Niagara winery Domaine Queylus cleaned up at the Ontario Wine Awards, collecting three gold, five silver and two bronze medals and was chosen as the winery of the year for 2024, it was announced today.
Cloudsley and Honsberger (among others) winemaker Matt Smith (below), received the Paul Pender Memorial Award as the “Rising Star” — chosen by a committee of his peers as one who has “demonstrated the qualities that made Paul Pender a winemaker’s winemaker — talent, selfless generosity, mentorship, and innovation.”
The OWA, founded by Tony Aspler in 1985, recognizes Ontario Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) wines for their quality, distinction, and brilliance.
A total of 496 wines were entered in this year’s competition at GBC, judged by a panel of 42 experts.
“Kudos to George Brown College for taking the competition judging to a new level,” said Aspler. “The involvement of the students in the execution of the Ontario Wine Awards, including the judging process, will ensure a new cohort of ambassadors for the Ontario wine industry.”
The results were announced today (Monday) at the awards ceremony, held at The Pearle Hotel in Burlington, where medals for the best in each category were presented to the winemakers.
The quality of winemaking was exceptional with the following medals handed out: 42 Gold, 40 Silver, 36 Bronze.
George Brown’s Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts has been involved in the OWA judging and events since 2016. The various competitions and tastings delivered under OWA draws more than 80 industry leading wineries, 500 wine entrants and over 500 participants across the events.
The main awards included:
Students Choice Award
- Top White Wine: Karlo Estates Winery, Ontario Chardonnay (2021)
- Top Red Wine: Big Head Wines Inc., Lipinski Family Genia (2020)
- Top Icewine: Magnotta Winery, Magnotta Riesling Icewine Niagara Peninsula (2019)
- Top Sparkling Wine: The Grange of Prince Edward, Lafontaine du Loup Rose (2017)
Wines of the Year
- Red Wine of the Year: Merlot Select, Big Head Wines Inc. (2019) – GOLD
- White Wine of the Year: Chardonnay Tradition, Domaine Queylus (2020) – GOLD
- Sparkling Wine of the Year: Lakeview Wine Co. Sparkling Brut, Lakeview Wine Co. (2017) – GOLD
Winery of the Year
- Domaine Queylus: 3 GOLD, 5 SILVER, 2 BRONZE
Other winners:
Appassimento Red
GOLD
- Lipinski Family Genia, Big Head Wines Inc. (2020)
Cabernet Franc
GOLD
- Private Reserve Cabernet Franc, Peller Estates Winery (2022)
- Small Lot Series Cabernet Franc, Colio Estate Wines (2020)
- Small Lot Cabernet Franc, Thirty Bench Wine Makers (2020)
- Cabernet Franc, Nomad at Hinterbrook Winery (2020)
- Cabernet Franc La Grande Réserve, Domaine Queylus (2020)
SILVER
- Showcase Red Shale Cabernet Franc, Trius Winery (2020)
- Winemaker’s Blend Cabernet Franc, Thirty Bench Wine Makers (2022)
- Cabernet Franc, The Good Earth Food and Wine Co. (2020)
BRONZE
- Cabernet Franc, Stanners Vineyard (2021)
- Cabernet Franc, Lighthall Vineyards (2021)
- Cabernet Franc, Chateau Des Charmes (2020)
- Cabernet Franc, Malivoire Wine (2022)
Cabernet Sauvignon
GOLD
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Nomad at Hinterbrook Winery (2020)
- Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Peller Estates Winery (2020)
- Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Reif Estate Winery (2019)
SILVER
- Showcase East Block Cabernet Sauvignon, Trius Winery (2020)
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Trius Winery (2022)
- Vinedresser Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon, Pelee Island Winery (2017)
- Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Peller Estates Winery (2022)
- Small Lot Cabernet Sauvignon, Thirty Bench Wine Makers (2020)
BRONZE
- Ravine Cabernet Sauvignon, Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery (2021)
- No.99 Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Wayne Gretzky Estates (2021)
- Cabernet Sauvignon Select, Big Head Wines Inc. (2021)
Dry White Varietals
SILVER
- Stouck Viognier, Malivoire Wine (2023)
Gamay
GOLD
- Gamay Noir, The Foreign Affair Winery (2022)
- Gamay, Three Dog Winery (2022)
SILVER
- Small Lot Gamay, Malivoire Wine (2022)
- Private Reserve Gamay Noir, Peller Estates Winery (2022)
- Gamay Noir, Chateau Des Charmes (2021)
BRONZE
- Farmstead Gamay, Malivoire Wine (2022)
- Gamay Droit, Chateau Des Charmes (2021)
Icewine – Vinifera
GOLD
- Dean’s List Scholar Icewine, Niagara College Teaching Winery (2020)
- Magnotta Cabernet Franc Icewine Niagara Peninsula Limited Edition VQA, Magnotta Winery (2019)
- Magnotta Riesling Icewine Niagara Peninsula Limited Edition VQA, Magnotta Winery (2019)
SILVER
- Cabernet Franc Icewine, Riverview Cellars Estate Winery (2019)
- Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine, Redstone Winery (2019)
Meritage and Cabernet/Merlot blends
GOLD
- Reserve Red, Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery (2021)
- Ravine Meritage, Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery (2021)
- Red Tractor Cabernet Merlot, Creekside Estate Winery (2020)
- Meritage, Redstone Winery (2020)
- Small Lot Series Meritage, Colio Estate Wines (2020)
SILVER
- Speck Family Reserve Cabernet-Merlot, Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery (2020)
- Limited Edition Les Partenairies, Domaine Queylus (2020)
- Winemaker’s Blend Red, Thirty Bench Wine Makers (2022)
- Fireside Red, Fielding Estate Winery (2022)
- Rock Pile Red, Fielding Estate Winery (2022)
BRONZE
- Triumvirate, Karlo Estates Winery (2021)
- Strewn Assemblage, Strewn Winery (2020)
Merlot
GOLD
- Merlot Select, Big Head Wines Inc. (2019)
SILVER
- Colio Estate Winery Reserve Merlot, Colio Estate Wines (2020)
BRONZE
• Merlot, Kacaba Vineyards Winery (2021)
Oaked Chardonnay: Over $20
GOLD
- Chardonnay Tradition, Domaine Queylus (2020)
- Speck Family Reserve Chardonnay, Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery (2022)
BRONZE
- Chardonnay Tradition, Domaine Queylus (2021)
- Rock Pile Chardonnay, Fielding Estate Winery (2022)
- Chardonnay La Grande Réserve, Domaine Queylus (2022)
- Cru X Chardonnay, Exultet Estates (2019)
Other Reds
GOLD
- Magnotta Unbridled Double Cab Equus Series VQA, Magnotta Winery (2021)
- Petit Verdot, The Foreign Affair Winery (2021)
SILVER
- Red Conception, Fielding Estate Winery (2022)
- No.99 Signature Series Baco Noir, Wayne Gretzky Estates (2022)
- Merlot Shiraz, Konzelmann Estate Winery (2021)
- Non-Vintage Canada Red, Konzelmann Estate Winery
- Cabernet-Syrah, Fielding Estate Winery (2022)
BRONZE
- Baco Noir, Konzelmann Estate Winery (2023)
Pinot Gris
BRONZE
- Just Because Pinot Gris, Huff Estates Winery (2023)
Pinot Noir
GOLD
- Pinot Noir, Meldville Wines (2021)
- Gravity Pinot Noir, Flat Rock Cellars (2020)
- Pinot Noir, Stanners Vineyard (2021)
- Pinot Noir Tradition, Domaine Queylus (2020)
- South Clos Pinot Noir, Closson Chase Vineyards (2021)
SILVER
- La Grande Réserve, Domaine Queylus (2020)
- Réserve du Domaine, Domaine Queylus (2020)
- Tradition, Domaine Queylus (2020)
- Fielding Estate Winery (2022)
BRONZE
- Small Lot Pinot Noir Extended Barrel Aged, Thirty Bench Wine Makers (2021)
- Pinot Noir, Norman Hardie Winery & Vineyard (2020)
Riesling (Dry)
GOLD
- Foxcroft Riesling, Three Dog Winery (2023)
SILVER
- Strewn Terroir Riesling, Strewn Winery (2022)
Riesling
GOLD
- Riesling Estate Bottled, Fielding Estate Winery (2022)
- Small Lot Riesling Steel Post Vineyard, Thirty Bench Wine Makers (2020)
- Riesling Loved By Lu, Sue-Ann Staff Winery (2020)
SILVER
- Limestone Ridge-North Riesling, Tawse Winery (2021)
BRONZE
- The Dry River; Estate Riesling, Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery (2022)
- Riesling, Fielding Estate Winery (2022)
- Black Sheep Riesling, Featherstone Estate Winery (2023)
- Ravine Small Batch Riesling, Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery (2023)
- Reiki Riesling, Three Dog Winery (2023)
Rosé
GOLD
- Dog House Rose, Three Dog Winery (2023)
SILVER
- Rosé, Domaine Queylus (2023)
- Rose, Featherstone Estate Winery (2023)
- Rosé, Fielding Estate Winery (2023)
BRONZE
- Rose Moira, Malivoire Wine (2023)
Sauvignon Blanc
GOLD
- Sauvignon Blanc, Trius Winery (2023)
SILVER
- Showcase Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc, Trius Winery (2021)
BRONZE
- Sauvignon Blanc, Fielding Estate Winery (2023)
Sparkling Wine – Cuvée Close
BRONZE
- Family Reserve Secco Bubbles, Peller Estates Winery (2022)
Sparkling Wine – Traditional method
GOLD
- Lakeview Wine Co. Sparkling Brut, Lakeview Wine Co. (2017)
- Quarry Road Blanc de Blancs, Tawse Winery (2015)
- Blanc de Blanc, Bella Terra Vineyards (2018)
- Strewn Muselet, Strewn Winery (Non-Vintage)
- Brut, Fielding Estate Winery (Non-Vintage)
- Limestone Ridge Riesling Spark!, Tawse Winery (2021)
- Blanc De Blancs, Chateau Des Charmes (2019)
SILVER
- Bubblehead Sparkling Rose, Megalomaniac Wines (Non-Vintage)
- N/V Ravine Brut, Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery (Non-Vintage)
- Cuvée Peter, Huff Estates Winery (2021)
- Bisous Rose, Malivoire Wine (Non-Vintage)
- Brut, Chateau Des Charmes (Non-Vintage)
BRONZE
- Spark! Blend, Tawse Winery (2017)
- Sparkling Rosé, Fielding Estate Winery (Non-Vintage)
- Empress, Pelee Island Winery (2019)
- Lafontaine du Loup Rose, The Grange of Prince Edward (2017)
Syrah/Shiraz
BRONZE
- Creekside Iconoclast Syrah, Creekside Estate Winery (2020)
- Syrah, Fielding Estate Winery (2020)
Unoaked Chardonnay
BRONZE
- Chardonnay Unoaked, Konzelmann Estate Winery (2023)
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