A longstanding tradition that celebrates excellence in Ontario’s wine industry will be uncorked this weekend.
Hosted by Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI), the Cuvee Grand Tasting will take place Saturday night in St. Catharines, bringing together more than 30 wineries and 10 local culinary experts, and more than 500 people who are expected to attend, said Barb Tatarnic, manager of professional studies and outreach at the university.
The event started in 1989 and was previously hosted by the Niagara Community Foundation until Brock and CCOVI took it over in 2015.
It’s a major occasion for the local VQA wine industry, boasting the many wineries that operate in and around Niagara.
And even though rallying behind local winemakers is the mandate each year, the 2025 edition is important as it is held amid the ups and downs of ongoing trade issues sparked by the U.S. government. Saturday’s event is being held “at a time when Canadians are increasingly turning to local,” said Barb Tatarnic, the lead organizer of the event.
“Today’s economic climate allows us to scream it even louder from the rooftop,” she added.
Another unique feature of Saturday’s cuvee is that each participating winery will be sending perhaps their most key players — the people who make the wines. And each of them will be choosing two selections they consider to be their favourites, which will be poured for guests.
“It’s a bit of a surprise,” said Tatarnic, referring to which varieties will be enjoyed. “The general public gets to meet the man or woman behind the wine,” she added.
Proceeds from the event fund a bursary to support new blood coming into the winemaking world through Brock’s Applied Grape and Wine Science program, as well as for research identified as needed by the grape and wine industry, said Tatarnic, stressing the importance if the research, and that the money essentially goes back into the industry.
An “En Route” option is also available, which allows participants to visit participating wineries from May 23 to 25 and have their passport stamped at each visit. This is also included with a ticket to Saturday’s event, but can also be bought separately.
The event is being held at the Holiday Inn & Suites Parkway Conference Centre at 327 Ontario St.
