By Wines in Niagara
Let’s show the great 100% Ontario grown wines a little love this November, shall we?
After a three-year hiatus, #openlocalwine, an international celebration of local wine (wherever local is for you), will return on Nov. 9, 2024. And you are all invited to the party.
Co-founded in 2020 by Gina Shay and Lenn Thompson, publisher of the U.S.-based The Cork Report, #openlocalwine was initiated to support and help local wineries during the COVID-19 pandemic when tasting rooms were closed. That first event and the follow-up in 2021, which was also held in Ontario and promoted by Wines in Niagara, were both amazingly successful, with dozens of wineries across the eastern United States and Ontario offering special #openlocalwine packs with deals ranging from free shipping to exclusive library wines to steep discounts on popular wines. There were virtual tastings, and in 2021, when restrictions had started to lift, there were at-winery events, restaurant participation and hundreds of offers from wineries, too.
Thousands of local wine fans in both countries posted pictures of the wines they opened on Facebook and Instagram, and the initiative prompted tens of thousands of social interactions on those platforms.
Thankfully, wineries are operating normally today. So, it’s time to evolve #openlocalwine a bit. It’s still intended to support local wineries but more than anything, we want it to be a celebration of local wine, a chance to show your pride for what grows right in our own backyard.
I should say this, as publisher of Wines in Niagara, this event is not mine, it belongs to the wineries and the people who will crack open a bottle of local on Nov. 9. Wines in Niagara will keep an updated list of events, and deals wineries want to offer, restaurants and bottle shops who want to participate.
Local wines in Ontario are still facing roadblocks at the LCBO, the main retailer for all wines sold in the province. With the lowest market share (5.1%) for 100% Ontario wines in the history of the booze monopoly, it’s an uphill battle to get Ontario wines into the hands of consumers. Any opportunity to shine a bright light on Ontario wines is welcomed.
I hope you’ll join me and thousands of other local wine lovers on Nov. 9 for #openlocalwine night.
For local wine lovers …
Buy a bottle (or bottles) of local wine. Wines in Niagara will help by building an updated list for all of the offers wineries are pulling together for the event.
Open a bottle or two at home, a local winery, your favourite restaurant, or with friends (however you enjoy local wines), on Nov., and post pictures on social media with the hashtag #openlocalwine (don’t forget to tag the winery and Wines in Niagara (https://www.instagram.com/winesinniagara/) on Instagram or Facebook, too, so we can share your posts!).
Drink the wine, enjoy it, and celebrate local wine.
Share this story to help get the word out to as many people as possible and feel free to share the logo for #openlocalwine.
For wineries, restaurants …
If you’re a winery, restaurant, or other related business that would like to participate by offering an #openlocalwine pack, hosting a wine dinner, or some other special for the event, please provide Wines in Niagara (winesniagara @ gmail.com) the following information:
• Email (your email)
• Winery name
• Offer or event name
• Event or offer price
• Event or offer link (don’t send info until you have a link for your offer or event)
As those offers come in, Wines in Niagara will add them to the list and promote it. We had well over 35 offers and deals in 2021 from wineries and restaurants.
Sampling of packages from 2021
Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery (Essex County)
Offer: Mixer Collection
Details: This collection includes 6 mixed wines — 1 Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, 1 Sauvignon Blanc 2019, 1 Pinot Grigio 2019, 1 Rose 2018, 1 Dry Riesling 2018, 1 Sweet Select Riesling 2019. All for $80 Includes free Shipping Ontario wide for the month of April.
Dancing Swallows Vineyard (Essex County)
Offer: Why Three Chardonnays
Details: Try a little something different. For #OpenLocalWine day get all three of our Chardonnays for $70 and hold a little wine festival in your own backyard. Six outdoor tasting glasses included. Valid until April 11, 2021.
Rockway Vineyards (Niagara)
Offer: Open Local Wine Clubhouse Special
Details: Rockway is offering a two-pack special that includes the Clubhouse White and Clubhouse Red, plus two tasting passes for 2. Tasting passes to be used when tastings are back open, (valued at $40).
2027 Cellars (Niagara)
Offer: Open Local Wine 10% off
Details: Starting April 4 until April 10 all wines online are 10% off. Free shipping over $150. Offer not valid with any other offer. Use promo code Openlocal10 at checkout.
Waupoos Estates Winery (Prince Edward County)
Offer: A little of Everything Mix 6
Details: The collection includes Blackberry Geisenheim Sparkling, Honeysuckle 2019, White Rabbit 2017, Geisenheim 2017, Gamay Noir Reserve 2019 and Baco Noir Reserve 2019. Special price is $106.88 (regular price $124.35)
Vivace Estate Winery (EPIC Wineries)
Offer: Hello Spring Bundle
Details: Our Amherstburg, Ont. winery is offering any six bottles of our Chardonnay, Rosé, and Arietta (off dry Vidal) for $79.
Hernder Estate Wines (Niagara)
Offer: April Wine Sale
Details: We are offering $2 off per bottle for our Baco, Riesling, and Riesling Reserve, this month only!
13th Street Winery (Niagara)
Offer: Expression six-pack
Details: Expression six-pack includes 1 x Expression Pinot Grigio 2019, 1 x Expression Riesling 2019, 2 x Expression Cabernet Merlot 2019, 2 x Expression Cabernet Franc Rosé 2020 (being released April 1) with free shipping in Ontario for $95.
Stanners Vineyard (Prince Edward County)
Offer: Winemaker’s Finest
Details: Order 4 (or more) bottles of your choice from our winemaker’s finest for free shipping. Select our intriguing Dry Riesling, our compelling skin-contact Pinot Gris cuivré, our crisp and mineral Chardonnays or our elegant Pinot Noirs. Shipping costs of $15-$20 will be waived!
