Cheers to Ontario VQA Winemakers and their commitment to sustainability
Ontario VQA wineries go the extra mile for the planet
Want to show your support for wineries making sustainable choices? Ontario’s VQA wines are a wonderful place to start. These local bottles showcase the best of Ontario and boast an inherently lower carbon footprint because they're made right in our own backyard, with 100% Ontario-grown grapes.
From Cave Spring to Henry of Pelham to Pelee Island Winery, to name a few, 13 of Ontario’s VQA winemakers have taken their eco-friendly winemaking practices to the next level and been designated Sustainable Winemaking Ontario Certified, producing VQA wines you can feel good about. These Ontario VQA wineries have committed to employing sustainable practices like water conservation, waste reduction and recycling. They're audited every year to ensure they continue these sustainable best practices in their winemaking operations.
For these Sustainable Winemaking Ontario Certified wineries, sustainability isn’t just a method or a process; it’s a way of life rooted in a respect for home. As part of their designation, these trailblazing wineries have also committed to protecting the health and well-being of their communities by being good neighbours who cultivate positive relationships in their communities and by taking the lead in pursuing socially responsible initiatives and equitable employment practices.
Look for the green leaf logo on Ontario VQA wines to choose eco-friendly wines which support your community, the local economy and a cleaner environment.
Shop featured Sustainable Winemaking Ontario Certified VQA wines
Sustainably grown and produced VQA Ontario wines combine the best of both worlds: delicious made-in-Ontario wines and earth-friendly methods that conserve resources and respect the land.
Cave Spring Dry Rosé VQA is a popular pink pick, offering grapefruit, floral, herb and jam aromas. Extra-dry, with a medium acidity, it’s an excellent match for savoury chicken recipes. For white wine lovers, there’s Strewn Chardonnay Barrel Aged VQA (toasty, oaky and fruity) and Pelee Island Lighthouse Riesling VQA (dry, fresh and lively). Enjoy both with seafood and vegetable dishes. Flat Rock Twisted White VQA offers something a little different — an unconventional blend of traditional Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Chardonnay grapes. The result is vivid tropical fruit and mineral notes that pair beautifully with pork tenderloin, spicy calamari, or smoked cheddar and sausage French toast.
Rounding out the collection are two fine reds. Henry of Pelham Baco Noir Old Vines VQA is bold and fruity, with aromas of black plum, spicy oak, smoke and coffee that complement its medium acidity and tannins. Another Niagara winery with deep roots in the region is from Château des Charmes. Its Pinot Noir Estate Grown & Bottled VQA is a light-bodied, fruity red with floral aromas as well as plum, blackberry and smoke flavours. Match it with pâté, club sandwiches or a citrusy duck recipe.
Sustainable Winemaking 101: The Ontario VQA Way
Some Ontario vineyards are taking their environmentally friendly practices next-level by becoming Sustainable Winemaking Ontario (SWO) Certified. Discover what it means to be a SWO winery by meeting talented local winemakers in this guided tasting of eight Ontario VQA wines.
Wednesday, September 22
7 pm
Perfect pairings
Enjoy your Sustainable Winemaking Ontario Certified VQA wines with dishes that feature fresh local ingredients.
This cheesy comfort food pairs well with the bright acidity and ripe fruit notes found in Pinot Noir.
The rich fall-fruit flavours in this Icewine pair beautifully with a spiced pear dessert.