It’s harvest season for Ontario’s wine regions — from Niagara Peninsula to Prince Edward County and Lake Erie North Shore. Winemakers are balancing timing and weather to achieve the perfect time to pick their crop. A good harvest is expected this year, despite the summer drought and heat.
October is an ideal time to visit a winery and witness the action firsthand. Many wineries offer harvest-themed events, tastings, and even hands-on experiences. As wine lovers seek higher-quality, distinctive wines with traceability, Ontario wineries are responding by showcasing their quality through vineyard designations and their identity with distinct terroir and varietals. For the latest on winery hours, events, and fall releases, check WineCountryOntario.ca.
Sales of Ontario wines are soaring, driven in part by the “Buy Local/Buy Canadian” momentum and also by the lack of American wines on LCBO shelves. When the LCBO removed many U.S.-made wines in response to trade/tariff tensions, Ontario VQA wines filled the shelf gap for many consumers. LCBO data shows Ontario VQA wine sales are up more than 65% year over year. The data also shows that red wines have the most significant gain, up 80%, while whites are up over 65%, and sparkling wines have also increased by more than 28%.
As the season shifts, so probably will your wine preference. Swap out summer’s crisp and light wines for fuller-bodied whites and reds that pair beautifully with roasted veggies and hearty stews.
Why not try a few of my Ontario fall favourites? In addition to other pairings, each wine can be served with your Thanksgiving turkey and all the fixings.
Chardonnay: Look for creamy, oak-aged versions from Niagara-on-the-Lake or Prince Edward County with notes of baked apple, toasted spice, and vanilla. Perfect with pork tenderloin, lobster and Halibut with cream sauce. Try Hidden Bench Estate Organic Chardonnay 2021.
Pinot Noir: A cool-climate gem with red berry and earthy tones. Great with sautéd mushrooms, baked salmon and roasted game meats. A superb example is Domaine Le Clos Jordanne Jordan Village Pinot Noir 2022.
Gamay Noir: Fruit-forward and lively, with a spicy kick. Serve slightly chilled with charcuterie, roast chicken, sausages and goat cheeses. Always delicious is, Malivoire Farmstead Gamay 2023.
Cabernet Franc: A true Ontario treasure, offering red currant, herbs, and a touch of pepper — food friendly and ideal with beef tenderloin, roast lamb, lentil stew and aged cheddar cheese. A surprise at $14.95 from Lake Erie North Shore is, Pelee Island Cabernet Franc.
Riesling (Off-Dry or Late Harvest): Balanced by Ontario’s signature acidity. Enjoy with spicy curries, Thai dishes, roast pork, and apple pie. A top seller in VINTAGES, try Vineland St. Urban Elevation 2023.
I love to travel, a fun and quick way to discover new lands is with your wine glass! I have three more recommendations for you.
I continue to be impressed with the value of South African wines. Rustenberg Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc 2024 at $18.95 is a bargain! This award-winning, full-flavoured, rich white wine is perfect for the fall. Fermented in French oak barrels for six months, the wine is unique and delicious! It has forward lychee aromas, a rounded body with peach flavours and good acidity. Serve Rustenberg Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc 2024 with roast turkey, grilled shrimp, goat cheeses and curry dishes.
Although peak Rosé season is behind us, I tasted one from the south of France, that is new in VINTAGES. LYV Rosé has it all! It comes packaged in a stunning bottle with a glass cap, is a gorgeous pale colour, with fruit-forward flavours and a medium body. There are images online of the empty bottles being painted in various colours and reused. Serve LYV Rosé chilled with tapas, mild fish, grilled vegetables and sushi.
Who doesn’t love Tuscany? Just released in VINTAGES is acclaimed Terrabianca Campaccio 2020. Owned by the Swiss-Italian family of Adriana and Urs Burkard, who make wines with a sense of place, using minimalist wine-growing practices and are moving toward fully organic vineyards. Terrabianca is the historical core of their vineyards with wine documents dating back to 1085. This full-bodied wine is deep red with rich cherry aromas and spicy flavours, accompanied by soft, integrated tannins. Terrabianca Campaccio 2020 is a serious wine with aging potential. Decant and serve with grilled meats, wild game, pasta with rich sauces and aged cheeses.
I have the travel bug. I have had it for years, and typically travel at least six times a year. I collect magnets from the places I visit and have quite a collection! I noticed that some people slap stickers on their suitcases, while others sew patches onto their knapsacks as reminders of their travels. These ideas never resonated with me. So, I was happy when I came across The Traveller Collective. The company designs small, subtle country rings that connect to a necklace or key chain, which can easily attach to a backpack or cross-body purse.
The Traveller Collective is a small Canadian company founded in Vancouver in 2015 by Darryl McIvor, who sought a product that was both subtle and versatile, serving as a reminder of his travel experiences and an inspiration to continue exploring the world.
He created a product that does just that, and Darryl continues to uphold his core value of commemorating and inspiring travel, shipping to 250K customers in over 200 countries. I found these online at The Traveller Collective.
Enjoy this harvest season and if you are hosting this Thanksgiving, keep a variety on hand – one sparkling, one white, one red and perhaps a sweet option. Perhaps everyone can leave with a new favourite!
Cheers,
Shari 🥂
