As summer arrives and an avalanche of European snaps begin to do the rounds on social media, those who aren't escaping the city flock to the best patios and Toronto wine bars to get a taste of something foreign. And while Europe is chock-full of excellent wine producing regions, from well-known destinations in France to lesser-known areas like Saxony, Germany and underrated gems like Vienna, Austria, we’re instead looking inward to our province.
Ontario wine has plenty to offer the discerning drinker, with enough high-calibre expressions to keep even the most insatiable oenophiles entertained. The estate wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake have some of the oldest vineyards in Canada, while wineries in Beamsville, Niagara are closer to Toronto and are often less crowded. The up-and-coming, trendy Prince Edward County wineries provide a different vibe, but also have some excellent offerings.
The Ontario Wine Awards has been recognizing the crème de la crème of wine since 1995, endorsing the top dogs in categories like best winemaker, winery, sparkling wine, and even label design. Tony Aspler, an international wine consultant and judge, founded the awards as a way to give Ontario VQA wines the appreciation they so deeply deserve, and today it is one of the most respected and prestigious awards within the wine industry.
More than 80 wineries participate in the Ontario Wine Awards each year, submitting almost 500 VQA wines for consideration in various categories. Now, the Ontario Wine Awards has announced the 2024 list, granting the best producers in the province with gold, silver and bronze medals for their wine, plus special honours. We’ve put a spotlight on the big winners this year, so you know where to visit this summer and which bottles to look for when you’re shopping for wine.
How are the awards judged?
Wineries across Ontario submit their wines to be judged across different categories based on varietals, styles and vintage. An expert panel consisting of somms, wine writers and winemakers blind-taste the wines, evaluating them on appearance, aroma, taste, mouthfeel and finish. They are then scored before a consensus is reached. Based on these scores and discussions, the wines are awarded medals.
Big winners of the Ontario Wine Awards
Domaine Queylus
3651 Sixteen Rd., Saint Anns
Domaine Queylus cleaned up at this year’s Ontario Wine Awards with three gold-winning bottles, Winery of the Year and White Wine of the Year. It could be attributed to their passion; the expertise of head winemaker Kelly Mason, who previously had stints at Tawse Winery and Le Clos Jordanne; or their precision, only making wines perfectly suited to their terroir. Try their curated selection of cool-climate wines (pinot noir, chardonnay, cabernet franc and merlot) in the beautiful year-round tasting room or on the summer patio paired with bites.
Lakeview Wine Co.
1067 Niagara Stone Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake
Home to a large roster of top-selling Ontario brands and VQA wines, Lakeview Wine Co. has been a fixture of the Niagara-on-the-Lake wine industry since the 90s. With a picturesque location and a diverse portfolio of wine, this is one of the best places to sample Ontario’s bounty. Head to their retail and tasting facility to learn more about the vino, or tour their 43,000-square-foot winemaking facility. Lakeview’s award-winning winemaker Scott McGregor oversees production of a range of reds, whites, rosés, sparkling and icewines, many of which are available at the LCBO.
What does VQA mean?
VQA, or Vintners Quality Alliance, is a regulatory system that guarantees the quality of wines in Ontario and B.C. A VQA stamp ensures that the wine is made from grapes grown in designated wine regions, like the Niagara Peninsula or P.E.C. The designation is a mark of quality and authenticity, so consumers know they’re buying a high-quality wine.
Karlo Estates Winery
561 Danforth Rd., Wellington
Old World traditional methods meet modern ideals at this Prince Edward County winery. Karlo Estates wines are made with hand-harvested fruit, natural fermentation and minimal intervention, all with sustainability in mind. Among their accolades and awards, they produced one of the world’s first certified vegan wines. Snack on dairy-free cheese and plant-based charcuterie with a tasting flight in their year-round Speakeasy Wine Lounge or beside the fireplace on the covered patio. Be sure to try their buttery chardonnay.
Big Head Wines Inc.
823 Line 6 Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake
The name could easily refer to an ego from this family-owned winery’s years of producing award-winning bottles, but it’s actually a nod to the big, full-bodied wines they’re known for. Decant their gold-winning 2019 Merlot Select and soak in the herbal notes and flavours of chocolate covered cherries. Buy a bottle from the online shop and pair this Red Wine of the Year with red meat or dark chocolate, or visit Big Head’s new vineyard location in Niagara-on-the-Lake for tasting flights and a summer pizza patio.