Lakeview Wine Company (Niagara)
Offer: Niagara Grown Pack
Details: Celebrate the terroir of Niagara with this mixed pack featuring unique local wines! Package includes:1 bottle of Lakeview Cellars Kerner, 1 bottle of Lakeview Cellars Malbec, 1 bottle of EastDell Black Label Cabernet Franc, 1 bottle of EastDell Riesling, 1 bottle of Serenity Sauvignon Blanc, 1 bottle of Serenity Baco Noir for $135.95
Niagara College Teaching Winery (Niagara)
Offer: Spring Ahead White Pack
Details: Includes, 1 x Balance Riesling,1 x Balance Gewurztraminer, 1 x Balance Riesling + Gewurztraminer. Enjoy these fantastic spring wines on the patio as the weather warms up! Cheers to Ontario wine! Price is $44.85 (save $6)
Lacey Estates Winery (Prince Edward County)
Offer: Let’s Raise a glass to #openlocalwine
Details: Free shipping on 4-6 bottle purchases of our 2016 Riesling, 2017 Riesling/Vidal, 2019 Inox Unoaked Chardonnay, 2019 Mon Ami White Sparkling and our 2019 Baco Noir. On April 10 tag us at #laceyestates with a photo of you enjoying our wines.
Black Prince Winery (Prince Edward County)
Offer: Free shipping on 6 bottles (mix and match with our gourmet vinegars ok).
Details: Prince Edward County wines delivered right to your door in time for Open Local Wine Day — orders must be received by noon on Tuesday April 6.
Marynissen Estates Winery (Niagara)
Offer: #OpenLocalWine Six Pack
Details: We’ve put together a six-pack for you to celebrate with! Enjoy 2 bottles each of our 2019 Heritage Collection Charmed and 2019 Lokaal Red, and 1 bottle each of our 2015 Platinum Series Chardonnay and 2018 Heritage Collection Cabernet Sauvignon for $119.95! We will also be hosting a virtual tasting for #OpenLocalWine Night on April 10 at 7 p.m.!
Vineland Estates Winery (Niagara)
Offer: A bonus “sweet” for the sweetness of spring!
Details: #OpenLocalWine has a value add at Vineland Estates Winery. Not only do you get free shipping with an order of any 6 bottles (our online bonus for the last year), but you also get a complimentary bottle of Late Harvest Vidal with your order of 6 bottles. Just put LHV or Late Harvest Vidal in the comments section of your order and we will include the free bottle of wine with your order of 6! Welcome sweet spring!
Trail Estate Winery (Prince Edward County)
Offer: Open Local Wine
Details: 10% off wine purchases of 4 or more bottles until midnight April 4. Mix and match or choose the ones you love! It’s a-la-carte, so you can pick and choose their wines.
Kacaba Vineyards and Winery (Niagara)
Offer: We will be featuring a 2 bottle package of 2019 Reserve Riesling & 2017 Cabernet/Syrah. The price is $43.30 per package, including a savings of $6. We offer FREE curbside pick up at the winery, as well as shipping direct to consumers for a nominal fee.
PondView Estate Winery (Niagara)
Offer: Celebrate local wine on April 10 with our #OpenLocalWine Day 6-Pack!
Details: This pack includes a selection of our newest Bella Terra favourites and a PondView Estate Classic, including: 2 2019 Cabernet Franc Rosé, 2 2019 Bella Terra Chardonnay Sur Lie and 2 2018 Bella Terra Red. Price includes HST and free shipping within Ontario. On April 10, share an image of how you enjoy this pack and tag us for a chance to be featured on our Instagram!
Queenston Mile Vineyard (Niagara)
Offer: Secrets of St. David’s (2 bottles) — Uncover the secrets of the St. David’s Bench sub-appellation.
Details: Includes 1 bottle each of award-winning 2017 Pinot Noir and 2017 Chardonnay. The perfect wines to sip on this spring as you plan your trip to wine country. ONLY $69 (save $5) plus free direct-to-home shipping. Includes invitation to Virtual Tasting on April 29 at 7 p.m. and receive copies of Chef’s favourite local recipes.
Creekside Estate Winery (Niagara)
Offer: Red Tractor Spring Special (6 bottles)
Details: Welcome Spring with our Red Tractor Harvest Special, which includes 3 bottles of our 2018 Red Tractor Cabernet Franc & 3 bottles of our 2018 Chardonnay. ONLY $110 (Save $35). Free direct-to-home shipping is included.
Sun-Ann Staff Estate Winery (Niagara)
Offer: #OpenLocalWinePack: Vintage 2018 Premium Whites Quartet
Details: Four pack of Sue-Ann Staff Estate whites. Includes newly released 2018 Robert’s Block Riesling, 2018 Elisha’s Chardonnay, 2018 Mabel’s VCR, and a pre-release 2018 The Louie Pinot Gris for a special, limited time offer price of $80. Special price offer valid until April 11, 2021 only.
Konzelmann Estate Winery (Niagara)
Offer: Everything Happens for a Riesling
Details: The package includes three terroir driven Rieslings, all grown on the estate’s Lakefront Vineyard. Also included is a branded charcuterie board.
Westcott Vineyards (Niagara)
Offer: Westcott Classics Pack (10% off)
Details: Package includes two bottles of Estate and Reserve Chardonnays and two bottles of Estate and Reserve Pinot Noir.
Wander Food and Wine (Sudbury)
Offer: A Celebration & Tasting of Ontario Wine on #OpenLocalWine day where you can learn about and taste 5 wines from Ontario and how you can pair them with your favourite dishes.
— Rick VanSickle, publisher of Wines in Niagara, with some information provided by Lenn Thompson
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