect sense...at least to us!  When you travel for pleasure, at least half your time and itinerary are taken up with decisions like where to eat and what to eat?  When you plan a trip around destinations known for their exquisite culinary offerings and wine pairings, you've already done most of the hard work before you've ever left home. Then all there is to do once you arrive is...Relax and Enjoy!

Can't see the VIDEO? CLICK HERE>>>

Spring and Summer mean Blooming Gardens in Victoria and all over Vancouver Island...

Can't see the VIDEO?  CLICK HERE>>>

The Comox Valley - also on Vancouver Island - is a Must See, Must Do, Must Eat and Drink and Be Merry kind of destination...

Can't see the VIDEO?  CLICK HERE>>>

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Nk'Mip Cellars And Kanata Cuisine

Aboriginal Feast and Wine Pairings. Doesn't just the sound of that say it all?  The evening of fine dining and entertainment is the brainchild of a partnership between Theresa Contois and chef Ben Genaille, owners of Kanata Cuisine.

Nk'Mip Cellars, Osoyoos, Okanagan

Kanata Cuisine was formed in the last six months when Theresa was noted for her exquisite "front of house" hospitality skills while putting the finishing touches on her training at Vancouver Community College's Aboriginal Culinary program. Chef Ben Genaille, an expert in Aboriginal Cuisine, and Theresa got to talking and Kanata Cuisine is the result of their pairing strength with strength.

Much like the pairing of Nk'Mip's outstanding wines with Kanata Cuisine's tasting menu. If you are one of the lucky ones to opt in for this culinary adventure, your tastebuds and senses await delight.

Randy Picton, Nk'Mip Cellars, Winemaker

Nk'Mip Cellars winemaker, Randy Picton, has chosen versatile pairings for the cuisine, including selections from their critically acclaimed Qwam Qwmt, known in the vernacular as their Q2 selections.
"Qwam Qwmt means the best of our Reserve Tier wines. QQ Chardonnay, for example, is one of our upper tier wines. It starts with the grapes in the vineyard," says Randy. "I know going into it that this crop of grapes will be giving us our Reserve Tier wines. These wines we put into French oak," he explains, noting their toasty vanilla and butterscotch essences.

Picton was the pioneer in the Okanagan who began the method of picking the grapes at different times in the harvesting season. "Even three weeks later, so there's an evenness in the wine/grapes," he explains. He began at Nk'Mip Cellars, the celebrated first winery in North America to be aboriginal owned, in 2002.
Nk'Mip is known for their Pinots and Chardonnays. Picton is the first to admit that pinot, at least in the Okanagan, can be a "fussy" grape to grow well.  Their $20 bottles of Merlot are very popular choices however the winery is shifting their portfolio focus to upper tier wines. They are capped at about 18,000 cases per year production so they are looking to focus on, for example, a Q2 Riesling and a higher end Meritage that will retail for approximately $50-$60 a bottle.

Kanata Cuisine, Chef Ben Genaille and

Theresa Contois

The menu for the Kanata Cuisine Aboriginal Feast includes:
*"hot rock" poached spot prawn, cattail heart cream with wild onion oil.
*fire roasted corn soup, oolighan oil [used as a dipping oil with bannuck, aboriginal bread]
*salmon duo  candied & sausages  nass river/ seaweed bannock crackers
*crisp duck glazed halibut, mushroom hazelnut ragout, potato, chives
*Rhubarb ice [delightful in both taste and texture]
*braised bison short ribs, watercress, parsnip mash
*cranberry bannock bread pudding "Indian ice cream" with maple sap ice wine reduction

For more information about the $245 per person dinner seatings, contact Kanata Cuisine. 

Kanata * Cuisine.         Nk'Mip Cellars

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