Matt Smith: Cloudsley Cellars & Honsberger Estate
Recipient of the Paul Pender Memorial Award
Wine has been a part of Matt Smith’s life since he was 13 years old. Smith graduated from Niagara College’s Winery and Viticulture Technician program.
Currently head winemaker for Cloudsley Cellars and Honsberger Estate, Smith’s impressive resume boasts stints at award-winning wineries like Trius, Southbrook, Domaine Queylus and Bachelder.
In 2024, Smith’s outstanding talent, passion, professionalism and commitment to helping those entering the wine world earned him the prestigious Paul Pender Memorial ‘Rising Star Award.’
Special Awards
Winery of the Year
3 Gold, 5 Silver, 2 Bronze
Domaine Queylus
Lieutenant Governor's Award Red Wine of the Year
Big Head Wines Inc. Merlot Select 2019
Lieutenant Governor's Award White Wine of the Year
Domaine Queylus Chardonnay Tradition 2020
Sparkling of the Year
Lakeview Wine Co. Sparkling Brut 2017
Student's Choice Top Red Wine
Big Head Wines Inc. Lipinski Family Genia 2020
Student's Choice Top White Wine
Karlo Estates Winery Ontario Chardonnay 2021
Student's Choice Top Ice Wine
Magnotta Winery 2019 Riesling Icewine Niagara Peninsula Limited Edition VQA
Student's Choice Top Sparkling Wine
The Grange of Prince Edward 2017 Lafontaine du Loup Rose
Paul Pender Memorial Award
Matt Smith Cloudsley Cellars and Honsberger Estate Winery
The full list of Ontario Wine Awards Winners
Cabernet Franc Award
Peller Estates Winery 2022 Private Reserve Cabernet Franc
Colio Estate Wines 2020 Small Lot Series Cabernet Franc
Thirty Bench Wine Makers 2020 Small Lot Cabernet Franc
Nomad at Hinterbrook Winery 2020 Cabernet Franc
Domaine Queylus 2020 Cabernet Franc La Grande Réserve
Trius Winery 2020 Showcase Red Shale Cabernet Franc
Thirty Bench Wine Makers 2022 Winemaker's Blend Cabernet Franc
The Good Earth Food and Wine Co. 2020 Cabernet Franc
Stanners Vineyard 2021 Cabernet Franc
Lighthall Vineyards 2021 Cabernet Franc
Chateau Des Charmes 2020 Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon Award
Nomad at Hinterbrook Winery 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon
Peller Estates Winery 2020 Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon
Reif Estate Winery 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Trius Winery 2020 Showcase East Block Cabernet Sauvignon
Trius Winery 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon
Pelee Island Winery 2017 Vinedresser Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon
Peller Estates Winery 2022 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Thirty Bench Wine Makers 2020 Small Lot Cabernet Sauvignon
Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon
Wayne Gretzky Estates 2021 No.99 Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon
Big Head Wines Inc. 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Select
Dry White Varietals Award
Malivoire Wine 2023 Stouck Viognier
Gamay Award
The Foreign Affair Winery 2022 Gamay Noir
Three Dog Winery 2022 Gamay
Malivoire Wine 2022 Small Lot Gamay
Peller Estates Winery 2022 Private Reserve Gamay Noir
Chateau Des Charmes 2021 Gamay Noir
Icewine Award
Niagara College Teaching Winery 2020 Dean’s List Scholar Icewine
Magnotta Winery 2019 Cabernet Franc Icewine Niagara Peninsula Limited Edition VQA
Magnotta Winery 2019 Riesling Icewine Niagara Peninsula Limited Edition
Riverview Cellars Estate Winery 2019 Cabernet Franc Icewine
Redstone Winery 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine
Meritage and Cabernet/Merlot Blends Award
Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery 2021 Reserve Red
Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery 2021 Ravine Meritage
Creekside Estate Winery 2020 Red Tractor Cabernet Merlot
Redstone Winery 2020 Meritage
Colio Estate Wines 2020 Small Lot Series Meritage
Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery 2020 Speck Family Reserve Cabernet-Merlot
