The Ontario Wine Society Presents Our Annual Bus Trip to an Ontario Wine Region The Niagara Bench (Angel's Gate, Hernder Estate, Kittling Ridge, Vineland Estates) Date: Saturday, June 10, 2006 Members: $79    Non-Members: $89

SPECIAL NOTE - added 1 June 2006. This event is now SOLD OUT.

The Niagara Escarpment or ‘Bench’ is the area we will be visiting. We expect this to be a sellout (maximum 48 people) so it will be a first come first go. Most wineries are located on magnificent properties. Subject to weather, our private tastings might be conducted outside.

Lunch will be a 3 course meal with matching wine at Vineland Estates’ four-diamond restaurant.

As well as having us do the driving, you will have that unique opportunity to buy wines only available at the winery as well as new releases. We include 4 private tastings, 3 tours and a four diamond gourmet lunch with wine. Lunch will be in an 1857 historic stone Carriage House. At each winery there will be time to stock-up your empty carton with wine purchases.

Itinerary

• 8.15am: board bus in the parking lot behind (Jolly) Miller Tavern on Yonge St. a short walk south of the York Mills subway station, on the east side. Pay parking for the day is available.
• 8.30-9.45am: Toronto to Kittling Ridge Winery with juice, coffee, water & muffins, on the bus.
• 9.45-11.15am: Kittling Ridge Winery: The highlight of this winery will be in educating our group on the distillation process in ‘spirit’ production. We will have an opportunity to taste both their wines and spirits. As well as being able to purchase the wines & spirits, they have a large selection of exquisite giftware & unusual wine accessory items.
• 11.15-11.30am: bus to Vineland Estates Winery.
• 11.30-2pm: Vineland Estates Winery: Starting with a tasting, we will follow this with a 3 course gourmet sit-down lunch, including a selection of wines to complement our meal. Time to fill your empty carton(s) with purchases.
• 2-2.30pm: Bus to Hernder Estate winery. Time to catch a quick ‘cat nap’ or marvel at the scenery.
• 2.30-4.00pm: Hernder Estate Winery: this will be our first tour of a wine cellar. As well as our private tasting, there will be time for wine & boutique item purchases.
• 4.00-4.30pm: bus to Angels Gate Winery with a chance to last see our wonderful wine route country.
• 4.30-6.00pm: Angels Gate Winery: Our second tour of a wine making facility, with private tasting (cheese & crackers included). Last chance to fill your cardboard carton(s), with hard to get treasures.
• 6.00-approximately 7.00pm: bus trip home to Toronto. Chance to rest, or dream of the wines you will be tasting for the next few years.

For information only, call the Wine Line at (416) 921-9798. Reservations will not be taken over the phone.

NIAGARA ESCARPMENT OR ‘THE BENCH’

The largest viticultural area in Canada, where there is about 75% of Canada’s grape growing volume, is the Niagara Peninsula. The growing season’s sunshine is comparable to Tuscany in Italy and Languedoc-Rousillon in France (south of Burgundy and Bordeaux). VQA has given the Niagara Peninsula 2 regions: Niagara-on-the-lake and Niagara Escarpment. With 10 new subregions named by VQA in the Niagara Peninsula, we will visit the 3 (Short Hills bench, Twenty Mile Bench, Beamsville Bench) that are part of the Niagara Escarpment or ‘the Bench’.

WINERIES

ANGELS GATE (AG); winemaker: Natalie Spytkowsky The winery combines traditional winemaking techniques with new world technology. This allows them to preserve each varietal’s aroma, acidity, structure and balance. They preserve their wines using minimal filtration and fining. “Less is more.” AG was established in 2002, with a unique mission-styled building. Its first vines were planted in 1996. Total vineyard holding is 70 acres that provide only 25% of their needs. By 2007 they hope to reach a production maximum of 18,000 cases.

HERNDER ESTATE WINES; winemaker: Ray Cornell The winery was purchased in 1988 by the Hernder family, a third generation of grape growers. Currently their holdings are 650 acres, of which almost 500 are in vineyards. They grow 18 varieties of grapes and a number of fruit wines. The winery is one of the largest family estate winery operations in Canada.

KITTLING RIDGE ESTATE WINES & SPIRITS (KR); winemaker: John Hall KR is the only place in Ontario where the secrets of the winemaker’s art and the distiller’s craft can be experienced in a single visit. KR is the place to discover the secrets of the copper pots & column stills used to produce spirits. KR makes over 50 wines and spirits, available for sampling & purchasing. KR has become the third largest winery in the Niagara Peninsula and the last remaining privately Canadian owned distillery in Ontario. Each spring, migratory hawks and eagles use the warm air currents that the ridge (Niagara Escarpment) creates to gain altitude as they travel north. Their circling as they ride the thermals is known as kittling.

VINELAND ESTATES WINERY (VE); winemaker: Brian Schmidt In 1979, 50 acres of the 75 acre estate were planted with German Riesling vines. The production is presently 50,000 cases of French and German red and white viniferas. Allan Schmidt, President born in the Okanagan Valley, is a third generation involved in the grape/wine industry. In 1980, Allan’s family became co-founders of Sumac Ridge Winery in B.C. In 1987, he moved to Ontario to join VE.

LUNCH MENU AT VINELAND ESTATES WINERY

Greens with Spicy Pecans, Crispy Pancetta, Portobello Mushrooms, and Woolwich Farm Goat Cheese. Served with Sauvignon Blanc

Grain-fed Chicken Breast with Dried Fruit Chutney*. Served with Pinot Noir**

Chef’s Special Dessert Platter. Served with Tea, Coffee

*Please indicate any dietary concerns on the return reservation form.

** Yes, Virginia, there really is a (Xmas oops!) red wine that goes with white meat; they will prove it.