Who loves Chardonnay? We sure do! (…Even though Mike is pictured here enjoying a glass of Inniskillin’s delicious Sparkling Cabernet Franc Icewine instead.)
A Spectacular Cellar Dinner at Inniskillin
As part of the International Cool Climate Wine Symposium (ICCWS), Inniskillin hosted Experience Niagara East, an unforgettable cellar dinner featuring an incredible lineup of wines paired with a gourmet meal prepared by Smoke & Barrel Niagara. The evening highlighted not only Inniskillin’s wines but also featured selections from Summerhill Pyramid Winery (British Columbia), Tightrope Winery (British Columbia), and Maverick Estate Winery (British Columbia)—showcasing the diversity of Canada’s cool-climate wine regions.
The International Cool Climate Wine Symposium
After two years of postponements, we were beyond excited to finally take part in the ICCWS, which took place in the Niagara Region and was hosted at Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI). This multi-day conference brought together world-class winemakers, researchers, and industry professionals to discuss the latest advances in viticulture, winemaking, business, and sustainability for cool-climate wines.
One of the highlights of the symposium? The Great Chardo Swap—a deep dive into the terroir and sub-appellations of Wine Country Ontario, explored through a lineup of Chardonnays crafted by an all-star group of winemakers. This tasting experience truly showcased the unique characteristics that make Ontario one of the world’s top cool-climate wine regions. A huge thank you to Brock University’s Belinda Kemp for making this experience happen!
Looking Ahead to Cool Climate Wine Innovations
In addition to incredible tastings, the symposium included cutting-edge discussions on the challenges and innovations shaping the future of cool-climate wine production. Speakers explored how adversity drives innovation, creating new opportunities to strengthen the position of cool-climate wines on the international stage.
And the excitement doesn’t stop here—after an inspiring few days at the conference, we’re even more thrilled for the upcoming Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (i4C) later this week!
Will we see you there? 😉