Domaine Queylus 2020 Limited Edition Les Partenairies
Thirty Bench Wine Makers 2022 Winemaker's Blend Red
Fielding Estate Winery 2022 Fireside Red
Fielding Estate Winery 2022 Rock Pile Red
Karlo Estates Winery 2021 Triumvirate
Strewn Winery 2020 Assemblage
Merlot Award
Big Head Wines Inc. 2019 Merlot Select
Colio Estate Wines 2020 Reserve Merlot
Kacaba Vineyards Winery 2021 Merlot
Oaked Chardonnay Award
Domaine Queylus 2020 Chardonnay Tradition
Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery 2022 Speck Family Reserve Chardonnay
Domaine Queylus 2021 Chardonnay Tradition
Fielding Estate Winery 2022 Rock Pile Chardonnay
Domaine Queylus 2022 Chardonnay La Grande Réserve
Orange Wine
Lailey Winery 2021 Skin Fermented Vidal
Other Reds Award
Magnotta Winery 2021 Unbridled Double Cab Equus Series VQA
The Foreign Affair Winery 2021 Petit Verdot
Fielding Estate Winery 2022 Red Conception
Wayne Gretzky Estates 2022 No.99 Signature Series Baco Noir
Konzelmann Estate Winery 2021 Merlot Shiraz
Pinot Gris Award
Huff Estates Winery 2023 Just Because Pinot Gris
Pinot Noir Award
Meldville Wines 2021 Pinot Noir
Flat Rock Cellars 2020 Gravity Pinot Noir
Stanners Vineyard 2021 Pinot Noir
Domaine Queylus 2020 Pinot Noir Tradition
Closson Chase Vineyards 2021 South Clos Pinot Noir
Domaine Queylus 2020 Pinot Noir La Grande Réserve
Domaine Queylus 2020 Pinot Noir Réserve du Domaine
Fielding Estate Winery 2022 Pinot Noir
Domaine Queylus 2020 Pinot Noir Limited Edition Mountainview Vineyard
Thirty Bench Wine Makers 2021 Small Lot Pinot Noir Extended Barrel Aged
Norman Hardie Winery & Vineyard 2020 Pinot Noir
Riesling Dry Award
Three Dog Winery 2023 Foxcroft Riesling
Strewn Winery 2022 Terroir Riesling
Riesling Semi-dry Award
Fielding Estate Winery 2022 Riesling Estate Bottled
Thirty Bench Wine Makers 2020 Small Lot Riesling Steel Post Vineyard
Sue-Ann Staff Winery 2020 Riesling Loved By Lu
Tawse Winery 2021 Limestone Ridge-North Riesling
Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery 2022 The 'Dry River' Estate Riesling
Fielding Estate Winery 2022 Riesling
Featherstone Estate Winery 2023 Black Sheep Riesling
Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery 2023 Small Batch Riesling
Three Dog Winery 2023 Reiki Riesling
Rosé Award
Three Dog Winery 2023 Dog House Rosé
Domaine Queylus 2023 Rosé
Featherstone Estate Winery 2023 Rosé
Fielding Estate Winery 2023 Rosé
Malivoire Wine 2023 Rosé Moira
Sauvignon Blanc Award
Trius Winery 2023 Sauvignon Blanc
Trius Winery 2021 Showcase Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc
Fielding Estate Winery 2023 Sauvignon Blanc
Traditional Method Sparkling Wine Award
Lakeview Wine Co. 2017 Sparkling Brut
Tawse Winery 2015 Quarry Road Blanc de Blancs
Bella Terra Vineyards 2018 Blanc de Blanc
Strewn Winery Non-Vintage Muselet
Fielding Estate Winery Non-Vintage Brut
Chateau Des Charmes 2019 Blanc De Blancs
Tawse Winery 2021 Spark Limestone Ridge Organic Brut Sparkling Riesling
Megalomaniac Wines Non-Vintage Bubblehead Sparkling Rosé
Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery Non-Vintage Brut
Huff Estates Winery 2021 Cuvée Peter
Malivoire Wine Non-Vintage Bisous Rosé
Chateau Des Charmes Non-Vintage Brut
Tawse Winery 2017 Spark! Blend
Fielding Estate Winery Non-Vintage Sparkling Rosé
Pelee Island Winery 2019 Empress
The Grange of Prince Edward 2017 Lafontaine du Loup Rosé
Syrah/Shiraz Award
Creekside Estate Winery 2020 Iconoclast Syrah
Fielding Estate Winery 2020 Syrah
Unassigned Wines Award
Konzelmann Estate Winery Non-Vintage Canada Red
Fielding Estate Winery 2022 Cabernet-Syrah
Exultet Estates 2019 Cru X Chardonnay
Malivoire Wine 2022 Cabernet Franc
Konzelmann Estate Winery 2023 Baco Noir
Malivoire Wine 2022 Farmstead Gamay
Chateau Des Charmes 2021 Gamay Droit
Konzelmann Estate Winery 2023 Chardonnay Unoaked
Peller Estates Winery 2022 Family Reserve Secco Bubbles
