Note: Graze the Bench takes place June 4-5 from noon to 5 p.m. Here’s what you can expect.
How does great wine, delicious food, and fantastic music, all in the idyllic setting of the Beamsville Bench sound to you?
“Graze the Bench” is the premier event for wine, food and music lovers. A weekend of casual and elegant grazing amongst the seven boutique wineries of the Beamsville Bench. Your pass gets you exclusive access to all the “Graze the Bench” festivities over the entire weekend. Included in your $25 pass you will receive a premium Schott-Zwiesel crystal wine glass filled with delicious wine as well as a culinary treat from any of the participating GTB wineries.
Additional wine and food pairings are available at $7 each.
To order your $25 (plus HST) pass please call, email or visit any one of the participating Bench wineries. All major credit cards accepted and we will mail you your pass along with more information about “GRAZE THE BENCH” right away.
Here’s a list of the participating wineries and what you can expect on Graze the Bench weekend:
Hidden Bench
Hidden Bench is an artisanal winery dedicated to the production of super premium, terroir driven wines made from 100% estate grown grapes.
We believe that terroir, passion and sustainability produce wines which reflect a sense of place and time. Hidden Bench is teaming up with another passionate partner, Chef John Pekka Woods – Epicurean Restaurant, who since coming to Niagara in 1999 has embraced the “Niagara Style” of life.
An example of this is his low and slow cooked HVB Vine Smoked Brisket Sliders with artisanal home made accoutrements – served with the delicious and refreshing 2008 HBV Estate Riesling and the 2009 Bistro Rose.
Acoustic guitarist Terry Rawlinko will be completing our trio of offerings and Hidden Bench warmly opens its doors for this exciting week-end of wine, food and music.
Thirty Bench Wine Makers
Join us for a weekend of wine, food and music among the vineyards of Thirty Bench Wine Makers, the pretiest spot on the Beamsville Bench. Sip on our two signature wines, Thirty Bench Red 2009 and Thirty Bench Riesling 2010 and discover why Thirty Bench is a hidden gem you will want to return to again and again.
As one of the original farm to table dining experiences in Niagara’s wine country, the Good Earth has prepared two savoury dishes to pair perfectly with our featured wines.
Enjoy the Skirt Steak Beef Taco in a Soft Corn Tortilla or a Shrimp, Avocado & Tomato Salad while you sip our wine and sway to the funky beats of the “James Brown Duo”.
Fielding Estate Winery
Fielding Estate Winery welcomes you to our Haliburton-inspired, cedar, stone and glass Wine Lodge for this unique event. Come enjoy the view along with a glass of our hand-crafted wines and discover firsthand why we have been named among Canada’s Top 10 wineries.
We have selected our 2010 Estate Bottled Riesling and our 2008 Cabernet Syrah as our featured wines for this year’s Graze the Bench!
Our restaurant partner, Wellington Court, has established itself as one of the top spots to dine in Niagara because of the quality, fresh ingredients that go into creating a cuisine with international flavours as the backdrop. Their team is continually inspired by the beauty and bounty of the Niagara Region.
They will be serving up their infamous “Artisanal Panini” and we are sure you will love it!
We are excited to present “The Black Spurs” – formed by four long-time members of the Niagara music scene, they will entertain you with their own brand of alt-country and roots rock.
Taking notes from Johnny Cash and Blue Rodeo, this quartet is sure to keep your foot tapping.
Don’t forget your picnic blanket! Our hillside view is one of the best in the area and a great place to take in wine country!
Rosewood Estates
Rosewood Estates Winery & Meadery is pleased to invite you back to the premier event of the season, the third annual “Graze the Bench”.
Come and spend the day on the Bench trying out our new wines and delicious food. Mario Pingue from Niagara Specialty Foods will amaze you with his culinary skills and his choice of a wonderfully paired menu of the freshest ingredients.
We are pleased to present our stunning 2009 Sussreserve Riesling. Natalie’s signature wine has vibrant notes of lemon, lime zest and mandarine orange. It will be paired with Pingue Honey and Garlic Sausage/Charcuterie.
The aromas will be sure to excite your taste buds. The featured red wine will be our 2009 Pinot Noir. This wine will impress you with its intense notes of cherries, strawberries and mocha. This will be paired with Penne All’ Ammatricana. Truly delicious.
Learn more about the world’s most ancient drink – Mead and test your Honey knowledge by visiting our honey sample booth. You will enjoy the vintage rock vibe of Summerfield Rocks in the vineyard to accompany your meal. Come spend the day among the vines or in our new pavilion and enjoy the bounty of the Bench.
The Organized Crime Winery
Our little parcel of south-facing land hangs over the hillside edge of the Beamsville Bench, the blue of Lake Ontario spreading out beneath. We have spectacular views and are one of Niagara’s prettiest wineries.
From vineyard to barrel, our ‘ultra boutique’ winery red and white wines are handcrafted with care. We produce very small batches of premium wines that are an expression of our vineyard’s clay, loam and limestone soils.
Join Krystyna and Jan for a sampling of our wines in our family-style intimate tasting room.
You will also be able to sample food from “About Thyme Bistro”, a great local restaurant that features fresh Niagara produce. They will be serving “Bistro Hand Cut Fries with Shredded Pork and Apple Smoked Ketchup” for your enjoyment. Our Estate wines by the glass will be our 2006 Download (Bordeaux Blend) and 2010 Pinot Gris.
Our music for the event will be some great local talent in Zach Preston playing soft Jazz on his guitar for your entertainment and relaxation.
Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery
The flagship event of the Beamsville Bench is”Graze the Bench”, June 4th and 5th, 2011 soon to be one of the largest wine events in Southern Ontario.
The weekend celebrates all the finer things of life. Good food, fine wine, and relaxing with friends while listening to an endless choice of music in idyllic vineyard settings.
To celebrate this years Graze the Bench we will be launching our new line of “Top Bench” wines. The premium quality blended white and red are stunning so come on out and be the first to try these exceptional wines paired with some delicious samples from the kitchen of the “Kitchen House” our casual fine dining restaurant!
Back by popular demand, sit back and jam to the upbeat sounds of Al Nichols and his Broken Cadence Band!
Angels Gate Winery
Angels Gate Winery recognizes the importance of the Beamsville Bench as Niagara’s premier growing area.
With more than 150 acres under vine we are one of the most significant growers on “the Bench”.
Our winemaker, Philip Dowell is known for his skills at making the finest aromatic whites. Within that family our most celebrated is certainly our Riesling’s.
Over the past seven years we have won numerous awards for our Riesling’s including best white wine in Canada at the All Canadian Wine Championship.
To celebrate our unique terroir we will be featuring both the 2007 Mountainview Chardonnay and our 2008 Pinot Noir.
These elegant wines will be paired with Chilli Carmel Pork, Cucumber, Mint, Coriander, Thai Basil Salad, Fried Shallots and Peanuts beautifully prepared by El Gastromono Vagabundo.
We welcome you to come and enjoy this flavourful pairing while enjoying our picturesque summer patio.
With a panoramic view of Lake Ontario, fine wine, great food, and live jazz by JAZZ REFLECTIONS you are sure to have a good time.
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